Power, resource dependencies and capabilities in intercultural B2B relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 629-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish Malik ◽  
Liem Viet Ngo ◽  
Russel P.J. Kingshott
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Offshore Outsourcing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
B2b Relationships ◽  
Resources And Capabilities

PurposeThis exploratory study aims to analyse the influence of organisational resources and capabilities on relationship quality and firm performance in the context of high-technology offshore outsourcing service vendors.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative case study design, data from four offshore business process and information technology outsourcing firms were analysed.FindingsFindings highlight that resource dependence, cultural orientation and the vendor’s resources and capabilities strengthen relationship quality and affect firm performance.Originality/valueThe distinctive contribution of this study lies in identifying key organisational mechanisms that improve relationship quality and firm performance, as well as help to understand the adverse effects of ethnocentricity and power faced by vendors and subsidiaries within diverse intercultural contexts. Study limitations and future research directions, along with implications for theory and practice, are also discussed.

What does board capital really bring to the table?

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 134-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney Douglas Fernandez ◽  
Yannick Thams ◽  
Mark Lehrer
Keyword(s):  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Board Capital

Purpose Although resource dependence theory (RDT) has substantially deepened the understanding of the function and role of boards, no systematic review of this body of work has yet been undertaken. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize prior research on the strategically relevant resources provided by board members to their organization in the light of RDT and indicate avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach The review covers 79 research articles from 1978 to 2016 dealing with the resource provision of boards of directors. Findings Board capital research most often assumes a positive, linear relationship between board capital, resource provision and ultimately firm-level performance outcomes. This tendency tends to exclude from view the possibility of important trade-offs relevant to both theory and practice. Future research will need to incorporate more complex models that take into consideration nonlinear and curvilinear effects. The authors outline opportunities to advance board research by refining the methodological techniques employed. Originality/value By recommending investigation of the important trade-offs inherent in board composition, the authors seek to inspire future research that offers practical guidance for improving the effectiveness of corporate boards.

scholarly journals Workplace relationship cohesion: an internal customers’ perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Grace ◽  
Ceridwyn King ◽  
Joseph Lo Iacono
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Internal Marketing ◽  
Service Industries ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exchange Relationship ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Customers ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the differential effect of reciprocal and negotiated social exchanges in establishing workplace relationship cohesion, providing a mediating influence between social constructed initiatives (i.e. internal socialization and support) and internal customers’ psychological connectedness. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered via a national online survey of service employees in Australia, representing a diverse range of service industries (e.g. retail (food/non-food), health, financial, administrative support, real estate, household, insurance, education and training, etc.). Findings Reciprocal-exchange relationship quality fully mediates the relationship between internal socialization and psychological connectedness; and negotiated-exchange relationship quality partially mediates the relationship between internal support and psychological connectedness of internal customers. Research limitations/implications While the findings reported herein support the salience of interpersonal relationship quality enhancing the internal performance of the organization, it is essential to consider how the findings link to externally perceived performance (i.e. from the customer’s perspective). Future research is guided by a framework that the authors propose as a result of the study’s findings to facilitate research in this under-researched area. Practical implications The development of sound socially relevant internal marketing strategies is vital to the long-term health and prosperity of the firm and its internal counterparts necessitating a move beyond transactional internal marketing, reflecting “pay for service” organizational thinking. Originality/value The examination of internal relationship cohesion and how this effects internal customers’ allegiance to their organizations addresses an important research gap and, thus, provides a significant contribution to both theory and practice.

