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Article
Publication date: 14 March 2024

Waqar Ahmed, Arsalan Najmi and Sohail Majeed

This paper aims to provide a framework regarding Information Technology (IT) Flexibility in Supply Chain and its relationship with the benefits we could see from Enterprise…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a framework regarding Information Technology (IT) Flexibility in Supply Chain and its relationship with the benefits we could see from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Furthermore, this research explores the moderating effect of Process Integration Capability in the relationship between IT flexibility and ERP benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

This research model will help organizations get additional benefits from their ERP systems that incurred huge costs, time and multiple resources at their implementation. The technique used for analyzing data is structural equation modeling (SEM), and data is collected from 107 respondents through a questionnaire from Business and IT Professionals.

Findings

The study findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between IT flexibility and ERP systems benefits; moreover, results also confirmed that the organization's process integration capability significantly increased the benefits of ERP systems. The findings also highlight empirical evidence about the significance of the top-to-bottom approach investing in IT flexibility and the bottom-to-top approach during the implementation of IT systems for successful implementations.

Practical implications

This study has various implications for practitioners that help them successfully implement and long-term viability of their IT infrastructure.

Originality/value

This study's findings will help IT managers and strategists make effective decisions for creating IT flexibility in alignment with the strategic goals to realize the desired results expected from ERP systems and implementations of new IT systems.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

José Manuel de la Torre-Ruiz, Maria Dolores Vidal-Salazar and Eulogio Cordón-Pozo

Although previous studies have analyzed the affective reaction of employees toward benefits, results remain inconclusive. The purpose of this paper is to pay specific attention to…

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Abstract

Purpose

Although previous studies have analyzed the affective reaction of employees toward benefits, results remain inconclusive. The purpose of this paper is to pay specific attention to the flexibility of benefit systems and analyze whether the effect of this flexibility on employee’s benefit satisfaction is moderated by employees’ personality traits.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of this study have been collected from a sample of 874 employees working in Spanish firms, through survey. The data were analyzed using partial least squares modeling.

Findings

The results of this study show how self-efficacy has a negative moderating effect on the relation between benefit flexibility and benefit-level satisfaction. Similarly, the authors find a negative moderating effect of internal locus of control on the relationship between benefit flexibility and benefit determination satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should consider other personality traits that have an even stronger moderating effect.

Practical implications

This paper sheds some light on how the flexibility of benefit systems can be an effective source of satisfaction and what kind of employees can be more satisfied with them. For human resource managers, it is necessary to know how differently employees react to human resource practices in order to be able to effectively adjust these practices to the appropriate employees.

Originality/value

This work contributes to human resource literature by analyzing some personality traits that may condition the effectiveness of benefit systems. In this sense, it responds to recent calls asking for more studies aimed at analyzing the role of the employees on the effectiveness of human resource practices.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 46 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 December 2023

Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol

Although the benefits that individuals obtain from trait mindfulness and functional flexibility have been well documented in the research literature, one crucial gap is the lack…

Abstract

Purpose

Although the benefits that individuals obtain from trait mindfulness and functional flexibility have been well documented in the research literature, one crucial gap is the lack of evidence clarifying whether trait mindfulness and functional flexibility might benefit all age groups. Using the moderating effect of age among salespeople, this research analyzes the effects of trait mindfulness and functional flexibility regarding sales performance based on the conservation of resource theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 227 salespeople across 120 companies located in Bangkok, Thailand. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The analysis shows that the positive effect of trait mindfulness on sales performance is more substantial for older salespeople than their younger counterparts. Although the analysis shows that functional flexibility is positively associated with sales performance, the positive relationship is only supported for younger salespeople. For older salespeople, available flexibility does not positively affect sales performance.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, developing trait mindfulness and functional flexibility in salespeople could be a valuable area of focus for sales organizations' human capital development policies. Although the intervention to develop trait mindfulness could be provided to all salespeople, the functional flexibility enhancement component should be delivered specifically to younger salespeople who may experience more significant gains from the training.

Originality/value

The results address the gap in the existing research that lacked evidence as to whether trait mindfulness and functional flexibility similarly affect the work performance of older and younger people. In particular, this study offers new insight into how age differences influence the benefit of trait mindfulness and functional flexibility across different age groups of individuals.

