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Article
Publication date: 28 May 2024

Cheong Kim, Jungwoo Lee and Kun Chang Lee

The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that have the greatest impact on travelers' opinions of airports.

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that have the greatest impact on travelers' opinions of airports.

Design/methodology/approach

11,656 customer reviews for 649 airports around the world were gathered following the COVID-19 outbreak from the website that rates airport quality. The dataset was examined using hierarchical regression, PLS-SEM, and the unsupervised Bayesian algorithm-based PSEM in order to verify the hypothesis.

Findings

The results showed that people’s intentions to recommend airports are significantly influenced by their opinions of how well the servicescape, staff, and services are.

Practical implications

By encouraging air travelers to have positive intentions toward recommending the airports, this research offers airport managers decision-support implications for how to improve airport service quality. This will increase the likelihood of retaining more passengers.

Originality/value

This study also suggests a quick-to-implement visual decision-making mechanism based on PSEM that is simple to understand.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Sukran Seker

Since conducting agile strategies provides sustainable passenger satisfaction and revenue by replacing applied policies with more profitable ones rapidly, the focus of this study…

Abstract

Purpose

Since conducting agile strategies provides sustainable passenger satisfaction and revenue by replacing applied policies with more profitable ones rapidly, the focus of this study is to evaluate agile attributes for managing low-cost carriers (LCCs) operations by means of resources and competences based on dynamic capabilities built on resource-based view (RBV) theory and to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in a volatile and dynamic air transport environment. LCCs in Turkey are also evaluated in this study since the competition among LCCs is high to gain market share and they can adapt quickly to all kinds of circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach

Two well-known Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods (MCDM) named as the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) methods by employing Picture fuzzy sets (PiFS) are employed to determine weight of agile attributes and superiority of LCCs based on agile attributes in the market, respectively. To check the consistency and robustness of the results for the proposed approach, comparative and sensitivity analysis are performed at the end of the study.

Findings

While the ranking orders of agile attributes are Strategic Responsiveness (AG1), Financial Management (AG4), Quality (AG2), Digital integration (AG3) and Reliability (AG5), respectively, LCC2 is selected as the best agile airline company in Turkey with respect to agile attributes. SWARA and MABAC method based on PiFS is appropriate and effective method to evaluate agile attributes that has important reference value for the airline companies in aviation industry.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will support managers in the airline industry to conduct airline operations more flexibly and effectively to take sustainable competitive advantage in unexpected and dynamic environment.

Originality/value

To the author' best knowledge, this study is the first developed to identify the attributes necessary to increase agility in LCCs. Thus, as a systematic tool, a framework is developed for the implementation of agile attributes to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the airline industry and presented a roadmap for airline managers to deal with crises and challenging situations by satisfying customer and increasing competitiveness.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Huong Bui, Long Hong Pham, Ngoc Pham, Phuong Anh Dang, Quynh Bui, Dung Nguyen, Thuy T. Duong, Chung Nguyen and Hiroaki Saito

Vietnam has repositioned itself from a war-torn country to a popular tourist destination. Although research on Vietnam tourism has grown in number, a macro analysis of national…

Abstract

Purpose

Vietnam has repositioned itself from a war-torn country to a popular tourist destination. Although research on Vietnam tourism has grown in number, a macro analysis of national tourism governance and policies has largely been missing.

Design/methodology/approach

This synthesis paper offers a systemic analysis of Vietnam’s tourism accommodating intensified government intervention and dramatic market changes in recent decades. The authors offer a chronological analysis of tourism development along with the major political and economic turns of the country.

Findings

The patterns of tourism development reflect a compromise between centralization and decentralization of the governance system and a trade-off between economic and social objectives of development. Balancing these opposites, the internal strength of the domestic market and the resilience of communities and businesses become key assets for growth in circumstances where the socialist market economy continues to inform the current and future development of the industry.

Research limitations/implications

Although the case of Vietnam is unique, the adaptive mechanism of the tourism industry highlighted in this paper offers a useful lesson for other developing countries. The research addresses tourism in the political economy in developing countries, which is valuable for researchers, policy analysts as well as practitioners in tourism.

Practical implications

The practical contribution of the study is derived from authors’ academic and industrial backgrounds. Findings from the study serve as a useful reference for those who embark on the study of tourism governance and policy-making in developing countries and problems associated with the economic transitional process. Those problems of the disparity between centralization and decentralization of the political system might not be only significant in Vietnam, but also prevail in developing countries. Thus, this study offers a point of departure for future empirical and comparative research on the kindship of tourism and political economy in a full scale.

