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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 4 September 2024

Maria Björklund, Helena Forslund and Veronica Svensson Ülgen

Contradictory sustainability priorities and perspectives among supply chain actors in greening transportation can be challenging. Several of these contradictions can be described…

Abstract

Purpose

Contradictory sustainability priorities and perspectives among supply chain actors in greening transportation can be challenging. Several of these contradictions can be described as paradoxes (i.e. interests that are logical in themselves, but become irrational when perceived together). The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of paradoxical tensions hampering the greening of transportation in transport buyer–supplier dyads.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study method targeting greening transportation in two transport buyer–supplier dyads was applied, followed by an analysis with a point-of-departure in paradox theory.

Findings

Tensions related to performing, belonging, learning and organizing paradoxes in greening transportation were identified. These tensions arise as a consequence of actions, perspectives and other tensions, within three identified loci in individual companies and in dyads.

Research limitations/implications

By identifying examples of tensions through the lens of paradoxes in a particular setting, this study provides an increased understanding of why the transition toward green transportation goes slow, despite the high ambitions of involved actors. The suggested framework provides a novel contribution to the literature that further increases the understanding of tensions, by providing additional insights into where tensions arise and how actions, perspectives and tensions in one place of a locus spectrum can disseminate along that spectrum.

Originality/value

This study is original because it applies paradox theory and the four categories of performing, belonging, learning and organizing within the field of greening transportation, and in particular as a lens to study interactions between different actors.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 September 2024

Susanne Åberg and Poul Houman Andersen

This paper aims to explore the role of heuristics in the reassessment of relationship events and how it influences perceptions of commitment, fairness and relationship value. It…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of heuristics in the reassessment of relationship events and how it influences perceptions of commitment, fairness and relationship value. It answers the question of how heuristics interrelate with decision-makers’ evolving interpretations of commitment, fairness and relationship value in a specific buyer-supplier relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents data from a longitudinal study of an evolving buyer–supplier relationship involving a multinational supplier of fast-moving consumer goods and a medium-sized and highly specialized supplier. It analyzes qualitative data about the use of heuristics in buyer–supplier relationships, and it is based on evidence collected from interviews, presentations, meetings and secondary data.

Findings

This paper shows that a buyer’s unexpected behavior can lead to a reassessment of commitment, fairness and relationship value. Heuristics can delay relationship reassessments, however. The case shows that heuristics have a preserving quality and that the effect of transformative events only slowly changes the perception of the value of the relationship. In this change process, the link between commitment, perceived fairness and heuristics is crucial.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research on the relationship between buyer–supplier relationships and heuristics. In particular, the paper contributes to the understanding of how relational events in a buyer-supplier relationship change the commitment and perception of fairness, and how heuristics change accordingly. On a more overarching level, the study contributes to our understanding of business relationship dynamics.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2024

Yu (Jade) Chu and Yanji Duan

While size asymmetry in buyer–supplier relationships has been studied in non-disruption contexts, this research explores how supplier size influences positive and negative supply…

Abstract

Purpose

While size asymmetry in buyer–supplier relationships has been studied in non-disruption contexts, this research explores how supplier size influences positive and negative supply chain disruptions. Anchoring on the commitment-trust theory (CTT), we explore buyer commitment as a mediating variable and examine how buying firms' mediated power usage depends on different supplier sizes and types of supplier-induced disruptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Through two scenario-based behavioral experiments, we discover different patterns in buyers' use of mediated power, contingent on the types of supplier-induced disruptions.

Findings

In negative disruptions, buyers prefer more mediated power with large suppliers to control uncertainties, using reward or coercive power strategies. In positive disruptions, we find opposite results, indicating different buyers' perceptions and actions are contingent on both the supplier size and the types of disruptions. These findings underscore the complex interplay between supplier size, buyer commitment and mediated power strategies, revealing that disruption type significantly shapes buyer responses.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends the CTT framework by considering new antecedents and outcomes. We also provide a more comprehensive understanding of buyer behavior when facing positive and negative supplier-induced disruptions. Our study has limitations. Through vignette-based behavioral experiments, there is a risk that scenarios may not accurately represent real-life situations and that decision-making dynamics could be oversimplified. Future research should incorporate nuanced measurements and conduct additional qualitative research for a comprehensive understanding.

