scholarly journals Networking capability in supplier relationships and its impact on product innovation and firm performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 577-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Mitrega ◽  
Sebastian Forkmann ◽  
Ghasem Zaefarian ◽  
Stephan C. Henneberg
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Latent Classes ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relationship Initiation ◽  
Automotive Parts ◽  
Supplier Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically investigate the concept of networking capability (NC) for the management of supplier relationships and their dynamics in order to leverage product innovations. NC in the context of supplier relationships is conceptualized based on dynamic capabilities aimed at relationship initiation, relationship development, and relationship ending. Furthermore, the study tests the interaction of NC with relationship proclivity as an organizational feature, and analyzes latent classes of NC affecting product innovation. Design/methodology/approach This study brings together prior research on company routines related to inter-firm networking, the dynamic capability approach to strategy, and literature on inter-firm innovation. The study utilizes multiple informant survey data gathered from 156 firms operating in the automotive parts industry in Iran. Data are analyzed with partial least square structural equation modeling, as well as latent class analysis using finite mixture modeling (FIMIX-PLS). Findings This research provides evidence for the positive influence of NC with respect to supplier relationships on firm product innovation, as well as overall firm performance. Relationship proclivity is shown to amplify this effect. At the same time, the research illustrates that NC may be applied in different combinations in the context of supplier relationship portfolio management. Two mechanisms are tentatively identified: firms using “static optimization” focus mainly on supplier relationship development capabilities, while those using “dynamic optimization” utilize supplier relationship initiation and ending capabilities. Research limitations/implications This research focuses on one setting (i.e. the automotive parts industry in Iran). Further studies need to broaden these findings to other industries and countries, specifically those which show a different cultural make-up from Iran. Furthermore, this research indicates the existence of two distinct mechanisms as to how different aspects of NC impact product innovation. While it is reasonable to identify these mechanisms as networking “strategies,” this study does not clarify whether this represents intended strategies by firms or relates to emerging capability patterns. Practical implications The study contributes to managerial knowledge by illustrating the need for a dynamic approach with regard to networking-related routines in supplier relationships in the context of product innovation. This study suggests that managers should devote equal attention to strengthening existing supplier relationships as well as to initiating new supplier relationships (e.g. screening for promising partners and signaling firm’s relationship value to attract new counterparts) and managing non-performing supplier relationships (e.g. by developing routines to exit from those supplier relationships). Originality/value The paper contributes to a better understanding of dynamic approaches to networking with suppliers and their impact on product innovation from the perspective of the focal firm. It furthermore provides a fine-grained understanding of different latent classes of firms in terms of how they utilize networking capabilities.

Sustainable development of micro firms: examining the effects of cooperation on handicraft firm's performance through innovation capability

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsin Shafi
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Control Measurement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Development ◽  
The Impact

PurposeDespite their economic and cultural significance, the growth of handicraft micro firms is vulnerable, given their small size and resource limitations. By examining the impact of cooperation on firm performance via innovation capability, this study shows how micro firms can address constraints and achieve sustainable development by acquiring and utilizing external resources, complemented by innovation capability, through internal development.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 164 handicraft micro firms in Pakistan via a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was employed to estimate interrelations of various constructs simultaneously and control measurement errors.FindingsThe impact of cooperation with customers and suppliers on firm performance via innovation capability was positive and significant. Contrarily, competitor cooperation did not significantly affect innovation capability. Furthermore, there was a positive and significant interaction effect of customer and competitor cooperation on innovation capability. Thus, micro firms must reinforce their customer and supplier relationships through innovation capability and internal transformation for sustainable development. Moreover, a balance must exist between cooperation and competition to achieve optimal innovation returns for the sustainable development of firms.Originality/valueThis study emphasized that micro firms must strengthen their customer and supplier relationships via innovation capability and internal development to achieve higher performance. Moreover, the study introduced a new dimension for measuring firm performance.

Linkages between firm innovation strategy, suppliers, product innovation, and business performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1054-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq Jajja ◽  
Vijay R. Kannan ◽  
Shaukat Ali Brah ◽  
Syed Zahoor Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Product Innovation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovation Outcomes ◽  
Supplier Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use resource dependence theory to hypothesize that a buyer’s innovation strategy enhances supplier innovation focus and a buyer-supplier relationship that supports product innovation. These in turn positively impact buyer product innovation outcomes and business performance. Moreover, it is argued that the buyer-supplier relationship positively moderates the impact of supplier innovation focus on product innovation. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear regression are used to test hypotheses. Findings The results support all hypotheses and suggest that company (buyer) age and variables related to buyer engagement with international markets directly influence performance. The results also indicate that the buyer-supplier relationship does not moderate the relationship between innovation strategy and innovation performance. Research limitations/implications This study demonstrates that how a firm builds the conditions to effectively leverage the complementary resources and capabilities of suppliers directly influence innovation outcomes and business performance. Practical implications An important factor in firms achieving their product innovation goals is the selection and management of suppliers that are strategically aligned with regard to innovation. While managers need to develop internal innovation capabilities, partnering with like-minded organizations, and creating conditions for effective cooperation are key drivers of innovation outcomes. Originality/value In contrast to prior research that has examined operational issues, this study shows how the strategic alignment of buyers and suppliers with regard to innovation is an antecedent of product innovation outcomes. Moreover, it adds to a limited literature on supply chain management practices in emerging markets.

