The effects of socio-technical integration on sustainability practices: a supply chain perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Shan ◽  
Yongyi Shou ◽  
Mingu Kang ◽  
Youngwon Park
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sustainable Sourcing ◽  
Technical Integration

PurposeThis study aims to investigate sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) through the lens of socio-technical system (STS) theory. Specifically, it examines the individual and synergistic effects of social and technical integration on two main sustainability practices (i.e. sustainable production and sustainable sourcing). Supply chain uncertainty is further explored as a key environmental factor.Design/methodology/approachA moderated joint effects model was hypothesized. A sample of 759 manufacturing firms was used to test the proposed hypotheses by hierarchical linear regression.FindingsThe results show that both social and technical integration have positive effects on sustainable production and sustainable sourcing. Interestingly, social and technical integration have an enhancing synergistic effect on sustainable sourcing, which is further strengthened in high-uncertainty supply chains.Originality/valueThis study extends the application of STS theory in the SSCM setting. It enriches the sustainability literature by uncovering the impact of the interplay among the firm's social, technical and environmental systems on sustainable production and sourcing, and offers system-wide insights for sustainability management.

Market orientation, innovation commercialization capability and firm performance relationships: the moderating role of supply chain influence

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 913-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeen-Su Lim ◽  
William K. Darley ◽  
David Marion
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose The study aims to explore supply chain influence (SCI) on the linkages among market orientation, innovation capabilities and firm performance (FP), using the resource-based view as a theoretical backdrop. Design Survey data from 182 top managers who are involved in strategy formulation and innovative direction of their companies was collected and analyzed using moderated multiple regression analysis. Findings Results revealed a moderating role of the SCI in that the proactive market orientation (PMO) and FP relationship is stronger when SCI is high, and innovation commercialization capability (ICC) and FP relationship is stronger when SCI is low. Practical implications Firms pursuing high PMO strategy must collaborate with supply chain function to achieve the full effect of PMO. Additionally, as supply chain is critical to meeting customers’ needs, these firms should allow supply chain to exert greater influence to enjoy the positive effects of PMO in addition to ensuring full integration into marketing strategy implementation. Also, firms with high ICC need to limit SCI to maximize the benefit of ICC on FP, just as innovation management needs to be cognizant of other functional areas. Originality/value The study investigates the potential moderating role of SCI on the relationships among market orientation, ICC and FP. The study fills a gap in the understanding of the nature and role of supply chain in the marketing–supply chain interaction, and the impact on FP.

scholarly journals Impact of big data and predictive analytics capability on supply chain sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 513-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirish Jeble ◽  
Rameshwar Dubey ◽  
Stephen J. Childe ◽  
Thanos Papadopoulos ◽  
David Roubaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Predictive Analytics ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model to explain the impact of big data and predictive analytics (BDPA) on sustainable business development goal of the organization.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have developed the theoretical model using resource-based view logic and contingency theory. The model was further tested using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) following Peng and Lai (2012) arguments. The authors gathered 205 responses using survey-based instrument for PLS-SEM.FindingsThe statistical results suggest that out of four research hypotheses, the authors found support for three hypotheses (H1-H3) and the authors did not find support forH4. Although the authors did not find support forH4(moderating role of supply base complexity (SBC)), however, in future the relationship between BDPA, SBC and sustainable supply chain performance measures remain interesting research questions for further studies.Originality/valueThis study makes some original contribution to the operations and supply chain management literature. The authors provide theory-driven and empirically proven results which extend previous studies which have focused on single performance measures (i.e. economic or environmental). Hence, by studying the impact of BDPA on three performance measures the authors have attempted to answer some of the unresolved questions. The authors also offer numerous guidance to the practitioners and policy makers, based on empirical results.

scholarly journals Inclusive environmental disclosure practices and firm performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1815-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annachiara Longoni ◽  
Raffaella Cagliano
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Little empirical work has been done on the effects of inclusive environmental disclosure and green supply chain management (GSCM) on firm outcomes. The literature on environmental disclosure suggests that it is a useful practice to improve a firm’s reputation and its financial performance and also to establish a dialogue with stakeholders improving environmental performance. Recent conceptual contributions in the supply chain management literature state that stakeholder expectations and informational needs increasingly concern firm supply chains. Thus, the authors propose that positive effects of inclusive environmental disclosure practices are enhanced in presence of GSCM practices. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach To test these relationships a combination of primary data on environmental disclosure practices, GSCM practices and environmental performance, and secondary data on financial performance was used. A series of hierarchical regression models were performed to test the disclosure-outcome relationships and the moderation of GSCM practices. Findings Results provide empirical support for the impact of inclusive environmental disclosure practices on financial performance but no support for the impact on environmental performance. Specifically, the more inclusive the environmental disclosure practices the greater and positive is the impact on financial performance in presence of GSCM practices. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence of the joint effects of inclusive environmental disclosure and GSCM practices on environmental and financial performance. Doing so, it reinforces the recent conceptual foundation that firms should align and leverage on supply chain management for disclosure practice effectiveness.

