Search results

1 – 10 of over 87000
Article
Publication date: 7 September 2010

H. Kurt Christensen

In the author's experience, even veteran executives often make statements about competitive advantage that reflect either genuine misunderstanding or casual misuse of the term

9708

Abstract

Purpose

In the author's experience, even veteran executives often make statements about competitive advantage that reflect either genuine misunderstanding or casual misuse of the term. This paper aims to offer a clear explanation of what constitutes competitive advantage so as to facilitate identification, assessment and strategizing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a definition of competitive advantage that differs from that proposed by many textbooks. It is based on the idea that competitive advantage can only be defined in terms of customer value.

Findings

A number of cases are examined in the light of the customer value approach to identifying competitive advantage.

Practical implications

Company executives learn to periodically engage in systematic information gathering regarding customer‐perceived competitive advantages.

Originality/value

Organizations that adopt this customer‐perceived approach to competitive advantage can make better assessments of where to expend their efforts and resources to outmaneuver their rivals and improve profitability.

Details

Strategy & Leadership, vol. 38 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1087-8572

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2023

It Nguyen Van, Thanh Tiep Le and Anna Kotaskova

This study aims to show how market orientation (MO), brand (BR) and business strategy (cost leadership strategy and differentiation strategy), which play mediating and moderating…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to show how market orientation (MO), brand (BR) and business strategy (cost leadership strategy and differentiation strategy), which play mediating and moderating roles, respectively, can increase competitive advantage (CA). With a focus on brand, market orientation, cost leadership strategy (CS) and differentiation strategy (DS), as well as an analysis of variance control on varying business sizes per business seniority, the current study made a theoretical contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was created using a quantitative methodological technique. The surveyed data were collected from 379 managers or owners who participated in a face-to-face survey at different food processing companies in Vietnam. To test the hypotheses, the gathered information was examined utilizing multigroup analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The brand was found to have the greatest positive impact on competitive advantage, followed by a business strategy that positively influenced competitive advantage, and, finally, business strategies that significantly moderated the third strong positive impact between market orientation and competitive advantage. Market orientation has the fourth strong positive impact on competitive advantage, whereas brand has the lowest positive impact on market orientation.

Originality/value

This is the first investigation, according to the authors’ knowledge, into the role of market orientation as a mediator in the relationship between brand and competitive advantage in addition to the regulatory role of business strategy at two strategic levels: cost leadership and strategic focus as well as the difference between competitive advantage and market orientation in the Vietnamese food sector.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2021

Ayman Wael Al-Khatib and Eyad Mustafa Al-ghanem

The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of radical innovation and incremental innovation on the competitive advantage of Jordanian industrial companies and identify…

3131

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of radical innovation and incremental innovation on the competitive advantage of Jordanian industrial companies and identify the moderating role of technological intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study’s purposes, 303 questionnaires from employees of 30 manufacturing firms were analysed. Convergent validity and discriminant validity tests were performed through structural equation modelling in the Smart-PLS programme. Data reliability was confirmed. A bootstrapping technique was used to analyse the data. Multi-group analysis was performed to investigate the moderating role of technological intensity.

Findings

Empirical results showed that both radical innovation and incremental innovation explain 60.2% of the variance in competitive advantage and that both constructs have a statistically significant effect on competitive advantage. The results also revealed that the relationship between radical innovation and competitive advantage is modified through the high-tech industries. Meanwhile, the relationship between incremental innovation and competitive advantage is modified through the low-tech industries.

Research limitations/implications

This cross-sectional study provides a snapshot at a given moment in time, a methodological limitation that affects the generalization of its results and the results are limited to one country, Jordan.

Practical implications

This study promotes the idea of focusing on radical and incremental innovation to enhance competitive advantage in the Jordanian manufacturing sector and knowing the effect of technological intensity in this relationship.