Social implications

The transitional economy as viewed through the tourism industry is prominently presented in the “evolutionary” approach to the transitional economy, which exhibits several unique features: the transition from a centrally planned (command) economy to a market economy and the manifestations of a socialist orientation in the modern economic management system (Vuong et al., 2019). While data from this study is mainly illustrative of the first point, the transition from a planned economy to a market economy, the second characteristic, the manifestation of a social orientation has only slightly been addressed and will need further elaboration in a future study. While Vietnam’s tourism positions itself in a socialist market-oriented economy might set a unique case, the study highlights the politics of tourism is shaped by the politico-economic system. The authors conclude that the adaptation of Vietnam tourism to a socialist market-orientated economy is better perceived as a social evolution achievement rather than a feature of capitalism.

Originality/value

The latest study on tourism governance (Bui et al., 2022) has outlined the evolution of the tourism administrative system and markets in the country; however, linkages of tourism to the broader political economic system have yet to be addressed. Addressing this gap, the authors carry out analysis of policies and governance from the insider’s viewpoint, when team members have been involved in numerous tourism planning and development projects, both on international and national scales. The practical experience along with thorough review of literature and statistical data contributes to shaping a fresh understanding of tourism in a transitional economy.

设计/方法论/途径

这篇综述对越南旅游业进行了系统分析, 包括近几十年来不断增强的政府干预以及巨大的市场变化。作者根据时间顺序分析了旅游业的发展以及该国的主要政治及经济的转变。此外, 政策文件的内容分析及旅游市场分析进一步说明了政治经济体系对旅游治理及政策的影响。

目的

越南已将自己从一个饱受战争的国家重新定位成备受欢迎的旅游目的地。尽管对越南旅游业的研究不断增多, 但对国家旅游治理和政策的宏观分析却被之前的探究所忽略。此研究通过展示越南转型经济中的旅游治理模式连接了两个学科, 并且丰富了政治经济学和旅游学的文献。

研究结果

旅游政策和市场分析反应了治理体系集权与分权之间的折中以及经济和社会发展目标之间的权衡。国内市场的内在优势以及社区及企业的韧性可以成为成长的关键资产来平衡这些对立面, 同时社会主义市场经济将继续影响产业的当前及未来的发展。因此我们的结论是, 越南旅游业适应社会主义市场经济应该被视为社会进化的成就, 而不是资本主义的特征。

研究局限/应用

考虑到一篇文章所能解决的问题有限, 作者无法就转型经济与中国进行比较研究。我们的研究为未来亚洲旅游与政治经济之间联系的实证和比较研究提供了一个出发点。

实践意义

研究结果为发展中国家旅游治理和政策制定研究提供了有益的参考。

社会影响

研究结果对于发展中国家旅游治理及政策制定研究具有重要参考意义。这项研究的成果对于发展中国家的旅游政策分析师, 特别是亚洲的研究人员来说很有价值。

原创性/价值

当前的研究弥补了政治经济学中的一个研究不足, 即马克思主义学说及其与旅游业的对话。知识转移是本研究的一个亮点, 它源自对国家政治经济议程中的旅游治理的批判性分析。

Objetivo

Vietnam ha pasado de ser un país devastado por la guerra a convertirse en un popular destino turístico. Aunque la investigación sobre el turismo en Vietnam ha crecido en número, ha faltado en gran medida un macroanálisis de la gobernanza y las políticas turísticas nacionales. Nuestra investigación ha enriquecido la literatura tanto de la economía política como del turismo tendiendo un puente entre ambas disciplinas al presentar las pautas de la gobernanza del turismo en la economía de transición de Vietnam.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Este documento de síntesis ofrece un análisis sistemático del turismo de Vietnam que abarca la intensificación de la intervención gubernamental y los drásticos cambios del mercado en las últimas décadas. Los autores ofrecen un análisis cronológico del desarrollo del turismo junto con los principales giros políticos y económicos del país. Además, el análisis del contenido de los documentos políticos y el análisis del mercado turístico ilustran mejor las repercusiones de los sistemas político-económicos en la gobernanza y las políticas turísticas.

