scholarly journals Understanding the influence of servitization on global value chains: a conceptual framework

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismail Gölgeci ◽  
David Marius Gligor ◽  
Ewelina Lacka ◽  
Jawwad Z. Raja

PurposeThis paper examines the servitization phenomenon in the context of global value chains (GVCs) and presents a conceptual framework by connecting the two literature streams—servitization and GVCs—to depict the interconnected multilevel processes by which the influence of servitization on GVC structure and governance is manifested.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on cross-disciplinary literature, the authors develop a multilevel conceptual framework. The theoretically informed framework advances research on servitization and GVCs and provides a line of inquiry to be explored as avenues for future research opportunities.FindingsThe authors argue that servitization instigates the formation of new ecosystems and collaborative structures within GVCs, reduces the fragmentation of the overall network structure and increases embeddedness within the subclusters of GVCs. These changes are expected to be reflected in the increase in the complexity of firms' GVC governance tasks, a greater reliance on relational governance, and an increase in the dependency on local partners in terms of the governance of GVCs.Originality/valueThis conceptual paper establishes the link between servitization and GVCs, anchors the servitization phenomenon in GVCs, explains how servitizing firms can engage in and shape GVCs and offers insights into the servitization-driven changes in GVCs. The conceptual framework is intended to lay the foundation for future empirical research on the link between servitization and GVCs.

2016 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deodat Mwesiumo ◽  
Nigel Halpern

Purpose This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework on interfirm conflicts in tourism value chains. The framework includes types of conflict, triggers of conflict and their preconditions, consequences of conflict and measures for preventing conflict. Design/methodology/approach The framework is developed from a review of literature that is focused largely on tourism value chains, interfirm conflicts and interorganizational relations. It draws on the ideas, concepts and empirical evidence offered in the literature. Findings Conflicts can be distinguished by their level of explicitness and by the motives on which they are grounded. They may be triggered by opportunistic behaviours, coercive demands, perceptions of unfairness or dissatisfaction with partner’s performance. Preconditions include exogenous events, asymmetrical power distribution, antagonism of goals and differences in perceptions of reality and serve as a breeding ground for the triggers. Consequences are typically destructive but may also offer opportunities for constructive outcomes. Joint implementation of formal contracting and relational governance may be used to prevent conflicts. Originality/value This paper provides a conceptual framework that can be used by scholars wishing to conduct more detailed empirical research on the subject. It can also be used by practitioners to assess interorganizational relations within their tourism value chains and to develop appropriate measures for preventing interfirm conflicts.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tarikul Islam ◽  
Christina Stringer

Purpose Despite substantial economic upgrading, Bangladesh’s apparel industry remains confronted by claims of precarious working conditions. This paper aims to understand the challenges of achieving social upgrading and whether benefits of economic upgrading can transfer to workers and their dependents through social upgrading. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 90 participants from six apparel firms in Bangladesh. The interviews were conducted following the Rana Plaza disaster. Findings The results suggest that social upgrading has not occurred to the same extent as economic upgrading. Social upgrading has been compromised in part, by the tiered factory system operating and a lack of governance within the lower tier firms. Research limitations/implications Single country and one industry constitute the main limitations of this research. Future research could include multiple countries and industries to allow for greater generalization of findings. Originality/value The paper provides new insights on how social upgrading might be compromised within the global value chains context and its impact on developing country supplier firms, workers and their families.


Author(s):  
Sohail Akhtar ◽  
Mohd Anuar Arshad ◽  
Arshad Mahmood ◽  
Adeel Ahmed

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of spiritual quotient (SQ) on the organisational sustainability from the Islamic perspective. Till date, many organisations around the world are facing environmental, social and economic issues affecting their organisational sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The present paper is conceptual paper based on literature review on employee’s behavioural issues and role of SQ for organisational sustainability. Findings This present paper argues that SQ must be considered as the important factor for employee development in the organisation. It develops spiritual awareness among employees which enhances their productivity within the organisation. Furthermore, SQ is necessary means of identifying and harnessing deeper inner resources with the capacity to care for the well-being of the organisation and advance its development. Research limitations/implications The paper suggests SQ and its multi-dimensions with the implication for future research in organisational sustainability. Originality/value The paper discusses the development of the concept of SQ from the Islamic perspective.