Originality/value

This study has important implications for leaders in the Jordanian manufacturing sector in general, as the study highlights the importance of radical innovation and incremental innovation to enhance the competitive advantage, especially in light of the technological intensity in this sector, and thus, increase the innovative capabilities of this firms, which leads to an increase in the level of competitive advantage.

Details

European Business Review, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-534X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2019

Nadeesha Abeysekara, Haijun Wang and Duminda Kuruppuarachchi

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which firms in the Sri Lankan apparel industry practice supply-chain-resilience (SCRes) capabilities and examine whether…

4830

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which firms in the Sri Lankan apparel industry practice supply-chain-resilience (SCRes) capabilities and examine whether SCRes practices affect the performance and competitive advantage of those firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses a conceptual framework to assess SCRes capabilities and to investigate their impact on firm performance and competitive advantage. Uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to quantitatively analyze questionnaire data collected from 89 Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers.

Findings

In the presence of SCRes capabilities in the apparel industry, this study finds that supply-chain risk-management culture positively affects SCRes capabilities, namely re-engineering, agility and collaboration. Agility shows the greatest influence on firm performance and competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the apparel industry sector (a manufacturing sector) in Sri Lanka to maintain the uniformity of the research constructs.

Practical implications

Results imply that management should pay more attention to enhancing SCRMC and prioritizing their SCRes capabilities.

Originality/value

This study is the first to assess SCRes capabilities in the apparel-manufacturing sector and examine the impact of SCRes capabilities on firm performance and competitive advantage.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 25 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 February 2022

Anggraeni Permatasari, Wawan Dhewanto and Dina Dellyana

Indonesian woven craft small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have encountered several difficulties in sustaining their success in the digital era. The performance of the…

1455

Abstract

Purpose

Indonesian woven craft small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have encountered several difficulties in sustaining their success in the digital era. The performance of the business is contingent upon its ability to gain competitive advantage through traditional knowledge capabilities. The purpose of this research is to study the role of traditional knowledge management processes towards competitive advantage and sustainable performance for woven craft SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a quantitative approach with a survey strategy. Confirmatory research was conducted to test five hypotheses to determine the causal relationship of four variables, namely, traditional knowledge management, dynamic capabilities, competitive advantage and sustainable performance. This study used a purposive sampling strategy and gathered data from 385 respondents. The sample was selected based on predetermined criteria, including operation for more than five years and entrepreneurial activity using traditional knowledge as a resource to manage product innovation. The analytical technique used was structural equation modelling with the support of the AMOS programme.

Findings

The findings indicated that traditional knowledge management processes directly affect dynamic capabilities and sustainable performance. This study also found traditional knowledge management processes play a significant role in enhancing competitive advantage mediated by dynamic capabilities. However, traditional knowledge management processes have no significant effect on competitive advantage. Hence, there is a significant effect contributed by the relationship between traditional knowledge management processes and sustainable performance. Therefore, in the context of craft woven SMEs, the higher the traditional knowledge-based capabilities, the higher their sustainable performance.

Originality/value

The novelty shows a direct relationship between traditional knowledge management processes and sustainable performance. This study also found traditional knowledge management processes meditated by dynamic capabilities have a relationship with competitive advantage. Traditional knowledge management processes will trigger an increase in dynamic capability which is a source of business development; those conditions will increase sustainable performance. Traditional knowledge-based capability is an antecedent of sustainable performance. The benefits of this research can be used as scientific literature regarding the link between traditional knowledge management processes, competitive advantage and sustainable performance. The results of this study can also be used as a basis for empowering traditional woven craft SMEs in Indonesia.

Details

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6204

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2017

Dhruba Kumar Gautam and Sunita Bhandari Ghimire

This paper aims to assess the existing situation of psychological empowerment to employees and explore the relationship between psychological empowerment and competitive…

1568

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the existing situation of psychological empowerment to employees and explore the relationship between psychological empowerment and competitive advantages in service sector of Nepal.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed descriptive cum exploratory research design. Data collected through structured questionnaire based on Menon’s three-component model and Wright’s four-component model used to measure psychological employment and competitive advantages from employees of banking and hospital sector.

