งานศึกษาเรื่อง “Defining Supply Chain Management” ของ Mentzer, John T., William DeWitt, James S. Keebler, Soonhong Min, Nancy W. Nix, Carlo D. Smith, และ Zach G. Zacharia ที่ตีพิมพ์ใน Journal of Business Logistics ฉบับที่ 2 ปี 2001 ได้อธิบายความหมายและวิวัฒนาการของการนิยามความหมายของคำว่า “Supply Chain” ไว้เป็นช่วงๆ ตามความซับซ้อนของสมาชิกในโซ่อุปทาน ดังต่อไปนี้

Definition of a Basic Supply Chain

     “A supply Chain is a set of 3 or more companies directly linked by one or more of the upstream and downstream flows of products, services, finances, and information from a source to a customer.”

Definition of a Extended Supply Chain

    “A supply Chain is a set of 3 or more companies directly linked by one or more of the upstream and downstream flows of products, services, finances, and information from a source to a customer.”

Definition of an Ultimate Supply Chain

    “An ultimate supply chain includes all the companies involved in the upstream and downstream flows of products, services, finances, and information flow from the initial suppliers to the ultimate customer.”
     และล่าสุดในปี 2005 Council of Supply Chain Management Professional ได้ให้ความหมายของคำว่า “Supply Chain” ไว้ดังนี้ 
     “Supply Chain Management encompasses “the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion, and all Logistics Management activities. Importantly, it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners, which can be suppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers, and customers. In essence, Supply Chain Management integrates supply and demand management within and across companies.”