scholarly journals The Holy Grail

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 714-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Pereira-Moliner ◽  
Xavier Font ◽  
Juan José Tarí ◽  
Jose F. Molina-Azorin ◽  
Maria D. Lopez-Gamero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Performance Levels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Measure ◽  
Environmental Capability ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hotel Managers ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse the influence of environmental proactivity on cost and differentiation competitive advantages, and to explore the double relationship between environmental proactivity and business performance. Design/methodology/approach – The population consists of all three- to five-star hotels in Spain. A sample of 350 hotels was classified according to environmental proactivity and performance levels, employing a two-step cluster analysis. Significant differences between groups were examined. Findings – The results show two types of environmental behaviour (reactive and proactive), with proactive hotels developing significantly better on both cost and differentiation competitive advantage and achieving significantly higher performance levels. Hotels which achieve above average business performance levels are significantly more environmentally proactive. Research limitations/implications – The present paper demonstrates that environmental management is related to competitive advantages and business performance. Environmental management systems are more developed in higher category, chain-affiliated and larger hotels. This could be due to having more resources to develop their environmental capability. The environmental proactivity scale employed in this study is presented as a reference measure for hotel managers to benchmark their current practices and implement environmental improvements. Originality/value – First, measuring environmental proactivity using four managerial systems (operative, information, strategic and technical) is innovative and provides a more detailed approach to measuring environmental proactivity. Second, demonstrating a double association between environmental proactivity and performance provides fresh insights into the relationship between these variables.

Dynamic capabilities and competitive advantages as mediator variables between market orientation and business performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Jorge Correia ◽  
José G. Dias ◽  
Mário Sérgio Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to explore a new causal link between market orientation and business performance by introducing dynamic capabilities as a mediator of the relationship between market orientation and competitive advantages, which ultimately determine business performance.Design/methodology/approachThe mediating roles of dynamic capabilities and competitive advantages are tested with a sample of 1,190 Portuguese firms using a structural equation model.FindingsThe results confirm the hypotheses regarding the mediating roles of the competitive advantages (differentiation and cost leadership) in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and business performance. Additionally, dynamic capabilities also mediate the relationship between market orientation and competitive advantages.Practical implicationsThis study shows that business performance depends on the capacity of firms to collect the best market information on customers and competitors, to disseminate this information throughout their internal structure and ultimately optimize its use to respond appropriately to market challenges and trends. These will provide firms with a set of capabilities and a competitive advantage.Originality/valueThis study provides empirical evidence on the understanding of the relationship between market orientation and performance, through the mediating effects of both dynamic capabilities and competitive advantages.

Lean manufacturing practices and performance: the role of social and technical factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 732-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saumyaranjan Sahoo
Keyword(s):  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Practices ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Modern manufacturing systems require tools and techniques that take cognizance of the social (concerning people and relations) as well as the technical environment. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the social and technical aspects of lean manufacturing practices and their effects on business performance outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The hypothesized relationships for this study are tested with data collected from 148 Indian manufacturing firms by using SPSS and AMOS statistical software. Findings The analysis of the study was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, which indicated that both “soft” and “hard” lean practices are positively related to business performance parameters. The findings also demonstrated that “hard” lean practices fully mediate the relationship between “soft” lean practices and business performance parameters. Research limitations/implications There are some limitations of this study. Although a cross-sectional survey has been applied, the research does not permit us to account for the lag between implementation and performance. It also brings the opinion of a limited number of Indian experts about lean manufacturing systems; hence, the sample size could be increased and the nationality of the respondent could be expanded for future research. Practical implications The paper would be of interest to Lean practitioners, and the results of this study can be used in organizations to put a focus on social-cultural changes while applying lean technical tools when it comes to practices as well as importance. Originality/value This paper extends theoretical contribution in production and operations management literature, highlighting how social and technical practices have to interact to enable a successful lean manufacturing implementation.

Intellectual capital and firm performance in the global agribusiness industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 530-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Scafarto ◽  
Federica Ricci ◽  
Francesco Scafarto
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Counter ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between intellectual capital (IC), categorized in terms of four sub-constructs – namely, human capital (HC), relational capital (RC), innovation capital (InnC) and process capital (PrC) – and business performance in the agribusiness industry. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a sample of international agribusiness companies observed over a five-year period, this paper uses correlation and multiple regression analysis to test for the existence of a positive relationship between each IC component and conventional business performance metrics. Findings – The empirical results support the hypotheses that RC and PrC have a positive impact on corporate performance. Counter to the expectations, InnC by itself is negatively associated with performance. Results also failed to confirm the hypothesis that HC directly and positively affects performance. However HC positively moderates the relation between InnC and performance, which suggests that firms that heavily invest in HC are better placed to gain returns from their research and development (R & D) investments. Originality/value – This study expands the existing research on the link between IC and performance by adding fresh evidence from a highly knowledge-intensive sector which has been under-researched thus far. It may also contribute to the specific literature on R & D and performance as it uncovers that the value-generating effect associated with R & D investments is contingent on the levels of HC.

scholarly journals Asset specificity in make or buy decisions for service operations

