This paper suggests directions for developing a comprehensive theory of supply chains. It uses two vignettes, one on Henry Ford's Fordlandia experiment, and the other a brief description of Wal-Mart's supply chain. It starts the exploration of supply chain management by critiquing four widely published definitions and then proposes an alternative definition. It then goes on to look at supply chain management from the perspective of game theory and from the perspective of embeddedness. It concludes with suggests for further exploration to lead toward a comprehensive theory of supply chains.