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1 – 10 of over 3000Joakim Kembro and Kostas Selviaridis
– This paper aims to empirically explore demand-related information sharing in the extended supply chain.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to empirically explore demand-related information sharing in the extended supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a single, embedded case design, a range of methods are used to collect data from companies representing three different supply chain tiers, including focal company, first-tier suppliers and first-tier customers. The collected data are analysed through the theoretical lens of interdependence.
Findings
The findings indicate that the supply chain actors adapt information sharing to the pooled, serial or reciprocal type of interdependence. Information sharing is thus increased with key dyadic partners representing, for example, unique offerings and high market shares as percentage of total expenditure/sales. The study also unearths several barriers to information sharing beyond dyadic ties, including problems related to dis-aggregated, misinterpreted and/or incomplete information.
Research limitations/implications
The study empirically contributes to the existing literature by exploring information sharing in the extended supply chain and by suggesting different approaches to information sharing depending on the type and intensity of interdependence between supply chain partners. Further, the paper contributes to the existing literature on barriers of information sharing in supply chains by identifying barriers specific to multi-tier information sharing. “Meta-information” (i.e. information about the shared information) is needed to overcome some of the barriers of sharing information in cases of weak, pooled interdependencies in the supply chain.
Practical implications
Similar to previous empirical research, this exploratory study indicates that companies, in general, refrain from sharing information beyond dyadic ties. Supply chain managers would instead mostly focus on stronger, reciprocal interdependencies and emphasise dyadic information sharing. To further guide managers, a demand profiling framework considering market share and demand uncertainty is presented. It may be interesting to engage in multi-tier information sharing in particular cases where strong interdependence exists between three or more partners.
Originality/value
This study contributes to existing research on information sharing in supply chains by empirically studying information sharing in an extended supply chain, applying interdependence theory as its analytical framework and unearthing several barriers that are specific to multi-tier information sharing.
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Leonardo Marques, Paulo Lontra, Peter Wanke and Jorge Junio Moreira Antunes
This study analyzes whether power in the supply chain, based on governance modes and network centrality, explain financial performance at different levels of analysis: buyers…
Abstract
Purpose
This study analyzes whether power in the supply chain, based on governance modes and network centrality, explain financial performance at different levels of analysis: buyers, suppliers and dyads.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a dual macro-micro lens based on global value chain (i.e. market, modular, relational and captive governance modes) and social network analysis (network centrality) to assess the impact of power (im)balance onto financial performance. Different from previous research, this study adopts information reliability techniques – such as information entropy – to differentiate the weights of distinct financial performance metrics in terms of the maximal entropy principle. This principle states that the probability distribution that best represents the current state of knowledge given prior data is the one with largest entropy. These weights are used in TOPSIS analysis.
Findings
Results offer insightful reflections to SCM research. We show that buyers outperform suppliers due to power asymmetry. We ground our findings both analyzing across governance modes and comparing network centrality. We show that market and modular governances (where power balance prevails) outperform relational and captive modes at the dyadic level – thus inferring that in the long run these governance modes may lead to financially healthier supply chains.
Originality/value
This study advances SCM research by exploring the impact of governance modes and network centrality on performance at both firm and dyadic levels while employing an innovative combination of secondary data and robust set of techniques including TOPSIS, WASPAS and information entropy.
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Helena Forslund and Patrik Jonsson
The purpose of this paper is to explore how to integrate the performance management (PM) process of delivery service in customer/supplier dyads.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how to integrate the performance management (PM) process of delivery service in customer/supplier dyads.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a multiple case study of six customer/supplier dyads of manufacturing companies.
Findings
The analysis focuses on describing and comparing the activities of the PM process. Most activities show low levels of integration in the dyads studied. Defining metrics and target setting are considered most important to integrate. Lack of common metrics definitions and ERP deficiencies were important obstacles for integration. Research issues related to four areas of supply chain PM are discussed.
Research limitations/implications
The study ends with a number of suggestions for further research on the PM process in supply chains. Proceeding into these studies is necessary for increasing knowledge about PM.
Practical implications
The paper reveals practical problems and outlines practical issues in integrating and handling the PM process in dyads, especially when measuring delivery service using the on‐time delivery metric. It also presents a model for describing and integrating the PM process and its activities.
Originality/value
Practical implications and generation of multiple issues for further research applying a dyadic approach in supply chain PM, a research approach that is quite uncommon.