Author(s):  
Chiara Burlina ◽  
Eleonora Di Maria

Purpose This paper aims to provide a snapshot of various countries’ contributions to value produced along global value chains (GVCs). It focusses on manufacturing activities and their evolution over time, in the context of GVC regionalisation. Design/methodology/approach The Trade in Value Added (TiVA) and World Integrated Trade Solution databases for the period of 2005-2015 were used to explore the case of Italy and its industries’ specialisations (Made in Italy): fashion, furniture, automotive and machinery traditionally organised into clusters. Various analyses were used to show the dynamics of gross import–export and imported–exported value-added. Moreover, the revealed comparative advantage index was computed to test whether the Made in Italy sector remains a source of competitive advantage for Italy within GVCs. Findings The results highlight how the geography of value-added is changing over time, with growing importance placed on the countries close to Italy and with a different pace according to each considered GVC. Originality/value The paper applied new methods to compare trade and analyse value-added dynamics through a recent database released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development within the TiVA initiative that is useful for scholars and policymakers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 1133-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Yrjölä ◽  
Hannu Saarijärvi ◽  
Henrietta Nummela

Purpose This study examines how retailers leverage multiple-channel strategies in relation to their customer value propositions (CVPs). More specifically, the purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze how multi-, cross- and omni-channel CVPs differ in terms of how they create value and which types of shopping motivations they aim to satisfy. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper presents and synthesizes three theoretical discussions pertaining to consumer shopping motivations, CVPs and multiple-channel retailing strategies into a tentative conceptual framework. Nine case examples are used to illustrate three different channel strategies: multi-channel, cross-channel and omni-channel retailing. Findings A tentative framework for understanding retailers’ channel strategies is suggested. Practical implications Retailers will benefit from a structured and synthesized understanding of the differences between multiple-channel strategies and their links to CVPs. Originality/value This paper introduces and integrates the concept of CVPs with the literature on multi-channel retailing strategies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 354-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Christofi ◽  
Erasmia Leonidou ◽  
Demetris Vrontis ◽  
Phillip Kitchen ◽  
Ioanna Papasolomou

Purpose – This paper aims to illustrate how innovation typologies may lead to cause-related marketing (CRM) success when applied to services. Design/methodology/approach – Hence, the paper identifies product/service and brand factors that underpin CRM success, undertakes an innovation theory application in CRM and examines its theoretical and practical significance. Findings – The paper develops a conceptual framework that may serve to facilitate CRM success. Originality/value – Intended contributions include: a critical review of academic research related to CRM success; identification of underdeveloped connections between five innovation types and CRM success; enrichment of the innovation and CRM literature by developing a framework that combines these; managerial guidelines to achieve successful CRM practice in services; and an agenda for future research in CRM via a multi-dimensional concept of innovation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 694-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Hagberg ◽  
Malin Sundstrom ◽  
Niklas Egels-Zandén

