Framework for characterizing the design of VMI systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 782-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikael Ståhl Elvander ◽  
Sami Sarpola ◽  
Stig‐Arne Mattsson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
System Configurations ◽  
System Designs ◽  
Industrial Context ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Operation And Management

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to provide for the research community as well as for the practitioners measures that enable the evaluation, categorization and comparison of vendor managed inventory (VMI) systems.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, a framework is developed for characterizing the design of VMI systems based on a review of prior research and an empirical investigation of industry‐to‐industry VMI relationships in Sweden.FindingsThe proposed framework incorporates the main characteristics of VMI systems and serves as a tool for profiling VMI system designs and for facilitating the comparison and analysis of different VMI system configurations.Research limitations/implicationsThe Swedish industrial context in which the framework was tested should be taken into consideration when generalizing upon the findings.Practical implicationsVMI systems come in various shapes and setups, as a result of which the challenges related to their operation and management may differ significantly. This study addresses the issue by providing practitioners with a tool that helps them in the design and management of VMI systems.Originality/valueWhile categorizations and measures for the VMI systems exist in prior research, this study contributes by synthesizing the existing measures and testing them in empirical setting. The study contributes particularly to the research on VMI systems but also more broadly to the supply chain management research.

Why didn’t it work out? The effects of attributions on the efficacy of recovery strategies

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 700-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Iglesias ◽  
Concepción Varela-Neira ◽  
Rodolfo Vázquez-Casielles
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Service Failure ◽  
Service Recovery ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Customer Defection ◽  
Recovery Strategies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of attributions on the efficacy of service recovery strategies in preventing customer defection following a service failure. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical investigation is carried out on the retail banking industry with a final sample of 448 real cases of customer retention or defection after a service failure. Findings – The results of the study not only highlight the relevance of intentionality as an additional factor in explaining customer defection, but also show the effects of some attributional dimensions (intentionality and controllability) on the efficacy of some recovery strategies (redress, apology and explanation) applied by companies to prevent post-complaint customer defection. Practical implications – The efficacy of the recovery strategies depends on the causal attributions that the customer makes about the service failure. Originality/value – This study analyzes not only the effects of traditional dimensions of attribution (stability and controllability), but also the additional effect that intentionality attributions may have on actual customer defection (not intentions). Moreover, it analyzes their effects on the effectiveness of recovery strategies in preventing customer defection. Most of these effects have never been empirically analyzed in the literature.

scholarly journals Bridging the relevance-ranking chasm: mission impossible?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Zolkiewski
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
First Century ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Business World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status ◽  
Business And Management ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to debate the challenges related to balancing relevance and ranking in management research. Design/methodology/approach This is a commentary on and review of challenges faced by twenty-first century management academics. Findings There is a chasm between managerial relevance and current managerial research; however, with academic buy-in, there are ways in which the chasm can be crossed. Research limitations/implications The implications of this are wide reaching for management researchers. They are challenged to consider different methodologies, strategies and dissemination avenues for their research. Practical implications Researchers need to consider not only collaboration with practitioners, as they pursue solutions to managerial problems, but also more inter-disciplinary research that addresses the wicked problems of management in practice. Social implications Solving the challenge of managerial relevance of business research has the potential to allow the contribution of business academia to be fully appreciated by practitioners. Originality/value The value of this thought-piece is that it challenges business and management academics to challenge the status quo and fight to make their research relevant to and valued by the business world.

scholarly journals Resource-based competition: three schools of thought and thirteen criticisms

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek El Shafeey ◽  
Paul Trott
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Terminological Confusion

Purpose – The field of research on resource-based competition is full of nuanced terminology and misunderstandings. This has led to confusion, and thus the authors offer a critical review, which provides a structure and clarity to this subject. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This analysis structures the literature on resources, capabilities, and competences into three distinct schools of thought: the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, the rational-equilibrium school; the dynamic capability-based view of the firm, the behavioural-evolutionary school; and the competence-based view of the firm, the social constructionist school. Findings – The authors uncover 13 criticisms of the most widely adopted theoretical framework of the RBV of the firm – Valuable-Rare-Imperfectly imitable-Organisation (VRIO). Research limitations/implications – The misinterpretation and neglect of the classic scholarly work may help to explain why the VRIO framework has been elevated from a view to a theory and why it has received so much attention. Practical implications – The authors show how the relative ease of measuring resources as compared to (dynamic) capabilities and (core) competencies has helped raise the profile of RBV. Originality/value – This analysis contributes to management research by illustrating the deviation among the three schools of thought; the authors show how this has contributed to wide terminological confusion and offer a structure to help researchers situate their work within the relevant school of thought.

scholarly journals Rigour in research: theory in the research approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sense Making ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Changing Practice ◽  
Theoretical Paper ◽  
Epistemological Dimension ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reexamine the importance of theory in research. The paper focuses on discussing the underlying principles that influence the research approach. Design/methodology/approach – This is a theoretical paper that discusses the importance of theory in research and opens up the area for discussion and debate. Findings – The paper contributes to the research methodology literature by adopting a sense making perspective, and focusing on the ontological and epistemological dimension of research. The paper furthers the debate on the link between theory and research, as the basis for developing further theory. Research limitations/implications – The paper provides a limited focus to management research and has not at this stage engaged in any practical testing of the ideas. Practical implications – There is an opportunity for changing practice at a variety of levels in engaging with research. These include implications for researchers, teachers, students and practitioners. Originality/value – The paper re-emphasises the importance in understanding philosophical concerns which underpins research activity. It is designed as a tool for discussion and guidance.

scholarly journals Figuratively speaking: of metaphor, simile and metonymy in marketing thought

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 328-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Brown ◽  
Roel Wijland
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Alternative Interpretation ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Figures Of Speech ◽  
Reflective Essay ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Much has been written about metaphor in marketing. Much less has been written about simile and metonymy. It is widely assumed that they are types of metaphor. Some literary theorists see them as significantly different things. If this is the case, then there are implications for marketing theory and thought. Design/methodology/approach In keeping with literary tradition, this paper comprises a wide-ranging reflective essay, not a tightly focussed empirical investigation. A combination of literature review and conceptual contemplation, it challenges convention by “reading against the grain”. Findings The essay reveals that, far from being part of metaphor’s supporting cast, simile and metonymy are stars in themselves. With the aid of three concise cases-in-point – relationship marketing (RM), the consumer odyssey (CO) and Kotler’s generic concept (GC) – the authors present an alternative interpretation of their conceptual contribution and continuing importance. Practical implications Marketing management is replete with metaphorical speculation (positioning, warfare, myopia and more). The shortcomings of such figures of speech are rarely spelled out, much less foregrounded. By raising figurative consciousness, marketing practice is furthered. Originality/value As similes and metonymies are rarely spoken about in marketing scholarship, the study starts a much-needed conversation. It raises the issue of marketing’s figurative foundations and, in so doing, offers further scope for future debate.

Does human capital pay? The influence of leader human capital and employee human capital on leader bonus earnings

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Harris ◽  
Lee W. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Head Coaches ◽  
Head Coach ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leader Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe human capital of a leader and the human capital of the employees who work for the leader can impact the bonus earned by the leader. Little to no research has examined data that includes the maximum potential bonus that could be earned by a leader and the actual bonus earned. This information provides a closer examination of leader performance and the impacts of leader and employee human capital on the bonus earned by the leader.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a sample of NCAA college football teams and head coaches over two years to test their hypotheses. They measure the human capital of the team and the human capital of the head coach. In addition, the authors assess the percentage earned by the head coach of the maximum potential bonus possible.FindingsThe authors find that a coach's human capital and the human capital of their team positively and significantly predict the percentage of the maximum possible bonus earned by the head coach.Practical implicationsThe results of this study indicate the importance of leader human capital to a leader's ability to earn more of their maximum potential bonus. Additionally, if a leader is able to surround himself or herself with highly talented employees, it will benefit the leader in terms of the amount of bonus earned.Originality/valueThis study extends previous research to provide a more complete picture of factors that influence a leader's ability to earn more of their maximum possible bonus. The authors’ findings that both the human capital of the leader and the human capital of employees who work for the leader impact the amount of bonus earned by the leader add value to human resource management research. Specifically, when examining factors that impact a leader's bonus earnings, it is important to consider not only characteristics of the leader but also factors apart from the leader, such as the leader's employees.

Explaining the measurement and evaluation stasis

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Nothhaft ◽  
Hanna Stensson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Principal Agent Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Constructive Dialogue ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Measurement And Evaluation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain the “evaluation deadlock” or “stasis” diagnosed by many authors. The explanation relies on a thought experiment. Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual and builds on a thought experiment inspired by qualitative research such as interviews with communication consultants in Sweden. It makes use of principal–agent theory and Akerlof’s theory of lemon markets. Findings A plausible explanation for the evaluation stasis requires consideration of practitioners’ self-interest as businesspeople. The deadlock is explained by an anomaly in practitioner populations and passive or active but covert resistance. If the long-time neglect of measurement and evaluation has led to expectation inflation and overpromising, even well-performing actors might shy away from rigorous measurement and evaluation practices in their own mandates, since they fear being measured against promotional, not realistic standards. At the same time, on the level of industry discourse, these practitioners would still advocate for measurement and evaluation in principle, so as to avoid the suspicion of underperformance. Research limitations/implications The paper suggests an explanation for further empirical investigation. It does not attempt to demonstrate anything else than that the suggestion is plausible and that it warrants further investigation. Practical implications The scientific community engaged in the measurement and evaluation debate appears puzzled by the discrepancy between practitioners’ words and actions. The authors hope that the paper contributes to a more realistic and thus more constructive dialogue between practitioners and academics in the measurement and evaluation debate. Originality/value Inspired by Alvesson and Spicer’s concept of functional stupidity, the paper argues that attempts to explain the evaluation stasis have been marked by circumspection and narrowness. At present, explanations for the evaluation stasis tend to focus on lack of knowledge or inadequate systems or frameworks. The paper offers a more comprehensive explanation.

scholarly journals Circular economy: laying the foundations for conceptual and theoretical development in management studies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta De Angelis
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Model Innovation ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Sustainability Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Scholarly Attention

PurposeThis article develops conceptual and paradigmatic clarity in the circular economy literature from a management studies perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis article uses a systematic literature review for analysing how circular economy is currently understood. It also reflects on how to establish paradigmatic anchoring of the circular economy in the management field.FindingsMultiple definitions of the circular economy exist, but they depict the circular economy narrowly and fail to incorporate aspects of competitiveness and profitability. Additionally, most of sustainability management research displays shortcomings in the way this literature frames the organisation–nature relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThis article aims to support conceptual and theoretical development in the circular economy literature and highlights opportunities for enhanced competitiveness and profitability deriving from circular business model innovation. However, further research is welcomed to assess this connection.Practical implicationsThe conceptualisation of the circular economy proposed in this study emphasises aspects of competitiveness and profitability, which is of relevance to management practitioners.Originality/valueThis study addresses current shortcomings in how the circular economy is conceptualised. As a result, it proposes a more comprehensive conceptualisation which also includes competitiveness and profitability aspects and, thereby, is relevant from a management studies perspective. It also provides paradigmatic anchoring to the circular economy concept by suggesting that the sustaincentric paradigm, which has received limited scholarly attention so far, is suitable to inform circular economy research and practice.

Co-production in chronic care: exploitation and empowerment

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 724-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Essén ◽  
Sara Winterstorm Värlander ◽  
Karina T. Liljedal
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Process Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Chronic Care ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
General Phenomenon ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Many scholars have urged firms to empower consumers to become co-producers, arguing that this empowerment leads to a win-win situation that benefits consumers and providers alike. However, critical voices have emphasised that co-production is a way to exploit rather than empower consumers and hence represents a win–lose idea that benefits providers only. Regrettably, these polarised positions remain disconnected and lack empirical investigation. The aim of the present study is to move the debate beyond this stalemate by integrating these perspectives using an empirical study to explore enabling and constraining implications of the attempts to “empower” consumers. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a qualitative empirical study of an internationally unique example of a long-term co-production process in rheumatology care. Data were collected using both focused interviews and observations. Findings The study indicates that both the optimistic and the critical perspectives of co-production are valid and the implications of “empowering” consumers are two-edged. Research Limitations/implications The study highlights the need to zoom in and analyse how empowering and disempowering mechanisms relate to specific aspects of particular co-production processes rather than to co-production as a general phenomenon. Practical Implications The empirical data illustrate the feasibility of employing patients in everyday healthcare production through simple means while raising numerous issues related to, for example, traditional healthcare roles and process design. Originality/value The present study of a unique, long-term co-production illustrates how both perspectives of co-production are valid.

An empirical investigation of the effect of advertising in shaping the relationship between sales and price of two entrepreneur brands in India

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-126
Author(s):  
Mehir Baidya ◽  
Kamal Ghose ◽  
Bipasha Maity
Keyword(s):  
Price Elasticity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Price Point ◽  
Price Relationship ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to see the role of advertising in the middle of sales-price relationship of two entrepreneur brands in India. Design/methodology/approach – Quarterly data on sales (in units), advertising (net of inflation) and price (net of inflation) have been compiled for two entrepreneur brands over a period 2007-2012. First, elasticity of price is estimated by regressing sales on price. Next, the response of price elasticity to advertising is captured using a semi-logarithmic regression model. Findings – Results reveal that price and sales are inversely related and advertising influences price elasticity negatively. Practical implications – Findings suggest that entrepreneurs/managers should allocate more funds to advertising and at the same time should charge a higher price point in order to increase revenue. Originality/value – By showing a new way of how to measure the effectiveness of advertising beyond traditional ones (inform, persuade or remind) of two entrepreneur brands this research definitely adds some value in the literature of marketing.

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