The Antecedents of a ‘Chilly Climate’ for Women Faculty in Higher Education

The literature on women’s under-representation in academia asserts that faculty women face a ‘chilly climate’, but there are few theoretically based studies examining this proposition. Relational demography, organizational justice, and social network theories all identify possible antecedents of ‘chilly climate’. Using survey data of faculty at a private Midwestern US university, we test whether the perception of exclusion (chilly climate) is influenced by demographic dissimilarity, and perceptions of fairness and gender equity. We find that faculty women perceive more exclusion from academic departments with a low representation of women, consistent with relational demography. Perceptions of procedural fairness and gender equity are powerful factors that foster inclusion and warm the climate for both men and women. The ‘chilly climate’ for women faculty is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes. Policies that fail to address these multiple causes are unlikely to be effective

The determinants of the quality of Sales-Marketing Interface in a Multinational Customer Brand Focused Company: The Latin American Branches

Customer evolution and changes in consumers, determine the fact that the quality of the interface between marketing and sales may represent a true competitive advantage for the firm. Building on multidimensional theoretical and empirical models developed in Europe and on social network analysis, the organizational interface between the marketing and sales departments of a multinational high-growth company with operations in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay is studied. Both, attitudinal and social network measures of information exchange are used to make operational the nature and quality of the interface and its impact on performance. Results show the existence of a positive relationship of formalization, joint planning, teamwork, trust and information transfer on interface quality, as well as a positive relationship between interface quality and business performance. We conclude that efficient design and organizational management of the exchange network are essential for the successful performance of consumer goods companies that seek to develop distinctive capabilities to adapt to markets that experience vertiginous change

Studies on Interorganizational Networks: The Case of Two Regional Clusters in Norway

The overall purpose of this dissertation is to study interorganizational networks. Firms are open systems and simultaneously embedded in interorganizational networks of various kinds. Interorganizational networks consist of a group of organizations and relations between these organizations, reflecting the allocation and flow of resources among network members. Conceivably, network structures largely affect involved firms’ different behaviors. Nevertheless, such knowledge is insufficient without knowing how interorganizational networks emerge and develop into a specific structure. Using a sociometric structural approach, this dissertation contributes to two related topics: (1) the influence of network properties on firms’ behaviors (Articles 1 and 2) and (2) the dynamics of network structures (Article 3). A firm’s position in a network has implications for its opportunities and constraints (Brass et al., 2004). The first two empirical articles focus on the influence of network structures on firms’ behaviors. In Article 1, I demonstrate how firms adapt exploration strategies according to network properties. Management research has alluded to environmental and organizational antecedents for firms’ exploration. I complement this knowledge by applying a network perspective to explain how a firm may adjust its exploration strategy based on its position within the interorganizational network. I particularly focus on two network constructs: closeness centrality and local cohesion. Closeness centrality captures a firm’s distance to network knowledge and resources, and local cohesion shows the connection between a focal firm’s alters. The findings show positive impacts of closeness centrality and local cohesion on exploration strategy, and local cohesion has a more significant impact. I offer insights into antecedents of exploration by underscoring the network drivers. In Article 2, I study firms’ prosocial behavior in dyads within a broader network context. Research on relationship marketing has traditionally focused on dyadic properties to explain behaviors within dyads. This article adds to this body of research by investigating network Abstract The overall purpose of this dissertation is to study interorganizational networks. Firms are open systems and simultaneously embedded in interorganizational networks of various kinds. Interorganizational networks consist of a group of organizations and relations between these organizations, reflecting the allocation and flow of resources among network members. Conceivably, network structures largely affect involved firms' different behaviors. Nevertheless, such knowledge is insufficient without knowing how interorganizational networks emerge and develop into a specific structure. Using a sociometric structural approach, this dissertation contributes to two related topics: (l) the influence of network properties on firms' behaviors (Articles l and 2) and (2) the dynamics of network structures (Article 3). A firm's position in a network has implications for its opportunities and constraints (Brass et al., 2004). The first two empirical articles focus on the influence of network structures on firms' behaviors. In Article l, I demonstrate how firms adapt exploration strategies according to network properties. Management research has alluded to environmental and organizational antecedents for firms' exploration. I complement this knowledge by applying a network perspective to explain how a firm may adjust its exploration strategy based on its position within the interorganizational network. I particularly focus on two network constructs: closeness centrality and local cohesion. Closeness centrality captures a firm's distance to network knowledge and resources, and local cohesion shows the connection between a focal firm's alters. The findings show positive impacts of closeness centrality and local cohesion on exploration strategy, and local cohesion has a more significant impact. I offer insights into antecedents of exploration by underscoring the network drivers. In Article 2, I study firms' prosocial behavior in dyads within a broader network context. Research on relationship marketing has traditionally focused on dyadic properties to explain behaviors within dyads. This article adds to this body of research by investigating network 111 iv level antecedents of prosocial behaviors in dyadic relations. Prosocial behavior refers to a firm’s beneficial actions toward another firm beyond formal requirements. Since a contract is normally incomplete, such behavior is desirable in business relationships. Our findings show that in-degree centrality (i.e., the number of ties received from other network members) has an inverted U-shaped relationship with a focal firm’s prosocial behavior. Besides, triadic embeddedness (i.e., the number of common third parties) is likely to facilitate prosocial behavior between involved parties, regardless of firms’ in-degree centrality. This study shows the need to consider the dyadic relationship in a wider network context. While Articles 1 and 2 implicitly assume network properties are static, Article 3 contributes to knowledge of network development in the interorganizational setting. Sociologists and management scholars provide explanations mainly for dyadic tie formation, such as alliance formation and joint ventures. Limited is known about system-level structural dynamics. Specifically, I focus on two system-level properties: small-world and scale-free networks. Small-world networks are characterized by dense local clustering and short path length between actors. Scale-free networks are centralized with a small portion of central actors spanning the structure and take a skewed degree distribution. Some empirical networks demonstrate both properties simultaneously, yet few studies have aimed to discuss the dynamics and interrelation of these properties. In article 3, I retrospectively visualize the annual structures of two empirical networks to show how small-world and scale-free properties together explain the development patterns. The results show that the small-world and scale free properties have an inversed dynamic pattern, and the scale-free structure may be less common in the interorganizational setting. Altogether, this study adds to the understanding of the dynamics and development of interorganizational networks in terms of small-world and scale-free structures. level antecedents of prosocial behaviors in dyadic relations. Prosocial behavior refers to a firm's beneficial actions toward another firm beyond formal requirements. Since a contract is normally incomplete, such behavior is desirable in business relationships. Our findings show that in-degree centrality (i.e., the number of ties received from other network members) has an inverted U-shaped relationship with a focal firm's prosocial behavior. Besides, triadic embeddedness (i.e., the number of common third parties) is likely to facilitate prosocial behavior between involved parties, regardless of firms' in-degree centrality. This study shows the need to consider the dyadic relationship in a wider network context. While Articles l and 2 implicitly assume network properties are static, Article 3 contributes to knowledge of network development in the interorganizational setting. Sociologists and management scholars provide explanations mainly for dyadic tie formation, such as alliance formation and joint ventures. Limited is known about system-level structural dynamics. Specifically, I focus on two system-level properties: small-world and scale-free networks. Small-world networks are characterized by dense local clustering and short path length between actors. Scale-free networks are centralized with a small portion of central actors spanning the structure and take a skewed degree distribution. Some empirical networks demonstrate both properties simultaneously, yet few studies have aimed to discuss the dynamics and interrelation of these properties. In article 3, I retrospectively visualize the annual structures of two empirical networks to show how small-world and scale-free properties together explain the development patterns. The results show that the small-world and scale free properties have an inversed dynamic pattern, and the scale-free structure may be less common in the interorganizational setting. Altogether, this study adds to the understanding of the dynamics and development of interorganizational networks in terms of small-world and scale-free structures. lV v Contextually, I investigate two regional industry networks in western Norway, focusing on the media industry and fintech. Overall, this dissertation provides an in-depth analysis of these two interorganizational networks by focusing on multiple levels and aspects of a network and adds to the current literature on management, relationship marketing, and network dynamics. Moreover, this dissertation combines network data and survey data for hypotheses testing in Articles 1 and 2, which is unique and increases the validity of the findings. I also present key findings, discuss the implications and limitations of this work, and suggest future research directions

Value Co-Creation through Transparent Buyer-Supplier Relationships: A Case Study in the Supply Network of Industrial Machinery Manufacturer

This research aims to find the appropriate level of transparency in different buyer-supplier relationships in order to enhance value co-creation in the supply network. The previous literature demonstrates that transparency brings many benefits but also causes risks. Therefore, transparency needs to be balanced in different buyer-supplier relationships. This research was an embedded single case study containing three supplier groups within the supply network. The primary and qualitative research data related to the antecedents for transparency and the effects of transparency on value co-creation was collected from 14 in-depth semi-structured interviews. This data was analyzed by a causal map analysis. The secondary research data had been collected from the web-based structured questionnaires from the customer and its 24 suppliers. This data was analyzed by a descriptive statistics in order to describe the current level of transparency in the supply network. The research results indicated that the level of transparency in the supply network varied based on the type of the relationship where the more collaborative relationships had the higher level of transparency and the more powerful actor seemed to force the other to share information. Furthermore, transparency was believed to require trust but also the arranged methods and IT-systems for information sharing which need allocated resources and causes costs. The results also indicated that transparency had many value-creating effects related to capabilities, integration, operational performance and financial outcomes but it also had some value-destroying effects. Lastly, a framework was created in order to determine the development suggestions for the appropriate level of transparency in different buyer-supplier relationships in the supply network so that more value can be created and shared between the actors. The framework is applicable at least with the similar supply networks which provide low volume manufactured products with many different and variable items.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Inter-Organizational Information Systems Visibility in Buyer-Supplier Relationships: Buyer and Supplier Perspectives

Many researchers have called for the need to improve the understanding of the concept and working of supply chain visibility. The facilitating role of inter-organizational information systems (IOIS) in achieving SC visibility has received inadequate research attention. This paper is to elaborate on the novel concept of IOIS visibility and to look into the antecedents and consequences of IOIS visibility. Further, investigating SC cooperation from the perspectives of both partners is important, especially when channel partners depend on each other and there can be asymmetries in IOIS visibility. This study attempts to accommodate both partners’ perspectives in IOIS visibility. The data that this study requires were collected from 51 matched pairs of intermediate producers of telecommunication equipment components and their immediate suppliers. The results show that IOIS visibility from the supplier’s perspectives is an important predictor of supply chain performance. In turn, IOIS visibility is significantly influenced by supply chain partner’s internal IS integration and inter-organizational IT infrastructure compatibility. The impact of asymmetries in IOIS visibility on supply chain performance is also investigated

The influence of relational competencies on supply chain resilience : a relational view

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.Purpose – The purpose of this research is to explore the resilience domain, which is important in the field of supply chain management; it investigates the effects relational competencies have for resilience and the effect resilience, in turn, has on a supply chain’s customer value. Design/methodology/approach – The research is empirical in nature and employs a confirmatory approach that builds on the relational view as a primary theoretical foundation. It utilizes survey data collected from manufacturing firms from three countries, which is analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings – It is found that communicative and cooperative relationships have a positive effect on resilience, while integration does not have a significant effect. It is also found that improved resilience, obtained by investing in agility and robustness, enhances a supply chain’s customer value. Practical implications – Some findings contrast the expectations derived from theory. Particularly, practitioners can learn that integration has a limited role in enhancing resilience. Originality/value – The study distinguishes between a proactive and reactive dimension of resilience: robustness and agility. The relational view serves as the theoretical basis to explain the effects between three types of relational competencies (communication, cooperation, and integration) and the above-mentioned two dimensions of resilience. Keywords Relational competencies, Supply chain management, Risk management, Supply chain resilience, Supply chain agility, Supply chain robustnes

Developing a conceptual model for examining the supply chain relationships between behavioural antecedents of collaboration, integration and performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, review the literature on the topic of behavioural antecedents of collaboration and their impact on supply chain integration and performance; second, lay the theoretical foundations and develop a conceptual model linking behavioural antecedents of collaboration, information integration, coordination of operational decisions and supply chain performance; and third, set out operationalisation considerations. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual model with theoretical basis on Relational Exchange Theory (RET) and extant supply chain theory is developed as a causal model that can be operationalised using structural equations modelling (partial least squares) and a “single key informant” approach. Findings – Positive relationships between behavioural antecedents of collaboration (trust, commitment, mutuality/reciprocity), information integration, coordination of operational decisions and supply chain performance (efficiency, effectiveness) are hypothesised. RET provides adequate theoretical background that leads to the theoretical establishment of hypotheses between behavioural antecedents, supply chain integration and performance, which are worth testing empirically. Research limitations/implications – The ideas presented in this paper enrich the study of behavioural factors in supply chain management and their impact on supply chain performance, and may benefit researchers in the field. The paper also sets the scene (experimental design, measurement items) for the upcoming field research. The empirical part of the work will provide the necessary evidence for the validation of the established hypotheses. Practical implications – The proposed linkages may stimulate the interest of supply chain strategists towards more collaborative relationship management and affect their decisions on the behavioural antecedents of relationship formation and management. Moreover, the proposed model may help clarify how the integration of critical operational contingencies – information, operational decisions – can help achieve superior supply chain performance. Originality/value – The paper establishes a causal relationship between constructs which have not been researched (mutuality/reciprocity, coordination of operational decisions) or have been researched individually or in combination (impact of integration on performance, impact of collaboration on performance) but not in the proposed integrated way. It also addresses the challenge of lack of theoretical justification on the development of knowledge that will assist decision making in SCM/logistics and its integration into models, processes and tasks. Finally, by using RET in selecting of behavioural factors and establishing hypotheses, it adds to the body of knowledge concerning the use of interorganisational theories in supply chain relationships