Findings

Psychological empowerment of employees in service sector is significantly different between public and private organizations. Even though the factors that are extracted are quite different than of Western practices, psychological empowerment has positive and significant impact on the competitive advantages.

Research limitations/implications

This study is mainly based on service sector of Nepal: Banking and Hospital.

Practical implications

This paper is useful to academicians and practitioners seeking to develop psychological empowerment to achieve competitive advantages in their organizations and help to add values in people management areas particularly in South Asian corporations.

Originality/value

This is perhaps the very first investigation of its kind in the Nepalese context.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 59 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 March 2022

Wenfu Wang, Dongsheng Zhang, Hongwei Wang, Qingxiang Zhu and Hakimeh Morabbi Heravi

To attain green economic efficiency, small, micro and medium-sized firms must follow environmental paradigms. This research aims to discover the relationship between green…

Abstract

Purpose

To attain green economic efficiency, small, micro and medium-sized firms must follow environmental paradigms. This research aims to discover the relationship between green intellectual capital, green entrepreneurial orientation, green marketing, green organizational culture and competitive advantage strategies to attain sustainable manufacturing business success.

Design/methodology/approach

Today, many companies have accepted their responsibilities, that their operations should not harm the environment. This paper aims to discover the relationship between green factors and competitive advantage strategies to succeed in sustainable manufacturing. The employees of the large manufacturing firms in China are the sample population of the present investigation. Through simple random sampling, surveys were distributed via email. The present study was a quantitative analysis. The analytical tool utilized here was structural equation modeling and SmartPLS program applications.

Findings

The empirical outcomes find that green intellectual capital positively influences competitive advantages and sustainable success in business. In addition, the impact of green entrepreneurial orientation on competitive advantages and sustainable success is positive and significant. The findings illustrated that green marketing is an essential factor in competitive advantage and sustainable success in business. Another point is that green organizational culture positively affects competitive advantages and sustainable success. Finally, competitive advantages have significantly affected sustainable success in business.

Practical implications

The outcomes help specialists enhance their practices to reflect sustainable business efficiency and competitive advantages.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examined businesses' sustainable success and green factors in a comprehensive model and using a specific sample of manufacturing companies based on green technologies.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 November 2019

Dimitra Kalaitzi, Aristides Matopoulos, Michael Bourlakis and Wendy Tate

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of supply chain strategies that manufacturing companies can use to minimise or overcome natural resource scarcity, and…

3431

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of supply chain strategies that manufacturing companies can use to minimise or overcome natural resource scarcity, and ultimately improve resource efficiency and achieve competitive advantage. The relationship between resource efficiency and competitive advantage is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed research model draws on resource dependence theory. Data were collected from 183 logistics, purchasing, sustainability and supply chain managers from various manufacturing companies and analysed by applying the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The results indicate that both buffering and bridging strategies improve resource efficiency; however, only bridging strategies seem to lead to firm’s competitive advantage in terms of ownership and accessibility to resources. The relationship between resource efficiency and competitive advantage is not supported.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could confirm the robustness of these findings by using a larger sample size and taking into account other supply chain members.

Practical implications

This research provides guidance to managers faced with the growing risk of resource scarcity to achieve a resource efficient supply chain and an advantage over competitors.

Originality/value

Studies have explored the appropriate strategies for minimising dependencies caused by the scarcity of natural resources in the field of supply chain management; however, there is limited empirical work on investigating the impact of these strategies on resource efficiency and competitive advantage.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 39 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 May 2018

Thomas Anning-Dorson

The purpose of this paper is to explain how emerging market firms create competitive advantage through innovation. The study through the upper echelon theory and the power…

6647

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how emerging market firms create competitive advantage through innovation. The study through the upper echelon theory and the power distance cultural perspective examines the mediating role of organisational leadership in the innovation and competitive advantage relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the service sectors of two emerging economies, i.e. India and Ghana. Robust standard error regressions were run at two levels. First, at the specific country level and later on the aggregated level for robustness check.

