The impact of Guanxi on Chinese managers' transactional decisions: A study of Taiwanese SMEs

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-222
Author(s):  
William Li Chang ◽  
Peirchyi Lii
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Chinese Enterprises ◽  
Important Impact ◽  
Guanxi Network ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Chinese Managers

Guanxi is an important source of competitive advantage; managers in Chinese enterprises have especially placed enormous emphasis on it. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between managers' initiative toward a Guanxi formation and their transactional decisions within the network. Findings of this study suggest that managers' initiative in setting up a Guanxi network has important impact on their perceptions toward members in the network; and in turn, the perception has an impact on their transactional decisions within the Guanxi network. More specifically, managers would employ relational mark-down and compensatory mark-up to differentiate Guanxi members from non-Guanxi members in making transactional decisions.

scholarly journals How Value Network-Based Co-Inovation Contribute in Competitive Advantage

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Maryono Maryono ◽  
Imam Ghozali ◽  
Amie Kusumawardhani ◽  
Mahelan Prabantariksa
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Value Network ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
A Value ◽  
Relational Capabilities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This study aims to develop a comprehensive integrated model which helps in explaining the impact of value chain integration’s (VCI)’s and relational capability impact on co-innovation in a network and competitive advantage. It also explores the role of value network-based co-innovation as a mediator in the relationship between supply chain integration and competitive advantage, and in the relationship between relational capabilities and competitive advantage of a housing bank sector. The study suggests that firm gains competitive advantage by utilizing value chain integration and relational capability. It is argued here that co-innovation based on value network has mediating role to create competitive advantage. The paper provides a discussion and implication on where value lies and how value is co-created in network of interdependent relationship and illustrate this by sketching a value map in network relationship and possible innovations that can be co-created in housing bank ecosystem. The study involved a single government owned bank located in different cities, therefore the results should be generalized cautiously. This paper constitutes an attempt to stimulate efforts and provide directions on the further conceptual development of value network-based co-innovation (VNBC). The newly developed measure of VNBC and CA exempt from past conceptual streams of the determinant of CA, could be used for valid measurements in future empirical studies in the field of strategic management. The paper provides a practical implications for managers to identify value and utilize new way of analyzing value-chain to create co-innovation within housing bank ecosystem. It also allows manager to practicing relational capability which gives the most impact to competitive advantage..

The Impact of IT Personnel Skills on IS Infrastructure and Competitive IS

2011 ◽  
pp. 63-91
Author(s):  
Terry A. Byrd ◽  
Bruce R. Lewis ◽  
Douglas E. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Canonical Correlation ◽  
Statistical Technique ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Managerial Skills ◽  
Strategic Value ◽  
Value Of It ◽  
The Impact ◽  
It Personnel ◽  
The Relationship

The knowledge and skills of information technology (IT) personnel have become of critical importance as the strategic value of IT in modern organizations has become apparent. In addition to technical skills traditionally expected of IT personnel, organizational, functional, and managerial skills have been increasingly cited as mandatory for these employees. This paper used a well-accepted typology of IT personnel knowledge and skills, and investigated its relationship to desirable technological traits in organizations and to technological variables that have been closely aligned to competitive advantage in organizations. This exploratory examination used the statistical technique of canonical correlation analysis to investigate the relationship between IT personnel knowledge and skills and the flexibility of information systems (IS) infrastructure. Additionally, the same technique was used to test the relationship between the knowledge and skills of these personnel and measures of IT contribution to competitive advantage. In both cases, the relationships were significant and positive. Implications of these findings and a call for further research into the strategic value of IT personnel knowledge and skills are discussed.

The Impact of Sound Relationships on Achieving Alignment

2005 ◽  
pp. 2815-2820
Author(s):  
Awie Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Business Partner ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
It Department ◽  
International Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

International Data Corporation (CIO, 1997) surveyed 283 top executives across three vertical industries: finance, manufacturing, and retail/wholesale. They found “a strong correlation between the effectiveness of the IT department (IS organization) and the relationship between the CIO and the CEO”. “We suspect that this relationship, if it is close, permits the CIO to develop the IT department (IS organization) into a service that delivers competitive advantage for the company, thus enhancing the careers of every IT professional in the organization.” In other words, “a certain amount of mutual esteem will help IT (IS) function as a business partner”.

