Service supply chain: strategic interaction and relationship value

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 611-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Song ◽  
Kangkang Yu ◽  
Samir Ranjan Chatterjee ◽  
Jingzi Jia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the linkages between strategic interaction and relationship value, with a variety of co-creating value strategies as conceptual mediators. Design/methodology/approach This study reports on a field survey conducted in the Chinese manufacturing industry. A total of 180 questionnaires were sent to customers of service providers, and 120 valid responses were received, representing a response rate of 66.7 per cent. The data were then analyzed by using a number of statistical tools. Findings The results suggest that strategic interaction leads to a positive effect on the relationship value without any regard to the size of the customer. However, the mediating effect of product-based service is more significant for large-size customers, whereas the mediating effect of integrated managerial service is more significant for medium- and small-size customers. Originality/value This study explores how value might be created in a business-to-business context in a service supply chain from a relationship marketing perspective. It distinguishes product-based service and integrated managerial service as co-creating value strategies and further clarifies the different mechanisms underlying their relationships with strategic interaction between service supplier and customer. In particular, this study suggests that although strategic interaction may yield superior relationship value, the size of the customers will determine what kind of co-creating strategies would be preferred.

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pitt ◽  
Sarich Chotipanich ◽  
Ruhul Amin ◽  
Sittiporn Issarasak

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to overview carefully selected existing literature to enable further analysis directly concerned with facilities management (FM) supply chain structure, components, strategic issues, challenges and risk. Following the key aspects of assembly, design and, most importantly, management of FM supply chain are explored so that a guidance design framework can be put forward. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines the optimum technique that can be applied by clients and FM service providers where FM functions are outsourced. The paper initially defines the network structure of the FM supply chain and then suggests a conceptual model for making decisions about FM supply chain network at the strategy level. Furthermore, the paper argues for both supply chain design and for critical node micro management in a transparent supply chain environment with the FM acting as the strategic lens through which the focus of the supply chain is achieved. Findings – This paper presents a process for designing and making decisions of FM service supply chain network. The process begins with an examination of the needs of facility services. It is followed by the step of identifying available options in delivering and processing the services. The third stage involves modelling structures of FM supply chain network. Then to make a final decision, all possible models have to be evaluated for their optimisation, both quantitative (cost) and qualitative (performance). At the end, the model with best optimisation should be selected. Originality/value – This paper proposes a conceptual framework for designing facility service supply chain strategy and configuration to fit with the specific nature of facility service demand of a given organisation. The framework, featuring a set of processes including examining demand nature, identifying options available and analysing options, is first aimed at providing an assisting tool in identifying optimum supply chain network/solution of facility services and, second, intends to stimulate further discussions on this continuously evolving and challenging market.


Facilities ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 485-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Sillanpää ◽  
Ilkka Sillanpää

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to formulate a model for the information integration development. The service supply chain is managed with information; therefore, the functionality of the flow of information is an essential part of service business. The aim of this study is to address this issue by looking into the meaning and development of the elements of information integration in real estate and user services. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a qualitative research into elements of information integration and developing them in real estate and user services. Collecting the data for the study consisted of three stages: a workshop and two rounds of interviews. Findings – The finding of the study is a model for developing information integration in a real estate and user services. The model presents the meanings of the six elements which integration consists of and which need to be developed to increase information integration. Research limitations/implications – In services, the supply chain is typically shorter than in production. This study is limited to analyse the supply chain between a customer and a service provider since these are the most significant and often the only parties in the supply chain of real estate and user services. Practical implications – The results can be utilized when developing information integration in the service supply chain and developing service providers operations. Originality/value – The research results bring additional value to the previous studies regarding elements of information integration by developing a model for the sequence of development of these elements.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostas Selviaridis ◽  
Andreas Norrman

