Intergenerational Cooperation and Stereotypes in Relation to Age in the Working Environment

The problem of intergenerational cooperation in the workplace is becoming increasingly important, especially because of the ageing workforce. The article presents the issue of companies facing the challenge of changing a work environment that has to be tailored to the characteristics of each individual generation in the workplace. Generational differences and similarities are explained in more detail, especially in relation to work, followed by a consideration of stereotypes and age discrimination in the work environment. The article illustrates the problem of stereotypes related to age at a selected company. In focus groups we found several positive as well as negative stereotypes regarding age in the workplace, which we use in a research questionnaire especially designed for this study. The questionnaire was completed by 394 employees, and the results used to provide answers to the following research questions: Are there stereotypes within the company about the characteristics of different generations? And do different generations have different foundations regarding the company’s expected attitudes towards their work? The results show that in the focal company there are mostly positive stereotypes regarding age. We also found out that there are no significant differences between the different generations regarding the company’s expected attitudes towards their work. The respondents of all ages expected these attitudes to be based on similar foundations.

Dear supplier, how sustainable are you?

This article analyses one of the most common tools employed by global focal companies in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) across all industries: supplier sustainability self-assessment questionnaires. Extant research has moved beyond the questions of whether and which suppliers should be assessed. Current research is already focussing on how to share and standardise such assessment data. Despite mounting general research on SSCM, we identified that specific tools such as self-assessment questionnaires have not been empirically analysed in SSCM literature. Thus, this paper addresses the research questions of what differences there are among supplier self-assessment questionnaires and how supplier responses to such questionnaires might be influenced. Our research involves an abductive multiple-case study design and an analysis of over 25,000 responses from globally dispersed suppliers to two types of supplier sustainability self-assessment questionnaires administered and requested by a global automotive focal company.Although the two questionnaires covered similar areas of sustainability practices and were administered to suppliers of the same focal company, the suppliers’ responses demonstrated various observable differences in average sustainability scores.Social desirability bias and supplier assessment fatigue were identified as issues confronting such questionnaires. We find that questionnaire design, how the questionnaire is embedded in the focal company’s processes and institutional settings are factors that potentially influence suppliers’ responses and could counteract social desirability bias and supplier assessment fatigue. Based on these findings we make suggestions for improving these SSCM tools and provide recommendations for further research.

Sustainability Governance Mechanisms in Supply Chains: An Application in the Retail Sector

This study analyzes supply chain sustainability governance mechanisms, and their characterization, typology, adoption and relationship with the overall level of sustainability in the supply chain, and with the adopting firm’s competitive strategy. It is a case-based study conducted in the Spanish retail sector. A representative set of mechanisms is identified, and both their theoretical background and their degree of practical adoption is established. These mechanisms are then characterized in terms of several traits regarding either the mechanisms themselves or the way they are adopted both by the focal company (internal view) and by its suppliers (external view) in each of the cases. Results suggest that mechanisms might be classified into either ‘enablers’, which increasingly constitute a prerequisite for achieving acceptable levels of sustainability, and ‘differentiators’, which can potentially confer sustainable strategic advantages. Actually, achieving these advantages, however, seems contingent on the additional attainment of a comprehensive ‘depth’ in the implementation of an integrated set of mechanisms of both types, both internally within the focal company and throughout the whole supply chain, as measured by the traits proposed in the study. Furthermore, the concept of ‘circular improvement models’ for sustainable supply chains, akin to Total Quality Management models, is proposed by the authors. The resulting model encompassing enabling and differentiating governance mechanisms could guide the self-evaluation and improvement plans of companies aiming to improve their supply chains sustainability; further guidance on ‘deep adoption’ comprehensive strategies and on the potential for self-reinforcing continuous improvement in sustainability beyond a certain threshold are provided by the study’s conclusions.

Digitalization as an enabler of business model dynamics

The purpose of the article is to answer a research question related to the extent of the impact of digitalization on a business model (BM) of a focal company. An original primary, qualitative research has been conducted. It draws on multiple, in-depth case studies on a globally active B2B incumbent manufacturing companies that recently implemented a digital platform-based customer relationship management system. The data were gathered through participative observation and semi-structured interviews with system users and project leaders. The contribution of the research is in linking the business model dynamic change with a customer relationship management system (CRMS). It identifies the element HOW – value creation – as the mainly affected element of BM of the focal company.

