A Key Challenge in Global HRM: Adding New Insights to Existing Expatriate Spouse Adjustment Models

This study is an attempt to strengthen the existing knowledge about factors affecting the adjustment process of the trailing expatriate spouse and the subsequent impact of any maladjustment or expatriate failure. We conducted a qualitative enquiry using grounded theory methodology with 26 Indian spouses who had to deal with their partner’s expatriate assignment relocation. The open and axial coding techniques and the process of theoretical sampling are discussed at length. Our investigation reveals the recurrence of several factors earlier studied in previous models such as cultural novelty, family and peer support, the organization’s support and the spouse’s personality. Additionally, we found that the Indian spouses’ adjustment to expatriate assignments was influenced greatly by their perceived gender-role ideology and their marital obligations to their partners. The resulting extended model of spousal adjustment to expatriate adjustments may help management practitioners to enhance expatriate success in global assignments

The impact of supply chain disruption on the closed-loop supply chain configuration profit: a study of sourcing policies

A closed-loop supply chain configuration (CLSCC) encompasses the decisions related to the optimal selection of options at each stage of a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) for the introduction and reconstruction of new products. The extant literature ignores the impact of supply chain disruptions on CLSCC. An attempt is made to fill this gap in this study. Thus, an integrated multi-sourcing CLSCC optimisation model for new and reconstructed products is developed. The optimisation model presented is a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model. Based on a real-world case study of an auto-parts manufacturer in India presented, a comprehensive set of computational experiments, scenario analyses are conducted. The key finding/observation that resulted from our computational experiments is that multi-sourcing generates higher net present value of total profit compared to single sourcing under the risk of supply chain disruption. Several other observations and managerial insights are drawn from computational experiments, and scenario analyses. Firms interested in configuring their CLSC under the risk of supply chain disruption may use the study\u27s outcomes to understand the profit impact of various CLSCC parameters, individually and in combination

Closed-loop supply chain configuration for new and reconditioned products: An integrated optimization model

Closed-Loop Supply Chain Management (CLSCM) is considered as a strategic response to the call for corporate sustainability while further expanding the scope of value creation to include product reconstruction. The Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC) performance is directly related to the CLSC network design. The CLSC network design, with long-term and strategic connotations, involves selection of an integrated network of partner organizations to be engaged on one hand in the forward supply chain processes relevant to families of existing and new products and also involved in reverse supply chain activities relevant to reconstruction of the returned products. At the tactical level, Closed-Loop Supply Chain Configuration (CLSCC) attempts to address issues pertinent to launch of a new product and its reconstruction. The CLSC network design is well studied in the current literature, but addressing the CLSCC is neglected. To study the CLSCC problem we: (a) develop an integrated optimization model for problem; (b) present a real-world case study of a battery manufacturer; (c) based on the case study, we conduct a comprehensive set of computational experiments followed by a series of what-if analyses to compare profitability of the Forward Supply Chain Configuration (FSCC) versus the CLSCC; and (c) discuss the key observations and managerial implications drawn from the computational experiments, applicable to other real-world instances. The significant outcomes of the study suggest that: (i) performance of the firm׳s base case integrated CLSCC model is significantly better than the current supply chain model (ii) the sales-price ratio of new battery is found to be negatively related with the maximum acquiring price of used batteries; (iii) combination of sales price ratios of new and reconditioned batteries determines the total net profit for a given return rate. Finally, important managerial insights and scope for future research are discussed

Preface to Research on Role of Technology in Workforce Management

Preface to Research on Role of Technology in Workforce Managemen

Influence of cultural divergence on consumers\u27 perception towards reconstructed products: A qualitative enquiry

The purpose of this study is to understand whether consumers from different cultures have varied perception towards reconstructed products. Cultural divergence concept provides the theoretical support for the study. Data are collected from consumers of two culturally diverse societies (India and the United States). We use grounded theory for interview and data analysis. From the data, 23 open codes and 8 axial codes for Indian consumers and 28 open codes and 8 axial codes for the American consumers are generated. The key finding of our study suggests that culture plays a decisive role in shaping consumers\u27 perception towards reconstructed products. The other findings of our study indicate that consumers of both societies are influenced by other factors that include product- or process-related factors, brand- or store-related factors, and individual factors. We discuss policy level, firm level, and nonprofit or charity level implications. Finally, limitation and scope for future research are outlined

Drivers of consumer purchase intentions for remanufactured products a study of Indian consumers relocated to the USA

