Supply chain integration capabilities, green design strategy and performance: a comparative study in the auto industry

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how supply chain integration capabilities inform green design strategy adoption and whether green design strategy can lead to higher levels of environmental and economic performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey-based approach was used to empirically test the study hypotheses. Based on 216 usable responses collected from automakers around the globe, the authors compared the results from two different data groups (i.e. Chinese firms vs Western firms) using the structural equation modeling approach.FindingsIn the Chinese context, both internal and external supply chain integration capabilities are significantly related to the successful adoption of a green design strategy. However, the relationships are not significant in Western context. Green design is found to positively impact environmental performance in both contexts; however, no significant relationship is revealed between green design and economic performance in either context. Finally, environmental performance was found to have a significant and positive impact on economic performance in both contexts.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional survey design that was focused only on the auto industry may affect the inferences of causality and generalizability of this study.Practical implicationsManagers should understand their specific organizational context first, and then strategically develop their external and internal supply chain integration capabilities to maximize their green design efforts for improved environmental performance. Companies can be certain that the more gains made in environmental management, the more economic returns can be expected.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the existing resource-based view literature by linking supply chain integration capabilities to green design strategy adoption in different organizational contexts. It also sheds a light on the association between green design and different performance dimensions and adds value to the current debate on the association between environmental performance and economic performance.

Download Full-text

The impact of green supply chain integration on sustainable performance

Industrial Management & Data Systems ◽

10.1108/imds-07-2019-0373 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 120 (4) ◽

pp. 657-674 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Zhaojun Han ◽

Baofeng Huo

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Economic Performance ◽

Social Performance ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Green Supply Chain ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Content Type ◽

Supplier Integration ◽

Sustainable Performance ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of green supply chain integration (GSCI) on sustainable performance which includes environmental, social and economic performance. Design/methodology/approach Based on data collected from 206 Chinese manufacturers, this study uses structural equation modeling with the maximum-likelihood estimation method to test the theoretical model. Findings The results show that different dimensions of GSCI have different outcomes. Green internal integration lays the foundation for green supplier integration (GSI) and green customer integration (GCI), and is related to both environmental and social performance. GSI is positively related to economic performance, whereas GCI is positively related to social performance. Originality/value Believing that “how to be green” matters, this study focuses on an integrative approach to green supply chain management (GSCM), shedding new light on how GSCI influences performance and providing practical guidelines for different stakeholders.

Download Full-text

The effect of high-involvement human resource management practices on supply chain integration

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management ◽

10.1108/ijpdlm-05-2014-0112 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (8) ◽

pp. 716-746 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Baofeng Huo ◽

Zhaojun Han ◽

Haozhe Chen ◽

Xiande Zhao

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Resource Management ◽

Human Resource Management ◽

Human Resource ◽

Estimation Method ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

High Involvement ◽

Content Type ◽

Hrm Practices

Purpose – Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the purpose of this paper is to combine concepts from human resource management (HRM) and supply chain management (SCM) fields and explore the effects of high-involvement HRM practices on supply chain integration (SCI). Design/methodology/approach – Using empirical survey data collected from ten countries, the authors examine the specific effects of three dimensions of high-involvement HRM practices – employee skills, incentives and participation – on three types of SCI – internal integration, supplier and customer integration. The authors use structural equation modeling and the maximum-likelihood estimation method to test the proposed relationships. Findings – The results confirm the overall relevancy of HRM to SCI. However, several proposed links are not supported by the data collected. Originality/value – This study makes both theoretical and managerial contributions by empirically examining the interface between HRM and SCI. More specifically, it examines the effects of different high-involvement HRM practices on different types of SCI. The findings will not only help researchers to better understand the interface, but will also guide managers in adjusting HRM practices to achieve desired operational goals.

