Responsiveness in the Face of Disruption – Exploring the Role of Collaborative Knowledge Management and Supply Chain Relational Capital

The Covid pandemic has thrown light on the issue of resilience of the supply chain. Organizations and their supply chains are now exploring ways to increase resilience. Supply chain literature has largely defined resilience in terms of responding and reacting to disruptions. This study thus explores Supply Chain Responsiveness (SCR) as an aspect of resilience and examines the role of Collaborative Knowledge Management (CKM) and Supply Chain Relational Capital (SCRC) in improving responsiveness. Findings from a survey of manufacturing firms indicate that both CKM and SCRC have a positive impact on SCR. Implications for theory and practice are discussed

MARKETS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

This paper examines how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can enable development of markets at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP). Integrating ideas centered on the three-fold role of ICT (automate-informate-transform) and on market mechanisms, we develop research propositions explaining how (1) ICT roles facilitate development of market mechanisms at the BOP, (2) market mechanisms enable economic and social benefit outcomes for BOP markets and members, and (3) particular complementary conditions sustain ICT-enabled market development. We illustrate and support our propositions using published and secondary examples. Theoretical contributions and implications for practice and further research are also discussed

Supplier Relational Integration Under Conditions of Product Complexity

While supplier integration is said to have a positive impact on performance, anecdotal evidence suggests that integration is difficult and is seen more commonly at an operational level rather than at a strategic or relational level. Studies have questioned the benefits of integration under certain conditions. This study examines the impact of supplier relational integration (SRI) on supply chain and firm performance; and proposes greater benefits from supplier relational integration under conditions of product complexity (PC). Findings from a survey of 270 manufacturing firms indicate a strong positive impact of SRI on performance. However, the moderating effect of PC is not supported, indicating the possible role of supply base complexity. Implications for theory and practice are discusse

Market development at the bottom of the pyramid:examining the role of information and communication technologies

This paper addresses the research question, “How can the use of information and communication technology (ICT) enable development of markets at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP)?” Integrating ideas centered on the threefold role of ICT (automate–informate–transform), market mechanisms, and agency freedom aspects of ICT-enabled development, we examine how (1) ICT facilitate development of market mechanisms at the BOP, (2) market mechanisms enable economic and social benefit outcomes for BOP markets and members, and (3) complementary conditions facilitate or hinder ICT-enabled market development. The findings are based on qualitative primary data from interviews with 27 BOP individuals from India, and from published and secondary examples. Theoretical contributions and implications for practice and further research are discussed