The impact of buyer–supplier communication on production ramp-up performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Gesell ◽  
Andreas Herbert Glas ◽  
Michael Essig

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how communication with suppliers influences performance during production ramp-up. Often, time, cost or quality targets are missed in production ramp-ups while the number and frequency of ramp-ups is further increasing. The goal of this paper is thus to contribute a better understanding if and to which extend communication content or communication relationship is affecting ramp-up performance. Design/methodology/approach The research uses data from a dyadic survey (N = 160) in the German automotive industry. The data set comprises responses from buyers and suppliers. Constructs, namely, information and relationship quality, as well as communication satisfaction, are measured. The effect of communication is evaluated referring to cost, quality and time dimensions of performance. The analysis is applied with structural equation modeling methodology. This research is complemented by a multigroup analysis (MGA) especially comparing buyer and supplier respondent groups. Findings The results indicate that communication satisfaction positively influences ramp-up performance and that information quality is of higher relevance than relationship quality. Briefly, information exchange (what information to transfer) is more important than relationship management (how to transfer information). This finding contrasts previous literature focusing on relationship factors in communication settings. Furthermore, findings from MGA sustain the findings, because effects are also analyzed from a supplier’s or buyer’s viewpoint. Overall, the findings imply that supplier communication in production ramp-up must of course provide a high level of information quality. However, to optimize ramp-up performance also a high level of relationship quality is required. Research limitations/implications This study featured data from the German automotive industry from buyer’s and supplier’s perspective. This limits its generalizability, yet provides opportunities to test the findings through longitudinal studies, potentially gathering data from other sectors. Practical implications This research recommends managers deliver high information quality to improve communication satisfaction. Hence, this survey provides support for business communication o enhance ramp-up performance to achieve success in buyer–supplier relations. Originality/value Besides the original dyadic database, this research addresses production ramp-up as a very dynamic process. Plans and forecasts change often, thus supplier communication takes place in a stress situation. Then, communicators might overstate information quality and lose sight of relationship quality. The study contributes to this field of research and postulates that (automatic, autonomous) data exchange requires behavioral and relational support. The findings are useful for companies in stress situation (e.g. also a pandemic supply crisis) and will avoid that the optimization of information exchange disregards the relationship aspect.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1851-1870
Author(s):  
Asuman Üstündağ ◽  
Mustafa C. Ungan

PurposeA literature review conducted for this study showed that although different aspects of supply chain flexibility have been studied, research on the factors affecting supplier flexibility and the impact of supplier flexibility on supplier performance are conspicuously absent. The present study aims to fill in this gap in the literature.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research design was adopted. Data were collected from 119 manufacturing companies operating in Turkey and analyzed by structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings show that supplier flexibility is associated with environmental uncertainty, relationships with the buyer and the quality of information shared between the buyer and the supplier, but not with the level of information shared between the buyer and the supplier. The findings also indicate that supplier flexibility affects supplier performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalizability of the findings can be considered as a limitation. In the future, sector-based larger-scale studies are desirable. Also, data can be collected from both the main business and suppliers and findings may be compared.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study help decision-makers to make more informed decisions about information exchange, supplier relationships and environmental uncertainties depending on the degree of flexibility that they request from their suppliers.Originality/valueA literature review for this study indicated that there is a lack of research on the factors affecting supplier flexibility. Therefore, this research is expected to make an original contribution to the literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Maria Correia Loureiro ◽  
Arnold Japutra ◽  
Sebastian Molinillo ◽  
Ricardo Godinho Bilro