Download Full-text

Supply chain integration and its impact on sustainability

Industrial Management & Data Systems ◽

10.1108/imds-01-2018-0004 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 118 (9) ◽

pp. 1749-1765 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Mingu Kang ◽

Ma Ga (Mark) Yang ◽

Youngwon Park ◽

Baofeng Huo

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Management Practices ◽

Social Performance ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Content Type ◽

New Perspective ◽

And Performance ◽

And Function

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of supply chain integration (SCI) in improving sustainability management practices (SMPs) and performance. Design/methodology/approach Based on data collected from 931 manufacturing firms in multiple countries and regions, the authors conducted a structural equation modeling analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The findings suggest that supplier and customer integration are vital enablers for both intra- and inter-organizational SMPs. The results also reveal that both intra- and inter-organizational SMPs are significantly and positively associated with sustainability performance (i.e. economic, environmental and social performance) and function as complements to jointly enhance environmental and social performance. Originality/value This study incorporates SCI into the sustainability literature, providing a new perspective on sustainability and supply chain management research.

Download Full-text

Influence research of multi-dimensional tech-innovation behavior on tech-innovation performance

International Journal of Innovation Science ◽

10.1108/ijis-06-2016-010 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 148-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fu-li Zhou ◽

Xu Wang ◽

Yun Lin ◽

Yan-dong He ◽

Nan Wu

Keyword(s):

Economic Performance ◽

Environmental Performance ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Innovation Performance ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Innovation Activity ◽

Content Type ◽

Innovation Behavior

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the research on the influence of tech-innovation behavior on tech-innovation performance for Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Environmental performance has been taken into consideration with the green manufacturing and sustainability philosophy being a hotspot. Design/methodology/approach To verify the hypotheses and assumptions, a questionnaire was designed and a semi-structured interview was conducted for data collection. In addition, structural equation modeling (SEM) is applied to verify the influence model through assessing the fitting indexes based on the 317 questionnaire responses in the form of Likert-type scale. Findings Tech-innovation behavior and activity from direction, mode and investment behavior dimensions show their different positive influences on tech-innovation performance. This paper has creatively taken environmental tech-innovation performance into consideration, as well as economic performance. This investigation has provided the interpretation for each individual enterprise from three dimensions when conducting tech-innovation activity. Research limitations/implications Tech-innovation behavior, which has been a subject of extended discussion during recent decades, is the effective activity or action for tech-innovation. However, there have not been any studies on the environmental performance influence study, as well as the economic performance from these three dimensions and framework. Practical implications As this paper discusses the tech-innovation performance influence study from three dimensions, individual enterprises can choose the corresponding action for the proper tech-innovation path, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Originality/value This study helps managers recognize tech-innovation activities for better tech-innovation performance based on the empirical study.

Download Full-text

Environmental scanning, supply chain integration, responsiveness, and operational performance

International Journal of Operations & Production Management ◽

10.1108/ijopm-07-2018-0395 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 787-814 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wantao Yu ◽

Roberto Chavez ◽

Mark Jacobs ◽

Chee Yew Wong ◽

Chunlin Yuan

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Business Environment ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Operational Performance ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Environmental Scanning ◽

Content Type ◽

Processing Theory ◽

The Relationship

Purpose It remains unclear how environmental scanning (ES) can generate firm performance through supply chain management (SCM) practices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of ES on operational performance through supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain responsiveness (SCR). Design/methodology/approach The scanning–interpretation–action–performance (SIAP) model and organization information processing theory (OIPT) are used to explain the ES–SCI–SCR–performance (S–I–A–P) relationships, which were tested by structural equation modeling of survey data of 329 manufacturing firms in China. Findings The results indicate that ES has a significant positive effect on SCI and SCR. SCI is significantly and positively related to SCR. SCR partially mediates the relationship between ES and operational performance, and fully mediates the relationship between SCI and operational performance. Practical implications Supply chain managers should collaborate with senior executives to obtain signals from ES activities, as input for building SCI and SCR and use SCI as a joint interpretation mechanism of ES signals for developing SCR to reap operational advantages in the rapidly changing business environment. Originality/value Strategic management academics and practitioners have explicitly emphasized the importance of ES in developing strategic plans but are unsure about the role of SCM in creating operational advantages through ES. Using the SIAP model, this study theorizes and demonstrates how SCI and SCR transform signals from ES into operational performance. In doing so, a more precise application of OIPT is explicated in the supply chain context.

