Not just another internal service provider: how a firm’s marketing research function influences uses of market research information

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Bode ◽  
Ingmar Geiger
Keyword(s):  
Service Provider ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Market Research ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decentralized Decision Making

Purpose This paper aims to better understand a firm’s market research function’s (MRF) roles and influences on the different uses of market research information (MRI) (instrumental, conceptual and symbolic) in the firm. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a mixed-methods design: In a qualitative study among marketing managers (n = 9) and market researchers (n = 10); different roles of a firm’s MRF are scrutinized. The quantitative study among corporate users of MRI (n = 235) tests a conceptual model on the MRF-related determinants of MRI uses, using structural equation modeling. Findings When the MRF exhibits methodological, market and business expertise and interacts with market research users, these features indirectly influence instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic uses, through MRI quality perceived by the users. The users’ knowledge of market research methods, the function’s integrity, top management support, and decentralized decision-making have various beneficial influences on the three uses of MRI. Research limitations/implications Broadly speaking, this research expands the theoretical understanding of marketing-related organizational learning processes. It considers message, source, recipient, and context variables to explain changes in attitude and behavior, related to MRI uses. Practical implications Overall, corporations should use MRI more thoroughly. Treating the MRF as a strategic asset rather than just another internal service provider increases its value to the firm. Firms should thus bolster the MRF’s different roles, namely, internal colleague, service provider, customer representative, quality assurance, and knowledge broker. Originality/value This paper is the first to comprehensively analyze the MRF’s role in MRI generation and various uses. It identifies three expertise dimensions of the MRF to fully leverage the MRF’s value to the organization and empirically underscores theoretical writings on the MRF’s roles in the firm.

Enterprise social network (ESN) systems and knowledge sharing: what makes it work for users?

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-327
Author(s):  
Abhishek Kalra ◽  
Rupashree Baral
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enterprise Social Network

Purpose Enterprise Social Network (ESN) systems have emerged as the technology of choice to bolster and support organizational efforts for harnessing embedded knowledge. However, a lack of understanding about it limits the optimization of its potential. Hence, this paper aims to assess the role of hedonic motivation, network externalities (NE) and top management support in conjugation with the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology theory to understand ESN’s usage for knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 187 ESN users through a survey questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling using the partial least squares method. Findings ESNs are used both for utilitarian and hedonic purposes. Furthermore, the results also bring out the importance of externalities arising from an extensive network of users and complimentary services, as well as support regarding resources and recognition from the top management toward reinforcing the benefits of using ESNs. Research limitations/implications This study advances earlier knowledge by assessing the actual usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing. It takes into consideration multiple input variables, namely, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, NE amongst others to best resonate with the key factors driving its adoption and usage by an individual. However, because of the cross-sectional research design, causality can only be inferred. Practical implications The organizations are recommended to have in place the measures for attaining optimal usage of ESNs, and in turn, witness knowledge moves around in ways unfathomable. Steps should be taken to develop tools and ecosystems to provide users affordances for both increasing productivity, as well as opportunities for gaining pleasure. Originality/value This study is one of its kind effort to synthesize the knowledge about the ESNs in an Indian context. It provides fascinating insights into the determinants of intention and usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing.

Sense of belonging based on novel posting

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian-Chao Guo ◽  
Zhi-Chao Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose – Although novel posting is a universal phenomenon in virtual communities (VCs), few studies have addressed the benefits of novel posting for group members. The purpose of this paper is to identify the social and psychological outcomes of novel posting, particularly whether and how sense of belonging can be produced by it. Sense of belonging implies an individual’s integration or assimilation into virtual groups. Design/methodology/approach – To assess the theoretical model, a survey was administered in an internet discussion community (Baidu Post Bar in China), and structural equation modeling was then used to test the model. Findings – Novel posting can produce social and psychological outcomes, such as social interaction ties, group-based self-esteem and sense of belonging. Novel posting is an individualized behavior, which some studies consider to conflict with sense of belonging; however, via the mediating effects of social interaction ties and group-based self-esteem, sense of belonging can also arise based on novel posting. Practical implications – VC operators should focus on differentiating between irrational posts and novel posts and encourage the latter. Additionally, to satisfy members’ needs, VC operators should strengthen the degree of social interaction ties and members’ self-esteem by providing attractive topics and virtual rankings. Originality/value – This study contributes to a theoretical understanding of the social and psychological outcomes of novel posting and, more importantly, whether and how sense of belonging arises on the basis of individualized behavior.

