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1 – 10 of over 15000Joachim Berlak and Volker Weber
Due to their common role as suppliers, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially challenged by today's turbulent business conditions. In order to meet this…
Abstract
Due to their common role as suppliers, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially challenged by today's turbulent business conditions. In order to meet this challenge, short‐term Internet‐based enterprise co‐operations are regarded as an appropriate way to enhance the competitive strength of SMEs. Hence, the Institute of Machine Tools and Industrial Management (IWB) operates three so‐called competence networks for engineering (www.engineering‐net.de), rapid prototyping (www.rp‐net.de) and manufacturing (www.produktionsnetz.de) services. For the purpose of an applied research project, more than 80 participating SME suppliers were included in these specialised virtual markets, which are based on the core competencies of the co‐operating SMEs. Additionally, an Internet platform (www.virtueller‐markt.de) is used to enable customers to configure their specific cyber chains via the above‐mentioned competence networks. The present paper depicts how to establish and operate competence networks as well as how to configure cyber chains via these virtual markets.
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Matt Hill, Katerina Hill, Lorenzo Preve and Virginia Sarria-Allende
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the level of financial credit available in a country influences the level of trade credit provided to customers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the level of financial credit available in a country influences the level of trade credit provided to customers.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors examine the association between the supply of trade credit and the availability of country-level private financial credit using multivariate regression models that account for country-level heterogeneity, macroeconomic conditions and firm-specific characteristics. The data set is a pooled sample of publicly traded firms incorporated in 66 countries.
Findings
Supporting the re-distributional view of trade credit, robust results suggest that suppliers incorporated in countries with increased access to financial credit provide increased trade credit to their customers. Further results indicate significant differences in trade credit usage across geographical regions. Consistent with existing research using samples of US firms, the use of trade credit is correlated with firm-level measures of financial constraints and product market dynamics.
Originality/value
The authors provide one of the first studies to examine differences in trade credit extension across a large number of countries.
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Weihua Wang, Dong Yang and Yaqin Zheng
The purpose of this study is to understand the psychological mechanism that affects consumer trust by focusing on the formation and influence process of psychological contracts…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the psychological mechanism that affects consumer trust by focusing on the formation and influence process of psychological contracts, and taking this opportunity, explore the influence paths of food quality, food safety and service quality on consumer trust in the online food market, and provide theoretical suggestions for building trust in food businesses' consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on an empirical investigation and uses partial least square structural equation modeling for analysis. Survey data were collected online from 359 APP users of online food transaction platforms in China.
Findings
Food quality, food safety and service quality influence consumer trust through the mediating effects of relational and transactional psychological contracts. However, the differences between these influencing paths are obvious and shift with changes in the marketing channels.
Practical implications
This study contributes to the body of consumer trust research by exploring online food transactions as an emerging trend in China. Some optimization strategies for food quality, food safety and service quality are provided for enterprises involved in online food transactions.
Originality/value
This is a pioneering study revealing psychological contracts as a missing but significant mediator between consumer trust and its antecedents.
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This paper aims to explore avenue where suppliers and manufacturers are aligned with health-care providers to improve supply chain visibility. Supply chain finance is explored to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore avenue where suppliers and manufacturers are aligned with health-care providers to improve supply chain visibility. Supply chain finance is explored to link suppliers/manufacturers with health-care providers.
Design/methodology/approach
Existing literature on supply chain visibility in health care forms a basis to achieve the study purpose. Alignment calls also for financial health where supply chain partners’ working capital is readily available to execute joint supply chain plan.
Findings
There is a disjoint in supply chain alliance between suppliers/manufacturers and providers where providers are unable to trace the origin of supplies. Quality care suffers and cost of care rises as providers search for supplies on an emergency basis. This paper provides a framework where solution can be formulated.