Resultados

Las políticas turísticas y el análisis del mercado revelan un compromiso entre la centralización y la descentralización del sistema de gobernanza y un compromiso entre los objetivos económicos y sociales del desarrollo. Al equilibrar estos opuestos, la fuerza interna del mercado nacional y la resistencia de las comunidades y las empresas se convierten en activos clave para el crecimiento en unas circunstancias en las que la economía de mercado socialista sigue informando el desarrollo actual y futuro de la industria. Concluimos que la adaptación del turismo vietnamita a una economía socialista orientada al mercado se percibe mejor como un logro de la evolución social que como una característica del capitalismo.

Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación

Dentro del limitado abanico de cuestiones que podrían abordarse en un solo artículo, los autores no pueden establecer un estudio comparativo con China, en lo que respecta a la economía de transición. Nuestro estudio ofrece un punto de partida para futuras investigaciones empíricas y comparativas sobre la conexión entre turismo y economía política en Asia.

Implicaciones prácticas

Las conclusiones del estudio sirven de referencia útil para quienes se embarcan en el estudio de la gobernanza y la formulación de políticas turísticas en los países en desarrollo.

Implicaciones sociales

Los resultados de la investigación son valiosos para los investigadores del sudeste asiático en particular y para los analistas de la política turística del mundo en desarrollo en general.

Originalidad/valor

La presente investigación contribuye a un área poco investigada de la economía política, a saber, la doctrina marxista y su diálogo con el turismo. La transferencia de conocimientos es un aspecto destacado de esta investigación, que se ha derivado de un análisis crítico de la gobernanza del turismo en la agenda económica política nacional.

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Li Shee Ho, Nadisah Binti Zakaria and Siong Min Foo

This study investigates the impact of social media marketing activities on customer purchase intention in the Malaysian property market.

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of social media marketing activities on customer purchase intention in the Malaysian property market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilises a survey research approach to collect data from 331 respondents using a questionnaire.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that entertainment, interaction, customisation and word-of-mouth variables had a significant and positive impact on customer purchase intention in the Malaysian property market. However, the study demonstrates a positive but insignificant impact of trendiness on customer purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

First, the study relies on a sample of 331 respondents in Malaysia, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to a broader population. Hence, future research could aim for a more extensive and diverse sample to enhance the validity of the results. Second, while the study identified significant relationships, the measurement of variables, in particular “trendiness,” could be refined for better accuracy. The future study may consider including a more precise measurement to provide comprehensive insights.

Practical implications

The results suggest that marketers should focus on creating engaging and interactive content, providing personalised experiences and leveraging word-of-mouth recommendations to enhance customer purchase intention. The overall findings highlight the importance of social media marketing activities in the property market and their potential to drive customer purchase intention.

Social implications

The study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the role of social media marketing activities in influencing customer purchase intention in the Malaysian property market.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no similar studies have been conducted in this area of research.

Details

Property Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2024

Jing Liu, Huiwen Mai, Xinyuan Zhao and Zhirui Zhou

The advent of the postpandemic era has brought renewed attention to the development of business tourism. However, the existing research on business tourism is fragmented, and…

Abstract

Purpose

The advent of the postpandemic era has brought renewed attention to the development of business tourism. However, the existing research on business tourism is fragmented, and there are gaps in the current understanding of the subject. This study aims to identify the intellectual structures, current hotspots and research directions in the business tourism field from 1994 to 2023.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric visual analysis using VOSviewer was conducted to assimilate the available knowledge from 136 business tourism-related articles collected in the WoS Core Collection database between 1994 and 2023.

Findings

The results indicate that the number of business tourism-related research fluctuates, but the overall trend is gradually increasing. It synthesizes four main research themes, which are tourist behavior, destination marketing, information technology and work-family interferences of business travelers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to systematically review business tourism publications over the past 29 years. It assists scholars in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of business tourism research and informs future research directions.

