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1 – 10 of 305Previous studies have found that a proactive market orientation (PMO) has a positive effect on product differentiation and innovation and that the effect is contingent on various…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous studies have found that a proactive market orientation (PMO) has a positive effect on product differentiation and innovation and that the effect is contingent on various factors. However, the influence of logistics on the positive relationship between PMO and product differentiation has received scant attention in marketing research. To fill this research gap, this paper aims to introduce the concept of postponement as a basic logistics strategy, currently used by many firms, and examine the interaction effect of PMO and postponement on new product differentiation.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the exploration–exploitation literature, the authors considered PMO and postponement as types of exploration and exploitation, respectively. The authors hypothesized that postponement hampers the positive effect of PMO on product differentiation. The authors tested the hypotheses empirically by applying ordinary least squares regression to a sample of 187 brand managers in the Japanese apparel industry.
Findings
PMO is positively related to product differentiation, although the relationship is weakened when design and production systems are postponed, that is, when postponement hinders product differentiation.
Originality/value
Previous studies have examined market orientation and postponement (logistics) separately. However, referring to the exploration–exploitation literature, the authors built a conceptual and empirical bridge between market orientation and logistics management and proposed that this configuration is important for product differentiation.
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Anuradha Sharma, Jagwinder Singh Pandher and Gyan Prakash
Internet emergence has evolved the business of tourism companies, and every tourism company is available online and provides abundant choices, which causes consumers' confusion…
Abstract
Purpose
Internet emergence has evolved the business of tourism companies, and every tourism company is available online and provides abundant choices, which causes consumers' confusion. The current study aims to investigate the interaction effect of demographic variables on confusion, decision postponement as a negative consequence of confusion and self-efficacy as a moderator in light of the stimulus organism response (SOR) model. Also, an attempt has been made to integrate the smart technology-based solution to deal with consumers' confusion.
Design/methodology/approach
Three-way ANOVA, Andrew Hayes process, structural equation modelling and random forest algorithm were used to assess the 507 self-filled questionnaire responses for examining consumers' confusion.
Findings
The results reveal that confusion decreases with increased education levels for each gender and age group. Also, for every gender and education level, consumer confusion increases and then decreases. Further, it was observed that self-efficacy effectively moderates the influence of different confusions on decision postponement. An artificial intelligence-enabled predictive model with an accuracy of 71.49% was established, which forecasts the possibility of consumers' decision postponement.
Practical implications
This study offers the comprehension of how the travel site administrators and stakeholders have used artificial intelligence-enabled solution for consumers' confusion and to reduce decision postponement.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' awareness, this is one of the first studies to unveil the interaction effect of demographic factors on confusion, assess the role of self-efficacy as a moderator and provide artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for consumers' confusion.
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Anuradha Sharma, Jagwinder Singh and Gyan Prakash
Cluttered website layout and a poor presentation of information on limited web space are present on tourism websites as ineffective marketplace stimuli that give rise to the…
Abstract
Purpose
Cluttered website layout and a poor presentation of information on limited web space are present on tourism websites as ineffective marketplace stimuli that give rise to the problem of consumers' confusion. Based on stimulus organism response theory (SOR), this research investigates the three-dimensional confusion framework, its direct and indirect effect on negative eWOM, and consumers' decision postponement, considering negative emotion as a mediator.
Design/methodology/approach
On the data gathered from 501 respondents, structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed research hypotheses.
Findings
The results reveal the existence of the ineffective marketplace stimulus as an antecedent of consumer confusion. Further outcomes validate the cognitive, affective and response behaviour state by demonstrating the direct influence of different types of confusion on negative emotions, electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and decision postponement. The association between cognitive and response behaviour is also mediated by negative emotion.
Practical implications
The study offers substantial practical insights for managers and company operators to better grasp the significance of the affective dimension in consumer confusion in view of the extended SOR model to encapsulate the role of human consciousness.
