Information technology competencies as antecedents for absorptive capacity and innovation capabilities in a high-tech industry

foresight ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samer Al-Shami ◽  
Mohammed Hariri Bakri ◽  
Hayder Adil ◽  
Abdullah Al Mamun

Purpose Previous studies equated information technology (IT) with the notion of effective resources. ITs improved firms’ competitive advantage and innovativeness. Yet, far fewer studies investigated types of IT competencies that corresponded to innovation capabilities, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this paper is to provide an investigation concerning the types of IT competencies and examine their influence on the innovation capabilities across high-tech firms. Design/methodology/approach A survey was randomly distributed to 274 respondents across four main sectors of Malaysian high-tech firms. The main sectors were electric and electronic, aerospace, computers and office machinery and pharmaceuticals. A structural equation model, Amos, was used to analyse data. Findings Three findings were surmised. First, IT competencies driven by IT infrastructure, alignment, management affected high-tech firms’ innovation capabilities. Second, absorptive capacity (AC) partially determined the relationship between IT infrastructure and IT alignment and innovation capabilities. AC also determined the relationship between IT management and innovation capabilities. The significance of IT competencies in the improvement of innovation capabilities was presented as a key predictor in bolstering high-tech manufacturing firms’ competitive advantage. Originality/value Two points on novelty were presented. First, by conceptualising IT competencies from resource-based theory (RBV), a shift in understanding RBV was presented. Second, alternative key predictors concerning how IT competencies could improve aspects of AC and innovation capabilities were presented.

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushanta Tripathy ◽  
Satyabrata Aich ◽  
Anurup Chakraborty ◽  
Gyu M. Lee

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the success factors for supply chain in Indian small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and establish a causal relationship among them. In the present scenario, the SMEs are under huge pressure to achieve the supply chain competitive advantage and to improve operation and logistic effectiveness and, at the same time, remain tractable to the demand uncertainty and volatility in the market. To enhance the performance of supply chain in SMEs, the managers need to identify the internal as well as the external factors that affect the supply chain performance of SMEs in India. They need to understand the causal relationship of these factors. Design/methodology/approach – There may be a number of factors that are critical for achieving acceptable supply chain performance, and these factors have been identified by principal component analysis (PCA). In all, 29 factors have been identified by using PCA and the dominating 29 factors are categorized into 6 constructs, and finally, the structural equation modelling (SEM) methodology using the AMOS 4.0 program has been adopted as the primary methodology for this paper to assess the causal relationship among six constructs. Findings – In this paper, the authors analyzed the structural relations among information technology (IT), logistic effectiveness, operational effectiveness, customer relationship, supplier relationship and SCM competitive advantage. Results indicate that IT holds the key to achieve the SCM competitive advantage in SCM practices of SMEs in India. Research limitations/implications – The proposed models for enabling factors are tested in firms with a limited numbers of factors in highly competitive environment. More factors may be incorporated, which will help for a clear understanding and establishing the causal relationship among the various enabling factors. Practical implications – Although managers of Indian SMEs are aware of various enabling factors, a systematic approach is required for identifying enabling factors, and as these factors may have complex interrelation between them for analyzing supply chain performance in SMEs, it is essential that such an approach is in place. The paper presented here will help the SMEs managers in identifying the areas in which they need to focus their attention to improve SCM practices. A structural equation modelling is developed to show the complex relationship between the factors that affect the performance. In addition to that, the proposed structural equation model acts as a good guideline to improve the performance of the supply chain in India. Originality/value – The paper provides a structural equation model to develop a map of the causal relationships and magnitude among identified enabling factors.