Research limitations/implications
Suppliers/manufactures form a direct strategic alliance with providers where product visibility enables health-care providers with a better patient management with lower cost of supplies. Inventory management and logistics cost will be lowered as better planning/forecasting is in place. This paper does not call for testing any hypothesis. Perhaps, next move along this line will be to investigate financial health of supply chain partners based on supplier relationship management practices.
Originality/value
This paper proposes health-care supply chain as an alternative solution to achieve the following twin purposes: controlling the cost while improving quality of care through supply chain finance. As far as we know, this study is the first attempt to achieve the goals.
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This chapter explores the adaptation and evolution of stand-alone CSR reporting in two different political economies and late-capitalist countries: Brazil and South Korea. Instead…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter explores the adaptation and evolution of stand-alone CSR reporting in two different political economies and late-capitalist countries: Brazil and South Korea. Instead of selecting between new institutionalism and the varieties of capitalism (VOC) approach, this study attempts to explore how the interaction between converging and diverging pressures appears in the adaptation and evolution of stand-alone CSR reporting (i.e., cross-fertilization process) in two countries.
Design/methodology/approach
Using qualitative content analysis this study focuses on the frameworks of CSR reports and the way CSR issues are described within the stand-alone CSR reports of four telecommunication companies in Brazil and South Korea.
Findings
Even though CSR reports in both countries have become similar due to the convergence of frameworks of CSR reporting, the key themes and the representation on each theme are still embedded within each form of market economy: a hierarchical market economy (HME) in Brazil and a network market economy (NME) in South Korea. From a cross-fertilization perspective, this chapter shows that the adaptation and evolution of CSR reporting occurs at two different levels of CSR reporting.
Value
This study has three major values. First, it explains the two different levels of the adaptation and evolution process of CSR reporting by bringing a dynamic cross-fertilization view. Second, it provides a qualitative study that focuses on the content of CSR disclosures instead of the quantity of those disclosures. Lastly, it contributes to the academic and practical research on CSR in late-capitalist countries and in two under-researched types of political economies.
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Mark Hinnells and Isobel O’Neil
Purpose – The UK energy market is in a period of significant transition, with a target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050. There is widespread agreement that the…
Abstract
Purpose – The UK energy market is in a period of significant transition, with a target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050. There is widespread agreement that the current policy landscape needs to change if this ambitious target is to be achieved. However, the current business structure also requires a radical overhaul. This chapter explores the new business models that are being introduced to serve commercial and domestic customers.
Methodology/approach – This chapter presents a case study of the UK energy sector that draws on the first author's active engagement in the UK's energy market and thus participant observation. The discussion is framed around relevant material from the entrepreneurship and innovation literatures, with a particular focus on entrepreneurial opportunities created by policy.
Findings – In a rapidly changing policy environment, new ideas, technologies and business models are emerging. A range of new business models evident in the market are explored. These include new forms of service delivery, market-making models and finance models.
Social implications – The chapter highlights the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in the delivery of a low-carbon economy. It also explores the role of policymakers in promoting more environmentally sustainable approaches in this industry sector.
Originality/value of chapter – The chapter presents a novel, industry-specific case study. It contributes to extant knowledge on sustainable business through its focus on the complex interaction of policy and entrepreneurship as well as some of the business models required for the transition to a low-carbon future.
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Jingqin Su and Jing Liu
The purpose of this paper is to explore effective dynamic capabilities for new product development project in complex product systems (CoPS) industries. This paper focuses on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore effective dynamic capabilities for new product development project in complex product systems (CoPS) industries. This paper focuses on developing an exploratory framework for understanding dimensions of dynamic capabilities in CoPS distinguished from mass‐produced goods.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a review of the literature and in‐depth case studies, this paper used data coding method with ROST CM6.0 to explore dimensions of dynamic capabilities in CoPS.
Findings
The results of the authors' case study of CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Company Ltd suggest that there are three dimensions and six sub‐dimensions of dynamic capabilities in CoPS, which include customer‐oriented perception capability, capability to control multi‐organization network, and absorptive capability on organizational learning.