Purpose This paper aims to explore tourist perceived value and attachment to intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) as antecedents of the quality of the human–IVA relationship in the hospitality domain. This research also examines the moderating role of psychological factors (self-esteem) and knowledge factors (past experience and technology expertise) in the relationships between antecedents and relationship quality. Design/methodology/approach The researchers conducted two quantitative studies, collecting data via online surveys in Mechanical Turk (n1 = 124 and n2 = 281). The proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The first study uncovers that tourist perceived value is the main influence on the quality of the relationship between tourists and IVAs. The second study confirms the direct relationships of the first and shows that self-esteem and technology expertise act as moderators. Practical implications This study advances the understanding of the tourism and hospitality stakeholders in using modern technologies (e.g. IVAs). Through comprehending the relationship building between individuals and IVAs, the stakeholders will be able to craft better strategies. Originality/value The study extends the attachment and social exchange theories to the tourist–IVA relationship context. Specifically, this research demonstrates the impact of tourist perceived value on the quality of the relationship with the IVA. It also points out that tourists’ self-esteem and technology expertise can weaken the tourist–IVA relationship.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivani Agrawal ◽  
Vinay Singh ◽  
Yogesh Upadhyay

PurposeDue to wider acceptance of information technology (IT) and e-commerce among the consumers, firms belonging to agri businesses are rapidly redefining IT-driven stakeholders' centric completive strategy for their supply chain. This has forced the firms to understand the stakeholders' information needs and quality they expect from the electronic supply chains. Thus, the present study focusses on developing an information quality framework that ensures the success of stakeholders' centric e-agri supply chain. The study also attempts to investigate the interrelationship between formative endogenous latent variables, i.e. value of information (VoI), e-platform responsiveness (RESP), e-platform aesthetics (SAE), e-platform ease of use (EoU) and fulfillment of expectation (FoE) used in the developing the proposed framework.Design/methodology/approachSurvey based data are obtained from 280 respondents using semistructured questionnaire to validate the proposed theoretical framework. The structural equation modeling is performed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 16.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 24.0 package to establish structural model by accommodating determinants of information quality framework identified from extent literature. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is employed to examine the robustness of manifesting variables that define the latent constructs. The robustness measuring items of constructs are also ensured through specified criteria of reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity. At last the one-way ANOVA and post-hoc analysis are employed to investigate the stakeholders’ group difference on each study construct.FindingsThe results infer the impact RESP, VoI, SAE and EoU on the fulfillment of expectation (FoE). After applying the bootstrapping technique, it was observed that all causal relationships as proposed in hypotheses H1, H1a, H1b, H2, H3 and H4 have gained significant empirical support, thus verify the framework applicable to e-agri supply chain as the study outcome. Addition to this, SAE mediates relationship of RESP and VoI. The RESP and SAE have an indirect positive effect on “EoU.” Findings also suggest that the intermediaries expect better e-platform responsiveness and value of information from e-agri supply chain as compared to farmers and end consumers.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study emphasized on the importance of five exogenous variables for e-agri supply chain in order to achieve stakeholders' expectation fulfillment on the information delivered through e-agri supply chain. The study is of great significance to the practitioners and management professionals by aiding strategic worth of market expansion by maximizing users' base by developing, deploying and facilitating a responsive and resilient stakeholders' centric e-agri supply chains. The study provides insights to the cross-domain researchers, firms, managers and policymakers to capture detailed and deeper understanding on the system design, stakeholders' behavior and in policy formulation so as to suggest remedial measures to strengthen the stakeholders' belief on relying e-agri supply chain.Originality/valueThe study considers the empirical model that shows the determinants and their relationship in the “information quality framework” as unique and novel contribution in the context of e-agri supply chain. The framework determines the quality and efficacious use of information that regulates the effectiveness of e-platform from stakeholders' perspective. The investigated constructs and their relationship depict their importance in creating systematic value chain of information across the supply chain.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Japutra ◽  
Keni Keni ◽  
Bang Nguyen

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between brand logo identification and brand logo benefit on Indonesian consumers’ relationship quality. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilizes survey data in Indonesia and structural equation modeling. In total, 282 participants responded to the survey. Findings – Brand logo benefit predicts all three relationship quality constructs, whereas brand logo identification only predicts satisfaction and trust. Out of the two, brand logo benefit is a better predictor of satisfaction, trust, and commitment. Originality/value – This is a first empirical study to examine brand logo identification and brand logo benefit on Indonesian consumer’s relationship quality. In addition, this is the first study to investigate the link between brand logo benefit with satisfaction and trust.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1951-1980
Author(s):  
Sonia Mathew ◽  
Ajay Jose ◽  
Rejikumar G ◽  
Dony Peter Chacko