Understanding B2B customer loyalty in the mobile telecommunication industry: a look at dedication and constraint

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuiqing Yang
Keyword(s):  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Telecommunication Industry ◽  
Mobile Telecommunication ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Dual Nature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Constraint Factors ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper attempts to investigate the simultaneous effects of dedication and constraint factors on business-to-business (B2B) customer loyalty in the context of transforming the mobile telecommunication industry. Maintaining a successful inter-organizational relationship with the key players becomes increasingly critical to the performance and competitiveness of the mobile network operator (MNO) in the mobile telecommunication industry. Design/methodology/approach – A dual customer loyalty model which reflected both dedication-based and constraint-based mechanisms is developed and empirically tested against data collected from 129 content providers (CPs) which currently have business relationships with China Mobile. Findings – The structural equation modeling partial least squares analysis indicates that dedication-based (e.g. customer satisfaction, trust in MNO and MNO’s relationship-specific investments) and constraint-based (e.g. switching costs, dependence on MNO and CP’s asset specificity) mechanisms simultaneously, yet differentially, influence CP’s loyalty toward the MNO. Practical implications – To obtain CP’s loyalty, MNOs should consider both the dedication and constraint factors. In particular, they need to focus more on the constraint-based mechanism, as it exerts stronger influences on CP’s loyalty than the dedication-based mechanism. Originality/value – This research advances our theoretical understanding of the dual nature of customer loyalty behavior in the B2B context and offers practical implications for MNOs to leverage these two contrasting causal drivers.

Managing strategic supplier relationships: antecedents and outcomes

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P. Jack ◽  
Thomas L. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Quality Outcomes ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the antecedents of strategic supplier relationships in conjunction with outcomes of product and service quality and financial performance. The management of strategic supplier relationships involves the selection and development of suppliers that share common goals and strategies of the partnering organization. Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modeling using partial least squares is used to verify and test these relationships. Findings – Top management support, technological preparedness and trust were found to have significant positive influences on the management of strategic supplier relationships. Strategic supplier relationships were found to have a positive influence on product and service quality outcomes and financial performance. Research limitations/implications – The results provide new and original empirical evidence on the relationship between the antecedents and outcomes of strategic supplier relationships. Practical implications – The findings can contribute to the management of supplier relationships, resulting in improved product and service quality outcomes and financial performance. Originality/value – The research adds empirical evidence to the literature on the factors that contribute to effective supplier relationships and the customer- and firm-related outcomes of this process.

scholarly journals Me, myself and I

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1519-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Steinbach ◽  
Carl Marcus Wallenburg ◽  
Kostas Selviaridis
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Customer Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Service Outsourcing ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This research focuses on the role of customer behavior in service outsourcing relationships that are governed by outcome-oriented contracts. The purpose of this paper is to explain how non-collaborative customer behavior impedes the effectiveness of outcome-oriented contracts to align the goals and incentives of the customer and service provider, and leads to service provider opportunism. Design/methodology/approach Nine hypotheses are developed regarding customer behavior and the reaction of the service provider to this. These are tested using structural equation modeling with data from 213 service outsourcing relationships. Findings Outcome-orientated contracts in service outsourcing may have unintended consequences because they create value attribution ambiguity. This ambiguity induces non-collaborative customer behavior, which, in turn, results in service provider opportunism. This reveals a paradox, where customer behavior aimed at curbing service provider opportunism instead induces such opportunism. This chain of effects can be counteracted by increased outcome attributability, which reduces the ambiguity and, thus, the motivation for non-collaborative customer behavior. Originality/value This research extends the existing literature by stressing that non-collaborative customer behavior is a key reason why outcome-oriented contracts fail in effectively governing outsourcing relationships, and that this can be counteracted by increased outcome attributability.

Determinants of perceived success in management consulting

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 706-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matias Bronnenmayer ◽  
Bernd W. Wirtz ◽  
Vincent Göttel
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Management Consulting ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Management Consultants ◽  
Order Construct ◽  
Sorting Test

Purpose This paper aims to conceptualize perceived management consulting success, derive relevant success factors based on principal-agent theory and the resource-based view as well as investigate the particular factors’ influence. Management consulting has become important for improving the competitiveness of a variety of firms. Surprisingly, there is little empirical evidence clarifying what constitutes a successful management consulting project. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct a survey to empirically investigate the hypotheses. They develop the survey instrument through a literature review, expert interviews, a pre-test and an item-sorting test. To analyze the data from 348 management consultants, the authors apply structural equation modeling. Additionally, they choose a triangulation approach by asking secondary informants about the originally surveyed consultants’ responses. Findings Initially, the authors develop the second-order construct perceived management consulting success, consisting of the factors compliance with budget and schedule, degree of target achievement, profitability as well as expansion and extension. Additionally, they develop an understanding of management consulting’s success factors. In this regard, five of six factors show a significant impact on perceived management consulting success. Originality/value According to the results, the factor intensity of collaboration is of highest importance for perceived management consulting success. Further, the factors common vision, consultant expertise and top management support show comparably strong significant influences. Yet, the authors have to reject the hypothesis about trust. This result conveys the complicacy of the consultant–client relationship and shows that building a trustful relationship between both parties is hard to accomplish.

scholarly journals Six Sigma enablers in Mexican manufacturing companies: a proposed model

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (5) ◽  
pp. 926-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Tlapa ◽  
Jorge Limon ◽  
Jorge L García-Alcaraz ◽  
Yolanda Baez ◽  
Cuauhtémoc Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Variation Reduction ◽  
Proposed Model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of Six Sigma (SS) and the underlying dimensions of its critical success factors (CSF) via an analysis of the effects of top management support (TMS), implementation strategy (IS), and collaborative team (CT) on project performance (PP) in Mexican manufacturing companies. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a SS literature review, a survey was conducted to capture practitioners’ viewpoints about CSFs for SS implementation and their impact on performance in manufacturing companies. A factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted in order to identify and analyze causal relationships. Findings – The results suggest that CSFs grouped in the constructs TMS, IS, and CT have a positive impact on PP as measured by cost reduction, variation reduction, and quality improvement. Research limitations/implications – Although the empirical data collected supported the proposed model, results might differ among organizations in different countries. In addition, the study did not analyze a unique performance metric; instead, general PP dimensions were used. Practical implications – Boosting the TMS, IS, and CT enhances positive PP of SS in manufacturing companies. Originality/value – IS as a construct has not been studied exhaustively; this work contributes to a better understanding of it and its impact on PP. Additionally, studies of SS in Latin America are limited, so this study gives a complementary vision to practitioners and researchers about it.

Assessing endogeneity issues in international marketing research

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruey-Jer "Bryan" Jean ◽  
Ziliang Deng ◽  
Daekwan Kim ◽  
Xiaohui Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
A Priori ◽  
International Marketing ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Independent Variable

Purpose – Endogeneity is a potential threat to the validity of international marketing (IM) research. The purpose of this paper is to draw the attention of IM researchers to issues of endogeneity, to provide a comprehensive overview of the sources of endogeneity, and to discuss the statistical solutions. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conduct the research in two steps. In the first step, the authors review the nature and sources of endogeneity specifically in IM research. In the second step, the authors review 60 IM papers on endogeneity published in the period 1995-2014 and assess the current practice of addressing endogeneity in the IM literature. Findings – Sample selection bias and simultaneity are prevalent sources of endogeneity in IM research. Internationalization-performance relationship and innovation-export nexus are the two most frequently adopted models subject to potential endogeneity. Simply lagging the main independent variable is statistically flawed in dealing with endogeneity despite its popularity in IM research. Research limitations/implications – First, a careful choice and application of methods are critical when addressing endogeneity. Second, the authors suggest the employment of multiple study methods to address endogeneity robustly. Third, to prevent or solve endogeneity in structural equation modeling, researchers may either collect data on independent and dependent variables from different respondents or employ a two-stage least squares approach. Finally, it is helpful to design dedicated models to prevent proactively potential endogeneity a priori. Originality/value – The contribution of this study is twofold. First, it is the first in the literature to discuss the endogeneity issue specifically in IM research. In particular, the study elaborates the origins and consequences of the three most frequently confronted types of endogeneity in IM research. Second, the authors assess the four major methods of addressing endogeneity in IM research with a systematic discussion of the literature from the last two decades. The authors offer suggestions on how to minimize endogeneity in model design and empirical implementation for future IM research.

Customers as “partial” employees of organizations: good or bad?

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 1148-1168
Author(s):  
Weiling Zhuang ◽  
Barry J. Babin ◽  
Adilson Borges
Keyword(s):  
Service Provider ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Information Resource ◽  
Customer Participation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the following research questions: How do customer input and service provider (in this study, the terms firm and service provider are used interchangeably) input coproduce customer experience and response? Do different components of customer input influence customer experience differently? Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to conduct tests of the measurement model and the main hypotheses represented in Figure 1. LISREL 8.80 (Jöreskog and Sörbom, 1993) was applied for data analysis in the current study. A survey instrument was designed and used to gather data for use in this study. Data were collected using an online survey administration tool (www.qualtrics.com). Findings The results indicate that two dimensions of customer participation – information resource and codeveloper activities – demonstrate distinct impacts on customers’ responses. Specifically, customer participation (information resource) is negatively related to customer shopping values and satisfaction. However, another dimension of customer participation (codeveloper activities) is positively related to the same outcomes. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to integrate customer participation and customer orientation to understand the phenomenon of customer co-creation. The study applies for a two-dimensional customer input construct and empirically tests their impacts on customer experience. Both utilitarian value and hedonic value are included in the research framework to assess customer value experience.

Frontline nurses’ appraisal of organizational attractiveness and the role of management support, interdepartmental collaboration climate and service quality of care

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Terje Slåtten ◽  
Gudbrand Lien
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Organizational Attractiveness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Management

Purpose This paper aims to examine the factors related to organizational attractiveness (OA), a concept originating in the strategy of employer branding. Previous research on OA has predominantly adopted the perspective of external applicants. In contrast, the present study takes the perspective of internal and current employees, extending further the scope of studies on OA. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative data were collected from a survey consisting of a sample of 164 nurses, all employees of public hospitals. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Furthermore, the indirect effects were tested by mediator analysis. Findings Interdepartmental collaboration climate, management support and service quality of care were shown to have a positive effect on OA, with the three factors explaining 45% (R2 = 0.45) of OA. The relationship between management support and OA was found to be mediated through the interdepartmental collaboration climate, and that between the interdepartmental collaboration climate and OA was found to be mediated through the service quality of care. Originality/value This study contributes to an understanding of OA from a current employee perspective. Specifically, it reveals how the three factors of interdepartmental collaboration climate, management support and service quality of care influence and shape the perception of current employees (nurses) toward the attractiveness of their organization.

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