An empirical research on developing a logistics performance scale

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artuğ Eren Coşkun ◽  
Ramazan Erturgut

PurposeThe main objective of this study is to identify reliable and valid performance dimensions for both the identification and quantification of logistics performance that continues its development in the academic literature.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative research approach was used in the scale development process. First, the logistical performance literature was analyzed in detail, and it was evaluated that the logistics performance consists mainly of logistics efficiency, logistics differentiation, logistics agility and logistics effectiveness dimensions. During the scale development process, opinions were obtained from academics, industry managers and pilot applications were carried out. For the implementation of the developed scale, a total of 108 companies engaged in logistics activities in Turkey were identified, and the developed scale was applied to 398 logistics professionals.FindingsA 28-item logistics performance scale has been developed based on the resource-based theory to measure totally five-dimensional performance. First, the three items under the logistics agility dimension were separated from this dimension as a result of the exploratory factor analysis, and it was understood that these items belong to the “logistics flexibility” dimension. The established structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability and validity of the scale are within the range of acceptable values.Research limitations/implicationsThe research data were collected from the Western Mediterranean region. The scale should be tested in different geographies.Originality/valueBy means of establishing a valid and reliable scale for logistics performance and its sub-dimensions, it is evaluated that this study will contribute to future research based on the measurement of logistics performance.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Tidbury ◽  
Steven F. Cahan ◽  
Li Chen

Purpose Board faultlines, which reflect intrinsic divisions of board members into relatively homogeneous subgroups, are associated with poor firm performance. This paper aims to extend the existing board faultline research by examining how acquisition deal size moderates the negative implications of board faultlines. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a sample of acquisitions and a quantitative research approach to conduct statistical analysis. Findings Using a sample of acquisitions announced between 2007 and 2016, this paper finds evidence suggesting that strong faultlines are associated with poorer acquisition outcomes in the long-term, but not in the short term. Further, this paper finds that the effect of faultline strength on long-term acquisition outcomes is weaker for larger acquisition deals than smaller acquisition deals. The findings are consistent with deal size moderating the relation between faultlines and acquisition outcomes. Research limitations/implications This paper addresses possible endogeneity through firm fixed effects and instrumental variable analysis. Although this paper provides evidence on the moderating role of deal size in the context of faultlines, future research could examine the role of additional moderators, such as pro-diversity, trust, board leadership and board and task characteristics. Practical implications The findings suggest that boards need to be aware of situations where the negative effects of faultlines are more likely to come to the fore. For example, faultlines are more likely to play a role in more routine, obscure monitoring than for high-profile strategic decisions. Originality/value The study is multidisciplinary as it draws on the management, organizational behaviour and psychology and finance literature. It contributes to the developing literature on faultlines in several important ways. First, this paper supports their view that faultlines have adverse effects on board performance by showing that faultlines negatively impact discrete strategic investment decisions. Second, this paper provides evidence that deals size moderates the faultline-acquisition performance relation, indicating that the role of faultlines is contextual. Third, this paper finds evidence that suggests investors do not factor in board faultlines when responding to acquisition announcements.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
G.S. Sureshchandar

PurposeThe disruptions caused by new-age technologies of Industry 4.0 are posing a formidable challenge to researchers, academicians and practitioners alike. Quality 4.0 that depicts the role of the quality function in the Industry 4.0 scenario must be comprehended so that the rudiments of Quality 4.0 are understood properly, and interventions can be made to embrace the new normal. As the literature on Quality 4.0 is extremely scarce, empirical studies are mandatory to augment the process of theory building.Design/methodology/approachThe research work identifies 12 axes of the Quality 4.0 revolution based on literature review and insights from experts. Subsequently, a measurement model is formulated and an instrument to measure the level of Quality 4.0 implementation is developed. The measurement model has been checked for model fit, reliability and validity using the confirmatory factor analysis approach.FindingsThe proposed model was found to be adequate, reliable and valid and concludes that though technology plays a significant role in the development of the Quality 4.0 system, aspects of traditional quality are very much apropos to transform to the next frontier of quality.Research limitations/implicationsImplications for future research are provided which would help to further explore the nascent field of Quality 4.0.Practical implicationsThis research would help the practitioners better understand the various requirements and measure the degree of implementation of a Quality 4.0 system.Originality/valueThe present research is perhaps the first of its kind in propounding a measurement model, through empirical analysis, for the betterment of the understanding of Quality 4.0 and its associated constituents.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheetal Mittal ◽  
Deepak Chawla ◽  
Neena Sondhi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize, develop and validate the measurement of impulse buying tendency India, an emerging market in Asia. Design/methodology/approach The conceptualization of India’s impulse buying tendency (IBT) has been based on a review of academic literature and an analysis of qualitative data from 30 observations at retail stores and 25 in-depth consumer interviews. The scale’s reliability and validity were assessed by content, convergent, discriminant, nomological and predictive validity using statistical techniques such as exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Findings A two-dimensional measure for IBT was developed for the Indian market, and then tested and validated using appropriate statistical measures. Research limitations/implications The study was skewed towards offline retail with both observations and interviews focusing on the bricks-and-mortar model. With e-retailing in India growing at a rapid rate, future research should extend the study and verify the IBT instrument’s validity specifically for impulse buying behaviour online. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first to bridge the gap in the existing research of impulse buying in context of emerging markets like India that are culturally, unlike both the western/developed and other Asian/emerging markets; and socio-economically, facing an interplay of variety of factors that are in a state of flux. The developed IBT scale would help by providing academics and practitioners with means of broadening their perspectives and understanding of retail behaviours in a context that is characterized by unprecedented consumer spending, increasing proliferation of modern retail and influence of a culture traditionally been given to simplicity and frugality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 729-748
Author(s):  
Mo Wang ◽  
Dora Ho ◽  
Jiafang Lu ◽  
Dongmei Yang