Do blockchain and circular economy practices improve post COVID-19 supply chains? A resource-based and resource dependence perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh Nandi ◽  
Joseph Sarkis ◽  
Aref Hervani ◽  
Marilyn Helms
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Size ◽  
Firm Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Resources And Capabilities ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeUsing the resource-based and the resource dependence theoretical approaches of the firm, the paper explores firm responses to supply chain disruptions during COVID-19. The paper explores how firms develop localization, agility and digitization (L-A-D) capabilities by applying (or not applying) their critical circular economy (CE) and blockchain technology (BCT)-related resources and capabilities that they either already possess or acquire from external agents.Design/methodology/approachAn abductive approach, applying exploratory qualitative research was conducted over a sample of 24 firms. The sample represented different industries to study their critical BCT and CE resources and capabilities and the L-A-D capabilities. Firm resources and capabilities were classified using the technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework.FindingsFindings show significant patterns on adoption levels of the blockchain-enabled circular economy system (BCES) and L-A-D capability development. The greater the BCES adoption capabilities, the greater the L-A-D capabilities. Organizational size and industry both influence the relationship between BCES and L-A-D. Accordingly, research propositions and a research framework are proposed.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the limited sample size, the generalizability of the findings is limited. Our findings extend supply chain resiliency research. A series of propositions provide opportunities for future research. The resource-based view and resource-dependency theories are useful frameworks to better understanding the relationship between firm resources and supply chain resilience.Practical implicationsThe results and discussion of this study serve as useful guidance for practitioners to create CE and BCT resources and capabilities for improving supply chain resiliency.Social implicationsThe study shows the socio-economic and socio-environmental importance of BCES in the COVID-19 or similar crises.Originality/valueThe study is one of the initial attempts that highlights the possibilities of BCES across multiple industries and their value during pandemics and disruptions.

Resources and capabilities’ effects on firm performance: what are they?

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1202-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Ferreira ◽  
Cristina Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Resource Value ◽  
Performance Levels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resources And Capabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the moderating effect of competitive advantage on the resource value and rareness combination and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopted a quantitative research method to achieve the aims of this study. The data collected came from a sample of footwear firms and the hypotheses assessed by multivariate analysis. Findings The findings provide insights into previously inconsistent findings regarding the exploitation of resources and capabilities and contribute to resolving these issues by considering the conditions under which the resource value and rareness combination contributes to firm performance levels and the effects of competitive advantage on this relationship. Interestingly, the authors find that it cannot be inferred that the rarer the resources and capabilities combination, the greater the probability of attaining competitive advantage. Research limitations/implications As limitations, the authors would highlight the fact that the results are specific to one particular industrial sector, and thus not susceptible to the drawing of generalisations as well as the fact that the study does not make recourse to triangulating its methodology (for example, through interviews), which would generate more precise, detailed and objective information. The findings have important managerial implications and the authors close by presenting future research directions. Originality/value This study offers an explanation for previous mixed findings on the relationship between the resource value and rareness combination and firm performance and makes a contribution regarding how such combinations are of great relevance to the organisation and business strategy to turn in better performance levels.

Determinants of the firm performance of returnee entrepreneurs in Somalia: the effects of external environmental conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed-Abdullahi Mohamed ◽  
Asmat-Nizam Abdul-Talib ◽  
AfifahAlwani Ramlee
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Future Research ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Somali Diaspora ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Perceived Environmental Uncertainty

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of returning Somali diaspora entrepreneurs on firm performance and their perceived environmental obstacles. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a broad literature review and covers a theoretical background to develop a research framework. It presents several propositions to be empirically tested to determine the influence of returnee entrepreneurs’ success and the challenges they face in the process. Findings The paper offers an overview of how Somali diaspora returnee entrepreneurs can use their resources to succeed in their business and the possible environmental uncertainties that could hinder them. The study highlights some under-researched areas and provides future research directions. Research limitations/implications A research investigation is needed to test the proposed conceptual framework empirically. Further research is also recommended to use other predictors when investigating the perceived environmental uncertainty faced by returnee entrepreneurs. Practical implications In the diaspora entrepreneurship literature, returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict African countries did not get enough attention. Hence, the study will contribute theoretically to the literature. Originality/value The paper provides a conceptual framework that will help understand returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict states in Africa, paving the way for empirical studies on the topic.

