scholarly journals Causal linkages between supply chain management practices and performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 678-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uche Okongwu ◽  
Franck BRULHART ◽  
Btissam Moncef

Purpose – Today, supply chain design and management constitute a major source of competitive advantage for firms. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate, from a balanced scorecard strategy map (BSSM) perspective, the types of linkages through which supply chain management practices (SCMPs) impact on financial and non-financial performance, and consequently lead to the achievement of the firm’s strategic objectives. Design/methodology/approach – This study is carried out in two stages. First, based on the survey data collected from 450 French industrial firms (with a return rate of 20.2 per cent), structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to test eight hypotheses that are formulated through the discussion of previous theoretical and empirical findings in extant literature. Then, based on the framework of the BSSM, the SEM results are used to discuss the linkages between SCMPs and firm performance. Findings – After confirming some of the relationships already observed in extant literature, the results show that there are many strategic paths (of different nature) that link SCMPs and other intangible assets to financial performance. Practical implications – The results of the study constitute a practical contribution that would guide managers in the strategic alignment of their firm’s supply chain initiatives with corporate strategy. The authors argue that when implementing supply chain management initiatives, managers should pay particular attention to how intangible assets act as mediating factors in the achievement of the firm’s financial objectives. The BSC framework that the authors propose can also be used by researchers to investigate causal linkages between intangible and tangible assets. Originality/value – There are few studies that adopt an extensive multidimensional approach by looking simultaneously at both upstream and downstream linkages of the supply chain whilst taking into account many performance measures. Using the BSSM framework, this paper proposes eight types of linkages that could lead to the achievement of the firm’s strategic goals.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozlem Ayaz Arda ◽  
Frank Montabon ◽  
Ekrem Tatoglu ◽  
Ismail Golgeci ◽  
Selim Zaim

Purpose While the three interconnected aspects of the triple bottom line -environmental, social and economic sustainability- are well-established, these aspects have insufficiently been addressed together in the supply chain management literature. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether environmental and social performance mediates the relationship between environmental management practices and operational performance and whether operational performance mediates the relationship between environmental and social performance and financial performance. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a data set of 208 firms operating in a wide range of manufacturing industries, the authors test the hypotheses using structural equation modeling. The research context for the study is Turkey, an important emerging market and one of the nexuses of European and Asian supply chains. Findings The findings indicate that all three aspects of sustainability have mutually supportive relationships as demonstrated by positive mediating mechanisms between environmental management practices and operational performance and between environmental and social performance and financial performance. The mediation results correspond with the resource-based view. They indicate that building up capabilities and resources in the form of environmental management practices supports three areas of the triple bottom line and boosts firms’ financial performance. Originality/value Research on sustainability is well-established, yet supply chain management research has, thus, far paid insufficient attention to all three aspects. This paper, thus, sets itself apart by explicitly considering all three aspects of sustainability and contributes to understanding how they relate to one another.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manju Saroha ◽  
Dixit Garg ◽  
Sunil Luthra

PurposeCircular supply chain management (CSCM) is proving to be a strong contributor towards sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to analyse the circular practices in CSCM implementation towards sustainability in the Indian auto sector; these practices are at the initial stage in a developing economy.Design/methodology/approachIn this research work, a framework has been developed to enrich understanding of various CSCM practices for sustainability. To develop a causal framework, a Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (F-DEMATEL) methodology has been adopted.FindingsThe results produce 32 practices with cause and effect groups and their importance/priorities. Based on F-DEMATEL, these 32 practices are grouped into cause and effect groups based on R + C and R − C values.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings will help managers and decision-makers to gain a deeper understanding of the practices and their nature; the governmental and financial practices are identified as the most critical factors that need more attention. The results will help strategy makers to plan accordingly.Originality/valueThis research has identified and analysed 32 basic practices and their interrelationships to achieve sustainability in CSCM.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 560-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp C. Sauer ◽  
Stefan Seuring