Author(s):  
Hartanto Kartiraharjo ◽  
Dessy Isfianadewi

This study analyzes the relationship between knowledge sharing, absorptive capacity, and innovation ability to competitive advantage in Cafe and Modern Restaurant in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This study is designed as a quantitative study with primary data obtained through the distribution of questionnaires. The population in this study was 1056 modern cafes and restaurants in Yogyakarta. Purposive sampling was conducted, and a sample of 213 respondents was selected from 89 modern cafes and restaurants in Yogyakarta that have adopted digital and have more than 500 Instagram followers. This study limits the sample to three positions: owner, manager, and supervisor. The data collected were analyzed using the structural equation model method using AMOS 24 software. This study indicates that knowledge sharing is an essential factor in increasing innovation ability and has been shown to significantly affect absorptive capacity and competitive advantage. This research also shows that innovation and absorptive capacity positively affect competitive advantage. The study results may help managers or owners of café and modern restaurants in Yogyakarta improve and develop innovation and competitive advantage in café and modern restaurants through knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 818-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
AbdulQadir Rahomee Ahmed Aljanabi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), absorptive capacity (ACAP), and technological innovation capabilities (TIC) among industrial SMEs operating in an unstable environment. The research also aims to determine whether ACAP has a mediating role in the relation between EO and TIC. Design/methodology/approach A structural equation model was designed to examine the relationships. On the basis of a research framework, a self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from SMEs owners in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. There were 432 out of 676 questionnaires returned and subsequently used for statistical analysis. Findings The outcomes of the present research indicate both EO and ACAP have significant effects on TIC. Furthermore, the outcomes suggest that ACAP has a mediation role in the nexus between EO and TIC and that indicates the ability of EO to strengthen TIC via ACAP. Originality/value The research contributes to the literature through three aspects. First, it provides some empirical evidence on the relationships between EO, ACAP and TIC of SMEs. Second, the research sheds light on the insights that firms can use externally generated knowledge as a mechanism to enhance their proactivity and willingness toward innovation. Third, for the innovation literature, it is valuable contribution to placing ACAP within the frame of EO. Thus, they can be advantageous to more development in innovation literature.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-513
Author(s):  
Seniz Özhan ◽  
Nevin Altug ◽  
Eylem Deniz

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the joint effect of two composite characteristics –openness to experience (OE) and nostalgia proneness (NP) – on product involvement (PI) and whether brand loyalty (BL) is a result of this PI. Design/methodology/approach In accordance with this purpose, a model suggesting that OE dimension of the five-factor model and NP influences PI and PI influences BL was developed and tested. The data used in the study were obtained from 1,392 participants from the Thrace region of Turkey. The authors use a structural equation model to test and confirm hypothesis. Findings OE influences PI and hence BL. On the other hand, it has been concluded that NP has no significant influence on PI. Research limitations/implications This is the first study to examine the influence of OE, one of the personality traits, and NP on BL. In this study, only OE, which is one of the five-factor personality traits, has been examined. Studies in the future may research the relationship between other personality traits and NP, PI and BL. Practical implications This paper provides managerial insights into why consumers’ personality traits and NP need to be taken into consideration in creating BL. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, the influence of OE and NP on BL has not been addressed in the current literature. Personality traits and NP are closely related to individuals’ behaviors as a consumer. Understanding the factors that influence consumer purchase decision processes is of crucial importance to managers and researchers alike. The paper is of great value for firms that consider enhance BL.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 608-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gensheng (Jason) Liu ◽  
Weiyong Zhang ◽  
Chundong Guo

PurposeEffective mass customization (MC) depends on accurately identifying customer needs and procuring appropriate components from supply base to manufacture the required product configurations in a timely manner. In essence, effective MC for a focal firm is contingent on effective supply chain management. However, extant literature is not very clear on how supply chain (SC) planning and integration activities affect MC. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by examining the impacts of SC-planning and SC-integration on MC.Design/methodology/approachOrganizational information processing theory is used to link SC-integration with MC ability, and a link is hypothesized between SC-planning and SC-integration. The structural equation model is then analyzed using data from 262 manufacturing plants.FindingsIt is found that SC-integration fully mediates the relationship between SC-planning and MC-ability.Research limitations/implicationsThe SC-integration measure is from a focal manufacturer’s standpoint, rather than the standpoint of the entire SC.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that using a SC perspective in planning activities helps a focal firm integrate with key stakeholders along the SC, which subsequently helps the firm mass customize. Practitioners should recognize the added importance of SC-planning and SC-integration if they want to mass customize.Originality/valueThis study provides a theoretical foundation for the relationship between SC-integration and MC. It also provides a more comprehensive conceptualization of SC-integration, which includes supplier integration, customer integration, as well as internal functional integration which was neglected in many previous studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 119 (8) ◽  
pp. 1785-1801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Yan ◽  
Yan-Ru Chen ◽  
Xiao-Tai Zhou ◽  
Jing Fang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze how social networking services (SNSs) affect consumers’ behaviors on the omni-channel supply chain by using a reverse research method. Design/methodology/approach Initially, a questionnaire was administered to obtain data on the relationship between the perception factors of channels and consumer behavior. Subsequently, a structural equation model was constructed, and consumer behavior were determined in the omni-channel supply chain. Finally, the importance of various factors that affected consumer behavior in the omni-channel supply chain under SNSs was determined. Findings Conclusions affirm that a positive effect on consumer channel behaviors occurs when buyers obtain information from social network platforms. However, regardless of online, offline, or mobile terminal, shortcomings are indicated in consumers’ lack of feedback on purchased goods and the bias of feedback. Originality/value The study explored ways to efficiently apply SNSs in building the omni-channel supply chain. Meanwhile, corresponding suggestions were provided such that companies will know about consumer needs.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Makjen Sinaga ◽  
Suharyono Suharyono ◽  
Muhammad Al Musadieq ◽  
Mohammad Iqbal