目的

后疫情时代的到来使得商务旅游的发展再次受到关注。然而, 目前的商务旅游研究是零散的, 我们对与这一主题的理解存在空白。本研究旨在确定19942023年商务旅游相关领域的知识结构、当前热点和研究方向。

设计/方法/途径

本研究使用VOSviewer进行了文献计量学可视化分析, 以吸收从Web of Science(WOS)核心合集数据库中收集的136 篇1994年至2023年间的商务旅游相关文章中的可用知识。

研究结果

结果表明, 与商务旅游相关的研究数量呈现出波动但总体逐渐增加的趋势。其中包括四个主要的研究主题, 分别是游客行为、目的地营销、信息技术和商务旅行者的工作与家庭。

原创性/价值

本研究系统回顾了过去29年间与商务旅游相关的出版物。从而有助于学者们对商务旅游研究有更全面地了解, 并获得未来的研究方向。

Objetivo (límite 100 palabras)

El advenimiento de la era postpandemia ha renovado la atención prestada al desarrollo del turismo de negocios. Sin embargo, la investigación existente sobre el turismo de negocios está fragmentada y existen lagunas en la comprensión actual del tema. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo identificar las estructuras intelectuales, los focos actuales y las direcciones de investigación en el ámbito del turismo de negocios desde 1994 hasta 2023.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque (límite 100 palabras)

Se realizó un análisis visual bibliométrico utilizando VOSviewer para asimilar el conocimiento disponible en 136 artículos relacionados con el turismo de negocios recogidos en la base de datos WoS Core Collection entre 1994 y 2023.

Conclusiones (límite 100 palabras)

Los resultados indican que el número de investigaciones relacionadas con el turismo de negocios fluctúa, pero la tendencia general es a aumentar gradualmente. Se sintetizan cuatro temas principales de investigación: el comportamiento del turista, el marketing de destinos, la tecnología de la información y las interferencias trabajo-familia de los viajeros de negocios.

Originalidad/valor (límite 100 palabras)

Este estudio es uno de los primeros que revisa sistemáticamente las publicaciones sobre turismo de negocios de los últimos 29 años. Ayuda a los investigadores a obtener una comprensión más completa de la investigación sobre el turismo de negocios y sugiere futuras líneas de investigación.

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2024

Fulya Acikgoz, Nikolaos Stylos and Sophie Lythreatis

The purpose of this study synthesises the body of research revolving around blockchain technology (BCT) whilst drawing on the technology-organization-environment framework…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study synthesises the body of research revolving around blockchain technology (BCT) whilst drawing on the technology-organization-environment framework, resource-based theory and theory of constraints, to conceptualize capabilities (enablers) and constraints (barriers) of BCT in the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of BCT in the hotel and tourism industry has been achieved through two databases, i.e. Scopus and Web of Science. From 544 articles selected between the years 2008 and 2023 (first quarter), a sample of 49 articles was used to structure existing research on this subject.

Findings

The findings of this systematic literature review of BCT in the H&T literature establish a solid groundwork for assessing the evolution of this research area over time. Findings are classified into two groups: capabilities (enablers) and constraints (barriers) of BCT based on publication year, different research methods, theoretical underpinnings and applicable contexts.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to synthesize studies related to BCT in H&T research by combining three theoretical approaches. It serves as a foundation to evaluate the development of BCT studies in this field.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2024

Amine Belhadi, Sachin Kamble, Nachiappan Subramanian, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Mani Venkatesh

The agricultural supply chain is susceptible to disruptive geopolitical events. Therefore, agri-food firms must devise robust resilience strategies to hasten recovery and mitigate…

Abstract

Purpose

The agricultural supply chain is susceptible to disruptive geopolitical events. Therefore, agri-food firms must devise robust resilience strategies to hasten recovery and mitigate global food security effects. Hence, the central aim of this paper is to investigate how supply chains could leverage digital technologies to design resilience strategies to manage uncertainty stemming from the external environment disrupted by a geopolitical event. The context of the study is the African agri-food supply chain during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ strategic contingency and dynamic capabilities theory arguments to explore the scenario and conditions under which African agri-food firms could leverage digital technologies to formulate contingency strategies and devise mitigation countermeasures. Then, the authors used a multi-case-study analysis of 14 African firms of different sizes and tiers within three main agri-food sectors (i.e. livestock farming, food-crop and fisheries-aquaculture) to explore, interpret and present data and their findings.

Findings

Downstream firms (wholesalers and retailers) of the African agri-food supply chain are found to extensively use digital seizing and transforming capabilities to formulate worst-case assumptions amid geopolitical disruption, followed by proactive mitigation actions. These capabilities are mainly supported by advanced technologies such as blockchain and additive manufacturing. On the other hand, smaller upstream partners (SMEs, cooperatives and smallholders) are found to leverage less advanced technologies, such as mobile apps and cloud-based data analytics, to develop sensing capabilities necessary to formulate a “wait-and-see” strategy, allowing them to reduce perceptions of heightened supply chain uncertainty and take mainly reactive mitigation strategies. Finally, the authors integrate their findings into a conceptual framework that advances the research agenda on managing supply chain uncertainty in vulnerable areas.