The effect of political and business ties on firm performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 778-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parinaz Sami ◽  
Farajollah Rahnavard ◽  
Alireza Alavi Tabar
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Ties ◽  
Managerial Ties ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Business Ties

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediator role of product innovation in the relationship between political and business ties (independent variables) and firm performance (dependent variable). Design/methodology/approach In this study, research hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modeling method. Findings The findings from 267 manufacturing companies in Iran show that business ties have an effect on firm performance through product innovation, while the role of innovation is not proved as a mediating variable in the relationships between political ties and firm performance. In addition, business ties have an effect on product innovation and firm performance, whereas political ties have no such effect. Practical implications These results provide useful points for developing economies, theoretically and practically. Originality/value Despite the increasing attention to the role of managerial ties (political and business ties) in improving product innovation and firm performance, there is no study conducted on the mediating role of product innovation in the relationship between managerial ties and firm performance.

Impact of purchasing practices, supplier relationships and use of information technology on firm performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhas Suresh Ambekar ◽  
Umesh Deshmukh ◽  
Manoj Hudnurkar
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Supplier Relationship

Purpose The study aims to establish an impact of supplier relationship and information and communication technology through purchasing practices on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Review of relevant literature resulted in constructs, namely, supplier relationships, information and communication technology, purchasing practices and firm performance. A survey of 179 manufacturing companies through structured questionnaire was conducted. The responses were analysed through structural equation modelling using the partial least squares method. Findings It is observed that the firm performance is directly influenced by purchasing practices and indirectly by supplier relationships and information technology. The use of information technology in materials management affects supplier relationships and purchasing practices both. Practical implications The study provides a model for purchasing practitioners by highlighting the importance of supplier relationship management. Though the firms are running after improving technology, it can only affect firm performance through proper purchasing practices. Originality/value The study provides empirical evidence to the practical notions that exist in purchasing practitioners.

scholarly journals Latent classes of accounting outsourcing firms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jouni Juntunen ◽  
Sinikka Lepistö ◽  
Mari Juntunen
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Latent Classes ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Business Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Capabilities ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Outsourcing of accounting increasingly attracts research interest, but research concerning the impact of the benefits of outsourcing on firm capabilities and performance across firms remains limited. This paper aims to reveal the unobservable latent classes of firms that outsource their accounting functions by testing a research model concerning the topic. Design/methodology/approach The authors build on accounting outsourcing research and adapt a research model from the literature on business services outsourcing. The authors analyze the data from 261 small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe using finite mixture structural equation modeling (FMSEM) and additional methods. Findings The authors reveal three latent classes with different research models. Thriving outsourcers (N = 103) have a positive attitude toward accounting outsourcing and associate competitive capabilities with mediating the relationship from outsourcing benefits to firm performance. Annoyed outsourcers (N = 143) are dissatisfied with their accounting service provider and only associate outsourcing benefits with competitive capabilities. Convenient outsourcers (N = 15) feel comfortable with their current accounting service provider and associate outsourcing benefits with neither capabilities nor with firm performance. Research limitations/implications The study initiates the discussion about the unobservable heterogeneity among accounting outsourcers. The study introduces the use of the FMSEM method in accounting outsourcing research. Practical implications The study offers novel insights concerning accounting outsourcers and proposes original explanations for their outsourcing decisions that would help both the outsourcers and accounting service providers. Originality/value The study might be the first to categorize accounting outsourcers using FMSEM.

Strategic orientations, firm performance and the moderating effect of absorptive capacity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel-Alejandro Ibarra-Cisneros ◽  
María del Rosario Demuner-Flores ◽  
Felipe Hernández-Perlines
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Orientations ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to study the moderating effect of absorptive capacity, defined as the set of organizational routines and processes through which companies acquire, assimilate, transform and exploit knowledge to produce a dynamic organizational capacity (Zahra and George, 2002), in three strategic orientations: market orientation; technology orientation and entrepreneurial orientation and their positive relationship in the performance of the medium and large Mexican manufacturing firms. Likewise, it is determined whether these three combined SOs influence firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe data was collected from 171 medium and large-sized Mexican manufacturing firms. The proposed hypotheses are tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsDespite the importance of knowledge for the development of firms, the results indicate that the moderating effect of absorptive capacity is only present in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance. That is, firms cannot take advantage of knowledge simultaneously between the three strategic orientations. For their part, market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation exert a positive influence on firm performance.Practical implicationsThe main practical implication for the manufacturing industry is that they must develop mechanisms to detect what kind of knowledge affects each strategic orientation, in this way it can make the absorptive capacity influence the relationships between SO and FP.Originality/valueThe main contribution consists of studying the moderating effect of the absorptive capacity on the relationship between three strategic orientations and firm performance, and not concentrating solely on the simultaneous use of these strategies as is commonly done.

Dynamic capabilities: interrelations and distinct effects on performance in low and high competitive intensity environments

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amiram Markovich ◽  
Kalanit Efrat ◽  
Daphne R. Raban
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Competitive Intensity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Impact Performance

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.

Linking responsible leadership with financial and environmental performance: determining mediation and moderation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zia Ur Rehman ◽  
Imran Shafique ◽  
Kausar Fiaz Khawaja ◽  
Munazza Saeed ◽  
Masood Nawaz Kalyar
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Condition ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
The Body ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Responsible Leadership ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Content Type

PurposeDrawing upon the institutional theory, this study examines the influence of responsible leadership on firm performance. Furthermore, this research investigates environmental management practices (EnvMP) as an underlying mechanism and institutional pressures as boundary condition between responsible leadership and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachTime-lagged data were collected using survey-questionnaire from 385 mid-level employees of construction industry in Pakistan. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data.FindingsResults demonstrate that responsible leadership impacts firm performance (financial and nonfinancial) directly and through EnvMP. Furthermore, institutional pressure moderates the link between responsible leadership and EnvMP. However, moderated mediation effect of intuitional pressures was found insignificant.Practical implicationsThis study suggest that EnvMP is a key process through which responsible leadership influences firms' financial and nonfinancial performance and shed lights as to when responsible leaders matter most in terms of firm performance through low or high institutional pressures.Originality/valueThis paper is an early attempt which contributes to the body of literature on responsible leadership by investigating mechanisms (how) and boundary condition (when) through which responsible leadership influences firms' financial and environmental performance.

Innovation mediating relationship between TQM and performance: cases of industrial certified companies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meriem Khalfallah ◽  
Anis Ben Salem ◽  
Hajer Zorgati ◽  
Lassaad Lakhal
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Process Innovation ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Studies

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to analyze the reciprocal relation between total quality management (TQM) and innovation (product innovation and process innovation) and their impact on operational and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe data were obtained from a survey of 205 manufacturing companies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to evaluate the research model.FindingsThe results reveal that there is a reciprocal relationship between TQM and innovation. Moreover, the findings indicate a significant positive effect of product innovation and process innovation on operational performance and insignificant direct impact of TQM on operational performance. However, this effect is significant when it is mediated through product innovation and process innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper helps practitioners to understand how TQM practices support both product and process innovation and the role of the latter in promoting the implementation of TQM practices and ensuring operational performance.Originality/valueThis study presents an innovative approach since it is among the first research studies that provide empirical evidence to a reciprocal association between TQM and innovation. Additionally, this paper examines the dimensions studied in different aspects. It considered financial performance and operational performance, and with respect to innovation, this dimension was analyzed through two different perspectives, namely product innovation and process innovation. This study is also among the first and few research studies that have studied the mediating effect of innovation.

Chasing productivity demands, worker well-being, and firm performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 1823-1843
Author(s):  
Mastura Ab Wahab ◽  
Ekrem Tatoglu
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Flexible Work Arrangements ◽  
Flexible Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of chasing productivity demands on worker well-being and firm performance in manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Flexible work arrangements and human resources support are used as moderators to mitigate the adverse impacts associated with chasing productivity demands.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 213 workers from manufacturing firms through a survey questionnaire utilizing structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings of the study show that flexible work arrangements play a significant role in moderating the relationship between chasing productivity demands and well-being, and between chasing productivity demands and firm performance. The study also shows that flexible work arrangements are important to buffer the adverse effects of chasing productivity demands on worker well-being. In addition, flexible work arrangements strengthen the positive effect of worker well-being on firm performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study highlights the importance of flexible work arrangements in overcoming the negative impact of the relationship between chasing productivity demands and worker well-being and strengthening the positive impact of the relationship between worker well-being and firm performance.Originality/valueThis study has extended the variable of chasing productivity demands in the existing literature on the job demands–job control model, specifically in manufacturing firms.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document