Blue ocean leadership activities improve firm performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kok Liang Loh ◽  
Shari Mohd Yusof

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediation effect of Blue Ocean Leadership (BOL) activities between lean manufacturing (LM) practices and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach This study applied sequential mixed method with expert opinion in the first stage and cross-sectional survey from automotive vendor companies in the second stage. The samples were drawn using random sampling procedure from automotive vendor companies in Malaysia with the final number of respondents of 64. Four main hypotheses were developed and tested statistically by applying multivariate data analysis using SmartPLS3.0 SEM software. Findings The results provide evidence that LM practices have positive and significant impact on firm performance. Moreover, activities of Genba-Kaizen significantly improve the firm performance by an amazing 30 per cent. Research limitations/implications The data used in the survey represent self-reporting by mainly the top management in operations or production. It is recommended for future study to include middle and lower management level to understand the difference of their activities. Besides, it is proposed to extent the population beyond automotive industry. Practical implications This study contributes to the LM body of knowledge by identifying the relationships between the LM practices, firm performance and BOL activities. Understanding these will help lean practitioners especially the leaders in making better decision in both manufacturing and service organizations. Thus, increasing the staff motivation and engagement eventually contributes to the firm performance. Originality/value Although there are growing numbers of anecdotal and empirical evidences in favour of LM in manufacturing environment, there has been almost no theory-building and methodologically rigorous research examining the link between the leaders’ activities with LM practices and firm performance. This study is addressing such gaps.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amiram Markovich ◽  
Kalanit Efrat ◽  
Daphne R. Raban

PurposeThis study aims to augment the understanding of dynamic capabilities (DCs) by exploring the interrelations among the DC categories (sensing, seizing, reconfiguring) and the distinct impact of each DC on firm performance under low and high levels of competitive intensity.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on a cross-sectional survey of 139 managers in Israel. The data were collected through Web-based questionnaires using the Qualtrics software. A two-stage data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe findings indicate that DCs follow a sequence in which sensing drives seizing, which, in turn, enhances reconfiguring. The effects of sensing are mainly manifested through its direct impact on seizing, with no evidence for an impact of sensing on company performance. Moreover, under low competitive intensity, only seizing appears to impact performance, while under high competitive intensity, reconfiguring joins seizing in improving firm performance.Originality/valueThe study's findings advance the debate on the direct vs sequential nature of DCs by indicating an internal DC sequence. Our research also advocates for a crucial role of sensing in enhancing DCs, regardless of the level of competitive intensity. Furthermore, this research expands the understanding of the consequences of DCs and enables the prioritization of DC categories under low and high competitive intensity.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Gupta ◽  
Jing Zhou ◽  
Shanfei Feng ◽  
Munyaradzi W. Nyadzayo

Purpose This study aims to investigate how the relationship factors, including equity, shared responsibility and relationship dependence leverage the value co-creation. The research studies the value co-creation process in a business-to-business (B2B) context between suppliers and customers and provides empirical evidence of the underlying effects. Design/methodology/approach Using social exchange theory, the research uses a mixed-method of in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys. The sample of the survey has 123 business customers. Findings The findings suggest that equity not only positively affects but also mediates the effect of shared responsibility on value co-creation. The mediation effect is further moderated by the relationship dependence that buyers have on the seller. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional survey used cannot establish causality relationships. Although the goal was not to establish causality, it could limit the rigor of the study. The longitudinal design could be used in the future to better address this deficiency. While the paper is the initial step to analyze the factors influencing value co-creation empirically, more studies could examine other commonly discussed constructs. Originality/value This empirical study enriches the value co-creation literature by examining the antecedents’ detailed mechanism that facilitates value co-creation in a B2B context.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 482-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nemiraja Jadiyappa ◽  
Pavana Jyothi ◽  
Bhanu Sireesha ◽  
Leila Emily Hickman

