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Article
Publication date: 14 May 2018

Jurga Bucaite Vilke and Mantas Vilkas

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the determinants of satisfaction with municipal services by local inhabitants in Lithuania. Specifically, the paper seeks to disclose the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the determinants of satisfaction with municipal services by local inhabitants in Lithuania. Specifically, the paper seeks to disclose the relations between the importance that citizens attribute to the objectives of a municipality, satisfaction with services, the perception of quality of life and socio-demographic characteristics of local inhabitants.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical assumptions were tested using the quantitative data of public opinion survey in Lithuania conducted in 2016. The representative sample (n=1,006) consisting respondents over the age of 18 years old was collected using the personal interview method in households from different municipalities. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was employed to specify the constructs of the model. The structural equation modeling allowed revealing the relations between the importance of municipal objectives, satisfaction with services and infrastructure, the perception of quality of life and socio-demographic characteristics of citizens.

Findings

The findings indicate that there is a weak positive relation among the importance of municipal objectives and satisfaction with municipal services and infrastructure in case of Lithuania. There is a medium positive relation between satisfaction with services and infrastructure and perception of quality of life. The authors find that citizens living in cities attribute higher importance to the objectives of a municipality. The expectations increase within the age. The authors also find that residents living in cities are less satisfied (comparing to citizens living in towns and rural areas) with municipal services. The results indicate that citizens working in the private sector are less satisfied (comparing to unemployed citizens) with municipal services. The authors also find that such variables as education, age and income has a positive influence on the perception of quality of life.

Research limitations/implications

Further research may specify the connection between the importance of municipal objectives, satisfaction with services, quality of life and socio-demographic characteristics more precisely. Specifically, the construct of the importance of municipal objectives was explained best as one factor due to the selection of objectives constituting the construct in the questionnaire. More precise measurement of the construct may reveal the agenda pursued by citizens and its relation to the socio-demographic factors.

Practical implications

The research reveals that satisfaction with municipal services and infrastructure is an important predictor of perceived quality of life for Lithuanians citizens on the local level. It sends an important signal to policymakers indicating that citizens that are living in cities, working in private sector feel less satisfied compared to other groups of inhabitants in rural areas. It also provides evidence that different profiles of socio-demographic characteristics should also be considered more carefully while designing responsive service provision systems in municipalities.

Originality/value

The paper provides a theoretical and methodological perspective that relates importance of municipal objectives, satisfaction with municipal services, infrastructure and perceived quality of life of local inhabitants. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of socio-demographic characteristics of for municipal agenda and design of provision of public services.

Details

International Journal of Public Sector Management, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3558

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 April 2022

Morteza Ghobakhloo, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Mantas Vilkas, Andrius Grybauskas and Azlan Amran

The present study offers a holistic but detailed understanding of the factors that might affect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study offers a holistic but detailed understanding of the factors that might affect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies to empower smaller businesses to embrace Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted a systematic review of the literature and drew on the technology-organization-environment framework to identify various technological, organizational and environmental determinants of Industry 4.0 technology adoption and their underlying components. The study applied the textual narrative synthesis to extract findings from the eligible articles and interpret them into the Industry 4.0 technology adoption roadmap.

Findings

Industry 4.0 is a vital strategic option to SMEs, enabling them to keep up with the digitalization race. SMEs significantly lag behind large organizations in benefiting from disruptive Industry 4.0 technologies. SMEs are still struggling with the initial adoption decisions regarding the digital transformation under Industry 4.0. Results identified various determinants that might explain this condition. The study developed a digitalization roadmap that describes the necessary conditions for facilitating SMEs’ digitalization under Industry 4.0.

Practical implications

Various technological, organizational and environmental factors might determine the current positioning of SMEs against Industry 4.0. These determinants can act as barriers or drivers depending on their properties. The roadmap describes determinants indispensable to promoting Industry 4.0 technology adoption among SMEs, such as knowledge competencies or value chain digitalization readiness.

