The Concept of Supply Chain Agility: Conceptualization, Antecedents, and the Impact on Firm Performance

Agility has been identified as one of the most salient issues of contemporary supply chain management. Despite its importance, there has been limited theory development in the firm supply chain agility area. Elements and linkages among agility elements are underdeveloped, and it is uncommon for any two authors to adopt the same definition. A rigorously validated survey instrument is also needed to enable researchers to credibly build on theories regarding causal links among agility-related capabilities, practices and performance outcomes. The sports science and military science theoretical bases are investigated to better understand agility and identify its dimensions, and define it in a supply chain context. Further, a comprehensive measurement instrument that draws on the foundations of social and life science theory is developed and empirically validated so that researchers can rigorously expand agility theory The antecedents of firm supply chain agility have been primarily addressed at an operational level. This dissertation expands on the work of Braunscheidel and Suresh (2009) who explored the role of different managerial orientations in achieving supply chain agility. Finally, scholars have issued research calls for an in-depth understanding of the performance outcomes of firm supply chain agility and accentuated the need to empirically examine such outcomes from an efficiency and effectiveness perspective. This dissertation responds to such calls, and further investigates the impact of firm supply chain agility on the firm’s financial performance using secondary, Compustat data. Thus, this research further contributes to theory development by providing a better understanding of how firm supply chain agility impacts firm performance. Relevant managerial implications are also presented

Identifying the dimensions of logistics service quality in an online B2C context

There is theoretical and practical evidence indicating the existence of significant differences between the needs and wants of firms and end consumers, as well as the existence of significantly different needs between offline and online environments. Therefore, it is not clear how effectively measures of logistics service quality developed in an offline, B2B context can be applied to an online, B2C environment. This manuscript explores the elements of logistics service quality that end consumers value in an online context. The literature on logistics service quality in B2B and the literature on online consumer satisfaction are integrated. This results in the development of a set of dimensions for measuring online logistics service quality in online, B2C environments. Specifically, the dimensions of a new scale for measuring online logistics service quality (labeled oLSQ) were identified and defined. Managers can use the dimensions of logistics service quality identified in the oLSQ scale as a guide when designing and managing online retail stores

The interplay between key marketing and supply chain management capabilities: The role of integrative mechanisms

Purpose: This paper identifies key marketing and SCM related capabilities and explores the nature of the linkages between these specific capabilities as shaped by the integrative mechanisms adopted by firms. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the findings from dyadic interviews with 26 marketing and supply chain management executives from business-to-business firms, we develop an empirically grounded conceptual framework. Findings: We identify innovativeness and market learning capability as key marketing capabilities and supply chain agility and relational capability as key supply chain management capabilities. We find that relationships between these strategic marketing and supply chain management capabilities follow a specific pattern. We also find that the application of unique integrative mechanisms can cultivate the potential tandem between marketing and supply chain management capabilities. Research limitations/implications: Our study informs theory with regard to two key areas: relationships among key marketing and supply chain management capabilities and integrative mechanisms that shape the underlying mechanisms of capability relationships. Practical implications-Application of organizational dynamics to key marketing and supply chain management provides a more nuanced understanding of the linkages among such capabilities. A better understanding and application of integrative mechanisms may help managers develop better tools and means to bundle their key marketing and supply chain management capabilities effectively. Originality/value: The qualitative and exploratory nature of the paper will be of significant interest to managers who would like to achieve greater synergy between marketing and supply chain management capabilities

The role of logistics alliance orientation on forming the alliance structure: A conceptual framework

Little is known about how a firm decides what type of relationship to develop with a LSP and how the type of arrangement affects the service quality performance. This article proposes a conceptual framework to better understand how shippers decide what type of relationship to develop with a logistics service provider (LSP) within the strategy- structure-performance theoretical framework. A systematic literature review is used to develop a conceptual framework that considers the association between the firm’s strategic perspective on outsourcing and the resulting effect on the alliance structure. The concept of a logistics alliance orientation (LAO) is introduced to examine how the level of the LAO affects the alliance structure. Lastly, the link between the logistics alliance structure (LAS) and service quality performance is explored

Examining the impact of service recovery resilience in the context of product replacement: the roles of perceived procedural and interactional justice

Purpose Given increasing customer expectations and disturbances to product returns management, capabilities such as supply chain resilience (SCR) can complement service recovery strategies in retail supply chains. This study utilizes procedural justice theory (PJT) to conceptualize service recovery resilience as a capability that allows firms to meet customer requirements when dealing with disruptions, and empirically investigates its impact on procedural and interactional justice and customer outcomes (i.e. satisfaction and loyalty) in the context of product replacement. Design/methodology/approach This research employs two scenario-based experiments using a sample of 368 customers to explore the outcomes associated with service recovery resilience. Findings The investigation shows more satisfied and loyal customers when a retail supply chain can overcome service recovery challenges through SCR. The study shows that customers evaluate not only the process itself, but also their interactions with the retailer. Specifically, procedural justice and interactional justice have a significant influence on these relationships. Originality/value This study proposes service recovery resilience as a concept that bridges service recovery theory with supply chain strategy in the unique context of product replacement. Further, this study also notes how information enhances customer satisfaction with the retailer's effort to address disturbances in the recovery process. Finally, this study informs managers on the capabilities needed to face new customers' needs

