Supplier relations impact within the UK automotive industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 3143-3161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilek Demirbas ◽  
Lauren Wilkinson ◽  
David Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Production Control ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Market Uncertainty ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supplier Relations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of the recent recession on both the automotive manufacturer as well as their suppliers. The research aims to identify if the impact has been the same at each of the organizations, or if there has been a difference. Design/methodology/approach This paper carries out a case study research, into the need for suppliers to increase their responsiveness following recession and the impact this has had on supplier relations. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were carried out at the vehicle manufacturer with two members of production control staff from VMUK plus seven production control staff at seven tier 1 suppliers to VMUK. Findings Supply chains have been enhanced through an increased level of responsiveness, following the economic downturn and supplier relations have had a positive impact post-recession. Research limitations/implications Literature argues that competitive advantage can be achieved through responsiveness, and that responsiveness is critical during a period of volatility and market uncertainty. Furthermore, literature also argues that competitive advantage can be achieved through positive supplier relations. This study investigates both of these arguments. Originality/value This study concludes that the positive supplier relations offer a competitive advantage when there is no cost advantage to be found elsewhere. Furthermore, this study concludes that as a direct impact of the recession, supplier relations have improved within the case studies investigated.

Sustainability and competitive advantage from a developing economy

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amoako Kwarteng ◽  
Samuel Ato Dadzie ◽  
Samuel Famiyeh
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Corporate Performance ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the impact of sustainability as measured by the triple bottom line constructs on the competitive advantage of manufacturing firms in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach To understand the impact of sustainability on competitive advantage, a survey was conducted where managers were asked about their engagement in the sustainability issues and how it affects their competitive advantage. The study uses the structural equation modelling (SEM) and, in particular, the partial least square (PLS) approaches to SEM. Findings The results of this study indicate that economic and social have a positive impact on the corporate image but not the environment. In addition, corporate image and social have positive impact on corporate performance, whilst economic and environment seem not to have any impact on corporate performance. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to only manufacturing firms operating in the Ghanaian environment. It is important, therefore, for firms in Ghana to invest in social sustainability initiatives, as it will ultimately affect their bottom line performance. This study provides policy implications to Ghana and other developing countries to implement the necessary policies and provide incentives to improve environmental awareness. Originality/value There have been just a few studies that tried to find out the impact of sustainability constructs and performance and how corporate image mediates this relationship.

Industry perspectives on Malaysian hotel minimum wage issues

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-197
Author(s):  
Ann Selvaranee Balasingam ◽  
Kashif Hussain ◽  
Alwie Manaf
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Wage ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Wage Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hotel Managers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the impact of the minimum wage order from the perspectives of two different stakeholders, namely, hotel managers and employees, in the Malaysian hotel industry. Design/methodology/approach For the study, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews from three managers and three employees from hotels in West Malaysia. Findings From the managers’ perspective, minimum wage implementation has resulted in managers adopting the best payment structure to reduce labour costs for the operators, deciding to reduce the service charge allocation to employees and having to deal with minimal improvement in employee productivity and motivation. In contrast, the positive impact from the managers’ perspective is lower turnover intentions and social justice for foreign workers. From the employees’ perspective, there is a rather negative impact – minimum wage policy has resulted in a minimal increase in the salary. From a positive perspective, employees said that they have experienced an improvement in living standards. Originality/value This research presents current responses from hotel participants regarding the latest wage increase impact, some six years after its implementation.

Understanding the interplay between support agencies and small and medium-sized enterprises in a conflict environment from an institutional theory perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nisar Khattak ◽  
Noor Muhammad ◽  
David Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Mechanism ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study determines the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their support providers during three phases: pre-conflict environment, during conflict environment, and the post-conflict (uncertain) environment with the reference to institutional theory in the northwest region of Pakistan where there is ongoing unrest between the authorities and the insurgents.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative approach, a total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted, 19 with the owner-managers of small manufacturing firms and 4 from small business support providers in the region.FindingsThe authors theorise the changing role of support agencies as differing institutional gaps, while conflict is destructive for SMEs and support agencies; paradoxically the crisis results in stronger relationships between the support providers and SMEs which was weaker in the pre-conflict environment. Such stronger relationship enhanced the cognitive pillar of institutional theory where entrepreneurship is supported by various groups including government agencies and SMEs to alleviate unemployment in the region which is one of the potential reasons of terrorism in the country.Practical implicationsThe study may have value for policymakers who need to know more about how small businesses and support providers develop a support network in difficult regions and give a comprehensive framework to other conflictual regions who face similar circumstances.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the previous literature in several ways. First, the study reveals the impact of conflict environment on small businesses and support providers where a little research has been undertaken. Second, the study shows the support mechanism in three different intervals pre-conflict, during the conflict and post-conflict and how the Talibanization in the region has a positive impact by strengthening the support structure among small businesses and support providers. Finally, the study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship in conflict environments.

scholarly journals Implementing the living wage in UK local government

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 840-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Living Wage ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Living Wages ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of living wages on organisational pay systems. Design/methodology/approach The research draws on 23 semi-structured interviews with HR managers, trade union representatives, and politicians at four UK local government case study sites. Findings The findings suggest that living wages can have a positive impact on directly employed workers in cleaning, catering and care services, but the research also finds that the localised adoption of living wages can lead to significant wage compression, resulting in a broad band of “low skill-low wage jobs”. Originality/value The theoretical contribution is twofold. In-line with earlier research the “first-order” effects of living wages are clear: hourly wages for a large number of women in part-time roles increased sharply. However, this is only part of the story as “second-order” effects such as ripples and spill-overs are less extensive than suggested by other studies. This is due to the limited scope for trade unions to restore wage differentials through collective bargaining, the slow progress in extending the living wage to contracted staff, and parallel processes of downsizing and outsourcing.

The impact of the Greek economic recession on workplace learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 345-358
Author(s):  
Stavros Papakonstantinidis
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The paper aims to examine the impact of the Greek economic recession on workplace learning. Specifically, it surveys the views of Greek business professionals regarding whether workplace learning could be used as a competitive advantage in achieving business success. Design/methodology/approach The paper follows a qualitative research method and discusses the findings of semi-structured interviews with professionals in various industries in Greece. Findings This study provides evidence of an overall reluctance to adopt formal learning strategies. Although hiring and retaining the best talent at work is seen as a competitive advantage, Greek professionals do not attribute success to formal workplace learning. Instead, digitalization of informal learning becomes essential for acquiring new knowledge. Social implications In the first few years of Greece’s economic recovery, companies aim to keep their budgets low in anything that seems luxurious and ultimately unnecessary. The paper discusses some implications of the implementation of digitalized informal learning in business. Originality/value This study is the first to explore how Greek professionals from various business sectors and managerial levels view workplace learning during the initial years of the country’s economic recovery.

The impact of an integrated medical leadership programme

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Agius ◽  
Amy Brockbank ◽  
Rebecca Baron ◽  
Saleem Farook ◽  
Jacky Hayden
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Medical ◽  
Benefit Patient ◽  
Leadership Curriculum ◽  
Mixed Origin ◽  
Medical Leadership ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of an integrated Medical Leadership Programme (MLP) on a cohort of participating specialty doctors and the NHS services with which they were engaged. Design/methodology/approach – This was a qualitative study designed to obtain rich textual data on a novel training intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participating MLP trainees at fixed points throughout the programme in order to capture their experiences. Resulting data were triangulated with data from extant documentation, including trainees’ progress reports and summaries of achievements. Recurring discourses and themes were identified using a framework thematic analysis. Findings – Evidence of the positive impact upon trainees and NHS services was identified, along with challenges. Evidence of impact across all the domains within the national Medical Leadership Competency Framework was also identified, including demonstrating personal qualities, working with others, managing services, improving services and setting direction. Research limitations/implications – Data were drawn from interviews with a small population of trainees undertaking a pilot MLP in a single deanery, so there are inevitable limitations for generalisability in the quantitative sense. Whilst the pilot trainees were a self-selected group, it was a group of mixed origin and ability. Practical implications – The study has provided valuable lessons for the design of future leadership programmes aimed at doctors in training. Originality/value – Identifying the effectiveness of an innovative model of delivery with regard to the Medical Leadership Curriculum may assist with medical staff engagement and support health service improvements to benefit patient care.

The impact of intellectual capital on innovation generation and adoption

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mir Dost ◽  
Yuosre F. Badir ◽  
Zeeshan Ali ◽  
Adeel Tariq
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Organizational Capital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovation Generation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure the separate and interrelated effects of three aspects of intellectual capital (human, social and organizational capital) on innovation generation and adoption. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 318 respondents’ of chemical firms. This study used multiple regression analysis to analyze the influence of human, organizational and social capital on innovation generation and adoption. Findings Results suggest that organizational capital exerts significantly positive impact on innovation adoption. In the same vein, social capital exerts significantly positive impact on both innovation generation and adoption. Moreover, interaction of social capital further strengthens the influence of organizational capital on innovation adoption. Contrary to hypotheses, human capital does not exert significant influence on innovation generation. However, interaction of social capital further strengthens the impact of human capital on innovation generation. Practical implications Findings offer implications for modern managers to utilize the knowledge that resides in firm’s different locations. It also enhances managerial ability to identify and apply these knowledge resources to expedite innovation generation and adoption. Originality/value Innovation generation and adoption plays a critical role in firm’s acquiring success and competitive advantage, yet the influence of intellectual capital on innovation generation and adoption mostly remains as unexplained puzzle. This study contributes to knowledge-innovation literature by examining the missing link between different types of knowledge and innovation generation and adoption. It also helps to comprehend the enabling factors through which firms capitalize upon, and obtain, a sustainable competitive advantage.