Originality/value
This study is among the first extensive studies to examine consumer confusion in the context of the modified SOR model that captures the essence of human consciousness by understanding the role of affective emotions between various confusions, negative eWOM and decision postponement. In addition, the ineffective marketplace stimulus as a confusion antecedent and negative eWOM as a response behaviour were studied for the first time.
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Although various booking platforms have been contributing to the dramatic growth of hotel industry, little research has been conducted to understand consumer psychological…
Abstract
Purpose
Although various booking platforms have been contributing to the dramatic growth of hotel industry, little research has been conducted to understand consumer psychological processes and behaviors in online hotel booking. To fill this gap, the current study examines the effect of switching barriers (switching cost and alternative attractiveness) on consumers' decision postponement and repurchase intention. Additionally, the moderating effect of time pressure in different phases of booking decision is investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 352 samples was collected through an online platform. Data analysis was conducted via Amos 23 (structural equation modeling) and SPSS 24 (descriptive analysis and PROCESS macro).
Findings
Results show that switching cost and alternative attractiveness are two significant drivers of decision postponement and repurchase intention. Meanwhile, time pressure only has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between switching cost and decision postponement.
Practical implications
The findings of this research reveal that hotel operations need to implement strategies to prevent customers' delayed booking decisions and overcome the influence of time pressure on customer decision-making.
Originality/value
These findings stress the importance of consumer perceptions of switching barriers and time span when making hotel reservations online. Hotel practitioners are encouraged to provide multiple human–computer interaction applications to attract novice consumers and increase their familiarity with booking process.
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The delay of the polls to December 15 has provoked domestic, regional and Western criticism. The postponement was announced by President Macky Sall and endorsed by a parliamentary…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB285160
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
This follows a highly controversial and contested postponement of the polls initially scheduled for February 25. A record 19 candidates are vying for the presidency, including…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB285989
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Debadyuti Das and Aditya Singh
The present work seeks to determine the optimal delivery schedule of equipment at a project site in the backdrop of limited storage space, at a minimum cost, and without…
Abstract
Purpose
The present work seeks to determine the optimal delivery schedule of equipment at a project site in the backdrop of limited storage space, at a minimum cost, and without disturbing the overall project schedule. In addition, the optimized delivery schedule helps in minimizing the fluctuating requirements of space at the project site across the entire project lifespan.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is carried out at a Steel plant operating in a constrained space but undergoing a production capacity expansion. The problem motivated us to explore the possibility of postponing the delivery dates of certain equipment closer to the erection dates without compromising on the project schedule. Given the versatility of linear programming models in dealing with such schedule optimization problems, the authors formulated the above problem as a Zero-One Integer Linear Programming problem.
Findings
The model is implemented for all the new equipment arriving for two major units – the Hot Strip Mill (HSM) and the Blast Furnace (BF). It generates an optimized delivery schedule by delaying the delivery of some equipment by a certain number of periods, without compromising the overall project schedule and at a minimum storage cost. The average space utilization increases by 25.85 and 14.79% in HSM and BF units respectively. The fluctuations in space requirements are reduced substantially in both units.
Originality/value
The study shows a timeline in the form of a Gantt chart for the delivery of equipment, storage of equipment across different periods, and the number of periods for which the delivery of certain equipment needs to be postponed. The study uses linearly increasing storage costs with the increase in the number of periods for storage of the equipment in the temporary shed.
Highlights
Determined the optimal delivery schedule of the equipment in a project environment in the backdrop of limited storage space in the project site.
Formulated the above problem as a Zero-One Integer Linear Programming (ILP) problem.
The average space utilization has increased by 25.85 and 14.79% in HSM and BF units respectively.
The optimized delivery schedule helps in reducing the fluctuations in space requirements substantially across the entire lifespan of the project.
The timeline of delivery of equipment, storage of equipment across different periods and periods of postponement of the equipment are shown in the form of a Gantt Chart.
Determined the optimal delivery schedule of the equipment in a project environment in the backdrop of limited storage space in the project site.
Formulated the above problem as a Zero-One Integer Linear Programming (ILP) problem.