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.

Impact of novel information technology on IT alignment and sustainable supply chain performance: evidence from Chinese manufacturing industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shushan Zhang ◽  
Lei Sun ◽  
Qi Sun ◽  
Haiying Dong
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Supply Chain Performance ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
It Alignment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to explore how the novel information technology (NIT) [1] affects three dimensions of sustainable supply chain performance (economic performance, environmental performance and social performance) and how two dimensions of IT alignment (IT infrastructure alignment and IT human resources alignment) mediate the relationship between them. Design/methodology/approach NIT is defined, the dimension of IT alignment is expanded, the theoretical hypotheses are proposed and are tested using survey data from 394 manufacturing enterprises using NIT in China. Findings The results indicate that NIT plays a positive role in improving sustainable supply chain performance, and IT alignment mediates the impact of NIT on sustainable supply chain performance. Originality/value This study highlights the impact of NIT on sustainable supply chain performance and demonstrates IT alignment as a mediator between them, it also provides a deeper understanding of how different dimensions of IT alignment affect sustainable supply chain performance

scholarly journals Impact of social sustainability orientation and supply chain practices on operational performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 2344-2366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Croom ◽  
Natalia Vidal ◽  
Wellington Spetic ◽  
Donna Marshall ◽  
Lucy McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Temporal Orientation ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Socially sustainable supply chain (SSSC) practices address pressing social issues and may provide operational benefits as well as positive impacts on society. However, due to gaps in the current knowledge, it is difficult to know what practices will provide benefits and what management orientations can maximize the impact of these practices on operational performance. The purpose of this paper is to advance the knowledge on the effect of social sustainability orientation on operational performance by examining the mediating roles of basic and advanced SSSC practices and the moderating role of long-term orientation (LTO). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a survey of US-based companies about their relationships with key suppliers. Confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression were used to test the proposed moderated mediation model. Findings Surprisingly, sustainability orientation predicts operational performance through advanced but not basic SSSC practices. Results also indicate that the effect of sustainability orientation on operational performance is significantly moderated by LTO. Research limitations/implications Results are limited by the US context, the cross-sectional nature of the research, the use of a single-respondent survey instrument and the challenges of measuring LTO. Practical implications Managers and policymakers should be aware of the limitations of adopting basic SSSC practices on the performance of their operations. Advanced practices provide a more robust business case and significantly and positively impact operational performance. In addition, the interaction of a sustainability orientation and LTO can lead to even greater improvements in firms’ operational performance. Firms with the highest levels of social sustainability and LTOs attain superior operational performance. Originality/value This study contributes to the growing literature on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) and extends this literature by focusing on social sustainability practices, identifying specific practices that impact and the orientations that maximize operational performance. The authors contribute to the growing literature on the importance of manager’s temporal orientation and provide nuance to emerging SSCM theory by exposing the interplay of these orientations and the impact of SSSC practice adoption.

Strategic orientations, sustainable supply chain initiatives, and reverse logistics

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Chun Hsu ◽  
Keah-Choon Tan ◽  
Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Reverse Logistics ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Orientations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Global outsourcing shifts manufacturing jobs to emerging countries, which provides new opportunities for improving their economic development. The authors develop and test a theoretical model to predict first, how sustainable supply chain initiatives might influence reverse logistics outcomes and second, the impact of eco-reputation and eco-innovation orientation strategies on the deployment of sustainable supply chain initiatives. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed new model of antecedents and outcomes of sustainable supply chain initiatives underwent a rigorous empirical test through structural equation modeling with samples from an emerging market. Findings – The results show that firms that implement sustainable supply chain initiatives can realize positive reverse logistics outcomes; the study also provides new insights into eco-innovation and eco-reputation strategic orientations as theoretically important antecedents of sustainable supply chain initiatives. Research limitations/implications – Though the authors identify three components of sustainable supply chain initiatives, other components could exist, and ongoing research should investigate them. Practical implications – The findings have important implications for managers in emerging markets seeking to initiate ecologically friendly business practices. The authors offer strong evidence of the benefits obtained from reverse logistics in sustainable supply chain initiatives. Policy makers and firms attempting to nurture sustainable supply chain initiatives should not overlook the important role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations, which the results identify as important enablers. Originality/value – This study offers evidence of the critical role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations in deploying sustainable supply chain initiative programs, as well as of their mutual effects. This study also offers empirical evidence that implementing sustainable supply chain initiatives leads to reverse logistics, creating value, and a new source of competitive advantages.

