A developed software agent-knowledge-assisted procurement management tool for retailing enterprise

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bokolo Anthony Jnr
Keyword(s):  
Software Agents ◽  
Software Agent ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Acceptance Test ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Procurement Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Agent Knowledge

PurposeThis study aims to develop a software agent-knowledge procurement management tool to address uncertainties from external and internal environments, such as record failure, slow logistics auditing and distribution delay toward improving procurement management in retailing enterprises.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative methodology was used to collect data using a self-administered survey from randomly selected procurement staffs, marketers and customers to measure their perception regarding the feasibility and acceptance of the implemented agent-knowledge-based procurement management tool.FindingsResults from empirical analysis reveal that the implemented tool facilitates collaboration and interaction among buyers, sellers and procurement managers toward enhancing procurement managers’ flexibility to handle unexpected exceptions. In addition, results confirm the feasibility of the implemented tool in supporting procurement management toward handling inventory failure exception, which occurs in traditional procurement approaches. Moreover, descriptive results from user acceptance test verify that the tool was accepted by the respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this study is that the implemented tool is evaluated using data collected from respondents in Malaysia retailing enterprise only; thus, the results cannot be generalized to other enterprises and country. In addition, research implications from this study design a methodological and comprehensive software agent-knowledge-based model that support buyers, sellers and procurement managers with information to facilitate buying and selling operations.Practical implicationsPractically, the designed software agent-knowledge-based model describes how software agents collaborate with each other to facilitate procurement tasks and also use the knowledge base in the implemented tool to provide information sharing platform that manages the dynamics of procurement operations.Social implicationsThis research integrates software agents which are autonomous programs that carryout pre-defined task on behalf of end users. Socially, this study would be useful for procurement managers in developing mechanisms for instilling insights in retailing operations.Originality/valueThis research is among the first to attempt to develop a software agent-knowledge-based model to support procurement management in the retailing enterprise domain. It contributes to promote e-procurement practices by implementing a software agent-knowledge-oriented tool to address uncertainties experienced in retailing enterprise. It is envisaged that this study will provide basis for future research into e-procurement practices for retailing businesses in Malaysia and beyond.

Social appreciation for the improvement of tourism management of 20th-century heritage: a methodological proposal

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Ramírez-Guerrero ◽  
Javier García-Onetti ◽  
Juan Adolfo Chica-Ruiz ◽  
Manuel Arcíla-Garrido
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Assets ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Social ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Creation

Purpose This paper attempts to fill the gap that exists in research regarding 20th-century heritage and its social appreciation. The purpose of this paper is to explore different ways of evaluating the heritage value and tourism potential and to propose an innovative model validated in the Zarzuela Hippodrome as an example of cultural asset from 20th century with important economic, social, cultural, aesthetic and architectural aspects. Design/methodology/approach This study opted for an interpretation of heritage from an ecosystem, integrating and global paradigm, understanding the asset as a set of resources that interact with each other, generating a common and enriched tourist experience among all the elements that make it up. From this perspective, it is conceived that by modifying one of the elements, the whole (tourist) ecosystem will be equally influenced. On the other side, it was incorporated non-parametric techniques based on the implementation of surveys for the validation of the tool to the case study of the Zarzuela hippodrome. Findings The results suggest that the hippodrome's internal values have been evaluated very positively, while its external values are low. Through this study, the paper has identified several weaknesses that impede its functioning as a viable “tourist product.” The distance from the city center, the lack of available information and the scarce diffusion and tourism promotion are its main weaknesses. The proposed analysis tool reveals the importance of the active participation of visitors to evaluate cultural assets through the combination of aspects related to the conservation of cultural assets and, in turn, elements that encourage their commodification as tourist products, break down barriers between these two disciplines. Research limitations/implications The management tool proposed in this study can be used to underpin the creation of tourism experiences in cultural or heritage assets by diagnosing the current state of its tourist potential, quantifying its value in relation to the visitors’ perception and making visible those problematic aspects to develop actions to solve them. Although the present study is support for future research, as well as for improving the marketing of heritage in tourist settings, an in-depth analysis of the technical elements of heritage, as well as of its intervention (if applicable), will be necessary for the managers who want to use the tool. Social implications One of the most differentiating characteristics between the construction typology of 20th-century historical buildings is perhaps the scarcity of decorative ornamentation, with exposed concrete being the main surface coating. Many of these constructions have an important cultural and historical relevance, however, the social perception, as regards its consideration as architectural and artistic heritage seems to reflect discordant aspects. This study provides support as a decision-making tool to determine the existing valuation of a building and how to enhance it. Originality/value This study takes steps toward the creation of a model that supports decision-makers and owners of cultural assets through a measurement system that makes it possible to quantify and determine the current state of tourism use through the social evaluation of heritage criteria. It defines which are the elements that favor the resilience of the property or, on the contrary, which are those that undermine its enhancement.