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Marco Formentini and Pietro Romano
Research on business-to-business (B2B) pricing has been mainly focussed on the supplier’s pricing process, thus adopting traditionally an internal perspective and perceiving…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on business-to-business (B2B) pricing has been mainly focussed on the supplier’s pricing process, thus adopting traditionally an internal perspective and perceiving pricing as a profit distribution parameter rather than an opportunity for collaboration with customers. Recently, the opportunity to develop win-win, collaborative relationships in the B2B pricing process by embracing a supply chain perspective has started to attract the attention of scholars across several research streams, who have highlighted the emergence of this topic using different definitions, perspectives and methodologies. The purpose of this paper is to address the need for integrating the fragmented body of knowledge on B2B pricing toward supply chain collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
This critical literature review adopts an interdisciplinary approach, focussing on industrial marketing and operations and supply chain management areas.
Findings
The authors provide a critical synthesis and discussion structured in four streams clustered around two dimensions, i.e. the “extension” of the collaboration in the pricing process along the supply chain and the “direction” of collaboration.
Research limitations/implications
Drawing on the literature gaps, the paper concludes by proposing an agenda for future research for a relevant topic both for academics and practitioners.
Originality/value
This paper offers a novel comprehensive view of the supply chain collaboration in the B2B pricing process and provides opportunities for intensifying dialogue across different research areas.
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Giovani J.C. da Silveira and Raffaella Cagliano
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between interorganizational information system (IOIS) adoption in supplier coordination and operations performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between interorganizational information system (IOIS) adoption in supplier coordination and operations performance improvements.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper focuses on the association between dyadic and multilateral IOISs and improvements in performance priorities associated with stable and dynamic supply networks, using data on 201 manufacturers in 13 countries from the international manufacturing strategy survey (IMSS) database. Regression models were used to test relationships between IOIS adoption and operations performance improvements.
Findings
Analysis indicates that dyadic IOISs appear to be more associated with the performance priorities of stable supply chains (cost, delivery, and quality), while multilateral IOISs appear to be more associated with the performance priorities of dynamic supply chains (flexibility and quality).
Research limitations/implications
Survey data were collected in the years 2000 and 2001. Some of the conclusions might be reassessed in light of recent developments in information technology. Data were limited to medium/large manufacturers of fabricated metal products, machinery, and equipment.
Practical implications
Findings suggest that the choice of IOISs must follow the company's product portfolio and supply chain configuration. Dynamic networks with innovative products may benefit from multilateral IOISs; stable networks with functional products may benefit from dyadic IOISs.
Originality/value
This appears to be the first study to provide empirical evidence to performance effects of IOISs in light of existing supply chain frameworks.
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Rita Henriikka Lavikka, Riitta Smeds and Miia Jaatinen
– The paper aims to compare the coordination of supply chain networks in contractually different complex construction projects.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to compare the coordination of supply chain networks in contractually different complex construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A comparative case study of the coordination of collaborative work in two successful hospital construction projects was conducted. One of the projects applied multiple dyadic contracts, whereas the other project applied one multi-party contract between the parties. The projects were located in the USA. Data were collected by observing the coordination on the construction sites for six weeks and by conducting 72 interviews.
Findings
The paper shows that depending on the contract type, the timing and extent of complementary procedural coordination differs during projects. Compared with one multi-party contract, the dyadic contracts needed to be complemented during the design phase with three additional procedural coordination mechanisms: organizational design, processes for collaborative work and integrated concurrent engineering sessions. Additionally, common rules of conduct were taken into use during the construction phase. However, regardless of the contract type, procedural coordination mechanisms, such as co-located working, collaborative decision-making in inter-organizational meetings, a liaison role and shared project goals were needed throughout the projects.
Practical implications
If multiple dyadic contracts are applied, procedural coordination mechanisms have to be co-created by all supply chain parties at the beginning of the project.
Originality/value
The paper provides an understanding on successful contractual and complementary procedural coordination mechanisms of supply chain networks in complex construction projects.
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Kati Marttinen and Anni-Kaisa Kähkönen
A firm's ability to cascade sustainability requirements further down to lower-tier suppliers might be affected by inter-firm power relations. This study aimed to identify the…
Abstract
Purpose
A firm's ability to cascade sustainability requirements further down to lower-tier suppliers might be affected by inter-firm power relations. This study aimed to identify the power sources of focal firms and first- and lower-tier suppliers and to investigate how they may affect their ability to cascade sustainability requirements along multi-tier supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple case study of 24 companies was conducted to investigate the sources of power in multi-tier supply chains. In total, 42 informants from five focal companies, ten first-tier suppliers and nine lower-tier suppliers were interviewed.