Originality/value

This study is the first that sought to understand the contextual conditions (supply chain characteristics and firm characteristics) under which companies in the African agri-food supply chain could leverage digital technologies to manage uncertainty. The study advances contingency and dynamic capability theories by providing a new way of interacting in one specific context. In practice, this study assists managers in developing suitable strategies to manage uncertainty during geopolitical disruptions.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2024

Srikant Gupta, Pooja S. Kushwaha, Usha Badhera and Rajesh Kumar Singh

This study aims to explore the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry following the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose effective strategies for recovery and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry following the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose effective strategies for recovery and resilience of this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analysed the challenges encountered by the tourism and hospitality industry post-pandemic and identified key strategies for overcoming these challenges. The study utilised the modified Delphi method to finalise the challenges and employed the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to rank these challenges. Additionally, solution strategies are ranked using the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method.

Findings

The study identified significant challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry, highlighting the lack of health and hygiene facilities as the foremost concern, followed by increased operational costs. Moreover, it revealed that attracting millennial travellers emerged as the top priority strategy to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on this industry.

Originality/value

This research contributes to understanding the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers valuable insights into practical strategies for recovery. The findings provide beneficial recommendations for policymakers aiming to revive and support these industries.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 June 2023

Khalfan Almehairbi, P. Arunprasad and Zakaria El Hathat

This study aims to examine and discuss the importance and benefits of Open Innovation (OI), Transformational Leadership (TL), Innovation Strategy (IS), Creative Climate (CC)…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine and discuss the importance and benefits of Open Innovation (OI), Transformational Leadership (TL), Innovation Strategy (IS), Creative Climate (CC), Radical Innovation (RI) and Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai. This work also examines the mediating impact of future foresight drivers (FFD) on SMEs' SCA. The study provides a theoretical framework for enhancing SMEs' organizational performance and highlights the need for future empirical research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a systematic literature review (SLR) approach and a bibliometric analysis approach to collect, examine and analyze data from previous research on OI, TL, IS, CC, RI and SCA. This work evaluated 110 publications from separate scholarly databases, Scopus and Web of Science (WoS).

Findings

The study finds a positive relationship between OI, TL, IS, CC, RI and SCA and that future empirical research is needed. While there is limited information on the impact of these concepts on SMEs in the Middle East and especially in Dubai, the study presents new concepts to be debated. The study provides a vital tool for businesses to improve their performance by adopting OI, TL and IS and analyzing their present competitive status to develop new strategies and build competitiveness.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its contribution to understanding the relationships among OI, TL, IS, CC and RI and their impact on SMEs' SCA in Dubai. By emphasizing the importance of OI, TL and IS in improving SMEs' performance and competitiveness, this study provides valuable insights for SME managers seeking to enhance their organizations' sustainability and long-term success. The review also identifies a gap in the literature regarding the impact of these concepts on SMEs in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 April 2024

Gabriele Suder, Bo Meng and Gao Yuning

In international business (IB), the discussion of COVID-19-related global value chain (GVC) models driving resilience has taken momentum since May 2020. The purpose of this study…

Abstract

Purpose

In international business (IB), the discussion of COVID-19-related global value chain (GVC) models driving resilience has taken momentum since May 2020. The purpose of this study is to uncover insights that the pandemic provided as a unique research opportunity, holistically, revealing the significant role of non-lead firms in GVC outcomes and resilience. This allows to extend theory as the authors critically identify impact criteria and assess interdependence and valence, thus progressing the traditional (pre-pandemic) IB view of GVC governance and orchestration.

Design/methodology/approach

This study opts for an integrative review to help create a much-needed extension of IB theory by means of a critical perspective on GVC theory. The authors examine the extant body of IB literature as the relevant stock of collective IB knowledge prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, uncovering contributions – with a focus on the role of non-lead firms in orchestration and resilience – that allows to clarify what was not evident pre-pandemic. With this, the authors move the theory from its efficiency focus to a better recognition of the interdependencies of power and profit outcomes stemming from asymmetries of interrelationships. By design, the authors focus on the unique research period of the pandemic and orchestration complexities along the development of configurational arguments beyond simple correlations (Fiss, 2011), revealing key dependencies as key themes. The authors highlight further research avenues following Snyder (2019) that are called upon to strengthen that understanding and that helps extend theory.