Combining goods and service-dominant logics in purchasing strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1087-1099
Author(s):  
Tale Skjølsvik
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Management Consulting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Marketing ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Consulting Services ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Relational Strategies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose While goods- and service-dominant logics are separated in most research as alternative and often incompatible paradigms, this paper aims to show how these logics can be and are combined in purchasing strategies in organizations. The paper also illustrates that multiple logics exist in addition to purely goods- or service-based logics. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on empirical data on the purchasing of management consulting services, which represent an extreme context for understanding the combination and intersection of goods- and service-dominant logics. In particular, four in-depth case studies and interviews with 51 sellers and 30 buyers of management consulting services are used to develop a typology of purchasing approaches that combines goods- and service-dominant logics. Findings The study shows that goods- and service-dominant logics are combined in two main purchasing phases: supplier set selection and assignment selection. In both these phases, parallel and knowledge-based, embedded and experience-based approaches were identified as ways of combining goods- and service-dominant logics in the purchasing context. Research limitations/implications The research presented in the following adds to our existing understanding of possible purchasing strategies under multiple logics in buying organizations. Future research should explore the conditions under which different strategies are and should be applied in organizations. Practical implications This paper gives practitioners alternative approaches to choose from in their purchasing and sales of knowledge-intensive services, in addition to transactional and relational strategies. Originality/value The research adds to existing research on business and industrial marketing by identifying particular purchasing strategies on a continuum between goods- and service-dominant logics.

Stress and productivity in workers of textile companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29
Author(s):  
Carlos Ramos-Galarza ◽  
Pamela Acosta-Rodas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Textile Production ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between two psychological factors which are occupation stress and productivity, that influence workers immerse into textile production labor context. Design/methodology/approach This study has a quantitative methodology, is cross-sectional, nonexperimental and with an explicative scope. Findings The results of this research allow to identify that occupational stress levels cause a negative impact on worker’s productivity in the textile production area. Research limitations/implications There are two limitations in this study, first is the participant’s subjectivity when filling the questionnaires because it was self-reported and the second limitation is that the sample is specifically from a city of a South American country. Practical implications The results of this investigation show as an evidence the need for psychological intervention within companies for occupational stress, because it will impact in a negative way the textile production of a company, which will guide future research making possible to develop and apply psychological treatment programs pro employee’s mental health. Social implications A textile company with low productivity will bring strong economic losses and even bankruptcy, although, thanks to this study it was possible to identify that occupational stress will have a negative impact in productivity, drawing an important based line to future research, looking to improve worker’s performance and hence, companies’ profits contributing to social economic processes. Originality/value In general, companies of textile industry (as many others from capitalist economic system), make substantial investments in technology instruments, specialized workers, machines’ maintenance and reparation, marketing, etc. to improve their production standards, however, there is a low investment on worker’s mental health, as it has been found in this study it generates a strong negative impact on its productivity.

Incorporating the risk of knowledge loss in supply chain risk management

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelkader Daghfous ◽  
Abroon Qazi ◽  
M. Sajid Khan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supply Chain Risk Management ◽  
Supply Chain Risk ◽  
Knowledge Loss ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based

PurposeThe literature on supply chain risk management (SCRM) has investigated a multitude of supply chain risks. This paper aims to make a case for the importance of managing the risk of knowledge loss in the supply chain management (SCM) function and incorporating knowledge loss as a critical risk within the SCRM process.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a knowledge-based view of the SCRM process and attempts to bring to light insights based on a synthesis of the relevant literature. The authors conducted a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 1998 and 2019. Further, a case study was conducted to illustrate the significance of the risk of knowledge loss in the SCM function in terms of how it operates and why it has such a significant impact on performance.FindingsKnowledge loss is a relatively neglected type of supply chain risk that can be added to the existing typologies. This paper argues that knowledge loss in the SCM function has the propensity to significantly impact the performance of the focal firm, exacerbate other types of supply chain risk and impede risk mitigation efforts. We put forth several strategies that supply chain managers can adopt to mitigate the risk of knowledge loss in their function.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper generates an exploratory opening that could pave the way for a systematic theory of knowledge loss as a supply chain risk and future empirical research. The study culminates in a number of important insights and initiatives for supply chain managers to recognize and manage the risk of knowledge loss.Originality/valueThis paper argues for the importance of incorporating the risk of knowledge loss in SCRM research and practice. It also provides an examination of some promising angles for future research in SCRM from a knowledge-based perspective.

Service recovery as an organizational capability

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samiha Mjahed Hammami ◽  
Nizar Souiden ◽  
Abdelfattah Triki
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Service Recovery ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Capability ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domain Identification ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Group Interviews

PurposeThis paper aims to explore and conceptualize service recovery as an organizational capability. It proposes a new construct labeled knowledge-enabled recovery effectiveness (KERE).Design/methodology/approachMeasures capturing the KERE construct were developed through domain identification, item pool generation using focus group interviews with managers involved in complaint management and content expert validation.FindingsA first pool of 73 items was generated and then reduced to 37 items. Focus group interviews confirm the theoretical relevance of the KERE construct. Recovery culture, recovery process and internal recovery resources are the different components of a firm’s knowledge that serve as inputs, or as a source of a firm’s service recovery capabilities.Research limitations/implicationsA quantitative study is needed in future research to assess the KERE’s construct structure and validity.Practical implicationsManagers may use the proposed scale to foster effective and relevant marketing strategies by setting clear policies that consider service recovery as a knowledge-based activity rather than a control targeted activity.Originality/valueThis research demonstrates the mutual dialogue between service recovery and knowledge-based capabilities. Also, it proposes a new concept labeled KERE and a raw scale to further understand firms’ aptitude in service recovery.

Instilling affective commitment: insights on what makes knowledge workers want to stay

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharmila Jayasingam ◽  
Muhiniswari Govindasamy ◽  
Sharan Kaur Garib Singh
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Knowledge Workers ◽  
Knowledge Worker ◽  
Knowledge Retention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This study aims to examine factors that may influence affective organizational commitment among knowledge workers. The five final factors considered in this study include knowledge-sharing culture, autonomy, workplace value identity, promotion practices and, finally, management support. Gender was included as the moderator for the aforementioned relationships. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 522 knowledge workers from manufacturing, retail and service sector anonymously completed a structured questionnaire that included measures of the variables of this study. Hierarchical regression was used to test the hypotheses. Findings – The findings provide evidence on the possible factors that organizations need to focus on and improvise to ensure the “want to remain in the organization” sentiment is enhanced among knowledge workers. Workplace value identity and knowledge-sharing culture were identified as the pertinent factors in influencing affective commitment. Gender was found to moderate the relationship between unfair promotion practice, knowledge-sharing culture and affective commitment. Research limitations/implications – One obvious limitation is that the sample of this study is sourced from a pool of knowledge workers. This limits our ability to conduct a comparative analysis with non-knowledge workers. Hence, future research could expand the model of this study to compare these relationships among knowledge and non-knowledge worker. Practical implications – Understanding the impact of these factors in a knowledge-based context helps firms prioritize and focus on important factors that can improve the level of affective commitment among knowledge workers. Doing so facilitates knowledge retention and prevents loss of knowledge. Originality/value – From a knowledge-based view, this paper identified factors that play an important role in retaining knowledge workers through enhanced affective commitment. With the changing workforce, the findings of this study show how knowledge-sharing culture and achievement orientation dominate affective commitment in a knowledge-based context.

Interpretation and tourism: holy grail or emperor’s robes?

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianna Moscardo
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Tourism Management ◽  
Heritage Interpretation

Purpose – This paper aims to address the question – is heritage interpretation an effective tool in tourism? Design/methodology/approach – The author takes a critical stance seeking to identify and evaluate key assumptions and questions about the nature and effectiveness of heritage interpretation as a tourism management tool. Findings – There are significant gaps in the available research into interpretation and in those areas that have been studied, there is only limited evidence that interpretation is effective. There are few important findings in this area and even where there are some sound and useful conclusions, they still do not address some of the more fundamental concerns about interpretation more broadly. Research limitations/implications – The paper identifies a set of topics for future research based on the outcomes of the review and consideration of the critiques of interpretation that could be used to improve and extend interpretation in tourism. Originality/value – By taking a critical perspective on interpretation and questioning the untested and implicit assumptions about the nature and role of this activity within tourism, the paper identifies issues relevant to the conduct of tourism research more generally that have been given little attention in the academic literature to date.

