Developing competitive advantage using the triple bottom line: a conceptual framework

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven A. Schulz ◽  
Rod L. Flanigan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for a sustainability model to be used by industrial companies for establishing a competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach Literature is replete with sustainability models for business; however, few of these models are specific to the industrial supply chain market sector. The authors propose a novel approach for comparing/normalizing data from all three components of the Triple Bottom Line (3BL) sustainability model. Findings A shortcoming of the 3BL sustainability model has been that the data cannot be easily normalized and compared across the three categories of the model. The findings of this paper suggest that it may be possible to develop a model that includes both environmental and social responsibility scales, combined with the more traditional financial data, as a tool for competitive advantage using generalizable data. Practical implications As the industrial companies continue to put increasing pressure on both the upstream and downstream suppliers in their supply chain to demonstrate sound sustainability practice, this model could serve to provide a company with competitive advantage. Originality/value This paper proposes a novel approach to assessing environmental, social and financial impact as a tool for competitive advantage.

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-35

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on the capacity of procurement digitalization to pump up supply chain effectiveness and competitive advantage levels. Data from the examination of the strategic actions of an environmental charity, an IT multinational, and an Australian SME reveal that increasing procurement effectiveness translates into marked performance enhancements in terms of productivity gains and reduced costs. Wiping away boundaries between buyers and suppliers produced procurement processes with greater scalability, agility, and flexibility, all of which also enhanced the firms' capability to mitigate their risks. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Author(s):  
Richard Calvi

Purpose According to Christopher (2000), in a lot of sectors, the competition is a question of supply chain against supply chain. The winner in term of competitive advantage should be the one, who is able to obtain more than the competitor from the available resources. In strategic literature, Dyer and Singh (1998) are the first who introduced the concept of “relational competency” to explain why some companies gain their competitive advantage not directly from their internal resources but mainly because they are able better to combine external resources. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a case study. Findings The author describes the different phases and strategic decisions in the building of a real supplier eco-system. Research limitations/implications It is a sole case study. Practical implications This study is a description of a success story. Originality/value This study is a description of an external resource management in action.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-9

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings By looking at organizations in South Korea, it can be seen how crucial risk capability management is for protecting supply chain innovation. Both are needed for an organization to improve and gain a competitive advantage. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1623-1647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wantao Yu ◽  
Roberto Chavez ◽  
Mark Jacobs ◽  
Chee Yew Wong

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the fit between innovativeness and lean practices (LPs) can affect triple bottom line (TBL) performance. Two types of fit are tested: fit-as-mediation in which innovativeness creates TBL performance through the mediation of LPs and fit-as-moderation whereby the effects of innovativeness on TBL performance are moderated by LPs.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modelling and moderated regression are used to test the fit-as-mediation and fit-as-moderation models using survey data collected from 241 manufacturers in China.FindingsThe results show that innovativeness is positively associated with LPs that emphasize operational excellence. Innovativeness indirectly affects all three TBL dimensions through the mediation of LPs, and LPs do not moderate the effects of innovativeness. The applicability of fit-as-mediation model suggests directing attention towards integrating innovation and LPs within same organizational units to achieve improved TBL performance.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest manufacturers should involve employees within the same organizational unit embrace an integrated culture of innovativeness and LPs and avoid separate attention to innovativeness and LPs.Originality/valueThis is the first study of which the authors are aware developing and empirically testing both fit-as-mediation and fit-as-moderation models within the same study to understand how innovativeness and LPs work together to influence TBL performance. This study extends the boundaries of current understanding by examining how, when and why the innovativeness – LPs–TBL relationship arises between constructs central to our theories.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Presley ◽  
Theresa Presley ◽  
Michael Blum

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine whether a company’s sustainability practices affect job seekers’ perceptions of the attractiveness of the company as a potential employer. Design/methodology/approach A survey completed by 259 university students assessed the respondents’ attitudes toward sustainability. Participants were then presented a series of scenarios describing the sustainable practices of hypothetical companies using the triple bottom line factors of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) and were asked how attractive they found the company to be and the likelihood that they would accept a job offer from the company. Findings The findings indicate that sustainability as a single concept and each sustainability factor individually influenced the attractiveness of a company to potential employees. Research limitations/implications The results of the study add to the body of job choice research, specifically as related to sustainability practices of companies. It furthers the body of work related to signaling theory and job attractiveness. Practical implications The results of this study indicate that sustainability performance is an important factor in determining the attractiveness of a company to potential applicants. Social implications The research highlights the importance of sustainability to potential job applicants. Companies should be aware that positive sustainability performance can make it more attractive to these applicants. The results reported from this research provides additional motivation for companies to pursue efforts in sustainability. Originality/value The research builds upon existing research in the fields of sustainability and job choice. While previous research has looked at many factors regarding applicants and job choice including, no other research was found which explicitly considered the triple bottom line factors of sustainability.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley E. Fawcett ◽  
Amydee M. Fawcett ◽  
August Michael Knemeyer ◽  
Sebastian Brockhaus ◽  
G. Scott Webb