The impact of corporate environmental responsibility strategy on brand sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengzhi Long ◽  
Jing Lin
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Environmental Responsibility ◽  
Brand Value ◽  
Corporate Environmental Responsibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Context ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThough enormous research studies were conducted on corporate environmental responsibility (CER), few of them could empirically justify how CER helps to improve firm’s competitive advantage and firms are still hesitant to incorporate CER with their business strategy at present. The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically explore how the CER strategy could help the firm to gain competitive advantage in Chinese context, particularly in terms of achieving brand sustainability (BS).Design/methodology/approachIn this study, 310 listed companies in China were chosen as research sample. First, the CER strategies were classified into developing eco-friendly products, adopting EMAS or other eco-management, enhancing the impact of CER through value chain and charitable CER. Second, BS is constructed as two dimensions, i.e. resource-acquisition and consumer impact. Accordingly, this paper analyzed the relationship between CER and BS with regression model analysis, taking account of several moderating and control variables.FindingsThe results indicate that CER strategies have positive effect on BS. Among all CER strategies, developing eco-friendly products and charitable CER undertakings are the most effective ones to promote BS performance. Also, the paper found that the length of time in adopting CER strategy moderates the effect of CER on BS. The empirical evidence proves that CER strategies could enhance the brand value in terms of BS and help the company to gain competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, most of our samples are of the state-owned enterprises, so our assumption might not be applicable to other types of business. Second, corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication is an important factor in the relation between CSR and corporate performance, but it is not taken into account in this study. Third, the difference in industries and ownership in this research is out of concern.Practical implicationsAs this paper has provided empirical evidence to reveal the effectiveness of different CER strategies, firms in China could be more motivated to undertake CER not only for the sake of environment but also for their brand value and competitive advantage. More importantly, this paper could be a valuable reference for the firms in China to choose suitable and effective CER strategies, as proved in this study, to gain competitive advantage in the market.Originality/valueAt first, while public environmental awareness has improved gradually, we introduce the BS concept to explain how the CER strategies affect CCA. This approach gives us another perspective to highlight the relationship between these two constructs. Second, we conducted our research from practical perspective to explore how to apply the CER undertakings as the company’s strategy. Third, we conducted our empirical research in Chinese context, which will enrich the theoretical CER and CSR literature.

scholarly journals Quality of Service and its Impact in Achieving Competitive Advantage

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-227
Author(s):  
Adnan Shamkhi Jabir ◽  
Kamil Shkaier Al.watifi ◽  
Abbas kh. Aljanabi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Simple Correlation ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This study aims to determine the impact of the (QoS) variable on the competitive advantage variable. To achieve this, the study relied on the quality of service in terms of reliability, responsiveness, flexibility, safety and connectivity and its competitive advantage in terms of cost, quality, flexibility, and delivery. The study tried to answer the questions of the problem, the most important of which is the quality of service in the organization in question? What is the level of competitive advantage offered by the organization in question? Is there a relationship between quality of service and competitive advantage in the organization in question? The study was conducted in the General Company for the distribution of petroleum products / Central Euphrates Distribution Authority / Babel Branch. The questionnaire was used to obtain the necessary data, as well as personal interviews. The opinions of 150 workers were analyzed in addition to 35 customers. The simple correlation coefficient was used to measure the correlation between the variables and the (T) test to determine the significance of the simple and multiple regression equations and also to use the analysis of the (Anova). The simulation method was used to generate data (views) of all the resolution sections that were pre-designed according to the five-dimensional Likert scale for the sample size (n=150). The study sought to achieve a set of objectives, the most important of which is to identify the relationship between quality of service, competitive advantage and the impact of quality of service on the competitive advantage, to make some recommendations that can contribute to improving the status of the organization in question. The study concluded with a number of conclusions, the most important of which is the organization's interest in responding quickly to the customer's needs when requesting service, noting the importance of the organization to provide most of the needs of the citizens of fuel on demand despite the difficult conditions of the country. The most important recommendations included the organization's interest in quickly responding to customers' requests, so it is important for them to maintain and develop these gains.