Purpose This study aims to investigate the under-researched role of the sub-supplier’s direct environment in achieving compliance with multi-tier sustainable supply chain management (MT-SSCM) objectives. Design/methodology/approach Building on conceptual research, this study aims to generalize the characteristics of multi-tier supply chains in light of institutional theory and supply chain (SC) uncertainty to enhance the understanding of their complex interrelationship. Findings A three-dimensional framework is built around the supply and demand uncertainty as well as the pressures for sustainability exerted by the supplier’s direct environment to propose ideal constellations for the application of MT-SSCM. Moreover, research directions and implications for the alteration of suboptimal constellations are developed. Practical implications Incorporating the supplier’s environment in the choice of MT-SSCM practices couples the sustainability priorities of the focal firm and the supplier. This enables a more complete picture of the sustainability objectives and sustainable development aims of the SC partners. Originality/value On the basis of institutional theory, the study extends current MT-SSCM concepts by including the supplier’s direct environment in the choice of ideal management practices in a particular SC setup. It provides a definition of a multi-tier SC as an institutional field and a number of research implications regarding MT-SSCM as well as generic SSCM. Moreover, the proposed framework helps SC managers to understand the complex interplay of the SC partners’ sustainability aims and provides implications for choosing the most suitable MT-SSCM practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 559-574
Author(s):  
Yung-Heng Lee ◽  
Min-Ren Yan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing bargaining decisions and systematically develop a framework to support collaborative innovation within a strategic alliance. This framework can help companies resolve bargaining problems and facilitate cooperation and effective negotiation of strategic alliances to build successful business relationships. Design/methodology/approach The study considers Taiwanese agents’ bargaining power during negotiations with suppliers, using decision analysis to identify the variables affecting judgment. It uses Delphi–AHP methods to evaluate and develop a multi-criteria model explaining the critical factors to increase agents’ bargaining power and collaborative capability in the negotiation process. Findings Two significant differences between supply chain management practices and managerial specialty are found. Results suggest that better supply chain management practices of agents could assist suppliers in reducing their stock and processing delivery costs, and suppliers could offer more of their marketing planning and strategies to agents to increase confidence in each other’s products. Research limitations/implications It is hoped that this study will encourage more academics in the supply chain management field to investigate the extent to which other bargaining considerations act as facilitating or constraining factors in other Asian and non-Asian economies and other industries. Practical implications This study focuses on collaborative thinking and cooperation to develop and improve positive and relational outcomes in agent–supplier relationships. Originality/value The study analyzed the bargaining power of agents and collaborative innovation in the semiconductor industry from three major perspectives: professional competence, managerial competence and channel efficiency. The study provides effective suggestions for enhancing profits in agency-based cooperation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 590-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Green ◽  
R. Anthony Inman ◽  
Victor E. Sower ◽  
Pamela J. Zelbst

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically assess a comprehensive operations and supply chain management (SCM) model. The theorized model incorporates supply chain market orientation, Just-in-Time (JIT) and Total Quality Management (TQM) as antecedents and agile production (AP) and green SCM (GSCM) practices as consequences. Design/methodology/approach Data from a sample of 136 US manufacturing managers were collected via an on-line survey firm. A partial least squares structural equation modeling is used to assess the efficacy of the theorized model. Findings Generally, market orientation supports the implementation of JIT and TQM, JIT and TQM support implementation of SCM, SCM supports implementation of AP and green supply chain management practices (GSCMP) and AP and GSCMP positively impact organizational performance. Research limitations/implications The model tested reflects the synergy created though the implementation of management improvement programs that support the six strategic imperatives of customer focus, efficiency, effectiveness, integration with supply chain partners, responsiveness, and environmental sustainability and the effects of those programs on the marketing and financial performance of manufacturing organizations. Practical implications The theorized model and results provide practicing managers with a blueprint for the systematic implementation of the improvement programs. Originality/value A comprehensive operations and SCM model is proposed and empirically assessed. The results of this investigation support the proposition that market orientation, JIT, TQM, SCM, AP and GSCMPs combine to positively affect organizational performance. The central role of the SCM construct is emphasized.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1279-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kailash Choudhary ◽  
Kuldip Singh Sangwan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to aim at prioritizing and identifying the interrelations among the green supply chain management pressures, practices and performance measures. The study also compares the reasons of green supply chain management implementation, levels of implementation and improvement in performance for medium and large Indian ceramic enterprises because of green supply chain management implementation. Design/methodology/approach The most frequent constructs and measures of green supply chain management pressure, practice and performance are identified from the literature. The identified measures are corrected/added/removed, as per the suggestions of industry professionals, to develop a survey instrument. An interpretive structural model is developed to prioritize the constructs. Matriced “impacts croises-multiplication applique” and “classment” (MICMAC) analysis is done to identify the driving and dependence powers of the constructs. The identified results are validated through the descriptive analysis of responses obtained from multiple case studies. Findings It is observed that the informative pressures followed by coercive and mimetic pressures are the main drivers for the implementation of green supply chain management practices. Internal environmental management in enterprises is found to be the driving power behind the implementation of other green supply chain management practices. The implementation of these practices drives the environmental and operational performance. It is observed, through the multiple case study analysis that the impact of the pressures to adopt green supply chain management practices is high on Indian ceramic enterprises but the implementation of practices is in the early stage. The improvement in performance is also not found to be significant at this stage. This study also found that large ceramic enterprises are doing better than the medium enterprises in terms of green supply chain management implementation, largely because of higher pressures and availability of resources. Originality/value This study prioritizes the constructs of green supply chain management pressure, practice and performance for Indian ceramic enterprises and compares the large and medium enterprises on the basis of these constructs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1815-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annachiara Longoni ◽  
Raffaella Cagliano

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.