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of CEO gender on the performance of Indian firms and to explain the economic channel for any such effect.Design/methodology/approachUsing a panel of 100 Indian firms, the authors test whether there is a significant difference in the performance – measured as return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) – of firms with male vs female CEOs, in both time and space dimensions, using the difference-in-differences approach.FindingsThe average ROA of the sample firms decrease by about 10 percent after a female enters the CEO role. This negative result remains robust in both the time series as well as cross-sectional analyses. The decline is also observed when using ROE to measure performance. Further, the authors show that this negative effect is associated with an increase in agency costs that is observed following the appointment of a female CEO.Originality/valuePrevious studies have produced mixed results regarding the effect of having a female CEO on firm performance, and the research to date has not explored the economic channel through which this effect occurs. In this study, the authors show that the decline in performance observed among Indian firms flows from an increase in agency costs under female management.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan-Lluís Capelleras ◽  
Shpresim Domi ◽  
Giovanni Belletti

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the interplay of skill-enhancing human resources (HR) practices, innovativeness and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Data from 211 valid cases were gathered through an online survey and face-to-face interviews with Albanian tourism firms. Structural equation modeling was implemented to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results suggest that HR training has a positive influence on innovativeness, which in turn affects positively firm performance. Thus, there is a mediation effect of innovativeness in the link between training and performance. Research limitations/implications The findings are in line with the strategic perspective on HR management, which suggests that HR practices are likely to indirectly affect firm performance. However, results should be interpreted with caution due to the cross-sectional nature of the data. Practical implications HR training practices may help tourism firms to increase their innovation orientation and ultimately improve their performance outcomes. Originality/value Investigating the mediation role of innovativeness on the relationship between skill-enhancing HR practices and firm performance within the tourism context is the core contribution.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Martinez-Sanchez ◽  
Fernando Lahoz-Leo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the mediating effect of supply chain agility (SCA) in the relationship between absorptive capacity (AC) and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data from 231 Spanish firms and test the hypothesis by structural equation modelling. Findings SCA mediates the relationship between AC and firm performance. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional survey and the use of managerial perceptions may need to use longitudinal and real measures in future studies to validate causal relationships. Practical implications SCA may contribute to explain why AC improves firm performance. Firms with more agile supply chains may benefit more from their efforts in AC to improve firm performance. Originality/value A conceptual framework has been developed to explain the relationships of the main constructs of the study (AC and SCA) with firm performance and whether SCA mediates the relationship between AC and firm performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (50) ◽  
pp. 205-219
Author(s):  
Maryam Saeed

Purpose This study aims to test the mediating role of psychological contract (PC) in a relationship between personality dimensions and turnover intention. Design/methodology/approach The current study is analytical in nature. The data for the purpose of the analysis is collected from 300 software engineers working in Lahore, Punjab. Purposive sampling technique is used for the collection of this data. The response rate was 87.33 per cent. Different data analysis techniques such as correlation, regression analysis, are used to test the 10 hypotheses of the study. Moreover, the study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. Findings According to regression analysis, extroversion, conscientiousness and agreeableness personality dimensions brought positive but insignificant increments in turnover intention. However, emotionally stable personality dimensions brought positive and significant increments in turnover intention. Open to experience personality dimension brought negative but insignificant decrement in turnover intention. Results showed extroversion personality dimension brought a very less but insignificant increment in variations of PC, which have higher contributions in variations of turnover intention. Emotional stable, conscientiousness and agreeableness personality dimensions brought also very less but a significant increment in PC. Open to experience personality dimension have negative but insignificant decrement in PC. Results showed the mediation impact of PC among emotional stability, conscientiousness and agreeableness personality dimensions and turnover intention. However, PC does not mediate among extroversion, open to experience personality dimensions and turnover intention. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research. Originality/value This study will help the organization in reducing the turnover rate and can enhance the motivation level of their employees.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fazli Haleem ◽  
Sami Farooq ◽  
Brian Vejrum Wæhrens ◽  
Harry Boer