scholarly journals Green Intellectual Capital and Firm Competitive Advantage: Evidence from Malaysian Manufacturing Firms

2019 ◽  
pp. 463-471
Author(s):  
Naimah Ahmad Yahya ◽  
Roshayani Arshad ◽  
Amrizah Kamaluddin ◽  
Rahayu Abdul Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Relational Capital ◽  
Organizational Capital ◽  
Green Innovation ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Innovation Capital

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between green intellectual capital and firms’ competitive advantage in Malaysia. More specifically this study examines the impact of four dimensions of green intellectual capital; green human capital, green innovation capital, green organisational capital and green relational capital on firms’ competitive advantage. Using survey as a method to collect data from 224 managers of manufacturing firms in Malaysia, the result shows that green intellectual capital and its dimensions, specifically the green innovation capital, green organizational capital and green relational capital have significant and positive relationship with firms’ competitive advantage. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of green intellectual capital as a valuable business resource which in turn enhances firm performance and competitiveness.

scholarly journals The drivers influencing the relationship between sales representatives and customers and the impact this relationship has on sales volume within Coca-Cola’s Western Cape region

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Herbst ◽  
C. L. Forrest
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Sales Representative ◽  
Final Conclusion ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Sales Representatives ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Companies within the FMCG sector are continually trying to create value from their brands by increasing their margins and/or selling more of their products. Taking cost out of the value chain gives the company a competitive advantage, but this advantage is short lived as competitors also reduce costs. Differentiating a product through enhanced features and benefits also provides a competitive advantage, but is also subject to imitation by rivals. As competition increases, companies are looking for new avenues to differentiate themselves. Relationship marketing has, as a result, increased its prevalence as a competitive tool to provide that point of difference.This research investigated the factors that influence the relationships between a Coca-Cola sales representative and his/her customers within the Cape Town region.This article was developed after studying literature as it pertained to customer relationship marketing. From the literature the foundation blocks in developing buyer-seller relationships were studied. The research methodology tested the impact of certain factors on the ability to build a relationship between buyer and seller and then tested the validity of those answers using underlying determinants of a relationship. These determinants included the ability to communicate, the ability to trust, the degree of loyalty and the ability to influence a customer.The response to the questionnaires was extremely high (over 95%) and provided for a robust evaluation of data. The research showed that there was a positive correlation between the profile of a sales representative and a customer. It is easier for a sales representative to build a relationship with a customer who is a similar age. It is however easier for the sales representative to influence a younger customer. Gender plays no role in a sales representative’s ability to build a relationship. With respect to education, a stronger relationship exists between a customer and sales representative of a similar education. Again it is easier for a representative to influence a customer who has a lower level of education. Race does have an impact on the ability to build relationships. The research showed that an African sales representative should service an African customer. There was a positive link between matching sales representatives and customers who come from similar areas and have the same religion. There was no correlation between the degree of the relationship that a Coca-Cola sales representative in the Western Cape region has with a customer and the sales growth within the outlets. This final conclusion must be read in the context of the relative high market share that the Coca-Cola Company has in the Western Cape.

Contextual factors moderating the impact of strategic management accounting on competitive advantage