Originality/value

This study enriches the understanding of the buyer-supplier relationship by expanding the CTT framework for a more comprehensive picture. We also offer nuanced insights into size dynamics and disruption types, emphasizing tailored strategies in supply chain management. The findings underscore the importance of understanding these nuances to employ tailored strategy in a business-to-business (B2B) context, as mediated power is contingent on multiple factors.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 August 2024

Odai Khamaiseh, Mohammad Alghababsheh, Saowanit Lekhavat and Mushfiqur Rahman

This study examines the impact of inter-organisational justice (i.e. distributive, procedural and interactional) in the buyer–supplier relationship on supply risk and, in turn, on…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the impact of inter-organisational justice (i.e. distributive, procedural and interactional) in the buyer–supplier relationship on supply risk and, in turn, on a firm’s marketing and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured survey was administered both online and in-person to Jordan-based manufacturing companies. The 137 responses received were analysed using partial least structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study found that while establishing both procedural and interactional justice in the relationship has a negative impact on supply risk, promoting distributive justice, surprisingly, has no impact. Moreover, supply risk was found to be detrimental to the firm’s marketing and financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study considers only the direct role of inter-organisational justice in reducing supply risk. Future research could enhance our understanding of this role by exploring the underlying mechanisms and conditions that could govern it.

Practical implications

Managers can alleviate supply risk by ensuring procedural and interactional justice in the relationship through involving suppliers in the decision-making processes, consistently adhering to established procedures and communicating transparent and ample information.

Social implications

Addressing supply risk can help in maintaining community resilience and economic stability.

Originality/value

The study highlights inter-organisational justice as a new approach to mitigating supply risk. Moreover, by examining how supply risk can affect a firm’s marketing performance, it also highlights a new implication of supply risk. Furthermore, by exclusively examining the impact of supply risk on a firm’s financial performance, the study provides a more nuanced interpretation of the effect of supply risk and how it can be reduced.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 September 2024

Sichu Xiong, Antony Paulraj, Jing Dai and Chandra Ade Irawan

Firms are increasingly digitalizing their business processes and expanding them into digital platforms, which are believed to generate digital and relational resources that can…

Abstract

Purpose

Firms are increasingly digitalizing their business processes and expanding them into digital platforms, which are believed to generate digital and relational resources that can facilitate and deliver innovations for firms. Instead of focusing on the extent of digital integration capability (DI), this paper seeks to empirically evaluate whether the DI asymmetry between the buyer and supplier firms influences bilateral information sharing and the buyer’s product innovation. We also examine the moderating effects of firms’ external (environmental dynamism) and internal (innovative climate) environments on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary and secondary archival data on 180 buyer-supplier Chinese dyadic relationships were collected and analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Additionally, the Process macro was used to shed a nuanced light on the moderation effects of environmental dynamism and innovative climate.

Findings

The results show that DI asymmetry negatively impacts buyer firms’ product innovation through decreased information sharing. Environmental dynamism weakens the negative relationship between DI asymmetry and information sharing. Meanwhile, the innovative climate negatively moderates the relationship between information sharing and product innovation.

Originality/value

This study adds knowledge to the literature regarding the dark side of “one-sided digitalization.” By exploring the influences of unbalanced DI in buyer-supplier relationships, this study yields essential theoretical and managerial implications for product innovation success in a digital era.

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: 12 August 2024

Jing Dai, Yao “Henry” Jin, David E. Cantor, Isaac Elking and Laharish Guntuka

Despite the important role that suppliers have in enhancing the environmental performance of a buyer firm, previous research has not investigated the individual-level motivations…

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the important role that suppliers have in enhancing the environmental performance of a buyer firm, previous research has not investigated the individual-level motivations of supplier employees (representatives) in supplier-to-supplier environmental knowledge sharing. Thus, we use insights from the coopetition literature to examine how buyer firms can encourage supplier-to-supplier environmental knowledge sharing with the aim of improving the buyer’s environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

We empirically test our model using an online vignette-based experiment administered to supply chain managers. We contextualized our results using insights from interviews with senior managers representing firms operating in a broad array of industries.