Purpose – Digitalization denotes an on-going transformation of great importance for the retail sector. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the phenomenon of the digitalization of retailing by developing a conceptual framework that can be used to further delineate current transformations of the retailer-consumer interface. Design/methodology/approach – This paper develops a framework for digitalization in the retail-consumer interface that consists of four elements: exchanges, actors, offerings, and settings. Drawing on the previous literature, it describes and exemplifies how digitalization transforms each of these elements and identifies implications and proposals for future research. Findings – Digitalization transforms the following: retailing exchanges (in a number of ways and in various facets of exchange, including communications, transactions, and distribution); the nature of retail offerings (blurred distinctions between products and services, what constitutes the actual offering and how it is priced); retail settings (i.e. where and when retailing takes place); and the actors who participate in retailing (i.e. retailers and consumers, among other parties). Research limitations/implications – The framework developed can be used to further delineate current transformations of retailing due to digitalization. The current transformation has created challenges for research, as it demands sensitivity to development over time and insists that categories that have been taken for granted are becoming increasingly blurred due to greater hybridity. Originality/value – This paper addresses a significant and on-going transformation in retailing and develops a framework that can both guide future research and aid retail practitioners in analysing retailing’s current transformation due to digitalization.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terri Byers ◽  
Christos Anagnostopoulos ◽  
Georgina Brooke-Holmes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of organisational control and both its importance and utility for understanding nonprofit organisations. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a critical realist (CR) methodology to discuss the concept of control and its utility to research on governance of nonprofit organisations. Findings – The current study offers a conceptual framework that presents a holistic view of control, relevant for analysing nonprofit organisations, and a methodological lens (CR) through which this framework can be implemented. Research limitations/implications – This paper suggests that studies of governance should consider different levels of analysis, as suggested by examining the concept of control using a CR framework. This notion has yet to be tested empirically and a framework for examining governance from a CR perspective of control is suggested. Context is highly relevant to understanding control, and thus, this model requires testing in a wide diversity of nonprofit sectors, sizes of organisations and time periods. Originality/value – The literature on organisational control provides useful insights to advance our understanding of nonprofit organisations beyond the notion of governance, and this paper proposes both conceptual and methodological underpinnings to facilitate future research.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Hardaker ◽  
Aishah Sabki ◽  
Liyana Eliza

Purpose The purpose of this study is to react to COVID-19 and is intended to transcend the regular thoughts to deeper issues towards humanity and nature. This paper also extends further the article “pedagogy of life beyond extinction” published in the Journal for Multicultural Education. This paper continues this discussion by further inward reflections on the self and the search for ultimate happiness amid the current pandemic that emerged in 2020. The study focusses on a holistic perspective towards a pedagogy that extends further the previous article by focussing on issues of happiness, dialogue and self-awareness. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a reflective and exploratory, style that is an enabler for future research into a pedagogy that is focussed on humanity and nature. Findings The conceptual paper explores a holistic perspective towards a pedagogy that considers issues of happiness, dialogue and self-awareness. Originality/value This study’s intention is to extend the notion of pedagogy that looks beyond educational institutions in seeking a wider understanding of humanity and nature. The concept of “pedagogy of life beyond happiness” is used as a way to understand levels of the “self” as a way to gain deeper self-awareness. This provides a lens for seeking ultimate happiness.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 349-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Hopwood

Purpose – This conceptual paper aims to argue that times, spaces, bodies and things constitute four essential dimensions of workplace learning. It examines how practices relate or hang together, taking Gherardi’s texture of practices or connectedness in action as the foundation for making visible essential but often overlooked dimensions of workplace learning. Design/methodology/approach – This framework is located within and adds to contemporary sociomaterial- or practice-based approaches, in which learning is understood as an emergent requirement and product of ongoing practice that cannot be specified in advance. Findings – The four dimensions are essential in two senses: they are the constitutive essence of textures of practices: what they are made of and they are non-optional; it is not possible to conceive a texture of practices without all of these dimensions present. Although the conceptual terrains to which they point overlap considerably, they remain useful as analytic points of departure. Each reveals something that is less clear in the others. Research limitations/implications – This innovative framework responds to calls to better understand how practices hang together, and offers a toolkit that reflects the multifaceted nature of practice. It presents a distinctive basis for making sense of connectedness in action, and thus for understanding learning in work. Originality/value – The paper offers a novel conceptual framework, expanding the texture of practices through dimensions of times, spaces, bodies and things, rendering visible aspects that might otherwise be ignored.


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