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babajide Oyewo
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Management Accounting ◽  
Deliberate Strategy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study investigates the influence of six interrelated contextual factors, namely organisational structure, quality of information technology, business strategy in terms of deliberate strategy-formulation, market orientation, market competition and perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU), on the usage intensity of innovative management accounting techniques commonly referred to as strategic management accounting (SMA); the impact of SMA usage on competitive advantage; and the moderating influence of the contextual factors on the relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were obtained through a structured questionnaire from publicly listed manufacturing companies on the main board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and moderated regression were used to analyse data. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine the validity and reliability of variables as first and second order of analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) (maximum likelihood estimation method) was applied to assess the robustness of result.FindingsMarket orientation and deliberate strategy-formulation emerged as significant determinants of SMA usage intensity. Although there is a significant relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage, the strength of the relationship is moderate. Organisational structure, deliberate strategy-formulation and PEU significantly moderate the relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsThe emergence of deliberate strategy-formulation, as both a significant predictor of SMA usage intensity and as the strongest moderator of the relationship between SMA usage and competitive advantage, establish that it is organisations that take a proactive approach to strategy issues that may derive the most benefit from SMA utilisation.Practical implicationsThe result from this study brings to fore the need to involve management accountants in strategy-formulation and implementation in order to leverage their competence in deploying SMA techniques to enhance organisational competitiveness.Originality/valueThe current study is the first, to the researcher's knowledge, to specifically examine interrelated contextual factors distinctively affecting SMA usage and organisational competitiveness in a developing country. Whilst these six factors have been stressed as important determinants of the adoption of innovative management accounting techniques, the study provides empirical evidence on the extent to which they exert on SMA. The study presents empirical evidence on the relevance of market orientation—a construct which has surprisingly received little research attention in management accounting literature—as a variable which could affect the adoption of management accounting innovation.

The impact of financial management practices and competitive advantage on the loan performance of MFIs

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga ◽  
Brendah Akankunda ◽  
Irene Nalukenge ◽  
Immaculate Tusiime
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Positive Relationship ◽  
Process Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of financial management practices and competitive advantage on loan performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs). Design/methodology/approach In this cross-sectional study, the authors surveyed 70 MFIs in Kampala, Uganda. The authors applied principal component analysis to reduce the number of factors and identify the important elements that capture financial management practices, competitive advantage and loan performance of MFIs. The authors put forward and tested three hypotheses relating to the significance of the relationship between these three variables of MFIs using the statistical software package, SPSS and also apply the normal theory approach developed by Sobel (1982) and Baron and Kenny (1986) in testing the mediation by competitive advantage. Findings Robust financial management practices are associated with better loan performance of MFIs. Results also reveal a significant positive relationship between the competitive advantage of the MFIs and their loan performance. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship between competitive advantage and loan performance is found. Moreover results also show a full mediation effect of competitive advantage on the association of financial management practices and loan performance, implying that the association of financial management practices of the MFIs on their loan performance is entirely through their competitive advantage. Research limitations/implications Although there is plenty of literature on loan performance, financial management practices and competitive advantage, there is scarce literature on their effective conceptualization. This together with the imprecise definition of competitive advantage may have affected conceptualization of the authors study. Thus, in this study, the authors do not claim highly refined measurement concepts. Moreover, many of the extant studies for instance have measured loan performance quantitatively, yet process factors which are inherently qualitative in nature can better explain variances in loan performance concept. More research is therefore needed to better refine qualitative concepts used in this study. Practical implications Efforts by the MFIs management to improve loan performance must be matched with adoption of financial management practices that provide MFIs with sustained competitive advantage over their rivals. Originality/value In order to explain loan performance of MFIs, and drawing from social economics, management and accounting strands, this study shows that assessing the role of competitive advantage in the relationship between financial management practices and loan performance is imperative. Also, many of the extant studies have measured loan performance quantitatively, yet process factors or antecedents which are inherently qualitative in nature can better explain variances in loan performance concept. Thus this study calls for the refinement of loan performance concept and accounting for endogeneity.

Does Mentoring Work? the Mediating Effect of Mentoring in China

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rueywei Gong ◽  
Shih-Ying Chen ◽  
Shin-Lung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Career Development ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Career Outcomes ◽  
Chinese Enterprises ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Researchers have found that mentoring can impact protégés' career outcomes positively or negatively. In this study we explored the mediating effect of mentoring on the relationship between personal learning and career development in Chinese enterprises. Data from 316 employees of Chinese enterprises were collected and analyzed to measure the impact of their personal learning on career development. It was found that personal learning and mentoring had a significantly positive impact on career development. Mentoring mediated the relationship between personal learning and career development. We, therefore, suggest that, when promoting career development benefits, enterprises should enhance the positive effects of personal learning and career development through mentoring mechanisms.

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