PurposeDespite over 30 years of focus on supply chain collaboration, companies continue to struggle to achieve collaborative advantage. To better understand why some companies are able to collaborate for competitive advantage and others can't, the authors explore how managerial commitment enables collaborative capabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employed a longitudinal inductive study, interviewing companies with reputations for intense supply chain collaboration at four different times over 20 years.FindingsThe authors identified managerial commitment as a super-ordinate enabler. They describe the dynamics of commitment development and explore three types of commitment: instrumental, normative and transformative. The authors document key antecedents and outcomes of each type of commitment.Research limitations/implicationsTheory regarding the antecedents to commitment to collaborative capability is underdeveloped. The authors elaborate these antecedents and the dynamics that enable or undermine the commitment necessary to build effective collaboration capabilities.Practical implicationsThe authors provide insight (i.e. a practical and actionable roadmap) into the process companies use to cultivate commitment to collaboration and value co-creation.Originality/valueCollaboration is critical to value co-creation, including effective supply chain risk mitigation and lasting sustainability efforts. The authors elaborate a theory of commitment dynamics that explains why most companies never go beyond basic levels of collaboration. At the same time, the authors provide a roadmap for deep, transformative collaboration.


2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-19

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsBusiness has a knack of coming up with clever idioms and jargon – triple bottom line, crowd sourcing, greenewal, glocal, guerrilla marketing and so forth. Customers referred to by the label base of the pyramid (BOP) are not to be envied, for that descriptive tag tells it like it is – they're impoverished people at the bottom of the pile. So, if they are too poor to be customers why would hard‐headed businesses seek out a market there?Practical implicationsThe piece provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.


2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yair Holtzman

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the value in developing a portfolio of capabilities to fuel innovation. The author's experience suggests that a disciplined focus developing a portfolio of innovation capabilities is critical in the global competitive landscape. Traditionally, the business world has always been focussed on developing sustainable competitive advantage. This is optimal, but we find more and more situations where this notion of building a sustainable competitive advantage is no longer possible. In 2013 it is rare for a company to maintain a truly lasting advantage. Many times, the very success of the initiative drives competition, which in turn weakens the advantage. Innovation as a portfolio of capabilities that can continuously morph based on the traditional forces of the market can prove much more powerful. This paper discusses what is needed in developing a strategy for developing a portfolio of capabilities and the challenges that companies face in undertaking this goal. Design/methodology/approach – General viewpoint based upon over 20 years of consulting work experience by an expert in the field of innovation, new product development, and research and development. Findings – The relevance and importance of a novel approach to thinking about innovation is very creative and valuable to companies that are constantly struggling with the development of new products. Practical implications – This is a novel approach to thinking about developing new products, capabilities, or services within an organization. Originality/value – The paper is extremely valuable in that it highlights a new way to think about developing innovation and new product capabilities, new product features, in a competitive global environment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Hourneaux Jr ◽  
Marcelo Luiz da Silva Gabriel ◽  
Dolores Amalia Gallardo-Vázquez

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a minimum set of indicators to be measured by industrial companies to represent the triple bottom line (TBL) approach. Design/methodology/approach The research is both descriptive and quantitative. Three hypotheses establish associations among the degrees of use of TBL indicators and their different degrees of use in firms. The authors used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the scale and structural equation modelling to represent the final measurement model. The survey gathered 149 industrial companies. Findings The results pointed out that there are positive associations among the degree of use of environmental indicators and social indicators, economic, environmental and social indicators have different degrees of use in firms, a positive association between the degree of use of environmental and social indicators and the use of economic indicators was not confirmed. The findings suggest how to measure sustainable performance for industrial companies and highlight the differences in the degree of use for the three dimensions of TBL. Research limitations/implications The limitations refer to the non-probabilistic sample, applied in a specific context, industrial companies. Practical implications This set of indicators is intended to be used by industrial companies as a reliable instrument to sustainable performance assessment of the current stage of the TBL deployment and provide alternative approaches to address specific issues related to the environmental, social and economic sustainability. Social implications The results offer tangible results for measuring and reporting firm’s social and environmental performance. Originality/value This paper intends to offer an integrated and consistent way of measuring sustainability in industrial companies.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose: This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design: This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings: Sustainable supply chain management is linked to positive and effective organizational performance and competitive advantage. Originality: The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


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