Findings

The results show that in both India and Ghana, innovation largely relates positively with competitive advantage. In specific terms, market innovation was found to be the most significant determinant of competitive advantage in both contexts. Additionally, organisational leadership was also found to be mediating between innovation and competitive advantage in both contexts independently and collectively to confirm the effect of power distance and leadership role in such cultures.

Research limitations/implications

The current study looks at only two emerging markets with high power distance cultures. The implication is that the impact of leadership may differ in emerging economies with low power distance.

Originality/value

The current study looks beyond the mundane relationship between financial performance measures and innovation to assess innovation and competitive advantage in emerging markets context, which has not received the needed attention. It further explains how emerging markets firms can ride on the back of power distance to create a competitive advantage with their innovation development and implementation through organisational innovation leadership. The study offers that the maximum exploitation of the beneficial effect of innovation – competitive advantage – in service firms can only be achieved when leaders spearhead the innovation process and see it through implementation.

Details

International Marketing Review, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-1335

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Nurdjanah Hamid

This paper aims to investigate the factor analysis for balanced scorecard (BSC) as measuring competitive advantage of infrastructure assets of owned state ports in Indonesia…

1105

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the factor analysis for balanced scorecard (BSC) as measuring competitive advantage of infrastructure assets of owned state ports in Indonesia: Pelindo IV, Makassar, Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This investigation adopts an explanatory and an exploratory qualitative case study method to analyze the effectiveness of BSC over the strategy management processes. For data collection, the researchers have used semi-structured interviews, direct observation and document collection. Data collection was made during a six-month period, which allowed gaining of deep knowledge on the culture and management methods used in alpha. Other data collected refer to the company’s documentation and reporting of online media publications. Detailed interview data are the main data sources, which allow obtaining of a detailed and holistic understanding of the experience, opinions and attitudes of the interviewees. Interviews focus on asset management to determine the relationship between various factors. This study adopts ideal BSC principle (four perspectives) to develop strategic map for infrastructure asset of Pelindo IV. Analysis tools using factor analysis for the indicators (financial, customer, learning-growth and internal process) measure the competitive advantages. The data for factor analysis from the perception of each stakeholder using questionnaire are collected.

Findings

The competitive advantages of Pelindo IV depend on 81.2 per cent from financial perspective, customer perspective, internal process perspective and learning perspective, and 18.2 per cent from the other factor. The result of measurement model of competitive advantage in Figure 2 is significantly (p-value < 0.05) measured by financial perspective performance, customer perspective performance, internal process perspective performance and learning perspective performance. On the basis of the highest coefficient loading factor, it can be shown that the most powerful competitive advantages are measured by learning perspective. The high value of competitive advantage of Pelindo IV, Makassar, Indonesia, is especially seen from the learning perspective performance. The order result of BSC for measuring the competitive advantages is as follows: learning perspective performance, financial perspective performance, customer perspective performance and internal process perspective performance.

Originality/value

Originality of this study looks at the following three points: first, the measurement competitive advantages. Previous studies used measurements of cost leadership strategy, differential strategy and focus strategy as competitive advantages measuring (Porter, 1985; Warf and Stutz, 2007; Clulow et al., 2003). This study uses BSCs with four indicators (financial perspective result, customer perspective result, internal process perspective result and learning perspective). Second, on the other hand, several studies have investigated the BSCs as performance measurement (Ozturk and Coskun, 2014; Malgwi and Dahiru, 2014; Binden et al., 2014). Third, this study uses the factor analysis to measure the competitive advantage by BSCs, which is different from the previous study analysis.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 60 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 87000