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomás F. Espino‐Rodríguez ◽  
Pei‐Chun Lai ◽  
Tom Baum
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Service Operations ◽  
Asset Specificity ◽  
Operation Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hotel Sector ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis work analyses make or buy decisions from the transaction cost economics perspective and the resource‐based view of the firm. The aim is to analyse the extent to which the presumptions of the two theories are valid in the service sector in terms of specific assets.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted on a representative sample of hotels in Scotland, UK. Each of the surveyed hotels was asked for information about 13 operations or hotel processes. A comprehensive model is developed that establishes the relationship between asset specificity and operation performance and hotel or business performance, moderated by the form of governance (make or buy). Moreover, the relationship between asset specificity and outsourcing in the hotel sector is also examined. The different hotel processes are classified according to the asset specificity. The factors that could lead to an increase in the outsourcing strategy are also analysed.FindingsThe results indicate that, the relationship between asset specificity and operation performance is weaker when the operations are executed in‐house. In the case of the relationship between specific assets and performance, the findings regarding non‐financial performance are not contradictory since it is slightly higher when the operation is outsourced. The factors determining an increase in outsourcing would be those related to the quality of the operation and to non‐financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsPrevious studies have not considered the relationship between specificity and business performance, which gives extra incentive to complement and expand the literature on service operations. Future research should analyze other theories on organisations and outsourcing. The findings should also be tested in other geographical regions and use sources of information other than the hotel managers.Practical implicationsThe work generates knowledge and aids managers in their “make or buy” decisions for the principal processes in the hotel industry according to the asset specificity.Originality/valueThe paper develops a specificity‐outsourcing matrix and identifies each of the hotel operations. Apart from testing the model in the hotel sector, which is an important sector of the service industry, the work offers a better understanding of outsourcing decisions based on the two basic theories used in the literature on services management. The paper also makes an innovative contribution by analysing relationships between operation specificity and performance that are previously untested in the service sector.

Social media adoption and business performance: the mediating role of organizational learning capability (OLC)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luqman Oyekunle Oyewobi ◽  
Olatunde Folaranmi Adedayo ◽  
Seth Olufemi Olorunyomi ◽  
Richard Jimoh
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Learning Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Capacity ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the mediating effect of learning capacity in the relationship between the social media usage by the construction of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their business performance in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey technique was used to collect data from the owner/manager of construction SMEs in Nigeria. The partial least square structural equation modeling was used in the assessment of the measurement model and structural model to assess the validity and reliability of the measures and to evaluate the hypotheses proposed in the conceptual model. Findings Empirical findings indicated a significant positive relationship between learning capacity and performance of SMEs. Similarly, the use of social media is significantly and positively associated to the business performance of SMEs. It has also been shown that learning capacity is a mediator of the relationship between social media and SME performance. Research limitations/implications The data for the study is are all from a single industry and a related line of business, so it could be more interesting to include more companies across sectors or industries. The finding contributes to the ongoing debate on the effect of social media on business performance. It also defined the need for the owner/manager of SMEs to understand and appreciate the effect of social media through the organization's learning potential to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. Practical implications There are a number of theoretical and practical implications for academics and practitioners who are interested in further studies of organizational social media. The research presents a quantitative study on the effect of social media adoption on the organizational performance of the construction industry. This study confirms the mediating role of learning capability in the relationship between the use of social media and performance of SMEs operating in the construction industry. Originality/value This study empirically examined the relationship between social media adoption and the SMEs learning capability and business performance by evaluating a hypothesized conceptual framework to establish the relationships.

Business leaders’ views on the importance of strategic and dynamic capabilities for successful financial and non-financial business performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 908-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Simon ◽  
Chloe Bartle ◽  
Gary Stockport ◽  
Brett Smith ◽  
Jane E. Klobas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Organisational Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Measures ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Strategic Capabilities ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on research that identifies the relationships that senior managers believe exist between capabilities and business success. In doing so, it addresses the need for more empirical research about the role of strategic and dynamic capabilities in organisational performance. It also highlights the critical strategic and dynamic capabilities that are most valuable for practising managers. Design/methodology/approach – A multi-method study was conducted. Eight types of strategic capability and ten types of dynamic capability commonly found in organisations were identified through consecutive literature review, web site content analysis and interviews with senior executives. A questionnaire survey was then used to ask senior officers of publicly listed Australian firms about the importance of each capability and financial and non-financial performance indicators. The relationship between capabilities and performance was measured by regression modelling. Findings – Good leadership with an innovative vision and selection and retention of good staff and developing their skills and capabilities were the stand out strategic capabilities. Strategic thinking about the big picture and the long-term and flexible leaders who can lead and manage adaptation to change were considered to be the most important dynamic capabilities. Strategic capabilities were more often associated with indicators of financial success, and dynamic capabilities were more often associated with non-financial measures of organisational performance. Originality/value – This is the first study to make a distinction between strategic and dynamic capabilities in examining the relationship between capabilities and business success. The results demonstrate that the distinction has both theoretical and practical value.