PurposeThe study focuses on the core issue faced by bankers on how to retain existing customers who have encountered an e-service failure and who are skeptical about the justice received through the service recovery process. It further endeavors to create an internal bench-marking model for assessing e-service recovery satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachBy the experimental study, the authors confirm a measurement model using structural equation modeling for examining the impact of perceived service recovery quality antecedents on e-service recovery satisfaction moderated by perceived justice. In total, responses from 399 e-banking customers, who had experienced a e-service failure, were recorded using a 5-point Likert scale with a structured questionnaire.FindingsThe perceived e-service recovery quality antecedents identified were perceived information quality, digital commitment, perceived employee performance and perceived service orientation of organization. The empirical results revealed that “perceived information quality” was the most significant predictor of e-service recovery satisfaction. Perceived justice moderates the relation between perceived service recovery quality and e-service recovery satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe research does not contemplate the e-service recovery satisfaction of customers who have undergone multiple service failures.Practical implicationsThe conclusions of the investigation suggest that the four antecedents of perceived e-service recovery quality model are suitable instruments for creating benchmarks for e-service recovery satisfaction for banks, and that perceived justice moderates the relationship between e-service recovery quality and e-service recovery satisfaction. Therefore, policymakers in banks can use this model to assess the e-service recovery quality, and they ought to enhance the perceived justice feel of the customers who have experienced a service failure.Originality/valueThere remains scarcity of empirical research focusing on perceived information quality and digital commitment as antecedents of perceived e-service recovery quality and its effect on e-service recovery satisfaction in the banking context. Furthermore, similar studies within the banking sector have rarely considered perceived justice as a moderator variable. Hence, this paper attempts to accomplish the research gap by empirically testing the e-service recovery satisfaction level of a large sample of the population toward four antecedents of perceived e-service recovery quality rendered by banks and create a benchmark model to ascertain e-service recovery satisfaction.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 458-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada S. Lo ◽  
Holly Hyunjung Im ◽  
Yong Chen ◽  
Hailin Qu

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of the loyalty program members’ satisfaction toward the hotel loyalty program benefits and the customer management relationship initiatives of individual hotels on the brand relationship quality (BRQ), i.e. their relationship quality with the hotel brand, and its outcomes. The moderating impact of membership level on the hypothesized relationships was also investigated. Design/methodology/approach A usable sample of 920 active members of a hotel loyalty program was obtained. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares method was used to estimate the structural relationships and to investigate the moderating effect of membership level. Findings Employee’s customer orientation, membership communication and hotel stay-related benefits are determinants of the loyalty program members’ BRQ. BRQ is also confirmed as a higher-order construct of three latent variables which include trust, satisfaction and commitment. Moderating effects of the membership were partially supported in this study. The strongest effect of BRQ is on members’ word of mouth followed by shares of purchase. BRQ is found to have negative relationship with members’ willingness to serve as marketing resource, but the impact was small. Research limitations/implications This is a cross-sectional study with a population of active loyalty program members of only one luxury hotel group. The sample size of the top-tier members is also smaller in comparison to the other two groups. Practical implications This study contributes to the understanding of the antecedents and consequences of BRQ and the body of knowledge about loyalty program for hotel industry. Originality/value This is one of the few studies investigating the effectiveness of hotel loyalty programs from the active members’ perspective and the moderating effect of membership level on the relationships among BRQ, its antecedents and its outcomes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 622-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishal Vyas ◽  
Sonika Raitani

