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Article
Publication date: 16 August 2010

Lynette J. Ryals and Andrew S. Humphries

This paper examines two co‐manufacturing relationships, which were efficient with the aim of understanding why they were not value maximising.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines two co‐manufacturing relationships, which were efficient with the aim of understanding why they were not value maximising.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises a methodology designed by Wilding and Humphries and based on Williamson's organisation failure framework. Using a case study approach, it is applied in a new context to provide insights into the dynamics within two co‐manufacturing relationships in the food‐manufacturing industry.

Findings

The relationships are judged as operationally efficient by both sides but frustrations and conflicts have emerged over time, leading to a real danger of relationship breakdown. These problems are caused by failure to involve co‐manufacturing partners in strategy discussions, shortcomings in relationship management, and lack of recognition of partners' developing capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper challenges the transaction cost economics (TCE) focus on efficiency in the context of co‐manufacturing relationships and advocates a relational perspective to value maximisation.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that an undue focus on operational efficiency in the management of close, long‐duration co‐manufacturing relationships may result in a reduction in innovation and a failure to maximise value.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical support for arguments in favour of dynamic efficiency, rather than the static efficiency implied by TCE. These findings are of great importance to companies engaged in strategically important co‐manufacturing relationships, as they demonstrate how “negative spiral behaviours” can develop.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2004

Andrew S. Humphries and Richard Wilding

Business‐to‐business, supply chain relationships within sustained monopolies, such as those within UK defence procurement, have received scant attention by management researchers…

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Abstract

Business‐to‐business, supply chain relationships within sustained monopolies, such as those within UK defence procurement, have received scant attention by management researchers. This paper describes the results from a substantial, exploratory research project that used Williamson’s organisations failure framework as a theoretical model. Surprisingly, it revealed that many issues surrounding supply chain management implementation were similar to those found in “normal” markets and that it played an important part in reducing the inherently negative effects of monopolistic relationships. The research sheds new and useful light on the dynamics of this unusual busin

Details

Management Decision, vol. 42 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Richard Wilding and Andrew S. Humphries

Within the supply chain the need for much closer, long‐term relationships is increasing due to supplier rationalisation and globalisation and more information about these…

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Abstract

Purpose

Within the supply chain the need for much closer, long‐term relationships is increasing due to supplier rationalisation and globalisation and more information about these interactions is required. The research specifically tested the well‐accepted Williamson's economic organisations failure framework as a theoretical model through which long‐term collaborative relationships can be viewed.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory research project was designed and carried out on a self‐selected census of 54 monopolistic relationships representing £575.8 m annual spend on equipment and associated services within the UK defence procurement organisation (a 10 per cent sample). Its aims were to understand the relationship dynamics within long‐term, sustained monopolies and to determine if generic success factors could be found to assist managers to break out of the essentially negative situation. A triangulated data capture approach was employed using both quantitative and qualitative methods from both the industry and MoD sides of each relationship and the research instruments concentrated on the five dimensions of the theoretical model with questions grounded in the literature.

Findings

The study demonstrated that the theoretical model could provide powerful insights into the research subject and especially revealed the important part played by co‐operation, co‐ordination and collaboration (C3 behaviour) in reducing the inherently negative effects of close proximity and limited choice relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The research has used a narrow view through a specific theoretical model lens to achieve a broad understanding of business relationships within a single, albeit large, organisation.

Practical implications

Managers can reduce sources of frustration that generate negative behaviours by taking joint actions. Central to achieving this is C3 behaviour where setting synchronised objectives, pursuing joint approaches to service and product delivery, lowering costs and risks and promoting measures to support the growth of trust appear to be the best ways of halting negative behaviour spirals.

Originality/value

The prime contribution of this exploratory research is the exposure of relationship dynamics within a large sample of long‐term, collaborative supply chain business dyads using an integrated application of Williamson's organisations failure framework.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

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Article
Publication date: 13 November 2007

Andrew S. Humphries, John Towriss and Richard Wilding

Cluster analysis provides a statistical method whereby unknown groupings of similar attributes can be identified from a mass of data and is well‐known within marketing and a wide…

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Abstract

Purpose

Cluster analysis provides a statistical method whereby unknown groupings of similar attributes can be identified from a mass of data and is well‐known within marketing and a wide range of other disciplines. This paper seeks to describe the use of cluster analysis in an unusual setting to classify a large sample of dyadic, highly interdependent, supply chain relationships based upon the quality of their interactions. This paper aims to show how careful attention to the detail of research design and the use of combined methods leads to results that both are useful to managers and make a contribution to knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Data relating to 55 monopolistic relationships in the UK defence procurement sector were collected. Hierarchical cluster analysis using Wards method was undertaken on scores from five dimensions measuring relationship satisfaction. The resulting clusters are described in terms of the scores on the dimensions and also in terms of their relationships with data, quantitative and qualitative, exogenous to the clusters.

Findings

The analysis reveals five distinct clusters of relationships. Statistically significant differences are evident in the scores on the five dimensions of satisfaction with respect to these clusters. These scores lead to the labels “Poor 1” “Moderate 2” “Moderate 3” and “Good 4” being assigned to the clusters. The clusters display statistically significant relationships with a number of the exogenous variables including the value of the contract and the age of the technology involved. Relationships with the exogenous qualitative data are indicative of the validity of the clusters.

Originality/value

This paper takes a novel approach to gaining an understanding of relationships through the use of hierarchical cluster analysis. This provides an elegant way of exposing the influences on relationship satisfaction at a disaggregate level which are not possible by taking an aggregate approach. This will be of particular interest to researchers who are seeking patterns in large data sets and practitioners who can identify better practice guidelines when working within supply chain relationships. The disaggregate approach using cluster analysis provides extraordinarily detailed insights into relationship patterns.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2001

Andrew S. Humphries and Richard Wilding

Since the 1998 Strategic Defense Review, the UK Government reversed its competition policy and now seeks to improve defense procurement relationships with industry through…

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Abstract

Since the 1998 Strategic Defense Review, the UK Government reversed its competition policy and now seeks to improve defense procurement relationships with industry through partnering. However, at a time when the defense industries are concentrating and globalizing and more and more of the large contracts are being managed under monopoly conditions, substantive relationship improvements are hard to find. The author's propose that a Transaction Cost Economics Market Failure model provides insights into solving the defense procurement problem by focusing the combination of supply chain factors, which result in successful partnerships within a sustained monopoly. The results of a pilot project justify the approach and suggest that the main program will both extend knowledge in an area that has received little attention by management researchers and also offer practical guidance to managers.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

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Case study
Publication date: 11 August 2023

Ayesha Siddiqi and Virginia Bodolica

The learning outcomes are as follows: to use advanced frameworks and tools to convey complex ideas related to strategy and sustainable business practices; apply relevant concepts…

Abstract

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: to use advanced frameworks and tools to convey complex ideas related to strategy and sustainable business practices; apply relevant concepts and theories of corporate social responsibility and governance to a practical situation while making decisions; demonstrate understanding of the importance of stakeholders when developing socially responsible thinking; and analyze the different strengths and weaknesses of the organization when making a decision that would affect the company strategy.

Case overview/synopsis

Claire Humphry was the General Manager at the renowned The Nacre Hotel in Penang, Malaysia. Claire had a very busy job as she had many people who reported to her, and the hotel was always full of guests. One of the things Claire also managed was the restaurant OceanSound that was owned and operated by her hotel. OceanSound was a very thematic restaurant that specialized in making sculptures of food for special events. On the New Year’s Day in 2023, Claire came to work ready to tackle what was sure to be a long and busy day. However, Claire had not anticipated exactly how taxing the day would end up being. During Claire’s talks with her colleagues throughout the day, her conversation with her friend, the head chef of OceanSound, Poh, would nag at her head for the rest of the day based on the events that followed. The New Year’s special sculpture at OceanSound was to be a large rabbit made of cake to commemorate 2023 being the year of the rabbit according to Chinese zodiac. This is usually kept secret until the sculpture is revealed; but somehow this information had been leaked. This led to The Nacre Hotel and OceanSound being in the spotlight for bad reasons as this sparked a debate online regarding food wastage. This escalated quickly and even led to a famous food influencer commenting on this using specifically The Nacre’s name. Activists also quickly emerged in front of the hotel to protest the creation of sculptures and the food wastage in Malaysian hospitality industry, seeking to make an example out of The Nacre Hotel. The online criticism died down and was eventually replaced by praise for the sculpture. The activists were also eventually asked by the hotel security to leave, which led to the rest of the day to go as expected for a New Year’s Day at The Nacre. However, Claire’s nagging suspicion that they were not out of the woods led her to start looking into food wastage in the hospitality industry in Malaysia to educate herself and bring it up in a future meeting. Two days after this incident, on January 3, 2023, Claire found The Nacre Hotel posted on the newspaper headlines, dissecting the food wastage associated with the hotel now. After getting an urgent phone call from the Regional Manager, who was pressured by the board and shareholders, Claire decided the time to address this issue could not be delayed any longer. She wrote an email to her strategy team to come up with some ideas for possible solutions to the issue and to present them in a group meeting within a week’s time. At the conclusion of the meeting, Claire was contemplating about the decision that she had to make if she wanted The Nacre Hotel to continue operating successfully in Malaysia’s hospitality industry.

Complexity academic level

The main theoretical concepts illustrated in the case include corporate governance approaches, types of corporate social responsibility, stakeholders’ prioritization, organizational culture, organizational structure, industry analysis and strategic choices. Therefore, this case study can be used in a upper-level undergraduate business courses in the field of Strategic Management and Corporate Social Responsibility. The case study can be successfully used in a capstone course on Business Policy and Strategy, when tackling the concepts of corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability strategy and corporate governance. Under this scenario, the usage of conceptual frameworks from Chapters 2 and 3 of the textbook titled “Concepts in Strategic Management and Business Policy: Toward Global Sustainability” by Wheelen and Hunger would be required. This case study can also be successfully applied to MBA level courses on Strategic Management in a Globalized World. In this case, the latest edition of the textbook titled “Exploring Strategy” by Whittington et al., could be used (particularly, the material from Chapters 2–9, 11, 14 and 15). Additionally, the case could also be used in courses related to Tourism and Hospitality, especially in schools which have specialized programs in this field.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CCS 12: Tourism and Hospitality.

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Book part
Publication date: 22 August 2018

Gregori Galofré-Vilà, Andrew Hinde and Aravinda Meera Guntupalli

This chapter uses a dataset of heights calculated from the femurs of skeletal remains to explore the development of stature in England across the last two millennia. We find that…

Abstract

This chapter uses a dataset of heights calculated from the femurs of skeletal remains to explore the development of stature in England across the last two millennia. We find that heights increased during the Roman period and then steadily fell during the “Dark Ages” in the early medieval period. At the turn of the first millennium, heights grew rapidly, but after 1200 they started to decline coinciding with the agricultural depression, the Great Famine, and the Black Death. Then they recovered to reach a plateau which they maintained for almost 300 years, before falling on the eve of industrialization. The data show that average heights in England in the early nineteenth century were comparable to those in Roman times, and that average heights reported between 1400 and 1700 were similar to those of the twentieth century. This chapter also discusses the association of heights across time with some potential determinants and correlates (real wages, inequality, food supply, climate change, and expectation of life), showing that in the long run heights change with these variables, and that in certain periods, notably the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the associations are observable over the shorter run as well. We also examine potential biases surrounding the use of skeletal remains.

Details

Research in Economic History
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78756-582-1

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2004

Andrew Humphries and Richard Wilding

Business‐to‐business relationships within sustained monopolies, such as those within UK defence procurement, have received scant attention by management researchers. This is…

2435

Abstract

Business‐to‐business relationships within sustained monopolies, such as those within UK defence procurement, have received scant attention by management researchers. This is unusual because under these market circumstances there appear to be few incentives to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes despite their strategic policy importance. This paper argues that an understanding of the monopolistic environment using a transaction cost economics theoretical framework and relationship marketing concepts provides an approach to solving this problem as well as testing aspects of these disciplines empirically in a novel area. This plan is supported by the results from a pilot study and the paper concludes by proposing a substantial research project to test this hypothesis in the UK defence procurement situation.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 38 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

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Article
Publication date: 9 October 2009

Carlos Mena, Andrew Humphries and Richard Wilding

Theoretical models of collaboration assume that intra‐organizational relationships are more collaborative that inter‐organizational ones. This paper seeks to question the validity…

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Abstract

Purpose

Theoretical models of collaboration assume that intra‐organizational relationships are more collaborative that inter‐organizational ones. This paper seeks to question the validity of this assumption by comparing the levels of collaboration in two cases that comprise both types of relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Two case studies in the UK food industry were conducted, in each two relationships were analyzed: one inter‐ and one intra‐organizational. Data were collected through a questionnaire followed by semi‐structured interviews.

Findings

This exploratory research indicates that in both case studies intra‐organizational relationships have lower levels of collaboration than inter‐organizational ones. This appears to contradict the commonly held assumption that intra‐organizational relationships involve closer collaborations than inter‐organizational ones.

Research limitations/implications

Case study approaches have reliability and generalisability limitations, however, the paper was given in‐depth access to four relationships (two per case), which provide a basis for further research. The use of multiple informants and two methods of data collection helped to increase reliability and efforts were made to reduce bias in responses by ensuring confidentiality and engaging with participating companies in an impartial way.

Practical implications

A better appreciation of collaboration in inter‐ and intra‐ organizational relationships will result in managers making better decisions about how their organization relates internally and externally. This could have implications for decisions on make‐buy, alliances, and acquisitions.

Originality/value

The paper shows that it is possible to have relationships with customers and suppliers that are more collaborative than those between departments within a single organization. This finding appears to challenge traditional assumptions and provides a new perspective of the management of supply chain relationships.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 39 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

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Book part
Publication date: 13 March 2019

Susan Cosby Ronnenberg

The CW’s long-running horror-drama series Supernatural (2005–) has been accused of undoing progressive advances for women made by Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996–2003). While it’s

Abstract

The CW’s long-running horror-drama series Supernatural (2005–) has been accused of undoing progressive advances for women made by Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996–2003). While it’s hard to deny the truth in that claim, Supernatural also problematizes conventional gender roles from a very different approach, one that plays with perceptions of masculinity and social class.

Buffy Summers may initially seem to have more in common with Supernaturals Sam Winchester, a chosen one with special powers who wants a normal life away from the supernatural. However, Buffy shares more in common with Dean Winchester. Embodying popular gendered stereotypes in their introductions, it’s gradually revealed that there is more complexity to each. Both form alliances with Others; both recognize elements of the Other in themselves. Both transgress conventional gender boundaries, complicating the notion of a binary gender system. Both series introduce the seemingly familiar only to alter it into the uncanny. See the little cute blonde virginal cheerleader? She can kick your ass. See the stupid cocky womanizing jock? All he wants is family and a home. This chapter explores the increasingly gender-blended, social-class-crossing behaviours of Supernaturals Dean Winchester as an heir to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Details

Gender and Contemporary Horror in Television
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78769-103-2

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