A revisit of lean production on performance based on heterogeneity

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuechang Zhu ◽  
Yu Lin
Keyword(s):  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Firm Heterogeneity ◽  
Lean Production ◽  
Causal Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Operations Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to revisit causal effects and investigate hysteresis effects of lean production on performance. With a focus on firm heterogeneity, this paper explores the role of organization ownership structure in shaping the relationship between lean production and performance. Design/methodology/approach The propensity score matching (PSM) model combined with difference-in-difference (DID) estimation is applied to minimize selection bias caused by firm heterogeneity and endogeneity problems derived from unobserved fixed variables that could potentially affect the desired causal relationship. Findings Results show that lean production has no significant effect on business performance; however, the relationship between lean production and operations performance is positive and significant, especially for non-state-owned firms. Furthermore, the non-significant effect of lean production on performance of state-owned firms is largely due to the failure of lean production implementation. Meanwhile, lean production can only improve operations performance of non-state-owned firms in the short term due to their inability to continuously implement lean production. Research limitations/implications This paper only covers manufacturing listed firms in China. Further studies are needed to test the wide implications of this paper in other countries. Practical implications This paper may help managers to identify problems in the implementation of lean production for different organization ownership structure firms, thus providing new insight into the implementation of lean production. Originality/value This paper appears to be the first one to examine causal effects of lean production on performance in China by applying the PSM model combined with DID estimation.

scholarly journals Innovation capabilities and performance: are they truly linked in SMEs?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzmán ◽  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes ◽  
Sandra Yesenia Pinzón-Castro ◽  
Vikas Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Body ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose In an environment where business uncertainty is the norm, developing innovation capability in an organisation is increasingly important. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects that innovation capabilities have on the business performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the context of a regional developing and emerging economy of Mexico, in this case, Aguascalientes. Design/methodology/approach The approach of this study is quantitative. Four research hypotheses were formulated and tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). Data were collected through a questionnaire survey responded by 308 SMEs located in the Aguascalientes state of Mexico. Findings The results obtained show that innovation in products, processes, marketing and management has a positive and significant effect on the business return of Mexican SMEs. Originality/value The paper complements the limited body of knowledge currently existent in the SMEs innovation literature, particularly when compared to that of large organisations. Similar works in other settings have provided mixed results in regards to the effects that innovation capabilities have on the business performance of SMEs. Thus, this paper offers a refined understanding and validation of the relationship between innovation capabilities and business performance, especially within the context of SMEs, and insights into some of the innovation aspects that managers may consider when formulating the strategies of their organisations. Finally, it enables such relationship to be understood within a particular situation, contributing in this manner to expand the body of knowledge in the innovation field.

scholarly journals Employees' working life and performance of UK ethnic minority restaurants: a qualitative approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
B M Razzak ◽  
Robert Blackburn ◽  
George Saridakis
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper investigates the linking between employees' working life (EWL) and job performance of ethnic minority Bangladeshi restaurants in Greater London.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use in depth face-to-face interviews of 40 participants working in 20 Bangladeshi restaurants (BRs) following a convenience sampling method. A thematic analysis technique, with the help of QSR N10, developed two key themes related to EWL and performance.FindingsThese themes highlight several aspects of the relationship between EWL and performance. First, EWL is “beyond” the UK tradition; employers show a domineering attitude; however, employees continue to work due to lack of skills and competence. Second, employees perceive and present themselves as satisfied; however, this satisfaction is not reflected in the business performance of BRs. Third, the analysis shows that business owners “trap strategy” constrains employees to develop their skills for mobility to other industries. Hence, employees express satisfaction with their existing situation on the basis that it is the best they can hope for, given their specific skills and competence, and need for some security in the UK. Fourth, non-financial performance, for example, job autonomy, sense of fulfilment is related to EWL.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a framework to promote a better understanding of the linking between employees' working life and performance of UK ethnic minority restaurants. Also, the paper makes recommendations for further research, including an examination of the applicability of the findings to SMEs operated by other ethnic groups in the UK.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the scarce literature on the working life of people in Bangladeshi restaurant businesses in the UK and the relationship between EWL and business performance.

Roles of supply chain network centralities on firm performance: an explorative study on Tokyo manufacturing industries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio K.W_ Lau ◽  
An Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Sales Performance ◽  
Supply Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to explore the impact of supply chain centralities on sales performance moderated by reputation and stock listing. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data on supply chain relationships were drawn from the context of electronics and electrical appliance industries in Tokyo, sourced from Teikoku Data Bank in year 2017–2018. On average, the authors analyzed an industrial network of 4,181 focal firms with 3.6 and 3.8 supplier and customer ties, respectively, using social networks and moderated regression analyses. Findings The authors find that in-(out-)degree, closeness and betweenness centralities are positively related to the focal firm’s annual sales performance. Hubs and authorities as ways of measuring reputation are found to not directly affect performance; hubs negatively moderate the relationship between betweenness and performance. Stock-listing was also found to negatively moderate the relationship between in-degree centrality and performance. Originality/value This study adds to existing literature by conducting a supply network analysis in a new industrial context, introducing a new method for assessing firm reputation in supply networks and showing how the structural characteristics of supply networks influence business performance.

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