Originality/value
This study highlights the different dimensions and effects on product innovation in CoPS and the implications of the proposed model for dynamic capabilities in a CoPS environment are discussed.
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Analyse a social business model; explain the scaling motives in a social enterprise; identify and defend scaling strategies in a social enterprise; and use the social enterprise…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
Analyse a social business model; explain the scaling motives in a social enterprise; identify and defend scaling strategies in a social enterprise; and use the social enterprise scaling barrier model to evaluate factors that contribute to scaling failure and suggest ways to address the identified barriers.
Case overview/synopsis
Lufefe Nomjana, a Cape Town-based social entrepreneur, decided in 2011 to launch a social enterprise that promotes an affordable but healthy lifestyle by baking and selling spinach bread at a low cost. Nomjana combined a for-profit business venture with the social aspect of providing healthy products at a cost people can afford. When the lockdown was implemented in South Africa in March 2020, he still grew his business despite the strict restrictions. Inspired by the growth of the enterprise, in August 2020, and at the height of the national lockdown necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Nomjana decided to open a company-owned outlet in Johannesburg miles away from the Cape. However, the launch of this company-owned outlet was not successful. The failure of the Johannesburg outlet left him with a dilemma, as he had planned to scale up his enterprise into other cities in South Africa. Launching his business in Cape Town had not been a challenge, but he struggled to launch outlets of his social enterprise outside of the Western Cape Province.
Complexity academic level
Social Entrepreneurship, Commercial Entrepreneurship and Business Management at the Postgraduate Diploma and Masters level.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CCS 3: Entrepreneurship.
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Kristian Philipsen, Torben Damgaard and Rhona E. Johnsen
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and application of a theoretical framework to examine the connections between different types of suppliers, their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and application of a theoretical framework to examine the connections between different types of suppliers, their capabilities and opportunities in customer relationships, and the illustration of these connections through the findings from empirical case studies of small and medium‐sized suppliers in the metal industry in Denmark.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple case studies involving 17 small and medium‐sized suppliers within the Danish metal industry were undertaken.
Findings
By focusing on the development of capabilities that are “valuable” to customers in specific types of supply, small and medium‐sized suppliers may improve their responses to opportunities in their customer relationships.
Research limitations/implications
Further investigation is needed on the longer‐term impacts of valuable capabilities on opportunity enactment by suppliers, and the examination of key issues arising from these findings across different industries and countries.
Practical implications
Small and medium‐sized suppliers, their customers and government agencies involved with suppliers should advocate and actively support the development of valuable capabilities to enhance the effectiveness of suppliers' relationship and network strategies and their potential to seize opportunities.
Originality/value
This study highlights that different types of suppliers require different types of current and future valuable capabilities to seize opportunities and sustain current customers or develop new customer relationships.
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Isaac K. Ngugi, Rhona E. Johnsen and Peter Erdélyi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relational capabilities developed by small and medium‐sized suppliers in relationships with larger customers and to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relational capabilities developed by small and medium‐sized suppliers in relationships with larger customers and to explore the influences of these relational capabilities on value co‐creation and innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a framework to evaluate the types of relational capabilities developed by small and medium‐sized suppliers that enable them to manage in relationships with larger customers in the context of changing relationship requirements in the organic food sector. The methodology employed involves in‐depth case studies of small and medium‐sized UK organic food suppliers working in relationships with large retail supermarket customers.
Findings
The findings suggest that the identified set of relational capabilities may be employed by small and medium‐sized suppliers to enable them to inform and support innovation and the implementation of initiatives to create value in the eyes of their current and potential customers and concomitantly enhance their position as preferred suppliers.
Research limitations/implications
The findings were based on a small number of case studies of small UK organic food suppliers. Therefore, there is scope for future studies to explore the issues addressed in the paper in wider relationship, network and country settings.
Originality/value
The research is among the first to offer a conceptual framework and an empirical contribution linking relational capabilities, value co‐creation and innovation in small and medium‐sized suppliers.
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