Environmental management systems, practices and outcomes: Differences in resource allocation between small and large firms

This paper argues both small and large firms use different resource allocation patterns to benefit from implementing environmental management practices (EMPs) and environmental management systems (EMS). Results from the multi-group structural equation analyses of a survey of manufacturing firms in two countries support the resource allocation arguments - large firms use resource-demanding EMPs such as green product design and green production to improve outcomes in environmental, cost-reduction and business performance, while small firms choose resource-light EMPs such as green logistics and green packaging to gain only environmental and cost-reduction benefits. The paper advances the existing resource-advantage view by revealing different resource allocation patterns and provides meaningful recommendations through which policy makers can address various resource allocation constraints among small and large enterprises

Experience-based learning of Japanese IT professionals : A qualitative research

Grounded in the Experiential Learning Theory and expertise research, this study examines the processes of experience-based learning, i.e., acquisition of skills and knowledge from direct experience, at different career stages of different types of IT professionals. A qualitative research method was used to compile a series of case studies on the basis of theoretical replication to answer this research inquiry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 IT consultants and 14 project managers in six Japanese IT firms. Our findings indicate that these different IT professionals have acquired different skills and knowledge from their job experiences at their different career stages. Academic and managerial implications of this study are discussed

The role of supplier operational adaptation on the performance of IT-enabled transport logistics under environmental uncertainty

The use of information technology to facilitate transport logistics activities in support of responsive product movement is essential for contemporary supply chain operations to succeed. One neglected area towards achieving this goal is concerned with the role of supplier adaptation on the performance impact of IT-enabled transport logistics. Based on the General Theory of Network Governance, we argue that supplier operational adaptation serves to realize the cost improvements of those firms practicing IT-enabled transport logistics. Our propositions are validated with survey data collected from 188 trading firms, highlighting the importance of supplier operational adaptation for IT-enabled transport logistics to gain cost performance particularly when firms face environmental uncertainty where they lack the ability to predict the outcomes of their actions. Managerial attention should be directed at developing supplier operational adaptation for technological adoption in transport logistics activities to bring performance.General Theory of Network Governance Technological adoption Logistics management Cost performance

Evolution of Government Policies on Guiding Corporate Social Responsibility in China

This paper aims to unearth the ways in which the Chinese government uses policies to guide corporate social responsibility (CSR) development in China. Co-word analysis, cluster analysis, and network analysis were conducted on the relevant policy documents from 2005 to 2013 from the Chinese government. This paper illustrates the evolution of industry involvement in metagovernance of CSR, the evolution of intergovernmental relations in CSR policy formulation, and the evolution of policy relations on guiding CSR. The quantitative text analysis on policy documents reveals policy intentions and maps policy process, advancing understanding of policy orientation and evolution. The CSR reports of the same period of the State Grid in China are used as empirical evidence to validate the policy evolution. This work presents the overall evolution of the ways in which the Chinese government deployed its guiding strategy on CSR, and empirically demonstrates the organization of metagovernance maneuvered by China’s government to promote CSR development in China. It provides perspective and methods to analyze China’s networked government policies, and empirically answers the central question of metagovernance about the ways in which the organization of metagovernance is carried out

Relational stability and alliance performance in supply chain

Drawing on the theories of social exchange and goal interdependence, this paper examines the antecedents of relational stability in supply chain alliances and if the stability affects alliance performance in supply chain in the context of manufacturing firms. The results show that both relational commitment and trust of supplier have positive effects on relational stability in supply chain alliance, which in turn positively affects the alliance performance. These results have important implications for researchers investigating the effectiveness of supply chain alliances as well as practitioners seeking to improve alliance performance in supply chain. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved