Innovation ecosystems for industry 4.0 : a collaborative perspective for the provision of digital technologies and platforms

Industry 4.0 considers complex interrelated IoT-based technologies for the provision of digital solutions. This complexity demands a vast set of capabilities that are hard to be found in a single technology provider, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Innovation ecosystems allow SMEs to integrate resources and cocreate Industry 4.0 solutions. This thesis investigates the role of collaboration for the development of technologies and solutions in the Industry 4.0 context. To this end, this thesis was organized into three papers, which objectives are: (i) to verify if collaboration through inbound Open Innovation activities with different actors in the supply chain positively moderates the relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and their expected benefits; (ii) to identify how the characteristics of an innovation ecosystem focused on solutions for Industry 4.0 change at each evolutionary lifecycle stage using elements from social exchange theory; and (iii) to identify which technologies can be configured as platforms through boundary-spanning activities and how they operate collaboratively to develop solutions for Industry 4.0. As a result, this thesis proposes a model that explains the role of collaboration at different levels (supply chains, ecosystems, and platforms) for the development of solutions in the Industry 4.0 context. This research approach combines both qualitative (i.e., focus group, interviews, and case studies) and quantitative (i.e., survey research with multivariate data analysis) aspects. The main results obtained are: (i) we show how collaboration with different actors in the supply chain through Open Innovation strategy has both positive and negative impacts on three strategies associated with product development (cost reduction, focalization, and innovation); (ii) we define the main characteristics of innovation ecosystems focused on the provision of Industry 4.0 solutions, considering an evolutionary lifecycles perspective and a Social Exchange view (iii) we define which are the different technology platforms of the Industry 4.0 context at different operation levels using Boundary-Spanning view. As remarking conclusions, from an academic perspective, these results help to understand how collaboration for the development of new solutions in Industry 4.0 can be analyzed under different perspectives (Open Innovation, Social Exchange Theory, and Boundary-Spanning) and in different contexts of integration (supply chains, ecosystems, and platforms). From a practical perspective, the results help to enlighten a trending business topic by showing how the collaboration among technology providers for Industry 4.0 should be fostered and developed