Findings

This research provides a critical perspective on the application of the traditional IB views for GVC governance (designed for efficiency, cost and proximity to markets with pre-dominance for just in time), which has shifted during the pandemic to accommodate for adaptation and adjustment to resilience and just in case considerations. The holistic review reveals not only the key country- and multinational enterprise (MNE)-dependencies with residual impact determining the balance between just-in-time and just-in-case. Also, the authors advance the understanding of the (un)balance of the traditional GVC – focused on just-in-case rather than just-in-time through a lead and non-lead GVC participation and power lens yet rarely observed. The authors find that governance should not be construed as “management” such that it resolves into decisions undertaken in lead firms for execution in subordinate GVC participants. Autonomy allows to subsidiary units by MNE lead firms and/or exercised by (mainly, innovative) non-subsidiary GVC participant firms, is uncovered as a key driver in this. Greater delegation capacity appears to help provide resilience to loss in profit, with a recognition that there may be a dynamic trade-off between power and profit. In addition, the authors are able to identify correlations with innovation, demand elasticity, digital uptake, investment and other, that the authors trust will set the scene for additional research deepening and extending the findings.

Research limitations/implications

Integrative literature reviews include a problem formulation (i.e. that is limited to published topics around an emerging theme) and are hence very focused in nature and approach. This applies to this paper. Data analysis in this method is not typically using statistical methods in contrast to meta-analyses. Also, the authors limit the sample to a relatively short time period with 33 publications analysed, purposefully focusing on the most prompt and “acute” insights into GVCs during the pandemic.

Practical implications

The traditional GVC governance model is designed for efficiency, cost and proximity to markets with pre-dominance for just in time. The authors reveal dependencies that are instrumental to better understand lead and non-lead interaction and relative autonomy, with a focus on residual impact determining the balance between just-in-time and just-in-case that, if in the sought equilibrium and agile, can allow alignment with context and this resilience. This paper specifically provides practical insights and visualization that highlights stages/“ripple” effects and their impact and the questions to ask as stakeholders look for GVC resilience. This includes, int.al., firms and their role as strategic agents, prompting participants through the learnings from exogenous shock to realign their strategies, redistributed manufacturing of production across subsidiary and non-subsidiary non-lead firms, greater competition and hence power for suppliers leveraging resilience and innovation, greater understanding of localization and regionalization of production of essential supplies, interaction with governments, and of investment impacts abroad especially to secure GVC participation.

Social implications

The insights provided through this extension of theory with its literature review reveal the importance of aligning IB research into GVCs to factors that became visible through alternative or unusual settings, as they have the power to reveal the limitations of traditional views. In this case, a mainly efficiency-led, just-in-time focused GVC governance model is reviewed through the literature that emanated during the pandemic, with a critical perspective, which helped uncover and underline the complexities and evolution of GVC governance, providing fundamental support to solutioning the continuing global supply chain challenges that started as a result of the pandemic and are yet again accelerated by the Ukraine and Middle Eastern wars and its impact with, int.al., concerns over possible severe global food, labour/migration and resources crises. IB holds a social responsibility to help identify critical challenges from the disciplinary perspective and help advance resilience for social benefit.

Originality/value

This paper supports the original IB theory development by extending GVC theory into the lead – non-lead dynamics that may, under certain conditions, provide a “Resilience wall” for GVCs. The value created through insights stemming from a unique period of time for GVC is significant. It allows us thus also to pave the way to an emerging and critical research adaption looking into equilibrium, nuancing demand elasticity, better understanding trade and investment impacts along GVCs and more. By examining views on the sources of pandemic risks in a possibly unique setting, the authors offer added value from extant IB research insights by combining them, revealing the importance for GVCs to investigate not only key dependencies between the exogenous shock, i.e. context, and the impacts assessed through this literature but to further use their inherent value to create a framework for further conceptualization and extension of the traditional IB view on GVC governance. This work illustrates the urgency and importance for IB to take a timely and possibly more critical approach to the investigation of governance models that have, to date, shown some significant limitations.

Details

Critical Perspectives on International Business, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-2043

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