Agility in humanitarian supply chain: an organizational information processing perspective and relational view

Humanitarian organizations are increasingly facing challenges in terms of improving the efficiency and the effectiveness of their disaster relief efforts. These challenges often arise due to a lack of trust, poor collaboration and an inability to respond to disaster affected areas in a timely manner. Our study attempts to understand how these challenges are overcome by seeking answers to questions related to the topics of swift-trust, collaboration and agility in humanitarian supply chains. For instance, in our study we have attempted to examine how information sharing and supply chain visibility in humanitarian supply chains improve the swift-trust among the humanitarian actors engaged in disaster relief operations. Further, we attempt to understand how-swift trust, commitment and collaboration among the humanitarian actors improve the agility in humanitarian supply chains. In our study we provide both theoretical and data-driven answers to our stated research gaps. Our theoretical model is firmly grounded in organizational information process theory and relational view. We tested our research hypotheses using variance based structural equation modelling with survey data collected using a web based pre-tested instrument from 147 NGOs respondents drawn from the National Disaster Management Authority database. Our results help to advance the theoretical debates surrounding “swift-trust”, “collaboration” and “agility” in humanitarian settings. We further provide direction to managers engaged in disaster relief operations. The humanitarian actors engaged in disaster relief often fail to understand how to build swift-trust. Moreover, how swift-trust further affects commitment and collaboration which in turn further affect agility in humanitarian supply chains. Thus humanitarian organizations must understand how information sharing and supply chain visibility is key to swift-trust among humanitarian actors and agility in humanitarian supply chains. Finally, we outline the limitations of our study and offer some future research directions for investigation

Leveraging Open-standard Interorganizational Information Systems for Process Adaptability and Alignment: An Empirical Analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the value creation mechanisms of open-standard inter-organizational information system (OSIOS), which is a key technology to achieve Industry 4.0. Specifically, this study investigates how the internal assimilation and external diffusion of OSIOS help manufactures facilitate process adaptability and alignment in supply chain network.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was designed and administrated to collect data for this research. Using three-stage least squares estimation, the authors empirically tested a number of hypothesized relationships based on a sample of 308 manufacturing firms in China.FindingsThe results of the study show that OSIOS can perform as value creation mechanisms to enable process adaptability and alignment. In addition, the impact of OSIOS internal assimilation is inversely U-shaped where the positive effect on process adaptability will become negative after an extremum point is reached.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights on how OSIOS can improve supply chain integration and thus promote the achievement of industry 4.0. By revealing a U-shaped relationship between OSIOS assimilation and process adaptability, this study fills previous research gap by advancing the understanding on the value creation mechanisms of information systems deployment

Network and firm antecedents of spin-offs: Motherhooding spin-offs

We advance firm and network conditions that are favorable for the gestation of new spin-offs by entrepreneurial employees that exit the mother firm to constitute their own companies. This type of entrepreneurial activity has some unique characteristics. We suggest that spin-offs from certain parent firms have fundamental network benefits that increase their likelihood of survival and success. These benefits accrue on the form of social resources and a unique embeddedness in networks of other offspring and mother firms, and do not require the spin-offs to engage in any direct exchanges with the parent firm. The process which we call 'motherhood' highlights the potential for a mother-progeny and child-child model that promotes entrepreneurial action through spin-offs, and allow us to understand the conditions under which interorganizational networks of firms emerge and thrive as an entrepreneurial process. We conclude that considering a motherhood process, with the characteristics defined in this paper, contributes to the study of entrepreneurship and network evolution.Entrepreneurship, spin-offs, motherhood, network benefits