Download Full-text

Supply chain integration and its impact on supply chain agility and organizational flexibility in manufacturing firms

International Journal of Emerging Markets ◽

10.1108/ijoem-04-2020-0418 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ahmad Azwan Ahmad Shukor ◽

Md. Shah Newaz ◽

Muhammad Khalilur Rahman ◽

Azni Zarina Taha

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Environmental Uncertainty ◽

Manufacturing Firms ◽

Partial Least Square ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Organizational Ambidexterity ◽

Organizational Flexibility ◽

Content Type ◽

Supply Chain Agility

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of environmental uncertainty and organizational ambidexterity on supply chain integration and its relationship between supply chain agility and organizational flexibility in the manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 526 managers in services and manufacturing industry in Kuala Lumpur. The partial least square (SmartPLS 3.0) tool was applied through the use of the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.FindingsThe results revealed that a strong relationship exist between environmental uncertainty and supply chain integrations including customer, supplier and internal integration. Organizational ambidexterity has a significant relationship with supply chain integration. Supply chain integrations were shown to have a positive impact on the firm's supply chain agility and organizational flexibility.Originality/valueThe findings may assist to establish a set of key drivers for enhancing supply chain agility and organizational flexibility as a supply chain management initiative in the manufacturing and service industry.

Download Full-text

Managing supplier flexibility performance as a relational exchange investment in make-to-stock versus make-to-order production environments

Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing ◽

10.1108/jbim-05-2019-0200 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Divesh Ojha ◽

Jeff Shockley ◽

Pamela P. Rogers ◽

Danielle Cooper ◽

Pankaj C. Patel

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Information Quality ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Relational Exchange ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Content Type ◽

Make To Order ◽

Production Environments ◽

Make To Stock

Purpose This paper aims to develop and test a model of buyer–supplier relational investment that links supply chain integration (SCI) to supplier flexibility performance (SFLEX) advantages in different manufacturing environments. Relational stability (RS) and information quality (IQL) are viewed as key indicators of intermediating commitment investments in supplier relationships to help support supplier accommodations for special requests for order flexibility. The model is applied to investigate the relative importance of manufacturer relational investments with suppliers in both make-to-stock (MTS) and make-to-order (MTO) production environments. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 206 US manufacturing firms was used to test the proposed research model using structural equation modeling and multiple-group analysis techniques. Findings Social exchange investments in relationship stability and information quality are found to fully mediate the positive performance relationship between supply chain integration and supplier flexibility performance for manufacturers. However, the relative importance of each form of investment in enhancing supplier flexibility performance varies based on the buyer’s (manufacturer’s) order fulfillment environment (make-to-stock versus make-to-order). Originality/value The proposed model may assist manufacturers make more informed relational exchange investments and supply chain configuration decisions that most conducive to enhancing supplier flexibility performance for different production environments.

Download Full-text

Green manufacturing practices and sustainable performance among Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs: the explanatory link of green supply chain integration

Management of Environmental Quality An International Journal ◽

10.1108/meq-01-2020-0019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 1457-1475 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ebenezer Afum ◽

Victoria Yaa Osei-Ahenkan ◽

Yaw Agyabeng-Mensah ◽

Joseph Amponsah Owusu ◽

Lawrence Yaw Kusi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Green Manufacturing ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Green Supply Chain ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Significant Positive Effect ◽