PurposeMany factors have been identified that may drive a firm’s decision to offshore production activities. The actual performance effects of offshoring, however, depend on the extent to which these drivers are realized. Furthermore, the question is how risk management helps mitigating the risk involved in offshoring ventures, thus leading to better performance outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which realized offshoring drivers and risk management mediate the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachData from the Global Operations Networks project, a cross-sectional survey administered in Denmark and Sweden, are used to test two hypotheses on the mediating role of realized offshoring drivers and risk management in the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance. AMOS version 23 is used to perform the analyses.FindingsThe results demonstrate that realized offshoring drivers fully mediate the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance. However, risk management does not mediate the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance.Originality/valueThis study develops new theory on, and managerial insight into, the mediating role of realized offshoring drivers and risk management in the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rifat Kamasak

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative contribution of tangible resource (TR) and intangible resource (IR), and capabilities on firm performance based on the measures of market share, sales turnover and profitability. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey research design was used in the study. The modified version of Galbreath and Galvin’s (2008) resource-performance questionnaire which included a total number of 45 questions was applied on 243 Turkish firms operating in different industries. The data collected were analysed by hierarchical regression analysis. Findings The findings revealed that IRs and capabilities contributed more greatly to firm performance compared to TRs. However, in contrast to the proposition of resource-based theory that views capabilities as the most important skills that underpin the development and deployment of both TR and IR, capabilities offered rather limited additional explanatory power to the prediction of firm performance only with respect to profitability against the combined effects of TR and IR. Originality/value The vast majority of the empirical resource-based view (RBV) research concentrates on developed countries and very little is known about results outside of this domain. This study employs Turkish business databases to assess the relative importance of TR and IR and capabilities on performance differences among firms in Turkey which was the 17th largest economy in the world trade in 2016. Second, in the RBV literature, limited research tests the contribution of capabilities to firm success after simultaneously accounting for the effects of other resources (namely, TR and IR) available to the firm. Finally, this research offers practical contributions to executives and managers who have to make adequate decisions for firm survival and growth in the competitive business arena.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 867-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Tortorella ◽  
Diego Fettermann ◽  
Michel Anzanello ◽  
Rapinder Sawhney

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between the behavioral orientation of leaders from different hierarchical levels and the implementation phase of the lean manufacturing (LM) roadmap. In addition, it also aims at analyzing the influence of inherent contextual variables related to leadership. Design/methodology/approach The proposed method relies on both qualitative and quantitative approaches, since it combines and numerically assesses the results of semi-structured interviews with lean experts, in addition to evaluating a cross-sectional survey with 225 leaders from different Brazilian companies that are undergoing LM implementation. Findings The findings support the existence of a transient leadership style along the LM implementation, which is evidenced in terms of task and relation orientation and may vary according to the hierarchical level. Furthermore, the context does matter with regard to leadership style orientation along the LM roadmap phases, although not all variables matter to the same extent. Originality/value LM implementation is about changing both technical and socio-cultural aspects, which can be seen as the essence of leadership. The relevant question that arises is whether leaders’ behaviors from different hierarchical levels should be adapted according to the maturity of LM implementation and the contextual variables that surround leadership.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuma C. Nwuba ◽  
Uche S. Egwuatu ◽  
Babatunde M. Salawu

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate client influence on mortgage valuation in Nigeria to establish and rank the means of influence clients employ, and the impact of firm characteristics on client influence. Design/methodology/approach – A combination of cross-sectional survey and focus groups research designs was adopted. Questionnaire structured on five-point Likert format was used to collect data from a sample of valuation firms in five Nigerian cities. Descriptive statistics, χ2, and moderated hierarchical linear model were used for data analysis. Findings – Clients’ means of influence on valuation are more of subtle approach than threat or coercion. The most prevalent means are respectively, plea for assistance, promise of continued retainership on banks’ valuer panels, and disclosing the loan amount. Client influence differs across cities; firm characteristics have no influence on client pressure. Practical implications – The research provides basis for valuation bodies to review practice rules and standards and seek for legislation for valuer independence. It can serve as material for teaching and training in professional ethics. Social implications – Biased valuations jeopardises credit risk mitigation process with potential for destabilising banks, finance sector, and consequences for the economy. Originality/value – The study provides empirical evidence of the nature of client influence across several major Nigerian cities. In contrast to existing Nigerian studies that focus on single cities, the study covers several cities. It therefore provides a broad basis for problem-solving and decision-making.


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