Imbalance relationships and sustainable supply chain

W artykule podjęto problem nierównowagi relacji w kształtowaniu zrównoważonego łańcucha dostaw (SSC). Analiza relacji kupujący-dostawca została przeprowadzona z wykorzystaniem analizy studium przypadku łańcuchów dostaw branży spożywczej. Wykazała ona, że występująca przewaga wymusza osiąganie zgodności z wymaganiami rozwoju zrównoważonego (SD). Cele i inicjatywy SD są określane w sposób arbitralny, a ich koszty oraz ryzyko przerzucane na dostawców. Z perspektywy zarządzania organizacjami praca przyczynia się do lepszego zrozumienia wpływu nierównowagi na wdrażanie rozwoju zrównoważonego.The paper is concerned with the problem of imbalance in supply chain relations in the forming of a sustainable supply chain. Analysis of the purchaser-supplier relationship is conducted with the use of the case study method. It shows that the presence of an advantage enforces compliance with the requirements of sustainable development. The objectives and initiatives of SD are determined in an arbitrary way, but their costs and risks are transferred to suppliers. From a management perspective, the paper contributes to a better understanding of the influence of imbalance on implementing sustainable [email protected]ł Ekonomiczny, Uniwersytet Marii Curie-SkłodowskiejAlvarez G., Pilbeam C., Wilding R., 2010, Nestle Nespresso AAA sustainable quality program: An investigation into the governance dynamics in a multi-stakeholder supply chain network, “Supply Chain Management: An International Journal”, 15 (2).Andersen M., Skjoett-Larsen T., 2009, Corporate social responsibility in global supply chains, “Supply Chain Management: An International Journal”, 14 (2).Barratt M., Choi T. Y., Li M., 2011, Qualitative case studies in operations management: Trends, research outcomes, and future research implications, “Journal of Operations Management”, 29 (4).Belaya V., Gagalyuk T., Hanf J., 2009, Measuring Asymmetrical Power Distribution in Supply Chain Networks: What Is the Appropriate Method?, “Journal of Relationship Marketing”, 8 (2).Casciaro T., Piskorski M. J., 2005, Power Imbalance, Mutual Dependence and Constraint Absorption: A Closer Look at Resource Dependence Theory, “Administrative Science Quarterly”, 50.Casciaro T., Piskorski M.J., 2004, Power imbalance and interorganizational relations: resource dependence theory revisited, Academy of Management, New Orleans, LA.Cox A., 2007, Transactions, power and contested exchange: Towards a theory of exchange in business relationships, “International Journal of Procurement Management”, 1 (1-2).Creating a Sustainable Supply Chain – Best Practices and Business Drivers, http://spendmatters.com/.Crook T. R., Combs J. G., 2007, Sources and consequences of bargaining power in supply chains, “Journal of Operations Management”, 25 (2).Eisenhardt K. M., Graebner M. E., 2007, Theory building from cases: opportunities and challenges, “Academy of Management Journal”, 50 (1).Gulati R., Sytch M., 2007, Dependence asymmetry and joint dependence in interorganizational relationships: Effects of embeddedness on a manufacturers performance in procurement relationships, “Administrative Science Quarterly”, 52 (1).Hall J., 2000, Environmental supply chain dynamics, “Journal of Cleaner Production”, 8 (6).Hall J., 2001, Environmental supply-chain innovation, “Greener Management International”, 35.Hingley M., 2005, Power to all our friends? Living with imbalance in supplier-retailer relationships, Industrial Marketing Management, 34 (8).Hingley M., Lindgreen A., 2010, Living with power imbalance in the food supply chain, [in:] Delivering performance infood supply chains, C. Mena, G. Stevens (eds.), Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge.Hingley M., Lindgreen A., Casswell B., 2006, Supplier-retailer relationships in the UK fresh produce supply chain, “Journal of International Food and Agribusiness Marketing”, 18, no. 1-2.Hoejmose S. U., Adrien-Kirby A. J., 2012, Socially and environmentally responsible procurement: A literature review and future research agenda of a managerial issue in the 21st century, “Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management”, 18 (4).Ireland R., Webb J., 2007, A multi-theoretic perspective on trust and power in strategic supply chains, “Journal of Operations Management”, 25 (2).Keating B., Quazi A., Kriz A., Coltman T., 2008, In pursuit of a sustainable supply chain: insights from Westpac Banking Corporation, “Supply Chain Management: An International Journal”, 13 (3).Kurczewska U., 2011, Lobbing i grupy interesu w Unii Europejskiej: proces konsolidacji systemu, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.Maloni M., Benton W. C., 2000, Power influences in the supply chain, “Journal of Business Logitics”, 21 (1).Mollenkopf D., Stolze H., Tate W. L., Ueltschy M., 2010, Green, lean, and global supply chains, “International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management”, 40 (1-2).Pagell M., Wu Z., 2009, Building a more complete theory of sustainable supply chain management using case studies of 10 exemplars, “Journal of Supply Chain Management”, 45 (2).Paulraj A., 2011, Understanding the relationships between internal resources and capabilities, sustainable supply management and organizational sustainability, “Journal of Supply Chain Management”, 47 (1).Pedersen E. R., 2009, The many and the few: rounding up the SMEs that manage CSR in the supply chain, “Supply Chain Management: An International Journal”, 14 (2).Pedersen E. R., Andersen M., 2006, Safeguarding corporate social responsibility [CSR] in global supply chains: How codes of conduct are management in buyer-supplier relationships, “Journal of Public Affairs”, 6 (3/4).Pfeffer J., Salancik G., 1978, The External Control of Organizations: A Resource Dependence Perspective, Harper & Row, New York.Porter M., 1979, How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy, “Harvard Business Review”, 57 (2).Porter M. E., Kramer M. R., 2006, Strategy and society: The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility, “Harvard Business Review”, 84 (12).Sanzo M.J., Santos M.L., Alvarez L.I., Alvzquez R., 2007, The effect of a buyer’s market orientation on attitudinal loyalty toward a supplier: is dependence a moderator?, “Supply Chain Management: An International Journal”, 12 (4).Sarkis J., Zhu Q., Lai K.-H., 2011, An organizational theoretic review of green supply chain management literature, “International Journal of Production Economics”, 130 (1).Singh P. J., Power D., Chuong S. C., 2011, A resource dependence theory perspective of ISO 9000 in managing organizational environment, “Journal of Operations Management”, 29 (1-2).Thompson J., Scoones I., 2009, Addressing the dynamics of agri-food systems: An emerging agenda for social science research, “Environmental Science & Policy”, 12 (4).Touboulic A., Chicksand D., Walker H., 2014, Managing Imbalanced Supply Chain Relationships for Sustainability: A Power Perspective, “Decision Sciences”, 45 (4).Vachon S., Klassen R. D., 2006, Extending green practices across the supply chain: The impact of upstream and downstream integration, “International Journal of Operations & Production Management”, 26 (7).Walker H., Preuss L., 2008, Fostering sustainability through sourcing from small businesses: Public sector perspectives, “Journal of Cleaner Production”, 16 (15).Yilmaz C., Sezen B., Ozdemir O., 2005, Joint and interactive effects of trust and [inter] dependence on relational behaviors in long-term channel dyads, “Industrial Marketing Management”, 34 (3).Zhu Q., Sarkis J., Lai K.-H., Geng Y., 2008, The role of organizational size in the adoption of green supply chain management practices in China, “Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management”, 15 (6).33-434(82)334

Sustainability experiments in the agri-food system : uncovering the factors of new governance and collaboration success