Findings
Differences were found between the sources from which focal firms and first- and lower-tier suppliers drew power. Findings revealed that firms' power sources may increase or impair their ability to cascade sustainability requirements to lower supply chain tiers. Furthermore, multi-tier supply chain-level power sources constitute a significant determinant of firms' ability to disseminate sustainability requirements to lower-tier suppliers.
Practical implications
The results can help companies and purchasing managers understand how their own and suppliers' power may affect their ability to cascade sustainability agendas to lower-tier suppliers. In particular, the results can be useful for supplier selection and the development of supplier relationship management strategies for fostering sustainability in multi-tier supply chains.
Originality/value
This study places traditional power perspectives in the context of multi-tier sustainable supply chain management, broadening the view beyond dyadic relationships that have traditionally been the focus of the supply management literature.
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Joe Miemczyk, Thomas E. Johnsen and Monica Macquet
This paper provides a structured literature review of sustainability in purchasing and supply management, moving beyond the traditional environmental and social sustainability…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper provides a structured literature review of sustainability in purchasing and supply management, moving beyond the traditional environmental and social sustainability. The paper reviews the concept of sustainability at three levels of inter‐organizational analysis – i.e. dyad, supply chain and network. The paper distils the nature and scope of existing research and synthesizes measures used to research sustainability across organizational boundaries.
Design/methodology/approach
This literature review systematically analyzes existing literature. In particular, the review focuses on definitions and measures of sustainable purchasing and supply management to obtain an accurate view of current research.
Findings
This paper uncovers two distinct trends in the type of research carried out. First, internal or dyadic issues are in focus and second, a tendency to deal with environmental, as opposed to social, sustainability. Despite the need to look beyond the dyad given the risks associated with the extended network, few studies do so in any of the sustainability dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
This review is limited by the method employed focusing on definitions and measures. Although the review considers supply chain and network research, it does so purely from a purchasing perspective, thus excluding issues such as logistics and transport.
Practical implications
The paper identifies areas open to future research and provides practical insights into how sustainable purchasing and supply are measured. It also synthesizes existing measures of sustainability at different levels and organizes these into a taxonomy.
Originality/value
The paper examines studies across multiple levels of analysis and integrates multiple fields of knowledge to show how research on sustainability in purchasing and supply is structured.
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One practical challenge in managing logistics performance concerns the size, or the number of actors involved, in a performance measurement (PM) system. The first objective of…
Abstract
Purpose
One practical challenge in managing logistics performance concerns the size, or the number of actors involved, in a performance measurement (PM) system. The first objective of this paper is to describe and compare the advantages and disadvantages of four logistics performance measurement system sizes. The second objective is to develop a model of the factors affecting logistics PM system size.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual paper based on a literature review.
Findings
Internal PM systems were related to advantages connected with convenience and the avoidance of implementation problems. Disadvantages of an applied system were severe, especially in a supply chain context. Supply chain PM systems contained attractive advantages that can be reached with an applied system. However, a number of disadvantages in the shape of implementation problems must be handled. A model of the factors affecting the decision on logistics PM system sizes was developed. Power, purpose and implementation were found to be important factors. Five propositions were formulated.
Research limitations/implications
The contribution of this paper is mainly theoretical; the results remain unverified until empirical studies are conducted.
Practical implications
The paper can be seen as a first step towards new knowledge on how logistics PM system size is decided.
Originality/value
As little research exists in the area, this paper highlights the theoretical aspects of a practical challenge.
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Roger Moser, Daniel Kern, Sina Wohlfarth and Evi Hartmann
The purpose of this paper is to develop a benchmarking framework for the analysis of the supply network configuration of companies and exemplify its applications in the Indian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a benchmarking framework for the analysis of the supply network configuration of companies and exemplify its applications in the Indian automotive sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors combine elements of relationship and network theories from different research streams to develop a three‐level supply network configuration benchmarking framework including a dyadic supply chain and network perspective. The analysis of two case companies exemplifies how different supply networks in emerging markets are depending on the specific strategies and institutional context.
Findings
The framework works well with the two case studies presented. A major player in the Indian automotive industry is benchmarked against a newcomer in this emerging country. The results can be used to improve each firm's supplier base management approach and create more efficiency in their further development.
Originality/value
This paper builds on current theories to develop a benchmarking framework for supply network configuration analysis combining the dyadic, chain, and network level into one framework. The case example exemplifies the developed framework.
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