Details

Baltic Journal of Management, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5265

Keywords

Open Access
Book part
Publication date: 7 September 2023

Ellen Ernst Kossek, Brenda A. Lautsch, Matthew B. Perrigino, Jeffrey H. Greenhaus and Tarani J. Merriweather

Work-life flexibility policies (e.g., flextime, telework, part-time, right-to-disconnect, and leaves) are increasingly important to employers as productivity and well-being…

Abstract

Work-life flexibility policies (e.g., flextime, telework, part-time, right-to-disconnect, and leaves) are increasingly important to employers as productivity and well-being strategies. However, policies have not lived up to their potential. In this chapter, the authors argue for increased research attention to implementation and work-life intersectionality considerations influencing effectiveness. Drawing on a typology that conceptualizes flexibility policies as offering employees control across five dimensions of the work role boundary (temporal, spatial, size, permeability, and continuity), the authors develop a model identifying the multilevel moderators and mechanisms of boundary control shaping relationships between using flexibility and work and home performance. Next, the authors review this model with an intersectional lens. The authors direct scholars’ attention to growing workforce diversity and increased variation in flexibility policy experiences, particularly for individuals with higher work-life intersectionality, which is defined as having multiple intersecting identities (e.g., gender, caregiving, and race), that are stigmatized, and link to having less access to and/or benefits from societal resources to support managing the work-life interface in a social context. Such an intersectional focus would address the important need to shift work-life and flexibility research from variable to person-centered approaches. The authors identify six research considerations on work-life intersectionality in order to illuminate how traditionally assumed work-life relationships need to be revisited to address growing variation in: access, needs, and preferences for work-life flexibility; work and nonwork experiences; and benefits from using flexibility policies. The authors hope that this chapter will spur a conversation on how the work-life interface and flexibility policy processes and outcomes may increasingly differ for individuals with higher work-life intersectionality compared to those with lower work-life intersectionality in the context of organizational and social systems that may perpetuate growing work-life and job inequality.

Details

Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-389-3

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 February 2012

Yohanes Kristianto, Mian Ajmal, Richard Addo Tenkorang and Matloub Hussain

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of technology adoption on operational competitiveness by taking an example from international manufacturing companies.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of technology adoption on operational competitiveness by taking an example from international manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a conceptual model to generate strategic flexibility and benefit for a manufacturing firm by managing manufacturing strategy and technology adoption with different leadership roles.

Findings

The results show that the leadership role is a significant factor to motivate strategic flexibility and generate higher benefit. For intellectuals, the mechanism provides a new approach to explicate technology adoption in a manufacturing company. Besides, it provides a deep‐rooted preliminary point for supplementary empirical assessment. The mechanism facilitates managers to expand their understanding of the leadership role for trust building and knowledge sharing in manufacturing firms.

Practical implications

With that enhanced understanding, the managers can spotlight their actions, which help further to perk up their firm's competitiveness provoked by supporting the knowledge sharing activities through appropriate leadership roles.

Originality/value

The mechanism developed in this study is believed to be the first sober effort to provide a deeper theoretical understanding of trust building for improving operational competitiveness in manufacturing firms with a practical approach.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 June 2016

M. Dolores Vidal-Salazar, Eulogio Cordón-Pozo and José M. de la Torre-Ruiz

The purpose of this paper is to analyze three different forms of benefit systems and the effects of their application on Spanish firms’ attraction and retention capacity…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze three different forms of benefit systems and the effects of their application on Spanish firms’ attraction and retention capacity, differentiating these systems depending on the flexibility offered to the workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of this study have been collected from a sample of 308 human resources managers in Spanish firms, through an online questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested by ordinary least squares regression analyses.

Findings

The results show that firms having more flexible compensation systems, that is, those providing greater freedom to workers in the election of their benefits and the design of the benefit system, reported to have a higher attraction and retention capacity than firms offering to their employees a unique and similar benefit package for all the employees.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies could extent this study by analyzing different contexts in order to determine whether some institutional factors can influence these results. Similarly, it would be interesting to analyze the effects of these systems on other organizational outcomes, such as their financial performance.

Practical implications

Human resources policies and, especially, compensation policies have a significant influence on the ability of firms to recruit and retain core employees, necessary for corporate success. This study sheds light on the effectiveness of different benefits systems in enhancing the firms’ capacities to attract and retain core employees. Taking into account the hard financial and labor environment that the Spanish firms have to face, the results of this study can have important implications for managers.

Originality/value

This paper responds to recent calls asking for the necessity of analyzing the effect of different benefit systems in contexts different to the broadly considered American context. Similarly, these results could be applied to other countries with conditions similar to Spain, that is, countries where the benefit systems have been traditionally less flexible and with an offer of benefits quite different than firms located in countries where the State offers a less-social assistance to citizens.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2013

Stephen Kim, Namwoon Kim, Jae H. Pae and Leslie Yip

This study aims to examine the strategic implications and managerial outcomes of the concurrent use of cooperation and competition in vertical channel relationships.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the strategic implications and managerial outcomes of the concurrent use of cooperation and competition in vertical channel relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a structured questionnaire to gather data regarding vertical channel relationships in China.

Findings

Whereas the academic literature has emphasized cooperation between channel members because of the interdependence between them, in reality, retailers may accept competition as just another part of doing business with suppliers.

Research limitations/implications

The outcome variables used may not be comprehensive. In particular, the authors choose the flexibility of channel resources to stand for private benefits and joint benefits to represent common benefits, and though these variables certainly represent the intended benefits of the ambidextrous strategy, it remains to be seen whether other benefits may emerge for the exchange parties in vertical relationships.

Practical implications

Using an ambidextrous strategy does not damage relationship quality, though it certainly does not enhance it. This view is based on the notion that an ambidextrous strategy at least does not harm either common or private benefits. Therefore, exchange parties using the ambidextrous strategy should not experience a relationship that is worse than that which results when they use cooperation or competition alone. The results of the current study indicate that this view reflects reality more accurately.

Originality/value

The value of the current study centers on the application of a conceptual framework regarding ambidextrous strategy to vertical channel relationships in a developing economy.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 October 2020

Barbara Gaudenzi, George A. Zsidisin and Roberta Pellegrino

Firms can choose from an array of approaches for reducing the detrimental financial effects caused by unfavorable fluctuations in commodity prices. The purpose of this paper is to…

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Abstract

Purpose

Firms can choose from an array of approaches for reducing the detrimental financial effects caused by unfavorable fluctuations in commodity prices. The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance for effectively estimating the financial effects of mitigating commodity price risk volatility (CPV) in supply chain management decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts two prominent and complementary methodologies, namely, total cost of ownership (TCO and real options valuation (ROV), to illustrate how commodity price risk mitigation strategies can be analyzed with respect to their effect on costs and performance. The paper provides insights through a case study to demonstrate the application of these methods together and establish the benefits and challenges associated with their implementation.

Findings

The paper illustrates advantages and disadvantages of TCO and ROV and how these approaches can be adopted together to contribute to effective purchasing decisions. Supply chain flexibility is a key capability but requires investments. Holistically measuring the financial effects of flexibility investments is imperative for gaining executive management support in mitigating commodity price volatility.

Research limitations/implications

This study can provide supply chain professionals with useful guidance for measuring the costs and benefits related to developing strategies for mitigating commodity price volatility. TCO provides a focus on the costs associated with the commodity purchasing process, and ROV enables the aggregation of all the costs and benefits associated with the use of the strategy and synthesizes them into the net value estimate.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comparison of different but complementary approaches, specifically TCO and ROV, for analyzing the effectiveness of CPV risk mitigation decisions. In addition, these two methods allow supply chain professionals to evaluate and control the financial effects of CPV risk, particularly the impact of mitigation on firm’s cash flows.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 October 2018

Svante Schriber, David R. King and Florian Bauer

The purpose of this paper is to develop the role of integration flexibility as a mediator of acquisition performance and demonstrate how this capability varies across firms.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the role of integration flexibility as a mediator of acquisition performance and demonstrate how this capability varies across firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a conceptual framework of anticipated relationships by building on existing but so far unintegrated acquisition research.

Findings

The study suggests integration flexibility provides an explanation for variance in acquisition performance. The study identifies drivers behind acquisition integration flexibility in acquirer characteristics, deal characteristics and integration management. The authors further specify the positive and negative impact of several key factors commonly discussed in acquisition research.

Research limitations/implications

Integration flexibility stands out as a novel explanation for acquisition performance. Still, the benefits from flexibility are not universal and developed logic suggests it represents a dynamic capability for acquirers. Our framework helps predict which acquirers and deals are more likely demonstrating this capability, thus contributing to predict acquisition performance.

Practical implications

Acquisitions often take place in dynamic environments and reportedly often fail. Predicting and developing acquisition integration flexibility stands out as an important task for acquiring management.

Social implications

Annual global acquisition values are on par with the GDP of large industrial nations (e.g. Germany) and failures for reasons of lacking acquisition integration flexibility contributes to value destruction harming not only firms, but society at large. Improved integration flexibility likely mediates this risk.

Originality/value

Making an acquisition to adapt to environmental change implicitly assumes greater integration that can limit flexibility. While our argument builds on key concepts from acquisition research these so far have remained unconnected in relation to acquisition integration flexibility. The authors develop factors influencing this important capability and show how it mediates acquisition performance. This links acquisition antecedents with integration or phases typically treated separately.

Details

Journal of Strategy and Management, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-425X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1995

Richard Cardinali

Discusses flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) and measures thebenefits of substituting production flexibility for inventory. Comparesthe trade‐offs that arise in balanced…

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Abstract

Discusses flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) and measures the benefits of substituting production flexibility for inventory. Compares the trade‐offs that arise in balanced operations, graphical models and some of the associated risks of flexible manufacturing implementation, operation and management. Also addresses the question of selecting flexibility over other techniques as well as benefits which flexibility provides. Examines a brief comparison between traditional and flexible manufacturing. Examples include illustrations of the benefits of FMS and cost flexibility, plus a view of the future role of FMS.

Details

Logistics Information Management, vol. 8 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6053

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 66000