In recent years, research, society and industry recognize the need to transform the agri-food system towards sustainability. Within this process, sustainability experiments play a crucial role in transforming the structure, culture and practices. In literature, much attention is given to new business models, even if the transformation of conventional firms toward sustainability may offer opportunities to accelerate the transformation. Further acceleration could be achieved through collaboration of multiple actors across the agri-food system, but this calls for a systems approach. Therefore, we developed and applied a new sustainability experiment systems approach (SESA) consisting of an analytical framework that allows a reflective evaluation and cross-case analysis of multi-actor governance networks based on business and learning evaluation criteria. We performed a cross-case analysis of four agri-food sustainability experiments in Flanders to test and validate SESA. Hereby, the key factors of the success of collaboration and its performance were identified at the beginning of a sustainability experiment. Some of the key factors identified were risk sharing and the drivers to participate. We are convinced that these results may be used as an analytical tool for researchers, a tool to support and design new initiatives for policymakers, and a reflective tool for participating actors

The Bio-Economy Concept and Knowledge Base in a Public Goods and Farmer Perspective

Currently an industrial perspective dominates the EU policy framework for a European bio-economy. The Commission’s proposal on the bio-economy emphasises greater resource-efficiency, largely within an industrial perspective on global economic competitiveness, benefiting capital-intensive industries at higher levels of the value chain. However a responsible bio-economy must initially address the sustainable use of resources. Many farmers are not only commodity producers but also providers of quality food and managers of the eco-system. A public goods-oriented bio-economy emphasises agro-ecological methods, organic and low (external) input farming systems, ecosystem services, social innovation in multi-stakeholder collective practices and joint production of knowledge. The potential of farmers and SMEs to contribute to innovation must be fully recognised. This approach recognises the importance of local knowledge enhancing local capabilities, while also accommodating diversity and complexity. Therefore the bio-economy concept should have a much broader scope than the dominant one in European Commission innovation policy. Socio-economic research is needed to inform strategies, pathways and stakeholder cooperation towards sustainability goals

ERP System Implementation in a Leading LED Manufacturing Firm in Malaysia. A Supply Chain Perspective

valuable and quality information exchange to perform their daily operations and long-term action plan. Hence, selecting and embracing the right supply chain or business management software has become essential to organization. Most Malaysian manufacturer in prefer in adopting to an enterprise resources planning (ERP) system. However, implementing ERP system successfully is costly and complex, and often shows high disappointment rates or even abandonment due to need of fit with the business or social culture. The study conducted to explore the ERP system implementation in a manufacturing-based organization from the perspective of supply chain management. The ERP system implementation could have either positive or negative affects towards organization or company in terms of performance and innovation. The empirical data were collected using in-depth interview as an instrument in a LED manufacturing company. The result confirm that data cannot be editing after done click, server down and more procedure and process are the causes of ineffective implementation of ERP system in the company. This study gives insight to all top management and supply chain practitioners in the manufacturing industry company in implementing ERP System. Furthermore, the findings of this study could also be beneficial to all ERP users as they would be able to understand the ERP system implementation in sectors apart from manufacturing industry. Finally, the outcome of this study could be useful to ERP system adopters in different developing countries. This is one of the first studies, which adequately covers the challenges faced on ERP implementation itself in a LED-manufacturing firm

Modelling Fresh Strawberry Supply "From-Farm-to-Fork" as a Complex Adaptive Network

 The purpose of this study is to model and thereby enable simulation of the complete business entity of fresh food supply. A case narrative of fresh strawberry supply provides basis for this modelling. Lamming et al. (2000) point to the importance of discerning industry-specific product features (or particularities) regarding managing supply networks when discussing elements in "an initial classification of a supply network" while Fisher (1997) and Christopher et al. (2006, 2009) point to the lack of adopting SCM models to variations in products and market types as an important source of SCM failure. In this study we have chosen to move along a research path towards developing an adapted approach to model end-to-end fresh food supply influenced by a combination of SCM, system dynamics and complex adaptive network thinking...

Perspective study: governance for C2C

This perspective study will serve as frame of reference for follow-up activities and exchanges both within and outside the Cradle to Cradle Network (C2CN) and it aims to reflect the current challenges and opportunities associated with implementing a Cradle to Cradle approach. In total, four perspective studies have been written, in the areas on industry, area spatial development, governance and on the build theme

Evolution of Supply Chain Collaboration: Implications for the Role of Knowledge

Increasingly, research across many disciplines has recognized the shortcomings of the traditional “integration prescription” for inter-organizational knowledge management. This research conducts several simulation experiments to study the effects of different rates of product change, different demand environments, and different economies of scale on the level of integration between firms at different levels in the supply chain. The underlying paradigm shifts from a static, steady state view to a dynamic, complex adaptive systems and knowledge-based view of supply chain networks. Several research propositions are presented that use the role of knowledge in the supply chain to provide predictive power for how supply chain collaborations or integration should evolve. Suggestions and implications are suggested for managerial and research purposes