Do not expect others do what you should! Supply chain complexity and mitigation of the ripple effect of disruptions

PurposeRecent studies have argued that companies may actively implement practices to mitigate disruptions in their supply chain and reduce the extent of damage on performance. Other studies have shown that disruptions may propagate in supply chains, leading to consequences that are more negative and raising doubts on the effectiveness of mitigation strategies implemented downstream. This study investigates the influence of supply chain complexity on the two phenomena and their interplay, taking a focal company's perspective.Design/methodology/approachA systematic procedure for data collection, encoding and aggregation based on incident data mainly from secondary sources was used. Multiple regression models were run to analyse direct and moderation effects involving resilience, distance of impact location from trigger point, and supply chain complexity on weighted performance change.FindingsSupply chain complexity is found to have positive moderation on the ripple effect of disruption. Resilience capability remains to have dominating direct positive effect in mitigating disruptions when supply chain complexity is taken into account.Research limitations/implicationsThis study extends the research discourse on supply chain resilience and disruption management with focus on the supply side. It demonstrates that, along with the severity of the disruption scenario, the ripple effect must also be considered when analyzing the benefits of resilience practices implemented by the focal company.Practical implicationsComplexity in the supply chain can only help to smooth-out the rippling effects of a disruption, which go largely beyond supply-demand unbalances and lead time fluctuations. To mitigate it better, the focal company has to act proactively with adequate resilience practices, which also connects to the importance of better visibility across multiple supply chain tiers.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that empirically tests the benefits of resilience practices and the ripple effect of disruptions under the moderation role of supply chain complexity.

Blockchain Characteristics and Green Supply Chain Advancement

Blockchain is an emerging technology that has been widely hyped for addressing many business issues. Blockchain's disruptive technological capabilities have the potential to revolutionize global supply chain management processes, and impact green supply chain initiatives. Blockchain technology incorporates four major characteristics: transparency, reliability, smart execution, and tokenization. Blockchain characteristics have implications for green practices in the upstream supply chain, focal company, and downstream supply chain. This chapter provides insights, exemplary practices, and use cases on how blockchain features can enhance green supply chain activities. Research concerns and directions are proposed to advance the discussion and research on this emergent field.

Sustainable practices and the relationship with suppliers in SSCM: a case study in wholesale

Goal: The present study aimed to analyze how sustainability of suppliers affect the sustainability of a wholesaler-distributor located in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Design / Methodology / Approach: A qualitative approach was chosen using the case study and content analysis as methodologies and the main instrument for data collection was the interview. Results: The results suggest a direct relationship between the sustainability of the focal company and that of supply chain members, so that the alignment of Triple Botton Line (TBL) practices along the chain is essential to emphasize the effects of these practices and for the company to be considered sustainable, as indicated by sustainable supply chain concepts. Limitations of the investigation: The main limitation was the use of a single case study, which does not allow the generalization of results to other companies. Practical implications: It was possible to analyze the relationship between the sustainable practices of suppliers and the focal company to confirm the need to align sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. The results suggest that companies could improve their performance in environmental, social and economic terms if they observe and evaluate the sustainability of their suppliers, reducing environmental risks and future losses. Originality / Value: In terms of literature, this is a topic that has not been explored yet in terms of the applicability of sustainability in the supply chain, especially in practical issues in the wholesale sector.

Fuzzy Multiperiod Model of Choosing Strategies for The Organization Interaction with Stakeholder Groups in The Stakeholder Network with Multiple “Power Centers”

The article is devoted to the development of a fuzzy multiperiod model of choosing strategies for the organization interaction with stakeholder groups in the stakeholder network with multiple "power centers". Various interpretations of the plurality of "power centers" in the stakeholder network are reviewed in the article. The developed model allows to choose the most appropriate type of strategy for the interaction of a focal company with each stakeholder group, taking into account the change in the characteristics of relations among the network actors over time, including degrees of mutual influence. The model proposed in the article is described by the following distinctive features in comparison with the earlier developed models: firstly, the dependence of changes in the characteristics of relations between a pair of actors on changes not only in the properties of these actors but also in other actors of the network are taken into account in the article. In this case, the delay of changes in the characteristics of relations is assumed in comparison with changes in properties. Secondly, the Hamming distances between the "real" and "ideal" values of the advisability of applying types of strategies based on the characteristics of the relationship for each period within each scenario are calculated in the article. The model is described by the example of interaction between the regional University and the business community taking into account change of properties of the state.

Purchasing and supply management practices in customer value creation

Purpose How do purchasing and supply management (PSM) practices create value for the business customers of a focal company? The purpose of this study is to approach the question by investigating the delivery of value over three tiers in the supply chain, that is, from suppliers to the focal company, and further to the focal company’s customers following value chain logic. Design/methodology/approach The study is carried out as a qualitative interview study in four focal companies operating in business-to-business markets. A total of 32 interviews are conducted targeted to managers and directors of sales and marketing, purchasing, product/service development and business units. Findings The study unveils the characteristics and interplay of supplier-oriented and cross-functional PSM practices in customer value creation. The findings indicate that cross-functional integration between purchasing and the other functions of a focal firm is most beneficial in improving supply flexibility to fulfill customer preferences, identifying new supplier offerings for the customer and facilitating time-to-market of new products. Research limitations/implications This study enhances managers’ understanding of the characteristics of the non-financial benefits of purchasing and the role of PSM practices in customer value creation and business success. The findings are indicative of potentially successful practices in the contexts studied. Originality/value This study contributes to the supply chain management literature on the benefits of the purchasing function by highlighting the value created for the customer of a focal company. It also extends the discussion in the supply chain management literature on customer value creating interaction processes in business relationships by focusing on PSM practices.