Purpose – This paper aims to probe into the linkages between the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of banks and the cross-buying intentions of banking customers. Though the authors could not find any direct link between these two concepts on theoretical ground, but an effort has been made to identify the impact of CSR on cross-buying intentions through corporate reputation and relationship quality. Like other industries, the Indian banking industry has also witnessed a balance between its social-environmental responsibilities and its clearly defined economic responsibility to earn profit. Design/methodology/approach – The universe for the present study constitutes the customers of the entire Indian banking industry. Considering the cost and time constraints, the study was limited to a sample of 347 public and private bank customers in the Rajasthan region based on the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through structural equation modeling. CSR measures included philanthropic and ethical responsibility. Findings – Results revealed that corporate reputation and relationship quality both play a mediating role in the linkages between CSR and cross-buying intentions. Practical implications – The study suggests integrating marketing strategy with its CSR strategies to encourage cross-buying intentions. While making the cross-selling agenda, they should bear reputation in mind because at the relationship development phase, customers generally rely on reputation than their evaluation of bank’s products for cross-buying. Originality/value – This study is the first in marketing literature which relates the concept of CSR and the cross-buying.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baolong Ma ◽  
Xiaofei Li ◽  
Lin Zhang

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate both the positive and negative effects of loyalty programs. The study proposes a model to demonstrate why and how loyalty program strategies can result in good customer relationships and customer entitlement behaviors. Various configurations of three different loyalty program strategies are analyzed – tangible rewards, preferential treatment and perceived status. Design/methodology/approach The authors’ hypotheses were tested by analyzing the survey data of 152 frequent flyer program members in China through partial least squares-structural equation modeling. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to test different configurations of the three loyalty program strategies. Findings A net effects analysis demonstrates that loyalty programs are a double-edged sword. While loyalty programs can improve customer relationships, strategies based on perceived status have a positive relationship to customer entitlement, which may lead customers to expect extraordinary efforts from companies, such as greater discounts and extra privileges. Using fsQCA, the authors determined four sufficient configurations of high level of relationship quality and high level of customer entitlement, which also support their findings. Originality/value First, this study expands the research on loyalty programs by providing an examination of their positive and negative consequences. Second, by proposing the configuration paths that lead to high level of relationship quality and high level of customer entitlement using fsQCA, this research enriches research on the net effects of loyalty programs, providing researchers and practitioners with a more comprehensive understanding of loyalty programs. Third, this research extends the concept of customer entitlement to the context of buyer–seller relationships by introducing perceived status as an important antecedent of customer entitlement and by identifying four sufficient configurations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Yang ◽  
Linda Lau ◽  
Huiqi Gan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a research model to examine the perception of non-professional investors toward the cybersecurity reporting framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Design/methodology/approach The proposed hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling with data collected from Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform. Findings The findings conclude that investors' perceived benefits of the cybersecurity risk framework are positively related to investment intention. Information quality and cybersecurity awareness also positively influence perceived benefits of the risk framework and investment intention. Practical implications Findings of this study are relevant to both regulatory bodies and firms because non-professional investors’ perceptions of the benefits of the AICPA’s reporting framework are unveiled. Originality/value Findings from this research help to provide a more in-depth understanding of the impact of various factors on investor’s decision-making process and also significant insights into the non-professional investor’s attitude toward the AICPA’s framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Dinh Tho ◽  
La Anh Duc

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of team psychological capital (PsyCap) on team innovation. The study also examines the mediating role of team learning, including exploratory and exploitative learning, in team innovation. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 272 team leaders of firms in Vietnam was surveyed to validate the measures via confirmatory factor analysis and to test the model and hypotheses using structural equation modeling. Findings The results demonstrate that team PsyCap has a positive effect on team innovation. Further, team exploratory learning mediates the relationship between team PsyCap and team innovation; however, team exploitative learning does not. Although team exploitative learning is explained by team PsyCap, it does not enhance team innovation. Practical implications The study findings suggest that, to enjoy a high level of team exploratory and exploitative learning and innovation, firms should develop team PsyCap. This could be undertaken by implementing leader–subordinate mentoring programs, together with creating a social context that helps in interacting and communicating among team members. Originality/value This study is among the first to examine the role of team PsyCap in team exploratory and exploitative learning and innovation, adding further insight to the literature on innovation at the team level.


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