scholarly journals Exploiting the potential of manufacturing network embeddedness

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 1741-1768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruggero Golini ◽  
Patricia Deflorin ◽  
Maike Scherrer

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance in setting the level of autonomy (i.e. parental control) of plants in a network to enhance operational performance. In particular, the effect of autonomy on performance is analysed directly and indirectly through internal manufacturing network integration (MNI) and external supply chain integration (SCI) as two dimensions of manufacturing network embeddedness. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on data from 441 manufacturing plants in 17 countries. Data were gathered during the Sixth International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. Five main constructs were obtained after carrying out a confirmatory factor analysis: plant autonomy, internal MNI, external SCI, efficiency and effectiveness. Direct and indirect relationships among the constructs are tested through a structural equation model. Findings Higher levels of autonomy correlate with higher effectiveness and similar efficiency. However, lower autonomy leads to higher levels of manufacturing network and SCI, which enhance performance. Although not statistically significant, the analysis of the total effects reveals a mildly positive effect of autonomy on effectiveness and negative effect on efficiency, which requires further investigation. Research limitations/implications Further research could include headquarters’ perspectives or additional determinants (e.g. business strategy objectives). Practical implications Managers should set autonomy levels strategically: higher for effectiveness and lower for efficiency. However, lower autonomy can also strengthen internal MNI and external SCI, thus improving operational performance. Originality/value The concept of manufacturing network embeddedness highlights the importance of considering external supply chain and internal MNI in the same framework, as both dimensions can affect operational performance.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Cheng ◽  
Sami Farooq ◽  
Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq Jajja

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the moderating effects of the role a plant plays in a manufacturing network on the relationships between its level of integration with other plants in the same manufacturing network (referred as “internal manufacturing network integration” in this paper), its interactions with suppliers/customers (referred as “external supply chain integration” in this paper), and its operational performance.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the data from the sixth version of International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS VI). Specifically, this paper uses a subset of the IMSS VI data set from the 606 plants that identified themselves as one of the plants in a manufacturing network.FindingsThe results demonstrate plant role has a moderating effect on the relationship between internal manufacturing network integration and external supply chain integration, but not on the relationship between external supply chain integration and operational performance. Our research also highlights that plant role moderates the mediating effect of external supply chain integration on the relationship between internal manufacturing network integration and operational performance. More importantly, it indicates that if a plant wants to significantly increase its operational performance, it will have to strengthen its linkages with supply chain partners, no matter which role it plays in manufacturing network.Originality/valueThis paper supplements the existing research by developing further understandings on the relationship between internal manufacturing network integration, external supply chain integration and operational performance. Specifically, it examines the influence of plant role on such relationship and reveals the essence about in what context (in terms of plant characteristics) internal manufacturing network integration influences the operational performance of a plant in a manufacturing network through external supply chain integration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Hsu Liu ◽  
Lu Jui Chen ◽  
Hung Tai Tsou

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of original equipment manufacturing suppliers’ local network embeddedness on buyers’ relative attention and joint innovation through service innovation competence. Design/methodology/approach A structural equation model was analyzed using AMOS 21 with data derived from 165 buyers in the Taiwanese electronics industry. Findings From the buyer perspective, suppliers with embedded network relationships in emerging markets are perceived to be service oriented and to have relative attention and joint innovation that are attractive to buyers. In addition, the findings of empirical testing conducted in this study suggest that perceived exploitative and explorative service innovation competence partially mediate the relationship between perceived network embeddedness and relative attention, while explorative service innovation competence partially mediates the influence of perceived network embeddedness on buyers’ joint innovation. Originality/value This study innovatively employed a buyer perspective to examine the servitization of manufacturing suppliers and the effects of this on the buyer–supplier relationship, providing new insights into the role of service innovation competence as well as important theoretical and managerial implications.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dindayal Agrawal ◽  
Jitender Madaan

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the barriers to the implementation of big data (BD) in the healthcare supply chain (HSC).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the barriers concerning BD adoption in the HSC were found by conducting a detailed literature survey and with the expert's opinion. Then the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to categorize the barriers. The obtained results are verified using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis gives the path diagram representing the interrelationship between latent variables and observed variables.FindingsThe segregation of 13 barriers into three categories, namely “data governance perspective,” “technological and expertise perspective,” and “organizational and social perspective,” is performed using EFA. Three hypotheses are tested, and all are accepted. It can be concluded that the “data governance perspective” is positively related to “technological and expertise perspective” and “organizational and social perspective” factors. Also, the “technological and expertise perspective” is positively related to “organizational and social perspective.”Research limitations/implicationsIn literature, very few studies have been performed on finding the barriers to BD adoption in the HSC. The systematic methodology and statistical verification applied in this study empowers the healthcare organizations and policymakers in further decision-making.Originality/valueThis paper is first of its kind to adopt an approach to classify barriers to BD implementation in the HSC into three distinct perspectives.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Belal Uddin ◽  
Bilkis Akhter

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the institutional and significant competences that have allowed organizations to employ supply chain management (SCM) practices, the practices of SCM and the benefits of SCM practices for both buyers and suppers.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model (including hypotheses) has been proposed regarding antecedents, SCM practices and outcomes of SCM. Using purposive sampling method, data were collected from different manufacturing, distributing, wholesaling and retailing organizations. Collected data were analyzed in a principal component analysis and structural equation modeling, including confirmatory factor analysis, and path analysis.FindingsThe empirical results provided supportive evidences in favor of the hypotheses and theoretical arguments except one hypothesis. This study did not a find positive relationship between organizational compatibility and SCM practices. The study found relationships between mutual trust and SCM practices, communication and SCM practices, and cooperation and SCM practices, which were positive and significant. Again, the relationships between SCM practices and competitive advantages, and SCM practices and long-term orientation and growth were also positive and significant.Practical implicationsPractitioners could also use the findings to align SCM with business strategy and gain an insight for better utilization of the available resources and technology to perform better.Originality/valueThis study will provide guidance as to the preconditions that need to be in place in order for a company to implement SCM with its suppliers and customers. It will remind practitioners to stay focused on the ultimate goals of SCM – lower costs, increased customer value and satisfaction, and, ultimately, competitive advantage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 787-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wantao Yu ◽  
Roberto Chavez ◽  
Mark Jacobs ◽  
Chee Yew Wong ◽  
Chunlin Yuan

Purpose It remains unclear how environmental scanning (ES) can generate firm performance through supply chain management (SCM) practices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of ES on operational performance through supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain responsiveness (SCR). Design/methodology/approach The scanning–interpretation–action–performance (SIAP) model and organization information processing theory (OIPT) are used to explain the ES–SCI–SCR–performance (S–I–A–P) relationships, which were tested by structural equation modeling of survey data of 329 manufacturing firms in China. Findings The results indicate that ES has a significant positive effect on SCI and SCR. SCI is significantly and positively related to SCR. SCR partially mediates the relationship between ES and operational performance, and fully mediates the relationship between SCI and operational performance. Practical implications Supply chain managers should collaborate with senior executives to obtain signals from ES activities, as input for building SCI and SCR and use SCI as a joint interpretation mechanism of ES signals for developing SCR to reap operational advantages in the rapidly changing business environment. Originality/value Strategic management academics and practitioners have explicitly emphasized the importance of ES in developing strategic plans but are unsure about the role of SCM in creating operational advantages through ES. Using the SIAP model, this study theorizes and demonstrates how SCI and SCR transform signals from ES into operational performance. In doing so, a more precise application of OIPT is explicated in the supply chain context.


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):  
Yingjie Ju ◽  
Hanping Hou ◽  
Jianliang Yang

PurposeUsing the logistics service supply chain (LSSC) as a research object, this study focuses on the relationship between integration quality (IQ), value co-creation (VCC), and LSSC resilience. Moreover, it discusses the moderating role of digital technology (DT).Design/methodology/approachBased on data about China, this study used the structural equation model to test the research hypothesis. To verify the validity of each construct, this study used various established scales in the literature to conduct exploratory and confirmatory analysis.FindingsThe results show that IQ is an essential antecedent variable that promotes VCC and LSSC resilience. Moreover, this study confirms that DT has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between IQ, VCC, and resilience.Originality/valueThis study constructs a research framework to examine LSSC resilience and expands the theoretical research on the VCC theory in the supply chain literature. Moreover, this paper studies supply chain integration from a new perspective, that is, IQ, which is more in line with the reality of LSSC.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyna Latifah ◽  
Doddy Setiawan ◽  
Y. Anni Aryani ◽  
Rahmawati Rahmawati

PurposeThis study provides empirical evidences on the relationship between business strategy and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) performance. Additionally, the study aims to explore the role of innovation and accounting information systems (AISs) in the strategy performance linkage among MSMEs in Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire-based survey was conducted, which produced 102 valid responses. Surveys were distributed to MSME owners throughout Solo, Yogyakarta and Semarang, Indonesia. Data were analyzed by using structural equation model with partial least squares.FindingsThe result shows that business strategy has indirect impacts on MSMEs' performance. Both innovation and AIS positively mediate the relationship between business strategy and MSMEs’ performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe performance variable was measured based on the owners' perception. This makes the results not to be reflective of the real performance situation.Practical implicationsAlignment between strategy and innovation plays a vital role in improving the performance of MSMEs. The differentiation strategy that focuses on product uniqueness and quality requires innovation to add value to the product and the customer. The innovation process is at high risk of failure, so MSMEs owners need accurate calculations in decision making. AISs are part of management control to reduce risk by identifying standards and directing organizational goals.Originality/valueThis study considers the contingency factors in the relationship between strategy and performance by providing innovation variables and AIS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaoyan Lyu ◽  
Lihua Chen ◽  
Baofeng Huo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between logistics park platforms, logistics location and operational performance. Relationship analysis helps managers respond to the changes that today’s logistics companies face, which include limited resources and facilities, market uncertainties and financial instabilities. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire is developed based on the resource-based view. Qualitative data collected from 273 companies in China are used in a structural equation model to test the conceptual model. Findings In logistics parks, logistics park platforms and location positively influence companies’ resource integration, which is positively related to operational performance. While logistics park platforms can improve operational performance directly, logistics location cannot. Resource integration is thus a full mediator between logistics location and operational performance, while it is a partial mediator between logistics park platforms and operational performance. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the literature on logistics parks, particularly on the relationships among operational performance, resource integration, logistics park platforms and the location of logistics parks in China. The authors provide guidelines for logistics park managers to organize their resources and develop capabilities for improving the operational performance of companies in logistics parks.


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