Developing interaction capabilities of small export suppliers in term of export involvement

Purpose of the paper and literature addressed: The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the developing interaction capabilities of small export suppliers in term of export involvement and how they influence their relationships with importers. Prior studies in the business to business marketing (Johnsen and Ford, 2006) and in the international marketing (Lages et al., 2009 and Pagano, 2009) have explored that relational capabilities are important, which influence the positions and strategies of international firms within their network. However, there has been lack of empirical research in the area of developing relational capabilities of small export suppliers in term of export involvement and their influence on relationships with importers. Research Method: It has investigated developing interaction capabilities within 10 small export suppliers in Turkey regarding export involvement. It is purposed to contribute to the knowledge of relational capabilities from international relationship perspective. Research Findings: The research findings have revealed that the level of export involvement with importer much depends upon the interaction capabilities held by small export suppliers. Developing interaction capabilities draw importers’ attention and provide opportunities to small export suppliers for being nominated and offered a better positioning in importers’ networks. Main Contribution: The paper contributes to the knowledge of interaction capabilities from an international perspective, export involvement of small export suppliers in particular. In addition, the paper suggests how small export suppliers can increase the level of export involvement by developing interaction capabilities through the enhancement of relationships with importers. The theoretical contribution will be the specific interaction capabilities, which are significant in export involvement stages, controlled by small export suppliers

Mapping the evolutionary stages of asymmetrical supplier-buyer relationships: evidence from the Turkish textile industry

The aim of this paper is to empirically investigate asymmetrical relationship development stages by examining four relationship constructs from small textile suppliers’ perspective and identifying areas for improvement. This study adopted a multiple case study method for investigating the research question. Prior studies into business-to-business marketing have explored asymmetry in dyadic relationships that resulted in limited understanding to our knowledge. The research findings contributed to the understanding of how small suppliers identify critical relationship characteristics that help them to develop symmetries through initial, development and sustainment stages in size asymmetry

The influence of surface waves on water circulation in a mid-Atlantic continental shelf region

The importance of wave-induced currents in different weather conditions and water depths (18.3 m and 36.6 m) is assessed in a mid-Atlantic continental-shelf region. A review of general circulation conditions is conducted. Factors which perturb the general circulation are examined using analytic techniques and limited experimental data. Actual wind and wave statistics for the region are examined. Relative magnitudes of the various currents are compared on a frequency of annual occurrence basis. Results indicated that wave-induced currents are often the same order of magnitude as other currents in the region and become more important at higher wind and wave conditions. Wind-wave and ocean-swell characteristics are among those parameters which must be monitored for the analytical computation of continental-shelf circulation

Remote monitoring of a thermal plume

A remote-sensing experiment conducted on May 17, 1977, over the Surry nuclear power station on the James River, Virginia is discussed. Isotherms of the thermal plume from the power station were derived from remotely sensed data and compared with in situ water temperature measurements provided by the Virginia Electric and Power Company, VEPCO. The results of this study were also qualitatively compared with those from other previous studies under comparable conditions of the power station's operation and the ambient flow. These studies included hydraulic model predictions carried out by Pritchard and Carpenter and a 5-year in situ monitoring program based on boat surveys

Types of asymmetries in exporter-importer relationships and alignment behaviour

The purpose of this paper is to explore the phenomenon of asymmetry in international supply chain relationships and investigate how small exporter firms manage these asymmetric relationships. Prior studies have conceptualized asymmetry as a relationship attribute and concentrated on causal effects of asymmetry in supplier-buyer relationships by highlighting the extensive amount of reasons why asymmetry occurs in dyadic relationships. However, those extensive reasons intent to articulate why asymmetry occurs in relationships, have not provided enough in-depth to understand the complexity of asymmetry in international supply chain relationships, therefore, this study aims to explore the concept of asymmetry by focusing on structure and exercise rather than simply discovering reasons. This research explores the four distinguishable types of relational asymmetry between exporters and importers suggest different implications for international supply chain relationships. As opposed to the existing literature, which has considered and largely agreed that asymmetry is related to a negative connotation, this research suggests that different types of asymmetries also have a positive relational outcome for small export firms. This exploratory paper provides managers with additional insight into the types of asymmetry in international supply chain relationships and suggests that asymmetric relationships must be examined carefully in order to overcome difficulties that distract long-term relationships

Brand equity of non-profit organisations: conceptualizing customer based brand equity of Chinese non-profit organisations

It has been emphasised that brand equity and its formation is important for profit organisations as it is considered an influential communication method to stakeholders. However, its’ importance has not been fully appreciated for non-profit organisations. Despite brand equity models that have been developed and introduced by (Aaker, 1991 and Keller, 2003) and measured by (Faircloth, 2005; Christodoulides and Chernatony, 2010) in the western world, there is still a limited understanding about NPOs’ brand equity in the eastern context. The present paper aims to develop a brand equity model for NPOs by focusing on China and the eastern context which have been overlooked and have a great potential to offer novel insides to the theory in the literature (Fish, 1998 and Hou et al., 2009). This developmental paper proposed to develop a brand equity model by adopting mix methodology approach

The use of power in self and collective interests of retailers and small apparel suppliers' relationships

This research investigates the power use in self and collective interests of retailers and small apparel suppliers’ relationships. Our findings highlighted that power use of fast fashion retailers in self-interest and collective interest related goals are evident mainly in the areas of capability development, production processes and innovation in asymmetric relationships with Turkish apparel suppliers

How small suppliers deal with the buyer power in asymmetric relationships within the sustainable fashion supply chain

This research investigates the application of power by retail buyers and how fashion suppliers deal with the application of power within sustainable supply chains by focusing on the experience of six small fashion suppliers. Using an exploratory case methodology, the empirical findings demonstrate that power is applied by enforcing collaborations and extension of responsibilities of fashion suppliers. Small fashion suppliers deal with the application of power by providing process efficiency that supports the performance of economic, environmental and social sustainable goals of retail buyers within sustainable supply chains. This research contributes by linking the concept of power and sustainability within fashion supply chains. The paper concludes by evaluating the application of power by retail buyers and fashion suppliers' responses.NTU Seedcorn Fundin

An exploration of power asymmetry in the apparel industry in the UK and Turkey

This paper is designed to explore the concept of power asymmetry in apparel supply chains between large retailers and SME suppliers by focusing on the experiences of 20 SME apparel manufacturer suppliers in relationship with large retailers based in the UK and Turkey. This research presents a framework for examining how suppliers’ capabilities help them to overcome power asymmetry.Using an exploratory case methodology, the paper discusses the supply chains in which the SMEs operate, identifies the power asymmetry evident in these supply chains and how the capabilities of suppliers overcome power asymmetry in relationships. The empirical findings from the data collected in the UK and Turkey illustrate both production and technical capabilities affect power asymmetry but cause and effect is difficult to establish as these capabilities are fundamental to the relationship. Management capability is significant in a number of ways, exhibited by importance of managing relationships and mitigating the risks associated with these. Custom capabilities supported suppliers efficiently in their efforts of value delivery. The study makes a contribution to the work of the Industrial Marketing Purchasing (IMP) school and the interaction approach (e.g. Ford, Hakansson, & Johanson 1986; Hakansson, & Snehota, 1998; Gadde, & Hakansson, 2002). The capability framework demonstrated a new approach to explore the further dimensions of power asymmetry and understand approaches of mitigating asymmetry in dyadic relationships. In contrast to earlier work, the research extends to industry level, rather than that of the individual firm. The paper concludes by evaluating the application of capabilities by apparel suppliers and how they build inter-dependencies and position themselves in asymmetric relationships with retailers.N/