Basic research public procurement: the impact on supplier companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Dal Molin ◽  
Ezio Previtali
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate and assess the impact of public procurement activities of an Italian basic research center (the National Institute for Nuclear Physics [INFN]) on supplier companies. Design/methodology/approach Starting from the exploratory nature of this research, a single case study research strategy has been applied. The impact of basic research public procurement has been estimated using survey data on 168 INFN supplier companies. Supplier companies have been surveyed on six different categories of company outcomes, namely, sales volume, learning and innovation, relationship with the market, alliances and network and social impact. Findings Results of the analysis reported that the activity of INFN public procurement generates a positive impact on supplier companies on different dimensions, especially related to learning and innovative outcome and economic impact and market penetration outcome. Social implications Policy implications can be derived from the current study. In particular, to support the policymakers in the effort of assessing the impact of basic research public procurement, this study, first highlights the impact dimensions on supplier companies, and second, it provides empirical evidence of public procurement as a viable tool to foster companies’ innovation. Originality/value This research explores a relevant but understudied topic that has recently attracted the attention of policymakers. In fact, although public procurement have been recognized as a tool to foster companies’ innovation, empirical evidence is still scant, particularly in the case of basic research.

scholarly journals The interplay of rules, asymmetries in language fluency, and team dynamics in culturally diverse teams

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Vigier ◽  
Helen Spencer-Oatey
Keyword(s):  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Language Fluency ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Rule Setting ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how newly formed culturally diverse project teams develop and implement rules, and how these processes may be affected by language-fluency asymmetries. Design/methodology/approach Using a case-study research design, the authors investigated three multicultural project teams within a management integration program in a multinational company in France. Their complete data set includes 37.5 hours of observations and 49 hours of semi-structured interviews. Findings Findings revealed that subgroups formed on the basis of language-fluency and this affected the development and implementation of rules. While rule-setting mechanisms emerged across teams, they varied in form. On the one hand, tightly structured rules emerged and rules were rigidly applied when there were greater language inequalities. In contrast, implicit behavior controls guided interactions when language-fluency subgroupings were less salient. The findings also revealed that the alignment of other individual attributes with language fluency reinforced subgroup divisions, further impacting the rule development and implementation processes. Practical implications Understanding rule development and implementation in culturally diverse teams and how these processes are impacted by language disparities enables managers to help members develop more successful behavioral patterns by keeping language-fluency (and other) attributes in mind. Originality/value The study extends and complements previous team research by providing in-depth insights into the process of rule development and implementation. It demonstrates the impact of language-fluency asymmetries and subgroup dynamics on these processes. The authors propose a model to capture the processes by which culturally diverse teams create rules, and how the rule-setting mechanisms might be moderated by faultlines such as language-based disparities.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on women entrepreneurs in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Mustafa ◽  
Ambreen Khursheed ◽  
Maham Fatima ◽  
Marriam Rao
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on micro-businesses owned by women borrowers of microfinance institutions and to provide policy suggestions to assist women entrepreneurs in managing such an unexpected crisis from a qualitative perspective within developing countries such as Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative research design to explore the impact of COVID-19 on women’s entrepreneurial activities. Seven women entrepreneurs were selected and semi-structured interviews with focused group discussion under case study research design are used. Thereby providing a contemporary view of the issues faced by women entrepreneurs in the period of huge social and economic upheaval. Findings The results provide valuable insights about how the COVID-19 crisis affected women entrepreneurs by particularly considering household income, business sales, lifestyle and mental health. The liquidation of women-led businesses indicated the necessity to reconsider creativity and digitalization for business survival. Moreover, the results also revealed that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical, mental and economic well-being of women highlights the need for considering gender gap issues in forming response policies for COVID-19 in developing countries. Originality/value As the COVID-19 crisis is a recent and existing phenomenon, this study is among the first to explore particularly the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on micro-enterprises mainly owned and managed by women. Thereby claiming that COVID-19 not only physically but also psychologically affected women entrepreneurs. Moreover, the study highlights a need of skill focused training programs for women entrepreneurs to make sure that they can protect their businesses during such difficult times.

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