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to construct a scale that is contextually suitable for measuring early childhood leadership in China.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a standard scale development procedure, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were addressed. Qualitative data was collected from 21 semistructured interviews with formal and informal teacher leaders in Xiamen City, China. Using survey data of 120 respondents and 305 respondents, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted twice to determine the underlying factorial structure of the scale. A further sample of 317 respondents were used to test the latent structure and validity of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsBased on the results from reliability and validity tests, this study indicates that the scale demonstrates sound psychometric properties. A three-factor model was determined, including staff management and development, peer learning and support and communication with parents.Originality/valueThe scale is the first of its kind for measuring early childhood leadership in China.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Hernan Contreras Pinochet ◽  
Evandro Luiz Lopes ◽  
Caio Henrique Fernandes Srulzon ◽  
Luciana Massaro Onusic

Purpose “Internet of things” is a broad term used to describe network connectivity to physical objects. Called connectable or smart objects, they are embedded in electronic circuits and software that make them capable of detecting, collecting and transmitting data and information. This paper aims to examine the influence of the attributes of “internet of things” products in the functional and emotional experience of purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach The study used a model adapted from Yaping et al. (2014), with adjustment for the constructs “emotional experience”, “functional experience” and “purchase intention”. The survey consisted of a sample of 747 valid questionnaires regarding users of “internet of things” products, through a structured questionnaire with 36 assertions, which were answered based on the Likert scale. The quantitative research approach followed an exploratory descriptive phase followed by the application of structural equation modeling. Findings Results validated most of the relationships of the model, with high levels of significance. In addition, there was a greater influence of emotional experience than functional on purchase intention for the selected sample, which mainly consisted of young people. Originality/value In short, the study confirmed the statistical significance of the structural paths, indicating that the proposed model is consistent, and with an appropriate adjustment can be applied in future research.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianzheng Fei ◽  
Yajing Huang ◽  
Qian Huang

PurposeThe current research aims to develop a measurement scale of consumption rituals. On the basis of literature review and second-hand data, this paper conceptualizes consumption rituals and compiles the initial items. Furthermore, through the scale development process, this paper constructs and verifies the four dimensions of consumption rituals, namely, uniqueness, commitment, ceremoniality and nonfunctionality.Design/methodology/approachFirst, qualitative data gathered in an open interview and secondary data from the Internet were examined, and then they were converted into initial statements. Then researchers refined and evaluated the statements to form the initial items. After two rounds of exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the items were tested and improved to make them clear representatives of the conceptual structure and the final items of the Consumption Ritual Scale were formed. Finally, through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the items were retested and revised, and the reliability and validity of the scale were assessed, so as to obtain the final scale.FindingsEmpirical studies show that the scale has good reliability and validity, and has good discriminative validity with related variables (such as the sense of sacredness, sense of participation, feeling of awe, sense of control and sense of identity).Originality/valueThis paper selects rituals in the consumption context as the research object, explores and verifies the conceptual dimension, constructs a four-factor dimensional model and develops a measurement scale of consumption rituals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1857-1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Ko ◽  
Andrew Chan ◽  
Simon C.K. Wong

Purpose This study aimed to develop an industry-specific, original, valid and reliable scale for measuring hotel employees’ perceptions of CSR activities undertaken by their organizations. Design/methodology/approach Based on the solid grounding of a conceptual framework and a systematic scale development process, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. Data were collected from 18 in-depth interviews with CSR/HR managers and employees working in world-renowned international hotel companies and local hotel groups in Hong Kong. A pilot study of 204 employee samples was subjected to exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying factorial structure of the scale. A further 732 usable samples in the main survey were used to assess the latent structure and validity of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis. Findings The scale revealed sound psychometric properties based on the findings from reliability and validity tests. The results of the analysis validated previous research that employees’ perceptions of CSR are a multidimensional construct and the five-dimensional model for the hotel industry consists of employees, guests, local community, the natural environment and owners/investors. Practical implications The developed scale can help organizational behavior researchers to examine the causal relationship between an organization’s CSR activities and employees’ outcomes, thereby enhancing further development of predictive and prescriptive studies that provide prescription to hotel managers with instrumental reason to pursue CSR in an organizational setting. Originality/value This study is one of the first scale development studies of employees’ perceptions in the context of the hotel industry.


2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Holm ◽  
Frank Thinggaard

Purpose – The authors aim to exploit a natural experiment in which voluntary replace mandatory joint audits for Danish listed companies and analyse audit fee implications of using one or two audit firms. Design/methodology/approach – Regression analysis is used. The authors apply both a core audit fee determinants model and an audit fee change model and include interaction terms. Findings – The authors find short-term fee reductions in companies switching to single audits, but only where the former joint audit contained a dominant auditor. The authors argue that in this situation bargaining power is more with the auditors than in an equally shared joint audit, and that the auditors' incentives to offer an initial fee discount are bigger. Research limitations/implications – The number of observations is constrained by the small Danish capital market. Future research could take a more qualitative research approach, to examine whether the use of a single audit firm rather than two has an effect on audit quality. The area calls for further theory development covering audit fee and audit quality in joint audit settings. Practical implications – Companies should consider their relationship with their auditors before deciding to switch to single auditors. Fee discounts do not seem to reflect long-lasting efficiency gains on the part of the audit firm. Originality/value – Denmark is the first country to leave a mandatory joint audit system, so this is the first time that it is possible to study fee effects related to this.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangeetha Lakshman ◽  
C. Lakshman ◽  
Christophe Estay

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of business strategies with executive staffing of multinational companies (MNCs). Design/methodology/approach Based on in-depth interviews conducted with top executives of 22 MNCs’, the authors identify important connections between international business strategies and staffing orientation. The authors used the qualitative research approach of building theory from interviews; thus, creating theoretical propositions from empirical evidence. Findings The authors find that when the pressure for global integration is high, MNCs use more parent-country national (PCNs) (ethnocentric staffing) as against the use of host-country managers (HCNs) (polycentric staffing) when this pressure is low. Additionally, MNCs using a global strategy are more likely to use an ethnocentric staffing approach, those using a multi-domestic strategy use a polycentric approach and firms using transnational strategy adopt a mix of ethnocentric and polycentric approaches. Research limitations/implications Although the authors derive theoretical patterns based on rich qualitative data, their sample is relatively small and comprises mostly of French MNCs. Generalizability to a broader context is limited. However, the authors’ findings have critical implications for future research. Practical implications The authors’ findings provide critical managerial implications for MNCs in matching their HR strategies with business strategies. These are important for effective strategy implementation. Originality/value Although MNC staffing orientations have been studied for a long time, their relationship to international business strategies is still not clearly understood. The authors contribute to the literature by investigating the relationship between MNCs’ business strategy types with staffing orientations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-100
Author(s):  
Svetoslav Georgiev ◽  
Emil Georgiev

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of top management’s understanding of product quality in Bulgaria since the end of communism. The study examines three specific areas: top management’s understanding of the term “quality”; top management’s understanding of the relationship between quality and business performance; and top management’s understanding of the impact of job position on quality. Design/methodology/approach The paper relies on a quantitative research approach by using data from a survey of 186 companies in Bulgaria. Findings The paper suggests that senior managers in Bulgaria continue to base their understanding of “quality” on a single approach (*a characteristic of the communist era), with the product-based and the user-based approaches currently being the two most common ones. At the same time, surprisingly enough, this study claims that senior management in Bulgaria is currently well aware of the importance of quality as a dimension of firm’s competitiveness, and is also highly conscious of its roles’ impact on product quality. Research limitations/implications The results of this study are exclusively based on the case of Bulgaria and must be treated with caution in the case of other former communist states from the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region. Practical implications This paper has relevance for both managers and companies doing business in Eastern Europe. Originality/value This is the first paper to provide detailed analysis of the evolution of the understanding of “product quality” in CEE since the end of communism. Moreover, this paper applies, for the first time, Garvin’s five approaches to defining quality within a practical context.


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