scholarly journals A roadmap for sustainability assessment in the food supply chain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica León Bravo ◽  
Antonella Moretto ◽  
Federico Caniato
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
Stakeholder Pressures

PurposeTo develop a roadmap of sustainability practices and assessment mechanisms to advance in the sustainable supply chain (SSC) performance assessment in the food supply chain. The analysis is grounded on the contingency and stakeholder theories.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a multiple case study approach analyzing the sustainability practices implementation and assessment across different supply chain stages in the food industry in Italy. The set of cases comprises 12 companies in the fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV), and seven companies in the “Balsamic Vinegar of Modena” (BVM) supply chains.FindingsThe sustainability practices and assessment in each company in both supply chains according to their objectives are identified. Different stakeholder pressures for sustainability implementation and assessment are analyzed. The contingency factors that foster sustainability assessment are outlined as well. Finally, the study develops a roadmap with five levels of progress considering the groups of practices implemented and the type of assessment applied.Practical implicationsThe roadmap is a decision-making tool for planning and monitoring progress on SSC performance along five possible levels of progress. While identifying the assessment mechanisms implemented for different kind of sustainability practices, companies can develop a strategy according to their aims and capabilities and stakeholder's expectations.Originality/valueThe novelties in this study are threefold. First, the roadmap with five levels of progress. Second, investigating two different food supply chains that allowed for a broader view regarding sustainability practices and assessment. Third, the adoption of stakeholder and contingency theories in SSC studies.

Sustainability knowledge and training: outcomes and firm performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Birou ◽  
Kenneth W. Green ◽  
R. Anthony Inman
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Green Manufacturing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of sustainability training and knowledge on sustainable supply chain practices (SSCP) and the resulting impact on sustainable supply chain outcomes (SSCO) and firm performance. It also provides a valid and reliable measure of SSCO. Design/methodology/approach Data collected from 129 manufacturing managers are analyzed using a partial least squares structural equation modeling methodology. Manufacturing managers provide data reflecting the degree to which their organizations improved sustainability training and knowledge, utilize SSCP, the degree to which SSCO result, and the subsequent operational performance (OPP) and environmental economic performance (EEP). Findings Organizational sustainability training and knowledge positively impacts SSCP, and the utilization of SSCP results in SSCO which favorably impact OPP and EEP. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to manufacturing organizations. Practical implications Practitioners are encouraged to improve organizational learning and training and are provided with a valid and reliable scale for measuring the outcomes of their sustainable practices. Combined with the work of others, this provides a framework for evaluating different aspects of sustainability with a firm. Social implications Improved green manufacturing practices improves the environment by eliminating all forms of waste and provides eco-friendly products and services. Originality/value A sustainable supply chain training and knowledge model is proposed and empirically assessed. The results of this investigation support the proposition that sustainability training and knowledge support the implementation of sustainability supply chain practices which, in turn, improve sustainability outcomes and operational and EEP.

Food exporters and co-opetition relationships: an analysis on the vegetable supply chain

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 1596-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Galdeano-Gómez ◽  
Juan Carlos Pérez-Mesa ◽  
Cynthia Lynn Giagnocavo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Strategy Formation ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Vegetable Farming ◽  
Marketing Firms ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the influence of co-opetition on food exporting in different distribution channels, taking as reference the vegetable farming-marketing sector in southeast Spain. Design/methodology/approach – The study analyses the data collected from vegetable exporters’ associations and the firms’ individual financial reports. A multivariate empirical model is developed to measure the impact of cooperation and competition relationships (both horizontal and vertical ones) on exporting. This model includes the influence of main buyers distinguishing basically between retailers and wholesalers. Findings – The results obtained show that diverse forms of collaboration with competitors, in both horizontal (such as logistics and research projects) and vertical dimensions (such as promotion and quality certifications) have positive effects on vegetable export propensity. These influences become more apparent when large retailers are the main buyers. Research limitations/implications – The analysed farming-marketing sector features certain singular characteristics, for example the type of products and firms, which should be taken into account when extrapolating the results to other agrifood industries. Practical implications – For farming-marketing firms with little bargaining power in the supply chain of fresh produce, horizontal and vertical collaboration is a key factor in improving their exporting activity. A greater balance in co-opetition relationships is required to reduce the traditionally negative effect of competition among Spanish firms in the vegetable marketing sector. Originality/value – These findings should be of value to researchers into co-opetition policies and to managers responsible for strategy formation in international agrifood firm environment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document