Increasing responsiveness through the firm-LSP relationship structure: A behavioral perspective

This study investigates the behavioral aspects of the firm-logistics service provider (LSP) relationship in order to better understand the avenues through which LSP responsiveness to changing customer needs can be enhanced. Because the research examining the behavioral aspects of the firm- LSP relationship is sparse, a dyadic qualitative research approach was taken to explore the development of a relationship structure that will facilitate the level of responsiveness that the firm desires. This study revealed that the key to enhancing LSP responsiveness lays in the structure of the firm-LSP relationship. Specifically, it was found that the level of cooperation, coordination, communication, and bonding between the focal firm and the LSP have a direct effect on the LSP’s level of responsiveness to the firm’s needs

A look into the past and future: theories within supply chain management, marketing and management

Purpose Although supply chain scholars have acknowledged the fundamental disruptive changes experienced by today\u2019s supply chains and the ensuing novelty of the research problems worthy of investigation, they have primarily relied on a limited number of theories to help explain the phenomena of interest. The purpose of this paper is to use a systematic literature review to address this gap and propose additional theories that supply chain researchers can use to help address novel supply chain phenomena, such as those caused by technological disruptions. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a systematic literature review to examine the studies published over the last 10 years in six of the top supply chain management journals (411 articles) and six of the top marketing and management journals (1,214 articles). Findings First, the findings show that 15 theories have been relied upon by over 95 per cent of the studies within supply chain management that use formal theories. Second, the authors identify the most frequently used theories within marketing and management (217 theories). Third, as space limitations make it impossible to offer a rich description of each of the 217 theories, the authors identify 30 theories that they considered to be the most salient to supply chain research and suggest areas where supply chain scholars can apply these theoretical lenses. Originality/value The research effort allowed the authors to map the current use of theories within the field to gain a better understanding of what other theories could augment the body of theories used within supply chain management. Thus, the current study is a \u201cone stop shop\u201d that supply chain scholars can consult when in a quandary about what theoretical lens to utilize

Hybridization of mouse lemurs: different patterns under different ecological conditions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several mechanistic models aim to explain the diversification of the multitude of endemic species on Madagascar. The island's biogeographic history probably offered numerous opportunities for secondary contact and subsequent hybridization. Existing diversification models do not consider a possible role of these processes. One key question for a better understanding of their potential importance is how they are influenced by different environmental settings. Here, we characterized a contact zone between two species of mouse lemurs, <it>Microcebus griseorufus </it>and <it>M. murinus</it>, in dry spiny bush and mesic gallery forest that border each other sharply without intermediate habitats between them. We performed population genetic analyses based on mtDNA sequences and nine nuclear microsatellites and compared the results to a known hybrid zone of the same species in a nearby wide gradient from dry spiny bush over transitional forest to humid littoral forest.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the spiny-gallery system, <it>Microcebus griseorufus </it>is restricted to the spiny bush; <it>Microcebus murinus </it>occurs in gallery forest and locally invades the dryer habitat of its congener. We found evidence for bidirectional introgressive hybridization, which is closely linked to increased spatial overlap within the spiny bush. Within 159 individuals, we observed 18 hybrids with mitochondrial haplotypes of both species. Analyses of simulated microsatellite data indicate that we identified hybrids with great accuracy and that we probably underestimated their true number. We discuss short-term climatic fluctuations as potential trigger for the dynamic of invasion and subsequent hybridization. In the gradient hybrid zone in turn, long-term aridification could have favored unidirectional nuclear introgression from <it>Microcebus griseorufus </it>into <it>M. murinus </it>in transitional forest.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Madagascar's southeastern transitional zone harbors two very different hybrid zones of mouse lemurs in different environmental settings. This sheds light on the multitude of opportunities for the formation of hybrid zones and indicates an important influence of environmental factors on secondary contact and hybridization. Our findings suggest that hybridization could enhance the adaptability of mouse lemurs without necessarily leading to a loss of distinctiveness. They point to a potential role of hybridization in Madagascar's diversification history that requires further investigation.</p

Exploring the impact of punishments on employee effort and performance in the workplace : Insights from England's premier league

Despite the prevalence of punishment as a method of enforcing organizational policies, management literature provides little guidance on the impact of punishment on individuals' work performance. A sample of 412 professional soccer players in England's Premier League was utilized to collect unobtrusive, longitudinal data to better understand how individuals react to punishments in their workplace. Our findings indicate that individuals deploy significantly more effort (run more kilometers) following a punishment. However, the findings also indicate that individuals do not perform better following the administration of punishment. In fact, their performance is significantly lower than before the punishment. Although individuals work harder, they actually perform weaker. Further, we found that, when punished more than their team members, individuals deploy significantly more effort than individuals who get punished less than their team members but perform significantly weaker than those individuals.© 2024 The Authors.European Management Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Management (EURAM). This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed