Service supply chain integration: the role of interpersonal relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 828-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Wang ◽  
Yuanfei Kang ◽  
Paul Childerhouse ◽  
Baofeng Huo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Information Integration ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Supply Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of interpersonal relationships (IPRs) in service supply chain integration (SSCI) in terms of strategic alliance, information integration, and process integration. Design/methodology/approach The research employs an exploratory/investigational approach to multiple case studies and empirically investigates effects of IPRs in SSCI. The data were mainly collected through semi-structured interviews with senior management staff from four service companies and their suppliers or customers in New Zealand. Archival data from the Internet and company documentations were also applied. Findings The authors find that three dimensions of IPRs influence SSCI in different ways. The effect of IPRs on SSCI is indirect: personal affection acts as an initiator, and personal credibility works as a “gate-keeper” and strengthens the confidence of interactive partners, while personal communication, a facilitator, plays a more important role in SSCI than personal affection and credibility. Practical implications The research provides managers in service supply chains the awareness of the importance of IPRs, as well as the characteristics of IPRs, in order to best utilize available resources. Managers should synergize all three dimensions of IPRs’ resources: make efforts to cultivate personal affection to avoid the instinctive isolation modern technology brings; attempt to accumulate positive personal credibility profiles; focus more on the role of personal communication and retain physical contact in SSCI processes. Originality/value This study contributes to SSCI literature by extending from the inter-organizational relationships (IORs) to interpersonal level relationships to explore the inner influence mechanism. Also, it explores the role of IPRs on all three dimensions of SSCI simultaneously rather than individual dimensions independently. Finally, it contributes to resource orchestration theory (ROT) by synthesizing three dimensions of IPRs resources, and IORs resources in order to achieve capabilities of SSCI. The study develops the individual-level research in supply chain integration (SCI) to a further depth.

Interpersonal and inter-organizational relationship drivers of supply chain integration

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 1170-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Wang ◽  
Yuanfei Kang ◽  
Paul Childerhouse ◽  
Baofeng Huo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Multiple Case

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how interpersonal relationships (IPRs) and inter-organisational relationships (IORs) interact with each other as driving forces of supply chain integration (SCI). More specifically (the) three dimensions of IPR – personal affection, personal credibility, and personal communication – are examined in regards to how they affect inter-organisational relationships during SCI. Design/methodology/approach The research employed an exploratory multiple case study approach with four New Zealand case companies selected as the empirical basis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of managerial executives in relation to supply chain activities, which were triangulated with company archival data. Findings The authors found that IPRs are able to interact with IORs to influence the integration of supply chains. More specifically, IPRs influence IORs by initiating organisational relationships in the SCI context; and influences from IPR dimensions on IORs tend to be of differing magnitudes and have different evolutional paths across the whole SCI process. Originality/value This research contributes to knowledge about the roles and mechanisms through which IPRs shape and enable inter-organisational level relationships within the SCI context.

Enablers of supply chain integration

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 838-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Wang ◽  
Paul Childerhouse ◽  
Yuanfei Kang ◽  
Baofeng Huo ◽  
Sanjay Mathrani
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategic Alliance ◽  
Interorganizational Relationships ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Process Coordination

Purpose – Previous research on supply chain integration (SCI) enablers has primarily focussed on interorganizational relationships, the purpose of this paper is to broaden the discussion to include interpersonal relationships (IPRs). Design/methodology/approach – Based on a comprehensive literature review, a series of propositions are postulated and synthesized into a conceptual model of how IPRs maintain and enable SCI, which is decomposed into strategic alliance, information sharing, and process coordination. Findings – The authors find that IPRs including personal affection, communication, and credibility, have a positive influence on SCI, and these links are mediated by interorganizational relationships including trust, commitment, and power. Originality/value – The framework developed in this study provides new insights into the role of interpersonal networks in interorganizational relationships, which lead to SCI.

Market responsiveness: antecedents and the moderating role of external supply chain integration

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuan Luu
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Market Responsiveness ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Ambidextrous Leadership

Purpose The interaction between opening and closing behaviors of ambidextrous leadership produces “change” force throughout the organization in proactive response to market forces. This research aims to assess the role of ambidextrous leadership in fostering entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and market responsiveness. The research also seeks an insight into how external supply chain integration moderates the positive effect of EO on market responsiveness. Design/methodology/approach Research data were collected from 327 meso-level managers and 517 subordinates from chemical manufacturing companies in the Vietnam business context. Findings Research findings shed light on the positive effect of ambidextrous leadership on EO, which in turn contributes to market responsiveness. The moderation role that external supply chain integration plays on the EO–market responsiveness linkage was also grounded on the data set. Originality/value Through the identification of the predictive roles of ambidextrous leadership and EO for market responsiveness, the current research indicates the convergence between leadership, EO and market responsiveness research streams.

Effects of cloud computing assimilation on supply chain financing risks of SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Lu ◽  
Jinliang Chen ◽  
Hua Song ◽  
Xiangyu Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Financing ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how cloud computing assimilation reduces supply chain financing (SCF) risks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study also investigated the mediating roles of internal and external supply chain integration between cloud computing assimilation and the SCF risks of SMEs, as well as the moderating role of environmental competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from surveys of SMEs located in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to validate the proposed theoretical model and research hypotheses. Findings The findings show that cloud computing assimilation could reduce the SCF risks of SMEs directly. The results also indicate that both internal and external supply chain integration mediate the relationship between cloud computing assimilation and SCF risks. Furthermore, environmental competitiveness inhibits the effects of cloud computing assimilation on SCF risks. Originality/value To our best knowledge, this is the preliminary study to explore the role of cloud computing assimilation in reducing the SCF risks of SMEs. Also, this study attempted to investigate the process by which cloud computing assimilation affects the SCF risks of SMEs.

Enablers of supply chain integration: a technology-organization-environment view

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Tian ◽  
Baofeng Huo ◽  
Youngwon Park ◽  
Mingu Kang
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Manufacturing Strategy ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Supplier Integration ◽  
Toe Framework

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically explore the effects and interaction effect of human resources and digital manufacturing technologies (DMTs) on supply chain integration (SCI) and how their roles are influenced by competition.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, this study builds and tests a holistic model based on the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) project database.FindingsThe results show that human resources and DMTs have significant positive effects on three dimensions of SCI. Competition positively moderates the effects of human resources on customer integrations, negatively moderates the effects of human resource on internal integration, but does not moderate the effects of human resources on supplier integration. Besides, the moderating effect of competition has not been found in the relationships between DMTs and three SCI dimensions.Originality/valueBy investigating the effects of human resources and DMTs on SCI practices in the context of competition, this study contributes to the literature on SCI, DMTs and the TOE framework as well as offers practical insights that help manufacturing firms to promote SCI more effectively and efficiently.

How does information integration enhance SMEs’ credit quality: the mediating role of supply chain capabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqin Yuan ◽  
Linlin Liu ◽  
Liu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Information Integration ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Credit Quality

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between information integration, supply chain capabilities and credit quality of small and middle enterprises (SMEs) in supply chain finance (SCF).Design/methodology/approachGrounded in the resource-based view (RBV) and signaling theory, this study proposes a theoretical model. Then, structural equation modeling and interview analysis are employed to test the theoretical model.FindingsThe results show that both two aspects of information integration, namely, information technology and information sharing, have positive effects on the SMEs’ credit quality in SCF, and these effects are mediated by supply chain capabilities.Originality/valueFirst, the paper contributes to SCF literature by simultaneously examining the role of two dimensions of information integration (information technology and information sharing) in enhancing SMEs’ credit quality. Second, this paper enriches the existing theoretical research on SCF by integrating the SMEs perspective and SCF service provider perspective. Moreover, this paper explores the indirect effects of information integration on SMEs’ credit quality by incorporating supply chain capabilities as a mediating factor.

The impact of organizational culture on supply chain integration: a contingency and configuration approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Cao ◽  
Baofeng Huo ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
Xiande Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Theoretical Terms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supplier Integration ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – This study aims to bridge the gap in understanding the effects of organizational culture on supply chain integration (SCI) by examining the relationships between organizational cultures and SCI. The extant studies investigating the antecedents of SCI focus mainly on environments, interfirm relationships and other firm-level factors. These studies generally overlook the role of organizational culture. The few studies that do examine the effects of organizational culture on SCI show inconsistent findings. Design/methodology/approach – By placing organizational culture within the competing value framework (CVF), this study establishes a conceptual model for the relationships between organizational culture and SCI. The study uses both a contingency approach and a configuration approach to examine these proposed relationships using data collected from 317 manufacturers across ten countries. Findings – The contingency results indicate that both development and group culture are positively related to all three dimensions of SCI. However, rational culture is positively related only to internal integration, and hierarchical culture is negatively related to both internal and customer integration. The configuration approach identifies four profiles of organizational culture: the Hierarchical, Flexible, Flatness and Across-the-Board profiles. The Flatness profile shows the highest levels of development, group and rational cultures and the lowest level of hierarchical culture. The Flatness profile also achieves the highest levels of internal, customer and supplier integration. Research limitations/implications – This study is subject to several limitations. In theoretical terms, this study does not resolve all of the inconsistencies in the relationship between organizational culture and SCI. In terms of methodology, this study uses cross-sectional data from high-performance manufacturers. Such data cannot provide strong causal explanations, but only broad and general findings. Practical implications – This study reminds managers to consider organizational culture when they implement SCI. The study also provides clues to help managers in assessing and adjusting organizational culture as necessary for SCI. Originality/value – This study makes two theoretical contributions. First, by examining the relationships between organizational culture and SCI in a new context, the findings of the study provide additional evidence to reconcile the previously inconsistent findings on this subject. Second, by departing from the previous practice of investigating only particular dimensions of organizational culture, this study adopts a combined contingency and configuration approach to address both the individual and synergistic effects of all dimensions of organizational culture. This more comprehensive approach deepens our understanding of the relationship between organizational culture and SCI.

Mediating and non-linear relationships among supply chain integration dimensions

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 698-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Macarena Sacristán-Díaz ◽  
Pedro Garrido-Vega ◽  
José Moyano-Fuentes
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Information Integration ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Financial Integration ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
External Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Internal Integration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationships between the different dimensions of supply chain integration (SCI). First, the sequence in which these dimensions should be implemented and some possible mediating effects are investigated. Then, relationships are examined more closely to observe whether they present more complex non-linear forms than those usually analysed. Design/methodology/approach Required information was gathered from a sample of 477 Spanish industrial companies (23.4 per cent response rate). PLS structural equation modelling was applied to capture non-linear relationships between SCI dimensions. Findings The results indicate that internal integration leads to external integration and that within external integration, information flow integration provides the basis for financial flow integration and physical flow integration. Thus, the results suggest the existence of a logical sequence to achieve SCI. In addition, clearly different non-linear relationships are observed between the analysed variables. Practical implications It seems that a sufficient minimum value has to be reached for internal integration to have a positive effect on external information and financial integration. In addition, a higher degree of information integration appears to facilitate financial and physical integration, although a medium degree of information integration results in a lower degree of financial integration. Therefore, managers should not expect that efforts made to increase one integration dimension will always produce the same effect on the other dimensions. Originality/value An empirical contribution is made to knowledge of the logical SCI sequence. This contribution is not only important for academia, but also for managers seeking to improve supply chain performance through integration.

The impacts of intra-organizational structural elements on supply chain integration

2019 ◽  
Vol 119 (5) ◽  
pp. 1031-1045
Author(s):  
Yanming Zhang ◽  
Xiande Zhao ◽  
Baofeng Huo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Supplier Integration ◽  
Human Goodness

PurposeFollowing resource-based view, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of three intra-organizational structural elements on supply chain integration (SCI).Design/methodology/approachBased on data collected from ten countries, this study employs the structural equation modeling method to test the proposed model.FindingsThe results demonstrate that teamwork culture is positively related to three dimensions of SCI. Organizational commitment has positive effects on internal and customer integration (CI), whereas it has no significant effect on supplier integration (SI). Human goodness is only positively related to internal integration, but has no significant effect on SI or CI.Originality/valueThis study contributes to both structural elements literature and SCI enabler literature by operationalizing three human-related components of structural elements and empirically investigating relationships between intra-organizational structural elements and SCI.

Inhibitors and enablers of supply chain integration across multiple supply chain tiers: evidence from Malawi

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kizito Elijah Kanyoma ◽  
Frank Wogbe Agbola ◽  
Richard Oloruntoba
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Focal Firm ◽  
Culture Of Fear ◽  
Major Supplier ◽  
Internal Integration

PurposeThis paper investigates the inhibitors and enablers of supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers in the supply chains of manufacturing-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a qualitative approach, data were collected through face-to-face interviews across three supply chains, each consisting of a focal manufacturer, a major supplier and a retailer.FindingsThe research identified interpersonal relationships, supplier cost transparency and joint supply chain management (SCM) investments as key enablers of SCI. Concerning the inhibitors of SCI, the study found that a lack of external integration inhibited internal integration by acting as a source of disruption to intra-firm processes and relationships. Further, the research found weaker links between manufacturer–-retailer dyads than in manufacturer–supplier dyads, which constrained the ability to achieve multi-tier supplier–manufacture–retailer integration. The study also revealed that resource and infrastructural deficiencies, a culture of fear and intimidation within and between firms, corruption in sourcing transactions and a lack of inter-firm trust inhibited SCI.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper extends earlier evidence that internal integration is a prerequisite for external integration demonstrating that a basic level of external integration is necessary to prevent disruptions to internal integration.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few to go beyond the focal firm perspective and explore the inhibitors and enablers of SCI across multiple supply chain positions, and provides new evidence on the role of external integration in achieving internal integration.

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