Author(s):  
Ivan Russo ◽  
Ilenia Confente ◽  
David Gligor ◽  
Nicola Cobelli

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to the field of supply chain management and provide a detailed roadmap that supply chain researchers can utilize when applying this methodology.Design/methodology/approachData collection focused on the evaluation of product returns management practices as perceived by business customers who operate in a supplier–customer context. In order to analyze the data using the QCA approach, a multi-step analysis was developed.FindingsThe results indicate five solutions that lead to high levels of customer satisfaction. The existence of multiple sufficient configurations for customer satisfaction indicates equifinality because multiple alternative solutions can lead to the same outcome.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors make a methodological contribution by applying the QCA method to the field of supply chain management and providing a detailed roadmap that supply chain researchers can utilize.Practical implicationsThe authors provide managers five different and novel combinations of antecedents that lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study offers supply chain researchers a better understanding of when it is appropriate to use QCA and how to apply this methodology. From a theoretical perspective, past studies focused exclusively on the “net effects” of these antecedents, thus, did not capture the complexity of the relationships between these various antecedents and customer satisfaction. This is a noteworthy contribution as it highlights the complexity of the amalgam of relationships and factors that impact customer satisfaction within the context of reverse supply chain.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousaf Ali ◽  
Talal Bin Saad ◽  
Muhammad Sabir ◽  
Noor Muhammad ◽  
Aneel Salman ◽  
...  

Purpose China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects are widely spread throughout Pakistan with the potential to have a massive impact on Pakistan’s economic future. CPEC projects have, therefore, made it imperative that green practices are adapted to provide sustainability to the CPEC projects. The adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) framework will significantly increase the value attained from CPEC projects through the increased benefits to the socio-cultural and economic conditions of Pakistan without causing harm to the environment. The purpose of this paper is to identify and rank the GSCM practices for implementation in the construction industry of Pakistan according to expert opinion. Design/methodology/approach This study targets the experts who are employed as supply chain managers in the different construction industries of Pakistan. The opinions of these experts have been extracted through an online questionnaire that was based on six alternatives along with four criteria. The tool of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) that is a Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) has been used to analyze the results. Findings Six alternatives that have been used for this study are green design, green procurement, green production, green warehousing, green transportation and green recycling. The top-ranked alternative as a practice for GSCM is green warehousing followed by green production. The lowest ranked alternative in this study is green recycling. The alternatives have been ranked on the basis of “cc” values derived through TOPSIS. Practical implications As the advancement in the construction industry will definitely going to impact the environmental sustainability of the country, the results derived through this research will assist the managers of the construction industry of Pakistan to adopt best practices among green supply chain in order to lower their impact. Originality/value Framework using TOPSIS in order to find the best GSCM practice in Pakistan has not been reported before this study.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Fadhel Hilal

common supply chain management practices (supplier partnership, customer relationship, information sharing, and lean system), net trade cycle, and financial performance. It consists of nine hypotheses concerning the relationships of the aforementioned factors that have been verified throughout reviewed literature and examined via employing the structural equation modelling technique. This research used data taken from floated questionnaires at three manufacturing companies in the Kingdom of Bahrain. An inclusive review of the literature to retrieve the four most common supply chain management practices has been undertaken and has identified limitations in the research techniques applied. This research has discovered the significant influences of the supplier partnership, the information sharing, and the lean system of the three most common supply chain management practices and the net trade cycle on the financial performance. Although this is the first research that combines the critical relationships among those four most common supply chain management practices, the net trade cycle, and the financial performance in one model, it is important to note that this study was unsuccessful in demonstrating whether there is a significant influence between customer relationship of the most common supply chain management practices and the net trade cycle on the financial performance. Researchers can employ the outcomes of this research to discover several related hypotheses in more details and increase the accuracy of forthcoming empirical relationships among those factors. This research offers particular suggestions for such further research. The outcomes of this research can be utilized by managers to highlight the execution of those four most common supply chain management practices and the net trade cycle in their respective ventures. Moreover, almost all of those relationships are found to have significant influences on the financial performance. Furthermore, the outcomes can be recommended to production managers who may well assign resources to enhance these practices to achieve the greatest outcomes.


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