The average space utilization has increased by 25.85 and 14.79% in HSM and BF units respectively.
The optimized delivery schedule helps in reducing the fluctuations in space requirements substantially across the entire lifespan of the project.
The timeline of delivery of equipment, storage of equipment across different periods and periods of postponement of the equipment are shown in the form of a Gantt Chart.
Details
Keywords
Ilkan Sarigol, Rifat Gurcan Ozdemir and Erkan Bayraktar
This paper focuses on multi-objective order allocation with product substitution for the vaccine supply chain under uncertainty.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper focuses on multi-objective order allocation with product substitution for the vaccine supply chain under uncertainty.
Design/methodology/approach
The weighted-sum minimization approach is used to find a compromised solution between three objectives of minimizing inefficiently vaccinated people, postponed vaccinations, and purchasing costs. A mixed-integer formulation with substitution quantities is proposed, subject to capacity and demand constraints. The substitution ratios between vaccines are assumed to be exogenous. Besides, uncertainty in supplier reliability is formulated using optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic scenarios in the proposed optimization model.
Findings
Covid-19 vaccine supply chain process is studied for one government and three vaccine suppliers as an illustrative example. The results provide essential insights for the governments to have proper vaccine allocation and support governments to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
Originality/value
This paper considers the minimization of postponement in vaccination plans and inefficient vaccination and purchasing costs for order allocation among different vaccine types. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no study in the literature on order allocation of vaccine types with substitution. The analytical hierarchy process structure of the Covid-19 pandemic also contributes to the literature.
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Benjamin Tukamuhabwa, Henry Mutebi and Rhona Kyomuhendo
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between supply chain management practices, logistics capabilities, logistics integration and competitive advantage of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between supply chain management practices, logistics capabilities, logistics integration and competitive advantage of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a structured questionnaire survey, cross-sectional data collected from 204 SMEs in Kampala – Uganda were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS version 26 to validate the theorised relationships.
Findings
The study findings revealed that both supply chain management practices and logistics integration are positively and significantly associated with competitive advantage. Also, both supply chain management practices and logistics capabilities are positively and significantly associated with logistics integration. Additionally, the authors found that logistics integration partially mediates in the relationships between supply chain management practices and competitive advantage, and logistics capabilities and competitive advantage. Conclusively, the three independent variables collectively account for 11% variance in competitive advantage of SMEs.
Originality/value
Given the general observation that SMEs are fundamental to socio-economic development, yet resource constrained, this study uses Resource-based and dynamic capabilities theoretical perspectives to provide an empirical understanding of the supply chain and logistics resources and capabilities necessary for building competitive advantage of SMEs in the context of a developing economy.
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Okka Zimmermann and Dirk Konietzka
Comparative studies have confirmed that the current types of cohabitation (defined as living together as a couple without being married) and the meanings attached to them differ…
Abstract
Comparative studies have confirmed that the current types of cohabitation (defined as living together as a couple without being married) and the meanings attached to them differ across Europe. This variation could reflect differences in the levels of progress or the stages countries have reached in a common developmental process, as suggested by the theory of the Second Demographic Transition and Kiernan’s stage model of cohabitation. However, it may also indicate that countries are on different developmental paths, as suggested by path dependency theories. To examine whether changes in the prevalence of cohabitation follow a common script, this study analyses types of cohabitation within emerging family formation patterns over cohorts and across countries.
For this purpose, sequence methodology is applied to analyze cohort-specific family trajectories in France, western Germany, Norway, and Italy. In particular, using data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) and the Generation and Gender Survey (GGS), patterns of union status and co-residence with (own) children between ages 15 and 35 among the 1935–1969 birth cohorts (for Germany, among the 1940–1974 birth cohorts) are compared.
Our findings provide some support for the claim that there were common patterns of change. However, also country-specific variations in family trajectory patterns were detected, which suggests that general processes of change were mediated through country-specific institutions (path dependencies). The empirical evidence for convergence as well as for divergence indicates that both theoretical strands add to our understanding of the spread of cohabitation in European countries.
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