Purpose – The performance of service supply chains in terms of service levels and cost efficiency depends not only on the effort of service providers but also on the inputs of sub-contractors and the customer. In this sense, performance-based contracting (PBC) entails increased financial risk for providers. Allocating and managing risk through contractual relationships along the service supply chain is a critical issue, and yet there is scant empirical evidence regarding what factors influence, and how, provider willingness to bear PBC-induced risk. This paper aims to address this gap. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on agency theory and two cases of logistics service supply chains, in the food retail and automotive industries respectively, to identify key influencing factors. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 managers of providers and sub-contractors and review of 35 documents, notably contracts and target letters. Findings – Four influencing factors were found: performance attributability within the service supply chain; relational governance in service supply chain relationships; provider risk and reward balancing; and provider ability to transfer risk to sub-contractors. The propositions developed address how these factors influence provider willingness to bear PBC-induced risk. Research limitations/implications – The factors identified are external to the provider mindset and refer to the management of contractual relationships and service delivery interactions along the service supply chain. The paper contributes to agency theory by stressing the risk allocation implications of bi-directional principal-agent relations in service supply chains. Practical implications – The study suggests ways in which providers can increase their capacity to bear and manage financial risk related to PBC design. Originality/value – The paper identifies factors that influence provider willingness to bear financial risk induced by PBC in service supply chains.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuan Luu

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunjan Soni ◽  
Rambabu Kodali

Purpose – Several authors in extant literature have shown concern towards lacuna in availability of standard constructs in supply chain management (SCM). These standard constructs can represent pillars of SCM excellence. However, frameworks on SCM excellence unlike its contemporary fields are very few. Thus the purpose of this paper is to develop a path analysis for proposed framework of SCM excellence in Indian manufacturing industry proposed by Soni and Kodali (2014) using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and structural equation modelling (SEM). Design/methodology/approach – The ISM is performed on two exemplary cases of supply chain in Indian manufacturing industry. These cases were selected on the consideration of supply chain excellence index (SCEI), based on the results of an empirical study conducted by Soni and Kodali (2014) in Indian manufacturing industry. The focal manufacturing company which exhibited lowest and highest SCEI were selected as contenders for developing ISM. The relationships among pillars and constructs of SCM excellence framework are obtained from ISM, and later are subjected to statistical testing of model fit by using SEM. The input to SEM was the respondent’s data used in previous study. Findings – The major findings revealed that ISM based on focal company having highest SCEI, is statistically fit for SCM excellence framework, and finally the structural models of the constructs for each pillar of SCM excellence are also formed by using path analysis. Originality/value – The study offers a unique managerial approach for analysing the underlying relationships between pillars of SCM excellence. Researchers can use this study for developing frameworks in various realms of SCM excellence.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anurodhsingh Khanuja ◽  
Rajesh Kumar Jain

PurposeSupply chain integration (SCI) and flexibility (SCF) are recognised as crucial business practices and capability in the global competitive market. However, limited research has paid attention to study the relationship between SCI, SCF and their impact on supply chain performance (SCP). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to establish a relationship between integration, flexibility and performance.Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse the 187 data collected from Indian organisations through the survey methodology.FindingsFindings indicate that external integration contributes significantly to realise SCF and SCP. Sourcing and logistics flexibility also help to improve the SCP. The mediation analysis showed that the association of customer and supplier integration with SCP is partially and fully mediated by logistics flexibility, respectively. This study suggests that integration influences the SCP when the firm has a strong association with downstream partners and enough capability for logistics flexibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has collected cross-sectional data to analyse the relationship between SCI, SCF and SCP. However, as integration requires an effort of the years, longitudinal data and industry-specific studies may provide comprehensive views to validate the results of this study.Originality/valueBuilding on relational view theory and dynamic capability theory, the study has proposed the SCP assessment framework based on the relationship between SCI and SCF.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayathri Giri ◽  
Hansa Lysander Manohar

Purpose Drawing inspiration from the organizational information processing theory, the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of motivation, this study aims to examine the acceptance of private and public blockchain technology-based collaboration among supply chain practitioners. Design/methodology/approach A total of 257 samples were collected through a survey from supply chain practitioners. The study used parallel mediators of perceived usefulness (extrinsic motivation) and perceived ease of use (intrinsic motivation) to measure behavioral intention to use. Findings The results reveal that partial mediation exists between blockchain-based collaboration (private and public) and behavioral intention to use. For perceived usefulness, a stronger mediating effect was found between private blockchain-based collaboration and behavioral intention to use. For perceived ease of use, a stronger mediating effect was found between public blockchain-based collaboration and behavioral intention to use. Originality/value By integrating insights from the organizational information processing theory, the TAM and the theory of motivation, this study provides an in-depth understanding of how the distinct features of information processing in blockchain technology-based collaboration influence the supply chain practitioners’ to accept it. The novelty and results of the study expand the existing literature and pave the way for future research.