Knowledge management in entrepreneurial universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 3226-3257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giustina Secundo ◽  
Valentina Ndou ◽  
Pasquale Del Vecchio ◽  
Gianluigi De Pascale
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Entrepreneurial University ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Entrepreneurial Universities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
State Of Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review and critique the knowledge management (KM) literature within Entrepreneurial universities, providing an overview of the state of research and outlining a future research agenda. Design/methodology/approach In a systematic literature review, 1106 articles indexed at Scopus were initially submitted to a bibliometric analysis. Finally, 150 papers published in a variety of academic journals specializing in the field of Entrepreneurship, KM and Higher Education were analyzed through a content and a bibliometric analysis to minimize mistakes in interpreting findings of collected studies. Findings KM within entrepreneurial university is a research area of growing importance. Findings show that literature on KM models and tools in the entrepreneurial university is fragmented and dominated by unrelated research. Content analysis shows heterogeneous literature, but four major research streams emerge: knowledge transfer in university–industry collaboration; knowledge creation in entrepreneurship education; KM processes for university spin-offs; entrepreneurial university to support knowledge-based regional development. The results show a failure to address the implications of findings for policy makers, which risks making KM in entrepreneurial universities research irrelevant. Research limitations/implications Although different structured literature reviews (SLRs) exist separately in the field of KM and entrepreneurial universities, to the authors’ best knowledge, no studies exist in the intersection between the two fields. Originality/value The paper presents the first attempt to provide a comprehensive SLR of the articles dealing with models and processes of KM in the entrepreneurial university. Despite the increasing literature, this research area is still fragmented and undertheorized, thus requiring more systematic and holistic studies, considering both the economic and the social aspects of KM within universities. The paper’s findings can offer insights into future research avenues.

scholarly journals Trust initiation and development in SME-university collaborations: implications for enabling engaged scholarship

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fariba Darabi ◽  
Mark N.K. Saunders ◽  
Murray Clark
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Engaged Scholarship ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Knowledge Application ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Maximum Variation Sample ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore trust initiation and development in collaborations between universities and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the implications for enabling engaged scholarship (ES). Design/methodology/approach Adopting a qualitative inductive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive maximum variation sample comprising 14 SMEs and 12 university stakeholders. Findings The authors highlight the role of calculus-based trust in the initiation of collaborations emphasising the key roles of networking and referrals. As collaborations develop, reciprocal insights regarding stakeholders’ competencies and integrity and the development of knowledge-based trust can support engagement, in particular, knowledge application. Although relationships have a common sense of purpose, a fully engaged campus remains absent. Research limitations/implications This study is based on a collaborative research between eight SMEs and one university business school and does not reflect ES fully as conceptualised. It provides few insights into the role of trust (or distrust) in such collaborations where things go wrong. Practical implications Universities looking to enable ES collaborations with SMEs need to develop and enact strategies which support ongoing engagement and enable identification-based trust (IBT). Recommendations for universities and human resource development regarding interventions to support trust initiation and development to enable knowledge application ES are outlined and suggestions are offered for future research. Social implications University strategies to support the development of trust and, in particular, IBT are likely to benefit longer-term relationships and the development of ES between SMEs and universities. Originality/value Little research has been undertaken on trust initiation and development between academic and SME stakeholders or the associated implications for ES.

The investigation on infoecology in the field of smart manufacturing

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asefeh Asemi ◽  
Andrea Ko
Keyword(s):  
Graph Mining ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Smart Manufacturing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Start Ups

PurposeThe present study is aimed to determine the infoecology of scientific articles in the field of smart manufacturing (SM). The researchers designed a general framework for the investigation of infoecology.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative and quantitative data collection methods are applied to collect data from the Scopus and experts. The bibliometric technique, clustering and graph mining are applied to analysis data by Scopus data analysis tools, VOSviewer and Excel software.FindingsIt is concluded that researchers paid attention to “Flow Control”, “Embedded Systems”, “IoT”, “Big Data” and “Cyber-Physical System” more than other infocenose. Finally, a thematic model presented based on the infoecology of SM in Scopus for future studies. Also, as future work, designing a “research-related” metamodel for SM would be beneficial for the researchers, to highlight the main future research directions.Practical implicationsThe results of the present study can be applied to the following issues: (1) To make decisions based on research and scientific evidence and conduct scientific research on real needs and issues in the field of SM, (2) Holding the workshops on infoecology to determine research priorities with the presence of experts in related industries, (3) Determining the most important areas of research in order to improve the index of applied research, (4) Assist in prioritizing research in the field of SM to select a set of research and technological activities and allocate resources effectively to these activities, (5) Helping to increase the relationship between research and technological activities with the economic and long-term goals of industry and society, (6) Helping to prioritize the issues of SM in research and technology in order to target the allocation of financial and human capital and solving the main challenges and take advantage of opportunities, (7) Helping to avoid fragmentation of work and providing educational infrastructure based on prioritized research needs and (8) Helping to hold start-ups and the activities of knowledge-based companies based on research priorities in the field of SM.Originality/valueThe analysis results demonstrated that the information ecosystem of SM studies dynamically developed over time. The continuous conduction flow of scientific studies in this field brought continuous changes into the infoecology of this field.

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