Trust, commitment, logistics outsourcing relationship quality, relationship satisfaction, strategy alignment and logistics performance – a case of selected manufacturing firms in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Kalubanga ◽  
Sheila Namagembe
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Logistics Outsourcing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Strategy Alignment

PurposeThis study examines the relationships among trust, commitment, logistics outsourcing relationship quality (LORQ), relationship satisfaction, strategy alignment and logistics performance considering selected manufacturing firms in a developing country, Uganda.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on insights from the commitment-trust theory and strategy alignment literature, and using a cross-sectional survey design with a self-administered questionnaire, and applying the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to analyze quantifiable data obtained from managers of 103 manufacturing firms in Uganda outsourcing logistics operations, the study examined the logistics performance effects of trust, through commitment, LORQ and relationship satisfaction.FindingsThe study findings reveal that trust influences logistics performance, indirectly through its effects on commitment, LORQ and relationship satisfaction, sequentially, and that the positive effects of relationship satisfaction on logistics performance strengthen with improvements in LORQ. Strategy alignment exerted a strong positive influence on LORQ.Research limitations/implicationsThe study findings have important implications for theory development and literature. The study applies the commitment-trust view to both theoretically and empirically examine logistics outsourcing as a competitive strategy to enhance logistics performance, and thereby providing a theoretical base for future research. However, this research is confined to manufacturing firms in Uganda, and the results are not necessarily generalizable to other contexts.Practical implicationsThe study findings provide insights for logistics managers regarding the role of trust, commitment, LORQ, relationship satisfaction and strategy alignment in enabling successful logistics outsourcing relationships, and how drawing on these, managers can improve firm logistics performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to logistics management literature by empirically examining the relationship of trust, commitment, LORQ, relationship satisfaction and strategy alignment with logistics performance, considering manufacturing firms in a developing country, where these aspects have not been largely explored before. It highlights the need to build trust, promote greater commitment of logistics user firms in logistics outsourcing relationships as well as aligning logistics outsourcing strategies to improve LORQ and enhance logistics performance. Additionally, the study provides for the first-time new evidence for the moderation effect of LORQ on the influence of relationship satisfaction on logistics performance. The study findings suggest advancing further scholarly discussions on logistics outsourcing as a critical strategy to enhance firm logistics performance within a developing country context. Due to limitations in logistics infrastructure, and existing low-level technologies, logistics in developing countries still revolves around conventional materials handling, packaging, inventory and transportation operations, and logistics outsourcing is new, thereby presenting an interesting research context for empirical investigations on logistics in general, and logistics outsourcing in particular.

Resources, capabilities and competitive advantage of minor export crops farms in Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilani Sachitra ◽  
Siong-Choy Chong
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resources And Capabilities ◽  
Physical Assets ◽  
Export Crops

Purpose The agribusiness sector has long been acknowledged as a major source of livelihood to many people in developing countries. Hence, determining the resources and capabilities influencing farm-level competitive advantage are vital to better understand and formulate appropriate strategies to increase the competitiveness ofminor export crops farms. This study aims to understand of the link between resources-capabilities-competitive advantage for appropriate measures to be recommended to enhance the competitive position of the smallholding farms. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts the resource-based view in combination with dynamic capabilities. The scope comprises owners of farms who possess experience in commercial cultivation of minor export crops in Sri Lanka. A self-administrated structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings Based on the responses from 456 farm owners, results of the multiple regression analysis indicate that variables representing resources such as human assets, physical assets, financial assets, institutional capital, collective action and entrepreneurial identity; and dynamic capabilities such as organisational learning, relationship building, quality management and marketing are significantly associated with competitive advantage of the minor export crops farms. Reputation and farm process management capability are the only two insignificant variables. Taken together, the resources and dynamic capabilities investigated explain 89.3 per cent of the variation in competitive advantage, in which 82 per cent is contributed by resources. Originality/value The findings provide useful insights not only in terms of understanding the link between resources, dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage but also how resources and capabilities can be channelled and leveraged to bring about competitive advantage to the minor export crops farms. Theoretical and practical implications as well as future research directions are provided.

Employing proactive interaction for service failure prevention to improve customer service experiences

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunju Shin ◽  
Alexander E. Ellinger ◽  
David L. Mothersbaugh ◽  
Kristy E. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Customer Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Service Failure ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Failure Prevention ◽  
Patronage Behavior

Purpose Services marketing research continues to be largely focused on firms’ reactive interactions for recovering from service failure rather than on proactive customer interactions that may prevent service failure from occurring in the first place. Building on previous studies that assess the efficacy of implementing proactive interaction in service provision contexts, the purpose of this paper is to compare the influences of proactive interaction to prevent service failure and reactive interaction to correct service failure on customer emotion and patronage behavior. Since proactive interaction for service failure prevention is a relatively underexplored and resource-intensive approach, the authors also assess the moderating influences of customer and firm-related characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The study hypotheses are tested with survey data from two scenario-based experiments conducted in a retail setting. Findings The findings reveal that customers prefer service providers that take the initiative to get to them before they have to initiate contact for themselves. The findings also identify the moderating influences of relationship quality, situational involvement, and contact person status and motive. Originality/value The research contributes to the development of service provision theory and practice by expanding on previous studies which report that proactive efforts to prepare customers for the adverse effects of service failure are favorably received. The results also shed light on moderating factors that may further inform the exploitation of resource-intensive proactive interaction for service failure prevention. An agenda is proposed to stimulate future research on proactive customer interaction to prevent service failure in service provision contexts.

The service recovery paradox in B2B relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Hübner ◽  
Stephan M. Wagner ◽  
Stefan Kurpjuweit
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Service Failure ◽  
Service Recovery ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Service Recovery Paradox ◽  
Operating Level ◽  
B2b Relationships ◽  
Exploratory Model

Purpose This study aims to explore the service recovery paradox (SRP) in business to business (B2B) relationships. Previously, this phenomenon has been identified in consumer-facing industries. The research advances the marketing literature by highlighting the ways in which the antecedents of the service recovery paradox differ between B2B and consumer markets. Design/methodology/approach This research draws upon findings on the SRP in the consumer setting and service failure literature in business to consumer and B2B contexts. For the analysis, interview data were collected from 43 informants among clients and service providers in the aftermath of a service failure. Findings The authors propose an exploratory model of the SRP for B2B relationships. In the B2B setting the propensity of eliciting the SRP depends on (1) the characteristics of the service failure, (2) the attributes of the service recovery and (3) the shared subjective perceptions among boundary spanners. Practical implications Empowered operating-level employees, straightforward communication, immediate responses and action plans that ensure future conformance are the key factors to turn service failures into increased customer satisfaction. Originality/value This study is the first to transfer the SRP from consumer marketing into the B2B domain. Moreover, it derives an exploratory model of the SRP, which can be refined by future research.

scholarly journals Can Lean and Agile organisations within the UK automotive supply chain be distinguished based upon contextual factors?

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Qamar ◽  
Mark Hall
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Survey Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Automotive Supply Chain ◽  
Automotive Supply ◽  
Agile Production

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to robustly establish whether firms are implementing Lean or Agile production in the automotive supply chain (SC) and, by drawing on contingency theory (CT) as our theoretical lens, independently determine whether Lean and Agile firms can be distinguished based upon contextual factors.Design/methodology/approachPrimary quantitative data from 140 firms in the West Midlands (UK) automotive industry were obtained via a constructed survey. Analysis incorporated the use of logistic regressions to calculate the probability of Lean and Agile organisations belonging to different groups amongst the contextual factors investigated.FindingsLean and Agile firms co-exist in the automotive SC and Lean firms were found to be at higher tiers of the SC, while Agile firms were found to be at lower tiers.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies within the novel methodological attempt used to distinguish Lean and Agile production, based upon the contextual factors investigated. Not only is the importance of CT theoretically approved, but “received wisdom” within SC management is also contested. Extant literature propagates that the automotive SC is comprised of organisations that predominantly adopt Lean production methods, and that in SCs comprised of both Lean and Agile organisations, the firms closer to the customer will adopt more flexible (Agile) practices, while those that operate upstream will adopt more efficient (Lean) practices. The findings from this study have implications for theory and practice, as Lean and Agile firms can be found in the automotive SC without any relationship to the value-adding process. To speculate as to why the findings contest existing views, resource dependence theory and, more specifically, a power perspective, was invoked. The authors provide readers with a new way of thinking concerning complicated SCs and urge that the discipline of SC management adopts a “fourth” SC model, depicting a new Lean and Agile SC configuration.

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