Findings

We find that a supplier representative’s personal environmental values influence their commitment to an environmental consortium with a rival firm, and they are subsequently willing to share proprietary environmental knowledge. In turn, these relationships are moderated by situational factors including competitive intensity and buyer power.

Originality/value

The study of coopetition is an emerging stream of research in operations management. Our findings improve the understanding on how a focal actor within a buyer–supplier coopetitive network can promote environmental knowledge sharing behavior.

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 February 1970

T. Cannon and G.J. Goodhard

Studies purchasing behaviour for the leading brands of a frequently bought household product and discusses this. Enquires in depth about the nature and habits of those buyers of a…

Abstract

Studies purchasing behaviour for the leading brands of a frequently bought household product and discusses this. Enquires in depth about the nature and habits of those buyers of a brand – who in a given time period purchase that brand to the exclusion of competitors. Focuses on the purchasing behaviour of sole buyers (who mostly buy only one particular brand). Examines the incidence of sole buyers; frequency of buying, and period‐to‐period repeat buying; how many in a given period; how often purchased in that period; and how many buy it again in the next period? Concludes that present findings give one answer – showing that the sole buyer as defined is more regular in his/her buying behaviour than is the average buyer of the brand.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 November 2007

John Phillips, Julian Runnicles and Jeffery Schwartz

The purpose of this paper is to explore certain remaining differences in the underlying legal considerations and the differing customs and practices of US and UK mergers and…

359

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore certain remaining differences in the underlying legal considerations and the differing customs and practices of US and UK mergers and acquisitions in relation to certain issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A review was undertaken of the leading cases in the UK and various states of the USA and custom and practice in the UK and USA, in each case in relation to the following areas: representations and warranties; disclosure; the effect of the buyer's knowledge; repetition of warranties/representations; and material adverse change.

Findings

Although the historical differences between UK and US mergers and acquisitions are diminishing as the frequency of trans‐atlantic transactions increases, there remain certain variances which have important implications for the allocation of risk between a buyer and seller in any trans‐atlantic merger or acquisition.

Originality/value

This paper is useful for professional advisers acting in connection with a trans‐atlantic merger or acquisition and for buyers and sellers contemplating such transactions.

Details

Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1358-1988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2007

Zhang Cui‐hua and Yu Hai‐bin

Moral hazard and adverse selection often exist in asymmetric information environment. In this paper, quality investment decision problem is studied under moral hazard. A basic…

Abstract

Moral hazard and adverse selection often exist in asymmetric information environment. In this paper, quality investment decision problem is studied under moral hazard. A basic model for quality investment level decision is developed with the supplier as a principal and the buyer as an agent. And then we regard the supplier and the buyer’s rational limitations to set up a model when the buyer’s quality evaluation and processing activities are hidden. The model is optimized and the results under different backgrounds are discussed and compared. Results show that the buyer’s quality evaluation level and processing level are mostly influenced by the supplier’s quality assurance payment. Both the supplier and the buyer choose different quality investment levels under moral hazard because of the supplier’s payment to the buyer in case of internal failure and external failure.

Details

Asian Journal on Quality, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1598-2688

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1997

Anthony R. Bennett

Advances the case for a new marketing paradigm: a paradigm that is driven by the needs of the market, rather than the organization. Examines the notion of targeting, from the…

17881

Abstract

Advances the case for a new marketing paradigm: a paradigm that is driven by the needs of the market, rather than the organization. Examines the notion of targeting, from the perspective of the buyer, a concept labelled by the author as “buyer disposition” ‐ the process undertaken by buyers when sourcing a product or service. Argues that the disposition of the buyer towards a product or service, or supplier, during the sourcing process can be represented by five criteria, termed the “five Vs”: value, viability, volume, variety and virtue. Proposes that the five Vs can be used in conjunction with the marketing mix to enable a supplier or provider to achieve a more detailed understanding of the buying process, and ultimately of product/service adoption. Argues that a fundamental understanding of buyers’ needs and wants, through the eyes of the buyer, will help to generate a stronger and more strategic focus on the achievement of marketing objectives.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

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