2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristóbal Sánchez‐Rodríguez ◽  
David Hemsworth ◽  
Ángel R. Martínez‐Lorente

PurposeSupply chain management is an increasingly important organizational concern, and proper management of supplier relationships constitutes one essential element of supply chain success. However, there is little empirical research that has tested the effect of supplier development on performance. The main objective is to analyze the effect of supplier development practices with different levels of implementation complexity on the firm's purchasing performance.Design/methodology/approachThree supplier development constructs were defined: basic supplier development, moderate supplier development, and advanced supplier development. Three structural models were hypothesized and tested using structural equation modeling through field research on a sample of 306 manufacturing companies in Spain.FindingsIdentified important interrelationships among the various supplier development practices, basic, moderate, and advanced. Also indicated that the implementation of supplier development practices significantly contributes to the prediction of purchasing performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a single key informant could be seen as a potential limitation of the study. The study was a cross‐sectional and descriptive sample of the manufacturing industry at a given point in time. A more stringent test of the relationships between the different levels of supplier development and performance requires a longitudinal study, or field experiment.Practical implicationsThis study focused on supplier development practices and revealed how involving suppliers in supplier development activities is important and may help buyers to increase their purchasing performance. The findings from the structural analysis should provide practicing managers with insights on how these practices and their benefits are related in terms of purchasing performance, thus affecting their ability to make better sourcing decisions.Originality/valueFills an important gap in the purchasing literature with respect to the area of supplier development. While there is much written about supplier development based on conceptual and case study research, this study is unique in that it is the first attempt to empirically model the relationships between different levels of supplier development and their impact on purchasing performance using a comprehensive set of practices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-605
Author(s):  
Maria Huge-Brodin ◽  
Edward Sweeney ◽  
Pietro Evangelista

PurposeVarious suggested paths for greening logistics and supply chains often address the specific perspectives of single supply chain actors. Drawing on stakeholder theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop a deeper understanding of the alignment between logistics service providers (LSPs) and shippers in the context of adopting more environmentally sustainable logistics practices.Design/methodology/approachWith a case study approach, a dual perspective is taken in which both LSPs and shippers were researched. The cases comprise eight LSPs and six shipper companies in Sweden, Italy and Ireland. Information was first analysed in relation to levels of environmental awareness, customer requirements and provider offerings and critical success factors (CSFs) and inhibitors. In a second step, the findings were analysed using stakeholder theory.FindingsLSPs demonstrate higher ambition levels and more concrete offerings compared to shippers' requirements for green logistics services. Paradoxically, customers are an important CSF and also an inhibitor for both LSPs and shippers. Both LSPs and shippers perceive financial factors and senior management priorities as important CSFs. The application of stakeholder theory helps to illuminate the importance of the many secondary stakeholders vs that of one or a relatively small number of primary stakeholders.Originality/valueThe three-dimensional analysis of environmental alignment between LSPs and shippers reinforces existing knowledge and provides new insights. A novel use of stakeholder theory in a supply chain context underlines its usefulness in research of this kind.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 628-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
José L. Ruiz-Alba ◽  
Anabela Soares ◽  
Miguel A. Rodríguez-Molina ◽  
Dolores M. Frías-Jamilena

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the moderating role of co-creation in the implementation of servitization strategies in the pharmaceutical industry in a business-to-business (B-to-B) context. More specifically, this investigation explores the impact of different levels of services (base, intermediate and advanced) on servitization and on performance by using co-creation as a moderating factor. Design/methodology/approach A research framework was developed and empirically tested in the pharmaceutical sector. Data collection was conducted through the online distribution of questionnaires. The final sample included 219 pharmacy stores, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings Main findings suggest that when the level of co-creation of the design of services is high, there are significant effects of servitization on firm performance. The moderating effect of co-creation is illustrated in regard to intermediate and advanced services, but results referring to the impact of intermediate services on servitization appear non-significant with a low degree of co-creation. No significant effects could be found for the impact of base services on performance and servitization for both high and low degrees of co-creation. Findings show an impact of advanced services on performance through the mediating effect of servitization when the degree of co-creation is high. Originality/value Most research concerning servitization has been done from the perspective of manufacturers and service providers. This study adds value to the literature because it was designed from a customer’s perspective. Moreover, it contributes towards the conceptualization of the servitization research strategy and business models in a B2B context. This is accomplished through the investigation of the moderating effect of co-creation on the impact of the different levels of services on servitization and on performance.


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