Search results

The purpose of this paper is to understand how reverse resource exchanges and resource dependencies are managed in the service supply chain (SSC) of returnable transport packaging (RTP).

A single case study was conducted in the context of automotive logistics focusing on the RTP SSC. Data were collected through 16 interviews, primarily with managers of a logistics service provider (LSP) and document analysis of contractual agreements with key customers of the packaging service.

Resource dependencies among actors in the SSC result from the importance of the RTP for the customer’s production processes, the competition among users for RTP and the negative implications of the temporary unavailability of RTP for customers and the LSP (in terms of service performance). Amongst other things, the LSP is dependent on its customers and third-party users (e.g. the customer’s suppliers) for the timely return of package resources. The role of inter-firm integration and collaboration, formal contracts as well as customers’ power and influence over third-party RTP users are stressed as key mechanisms for managing LSP’s resource dependencies.

A resource dependence theory (RDT) lens is used to analyse how reverse resource exchanges and associated resource dependencies in SSCs are managed, thus complementing the existing SSC literature emphasising the bi-directionality of resource flows. The study also extends the recent SSC literature stressing the role of contracting by empirically demonstrating how formal contracts can be mobilised to explicate resource dependencies and to specify, and regulate, reverse exchanges in the SSC.

The research suggests that logistics providers can effectively manage their resource dependencies and regulate reverse exchanges in the SSC by deploying contractual governance mechanisms and leveraging their customers’ influence over third-party RTP users.

The study is novel in its application of RDT, which enhances our understanding of the management of reverse exchanges and resource dependencies in SSCs.

This paper aims to examine the idea that an individual’s attitudes and beliefs toward change depend on the quality of the dyadic relationships formed through his/her ego network. Specifically, the focus of the research question is to test if an individual with high quality dyadic ties to others who have a favorable outlook on change will also have a favorable outlook on change.

The research sample consisted of 100 full-time hotel employees working in six city hotels located in Thessaloniki, Greece. To test the research question, three approaches were used including: a descriptive social network analysis (SNA), multiple regression and homophily testing based on Moran and Geary autocorrelations.

Even though the SNA provided some valuable findings on the way structures and tie quality connected the participants, the results from the regression analysis and homophily testing indicated a lack of a positive relationship linking dyadic ties and behavioral intention toward change suggesting that dyadic ties do not influence behavioral intentions in a way that can be considered favorable to change.

Managers need to be aware that employees’ network relationship quality at the dyadic level is insufficient to create a supportive environment toward change. Therefore, dyadic ties significant contribution through SNA is the identification of power centers, influential people, interdepartmental links and interdependencies necessary to disseminate the change message and build sustainable momentum.

The limited number of prior empirical studies have thus far approached relationship quality as a concept composed of either emotional, psychological or technical features. This study differs by adopting the dimensions of tangibles, empathy, responsiveness, reliability and assurance existing in the TERRA model and by determining whether the dyadic tie quality positively impacts individual behavior toward change through the employment of a tripartite examination to strengthen the validation of similarities or differences in the results.

The purpose of this paper is to study particular structural and organisational factors affecting the formality of human resource management (HRM) practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South-Eastern European (SEE) post-communist countries, in particular Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in order to understand the antecedents of formalization in such settings.

Adopting a quantitative approach, this study analyses data gathered through a survey of 168 managers of SMEs from throughout the region.

The results show that HRM in SMEs in the SEE region can be understood through a threefold framework which includes: degree of internationalisation of SMEs, sector of SMEs and organisational size of SMEs. These three factors positively affect the level of HRM formalisation in SEE SMEs. These findings are further attributed to the particular political and economic context of the post-communist SEE region.

Although specific criteria were set for SME selection, the authors do not suggest that the study reflects a representative picture of the SEE region because the authors used a purposive sampling methodology.

This paper provides useful insights into the factors which influence HRM in SMEs in a particular context. The findings can help business owners and managers understand how HRM can be applied in smaller organisations, particularly in post-communist SEE business contexts.

HRM in SMEs in this region has hardly been studied at all despite their importance. Therefore, this exploratory research seeks to expand knowledge relating to the application of HRM in SMEs in SEE countries which have their business environments dominated by different dynamics in comparison to Western European ones.