Content Type ◽

Sustainable Performance ◽

Emerging Country ◽

Positive Effect

PurposeThe aim of this study is to examine the explanatory link of green supply chain integration (GSCI) between green manufacturing practices (GMPs) and sustainable performance (economic [EP], environmental [EnP] and social [SP] performances) by using data from an emerging country.Design/methodology/approachAn explanatory research design was employed for the study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 178 Ghanaian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Hypotheses were formulated and tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that GMPs have a significant positive effect on sustainable performance (EP, EnP and SP). Again, GMPs have a significant positive effect on GSCI. Additionally, GSCI plays a mediating role between green manufacturing practices and sustainable performance.Research limitations/implicationsIn this study, GSCI was compositely measured despite having three dimensions. Generalizing the findings is also not guaranteed since the sample constitutes Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs.Practical implicationsThe results provide significant ramifications for managers of manufacturing SMEs within Ghana and those in other sub-Saharan African context. Based on the results, managers of manufacturing firms will have stronger backing to invest in GMPs, while at the same time establish strong ties with eco-oriented supply chain partners so as to achieve their sustainable performance goals.Originality/valueThis study adds to the literature in the area of sustainability and triple bottom line by providing evidence from a fast growing industrialized and emerging country.

Download Full-text

Green supply chain management in food retailing: survey-based evidence in Croatia

Supply Chain Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/scm-04-2017-0133 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Kristina Petljak ◽

Katrin Zulauf ◽

Ivana Štulec ◽

Stefan Seuring ◽

Ralf Wagner

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chain Management ◽

Economic Performance ◽

Green Supply Chain Management ◽

Green Supply Chain ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Food Retailing ◽

Chain Management ◽

Content Type ◽

Food Retailers

Purpose Green supply chain management (GSCM) research is so far dominated by studies focusing on manufacturing companies, while research on retailers is missing. The purpose of this study is to assess the interaction between green in-store activities (environment-related infrastructure and retail in-store processes), GSCM and environmental and economic performance outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on empirical evidence gathered from 190 responses by Croatian food retailers to a self-administered survey. The identified relationships in the conceptual model are tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The results reveal a positive relation between green in-store activities and GSCM in food retailing regarding environmental and economic performance. The relevance of these relationships accrues from the positive association between GSCM and food retailers’ environmental performance, which in turn drives economic performance. It is noteworthy that green supply chain practices drive environmental and then also economic performance. Research limitations/implications The study extends the application of GSCM to retailing and, therefore, broadens its scope. However, the data collected are based on one country and, thus, should be extended to assess the impact of green retailing practices in the supply chain on environmental and economic performance in other countries. Originality/value This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first empirical analysis on the relationship between green in-store activities and GSCM in the context of food retail. This important link to customers has rarely been explored. Further, the representative sample of food retailers in Croatia is unique as generally data from Central and Eastern European countries are still rare. Finally, the operationalization of GSCM practices into three constructs as green logistics, green purchasing and cooperation with suppliers’ offers conceptual contributions to the GSCM field.

Download Full-text

The impacts of intra-organizational structural elements on supply chain integration

Industrial Management & Data Systems ◽

10.1108/imds-08-2018-0353 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 119 (5) ◽

pp. 1031-1045

Author(s):

Yanming Zhang ◽

Xiande Zhao ◽

Baofeng Huo

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Supply Chain Integration ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Structural Elements ◽

Content Type ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Supplier Integration ◽

Human Goodness

PurposeFollowing resource-based view, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of three intra-organizational structural elements on supply chain integration (SCI).Design/methodology/approachBased on data collected from ten countries, this study employs the structural equation modeling method to test the proposed model.FindingsThe results demonstrate that teamwork culture is positively related to three dimensions of SCI. Organizational commitment has positive effects on internal and customer integration (CI), whereas it has no significant effect on supplier integration (SI). Human goodness is only positively related to internal integration, but has no significant effect on SI or CI.Originality/valueThis study contributes to both structural elements literature and SCI enabler literature by operationalizing three human-related components of structural elements and empirically investigating relationships between intra-organizational structural elements and SCI.

Download Full-text