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to understand whether being relocated to a society where remanufactured products are promoted can change consumers’ perception towards them. Also, the authors wish to identify major underlying factors for remanufactured product purchase intentions. There is strong evidence in the literature that factors such as societal norms, price, age, income, education level, and availability can have significant influence on the behavioral intentions of consumers

Drivers of consumer purchase intentions for remanufactured products

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to understand whether being relocated to a society where remanufactured products are promoted can change consumers’ perception towards them. Also, the authors wish to identify major underlying factors for remanufactured product purchase intentions. There is strong evidence in the literature that factors such as societal norms, price, age, income, education level, and availability can have significant influence on the behavioral intentions of consumers

What makes micro, small, and medium enterprises not adopt Logistics 4.0? A systematic and structured approach using modified-total interpretive structural modelling

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play an essential role in economic growth. COVID-19 severely affected this sector, given its dependence on logistics. Logistics 4.0 is a progressive and vital technology for the MSME sector in developed economies. However, certain inhibitors cause MSMEs to face criticality and difficulty when adopting Logistics 4.0. Therefore, the authors first identified fourteen inhibitors through a detailed structured literature review and then used the Delphi method to finalise the inhibitors for further analysis. Furthermore, the modified total interpretive structural modelling (M-TISM) technique was applied to identify the levels and interrelationships among the inhibitors. Subsequently, the inhibitors were categorised into four main clusters by their dependence and driving power using matrice d’impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment (MICMAC) analysis. This study reveals that MSMEs must prioritise five critical inhibitors during the Logistics 4.0 adoption process. The authors also develop five propositions. Timely action on the recommendations can help MSMEs owners, managers, and employees quickly adopt Logistics 4.0. Finally, the authors discuss theoretical and managerial implications and future research directions for a better understanding of adopting Logistics 4.0

Towards building circular economy: A cross-cultural study of consumers’ purchase intentions for reconstructed products

Purpose: Extant literature provides insights about consumers’ purchase intentions (PI) and willingness to pay for reconstructed products but does not capture cross-cultural differences. The purpose of this paper is to understand consumers’ PI for reconstructed products in a cross-cultural setting for the development of circular economy. Design/methodology/approach: The sample includes consumers from two diverse societies (India and the USA). The authors conduct two sets of analyses in this paper. The first analysis attempts to identify the difference between the Indian and US consumers’ PI for reconstructed products, who are residing permanently in their home countries. In the second analysis, the authors investigate the impact of socio-cultural norms on PI, for reconstructed products, of the Indian (USA) consumers relocated to the USA (India). In-depth interviews are conducted for data collection. Subsequently, data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis approach. Findings: The results indicate that US consumers: possess altruistic buying behavior; are eco-centric toward waste disposal; strictly follow the regulations and socio-cultural norms; and have harmony orientation toward nature. In contrast, Indian consumers: possess utilitarian buying behavior; demonstrate anthropocentric attitude toward waste disposal; do not necessarily follow the regulations; and have mastery orientation toward nature. Practical implications: At policy level, government in emerging economies should formulate regulations that promote the use of reconstructed products. At firm level, firms should exploit promotional and advertisement efforts to enhance awareness about reconstructed products. Originality/value: The study is an early attempt in the literature to capture cross-cultural differences for reconstructed products

Toward SME digital transformation in the supply chain context: the role of structural social and human capital

PurposeDigital transformation (DT) and supply chain resilience have received increasing attention. Structural social capital (SSC) and human capital (HC) have recently been identified as strategic resources for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While the significant role of entrepreneurial competencies (ECs), SME innovativeness (SMI) and technology adoption (TA) in driving business performance have been partially researched, no studies have simultaneously examined the effect of these resources and capabilities on SME business performance growth (BPG) under the lenses of a resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities (DCs) as well as in the context of DT. This study aims to clarify these unclear relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts established theoretical lenses, a mixed-methods approach and structural equation modeling (SEM) using a sample of 371 respondents who are top and middle SME managers in Vietnam.FindingsThe study discovers the significant and insignificant relationships between HC, SSC, ECs, SMI, TA and BPG besides providing a new measurement and reconciling existing measurements for the DT context. Some implications for driving SMEs' DT are also suggested.Originality/valueThis study is the first to thoroughly examine the effect of HC and SSC on SMEs' BPG through the mediating role of ECs, SMI and TA under RBV and DCs lenses in the DT context. The investigation is conducted in an emerging market, where DT implementation is in the process of being learned and experimented upon