Originality/value

Exclusively focusing on empirical research that reported applied insights into Industry 4.0 technology adoption, the study offers unique implications for promoting Industry 4.0 digital transformation among SMEs.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2023

Gediminas Marcinkevicius and Mantas Vilkas

Industry 4.0 brings new opportunities and challenges. This paper aims to focus on understanding how the affordances of digital technologies contribute to the integration of…

Abstract

Purpose

Industry 4.0 brings new opportunities and challenges. This paper aims to focus on understanding how the affordances of digital technologies contribute to the integration of business processes in the context of Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case analysis is used to reveal the affordances of digital technologies for the integration of business processes. A manufacturing company, the producer of professional stainless-steel kitchens, which is known for the adoption of digital technologies, was selected for the research. Interviews, archival data and nonparticipant observation are the main data collection methods.

Findings

This study contributes to the general business process management field. Case analysis shows that digital technologies facilitate the integration of business processes, specifically certain affordances, such as accessing and updating, sharing and initiating.

Research limitations/implications

This study is of a single case and therefore has some limitations. Future research should focus on the analysis of more cases for a better understanding of business process integration in the context of Industry 4.0.

Practical implications

The results of this research will help business managers better understand the importance of the development and proper adaptation of digital technologies in an organization.

Originality/value

This research has a twofold contribution to the fields of business process management and business process integration. First, the authors reveal how digital technologies facilitate business processes management in the context of Industry 4.0; and second, the authors identify the main mechanisms through which digital technologies contribute to business process integration.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2017

Liudvika Leisyte, Mantas Vilkas, Egle Staniskiene and Daiva Zostautiene

The purpose of this paper is to understand how the countervailing processes for enhancing academic excellence based on professional norms are balanced out with the market-oriented…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how the countervailing processes for enhancing academic excellence based on professional norms are balanced out with the market-oriented processes of standardisation and performance management in a university. Further, the authors aim to explore how and if organisational learning occurs in balancing these processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The longitudinal, inductive three-year study of a higher education institution in Lithuania was used to understand how a higher education institution based on the norms of academic excellence was balanced out with the market-oriented processes and what mechanisms of leaning took place during the process. The authors drew upon three data sources – archival materials, observation and interviews with academic staff and administrators – to capture the processes of rebalancing and learning.

Findings

A complex balance is observed between the strive for academic excellence and market relevance. Market relevance has been the dominant reform tone for the central administration of a Lithuanian university (LTU), while maintenance of academic excellence prevailed among academic staff. The LTU manages the countervailing processes by standardising, financialising, surveying and disciplining. The rebalancing resulted in dissent from the academic community. Organisational learning could be observed in the example of the introduction of a new examination procedure, while it could not occur during the process of new performance management system introduction. The process led to mutual distrust between the academic staff and the management of the LTU.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on organisational learning in higher education, showing how an eager entrepreneurial university engages in the reform process and how it engages in the complex balancing of countervailing processes of academic excellence and market relevance. The authors contribute with empirical evidence on how rebalancing processes in a professional organisation works and what limitations it faces. The study shows the vital multi-stakeholder involvement and understanding of the process of change. The authors further contribute to the discussion on the adoption factors of performance-based systems and the process of institutionalisation using a longitudinal perspective as called for in previous research.

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2020

Mantas Vilkas, Inga Stankevice and Rimantas Rauleckas

Cumulative capability models are dominating frameworks explaining how manufacturing organizations gain their performance capabilities, such as quality, delivery, flexibility and…

Abstract

Purpose

Cumulative capability models are dominating frameworks explaining how manufacturing organizations gain their performance capabilities, such as quality, delivery, flexibility and cost. When innovation capabilities are excluded from the framework, the models are incapable of explaining how companies sustain substantive capabilities in a changing environment. Responding to this gap, the purpose of this paper is to propose and test a “sand cone” cumulative capability model that includes the innovation competitive performance alongside the competitive performance of quality, delivery flexibility and cost.

Design/methodology/approach

Two competing cumulative models were proposed. The extended cumulative capability model hypothesizes the development of innovation in sequence with other competitive performance dimensions. The affected with innovation cumulative model hypothesizes innovation performance as a predecessor of other performance dimensions. The models were tested using a multimethod approach on a representative sample of 500 manufacturing companies. An analysis of correlations among competitive performance, frequencies of plants following prescribed sequences, fit statistics of covariance-based structural equation modeling and analysis of strength and statistical significance of path coefficients enabled us to select a model that best represents the collected data.

Findings

The findings reveal that innovation competitive performance operates as a predecessor of quality, delivery, flexibility and cost and is developed in relation to these performance dimensions. The modified model also provides a theoretical explanation of how innovation performance helps to sustain reliable production systems that can perform consistently over time within a tolerable range of quality, delivery, flexibility and cost performance.

Practical implications

The results are significant for practitioners, especially for companies that are operating in volatile environments because the results provide insight on how to develop innovation competitive performance in relation to quality, delivery, flexibility and cost performance.

Originality/value

This study extends the cumulative capability models with innovation competitive performance. It advances the contingency approach on cumulative capability models.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 38 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 May 2022

Laura Salciuviene, Jūratė Banytė, Mantas Vilkas, Aistė Dovalienė and Žaneta Gravelines

This study aims to identify the effects of moral identity on consumer engagement in sustainable consumption, and discover any moderating gender effects. The authors deploy regret…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the effects of moral identity on consumer engagement in sustainable consumption, and discover any moderating gender effects. The authors deploy regret and identity theories to propose hypotheses and explain research findings.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was via online survey, and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling to test hypotheses.

Findings

Symbolization and internalization dimensions of moral identity are positively associated with five dimensions of engagement. Moreover, the relationship between moral identity and specific dimensions of engagement in sustainable consumption is stronger among males than females.

Originality/value

This study suggests a novel mechanism in a hitherto under-researched area in the sustainability and moral identity literature, viz. consumer engagement in sustainable consumption when moral identity is present. This research also adds to current knowledge regarding gender effects in the link between the symbolization and internalization dimensions of moral identity and engagement in sustainable consumption.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2024

Laura Salciuviene, Aistė Dovalienė, Žaneta Gravelines, Mantas Vilkas, Caroline Oates and Jūratė Banytė

The study aims to identify the effects of consumer moral identity and consumer engagement with sustainable consumption on sustainable consumer behaviour at home and in the…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to identify the effects of consumer moral identity and consumer engagement with sustainable consumption on sustainable consumer behaviour at home and in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected in two European countries, i.e. Lithuania and the United Kingdom (total sample 586) and analysed using PLS-SEM to test hypotheses pertaining to the key variables, including moral identity, engagement with sustainable consumption, sustainable consumption behaviour at home and sustainable consumption behaviour in the workplace.

Findings

Revealed that moral identity was a predictor of sustainable consumption behaviour at home but had no direct effect on sustainable consumption behaviour at the workplace. Similarly, engagement with sustainable consumption has been demonstrated to have a direct positive impact on sustainable consumption behaviour at home, but no significant effect on sustainable behaviour at work was confirmed. A strong moral identity fosters higher consumer engagement with sustainable consumption. The findings revealed the positive impact of sustainable behaviour at home on equivalent behaviour at work, reminding of the importance of the so-called “spill-over” effect.

Originality/value

An element of novelty in this study lies in the differentiation of behavioural practices at home and in the workplace, demonstrating that a spill-over effect can occur with a “home-work” path. By highlighting the importance of consumer moral identity and consumer engagement in predicting sustainable consumption behaviour in both domestic and professional settings, our study contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of sustainable marketing and consumer behaviour.

Details

EuroMed Journal of Business, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1450-2194

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 July 2024

Morteza Ghobakhloo, Masood Fathi, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Mantas Vilkas, Andrius Grybauskas and Azlan Amran

This study offers practical insights into how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance responsible manufacturing within the context of Industry 5.0. It explores how…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study offers practical insights into how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance responsible manufacturing within the context of Industry 5.0. It explores how manufacturers can strategically maximize the potential benefits of generative AI through a synergistic approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study developed a strategic roadmap by employing a mixed qualitative-quantitative research method involving case studies, interviews and interpretive structural modeling (ISM). This roadmap visualizes and elucidates the mechanisms through which generative AI can contribute to advancing the sustainability goals of Industry 5.0.

Findings

Generative AI has demonstrated the capability to promote various sustainability objectives within Industry 5.0 through ten distinct functions. These multifaceted functions address multiple facets of manufacturing, ranging from providing data-driven production insights to enhancing the resilience of manufacturing operations.

Practical implications

While each identified generative AI function independently contributes to responsible manufacturing under Industry 5.0, leveraging them individually is a viable strategy. However, they synergistically enhance each other when systematically employed in a specific order. Manufacturers are advised to strategically leverage these functions, drawing on their complementarities to maximize their benefits.

Originality/value

This study pioneers by providing early practical insights into how generative AI enhances the sustainability performance of manufacturers within the Industry 5.0 framework. The proposed strategic roadmap suggests prioritization orders, guiding manufacturers in decision-making processes regarding where and for what purpose to integrate generative AI.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 35 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2023

Morteza Ghobakhloo, Mantas Vilkas, Alessandro Stefanini, Andrius Grybauskas, Gediminas Marcinkevicius, Monika Petraite and Peiman Alipour Sarvari

Using a dynamic capabilities approach, the present study aims to identify and assess the effects of organizational determinants on capabilities underlying Industry 4.0 design…

Abstract

Purpose

Using a dynamic capabilities approach, the present study aims to identify and assess the effects of organizational determinants on capabilities underlying Industry 4.0 design principles, such as integration, virtualization, real-time, automation and servitization.

Design/methodology/approach

PLS-SEM enables a two-stage hierarchical latent variable reflective-formative model which was used for assessing the effect of organizational determinants on Industry 4.0 design principles. Five hundred six manufacturing companies constitute the effective sample, representing a population of manufacturing companies in an industrialized country.

Findings

The findings reveal that Industry 4.0 design principles extensively depend on digitalization resource availability. At the same time, companies that possess digitalization and change management capabilities tend to devote more resources to digitalization. Finally, the paper reveals that networking and partnership capability is the critical enabler for change management and digitalization capabilities.

Practical implications

The paper provides empirical evidence that the successful development of Industry 4.0 design principles and their underlying integration, virtualization, real-time, automation and servitization capabilities are resource dependent, requiring significant upfront investment and continuous resource allocation. Further, the study implies that companies with networking and partnership, change management and digitalization capabilities tend to allocate more resources for Industry 4.0 transformation.

Originality/value

Exclusively focusing on empirical research that reported applied insights into determinants of Industry 4.0 design principles, the study offers unique implications for promoting Industry 4.0 digital transformation among manufacturing companies.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 34 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 March 2022

Mantas Vilkas, Andrea Bikfalvi, Rimantas Rauleckas and Gediminas Marcinkevicius

The article aims to focus on the debate around the interplay between product innovation and servitization. Two conflicting approaches characterize the debate, disagreeing as to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The article aims to focus on the debate around the interplay between product innovation and servitization. Two conflicting approaches characterize the debate, disagreeing as to whether product innovation and servitization are complementary or not.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine two competing models proposing a direct effect of product innovation on servitization and an indirect effect through digitalization, using the sample of 500 manufacturing firms of a country participating in the European Manufacturing Survey, 2018 edition.

Findings

The results reveal that product innovation has no direct effect on servitization. However, the authors found that digitalization capabilities mediate the effect of product innovation and servitization. The present findings reveal that product innovation has a substantial indirect effect on servitization through digitalization capabilities, supporting the approach proposing the complementarity between product innovation and servitization.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in this paper correspond to a single country. The limited geographical sampling frame may likewise limit the generalizability of the findings. Researchers are encouraged to replicate the analysis with data from other countries, and to further enrich the analysis with complementary path options and resulting performance measures.

Practical implications

When applying a capabilities perspective, the authors find that product innovation capability is not directly related to servitization as capability. The present findings point toward the fact that if companies only have product innovation capability, this does not facilitate servitization. If companies have both product innovation capability and digitalization capability, such a situation facilitates servitization, a decision which often falls within managers’ responsibilities.

Originality/value

Existing studies focus on antecedents and/or outcomes of single issues, either product innovation, servitization or digitalization. Only some offer dual associations (product innovation and servitization, digitalization and servitization), and even less position simultaneously at the intersection of the three pillars. Herein lies the novelty of the present approach and analysis, which explains the extent to which product innovation, digitalization and servitization are related.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 37 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

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