PurposeThis study aims to test and analyze the effect of maintenance operation, time utility and occupancy on sustainability with transit oriented development (TOD) as a moderating variable.Design/methodology/approachThis research is a quantitative research. The data in this study are a combination of primary data obtained through a questionnaire. The research took place at PT MRT Jakarta with all the board of directors as a sample in this study. The sampling technique used is saturated sampling and data analysis using structural equation model (SEM).FindingsThe result shows that maintenance and operation (M&O) have a positive and significant effect on time utility, M&O have a positive and significant effect on sustainability, time utility has a positive and significant effect on occupancy, occupancy has a positive and significant effect on sustainability and the influence of TOD does not significantly influence the relationship between time utility on occupancy and occupancy on sustainability.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in testing the maintenance operation, time utility and occupancy variables on sustainability with the renewal of TOD as a moderating variable.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Tingchi Liu ◽  
Yongdan Liu ◽  
Ziying Mo ◽  
Zhidong Zhao ◽  
Zhenghao Zhu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on how corporate social responsibility (CSR) (i.e. responsibility to customers, employees and society) influences customer behavioural loyalty in the hotel industry. The mediating effects of brand image and customer trust on the relationship between CSR and customer behavioural loyalty are also considered. Design/methodology/approach In total, 298 valid responses to questionnaire surveys were collected from a convenience sample in China in 2017. A structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Hotel customer behavioural loyalty can be enhanced by CSR performance. Performance in each of the three CSR domains positively impacted customer behavioural loyalty to different degrees. The impact of CSR on the customer had the strongest influence on Chinese customers’ behavioural loyalty among the three CSR domains of customer, employee and society. Brand image and customer trust were found to be mediators of the relationship between CSR performance and customer behavioural loyalty. Originality/value The current research contributes to the literature by demonstrating that CSR activities are not all equally effective. Results reveal that the society dimension of CSR had the strongest impact on Chinese customers’ brand image of hotels among the three CSR dimensions investigated. In terms of Chinese hotel customers’ trust, the CSR–customer dimension plays the most effective role. The findings also support the notion that Chinese consumers are beginning to use CSR information to evaluate hotels.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changiz Valmohammadi ◽  
Mohsen Kalantari

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is threefold, first to investigate if ISO 9001 certified companies in an Iranian province (Kermanshah) perform better than non-certified ISO 9001. Second, what is the main motivation of the manufacturing companies of Kermanshah province on obtaining ISO 9001 certification, i.e., internal or external motivations. And finally, if ISO 9001 certified companies with high scores of internal motivations, show better levels of performance in comparison with certified companies obtaining low scores of internal motivations. Design/methodology/approach – A survey questionnaire was distributed to the 350 companies with ISO 9000 certification, and a total of 287 usable responses were returned. Using a structural equation model, this study empirically examines the relationship between ISO 9000 implementation and firm performance, and the moderating role of firm motivation on organizational performance. Findings – The results demonstrate that ISO 9001 certified companies show better organizational performance than non-certified ISO 9001 companies and internal motivations play more important role on obtaining ISO 9001 certificate than external motivations. Also ISO 9001 certified companies with high scores of internal motivations show better levels of performance than those ISO 9001 certified companies with low scores of internal motivations. Research limitations/implications – The sample is restricted to only a single region and manufacturing, so it would be strongly recommended that data be gathered from various parts of Iran including both manufacturing and service industries. As in this study the data gathered were cross-sectional, it is recommended in order to gain deeper understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship among the variables data to be gathered longitudinally. Originality/value – This study represents a first attempt to construct a conceptual framework that integrates the motivations behind implementing ISO 9000 certification, and ISO 9000 performance in the context of Iran and gives a particular focus on the Iran manufacturing companies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Antonio dos Anjos ◽  
Melise de Lima Pereira ◽  
Florença Fiedler Pichler Von Tennenberg

Purpose In order to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution to the theme, the purpose of this paper is to assess the tourist image of the destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the tourists’ perspective. The authors specify the latent dimensions involved in the formation of the cognitive, affective, and conative image of coastal tourism destination, through which the authors can analyze and measure the construct. Design/methodology/approach The research is exploratory, descriptive, and predominantly quantitative. It uses non-probability convenience sampling, consisting of a sample of 425 tourists. Data collection were conducted in the studied destination during the summer season – 2015/2016. Findings Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors identified and tested the factors that comprise the image. Structural equation model evaluated the relationship that theoretically exists between the components of the image and the weight of the various components (cognitive, affective, and conative) on the overall image of the destination. Originality/value This research contributes theoretically and empirically to the discussions on the components of the destination image, in as much as it analyzes and interprets the cognitive, affective, and conative components of the image of the tourism destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil.


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