Michael Tracey, Richard W. Fite and Mathias J. Sutton
The goal of this exploratory study is to establish an explanatory model and corresponding instrument to help further understand, and conduct research in the area of supply chain…
Abstract
The goal of this exploratory study is to establish an explanatory model and corresponding instrument to help further understand, and conduct research in the area of supply chain management (SCM). Constructs pertaining to SCM assimilation, SCM outcomes, and overall firm performance are operationally defined in terms of their dimensions and items. The business literature is utilized to help define the constructs and to generate potential measurement items. The scales are then purified and a preliminary test for predictive validity is performed.
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The term “customer service” is used today in the field of logistics management to describe a host of different but critically interrelated activities. Some authors view customer…
Abstract
The term “customer service” is used today in the field of logistics management to describe a host of different but critically interrelated activities. Some authors view customer service as all activities which bind a corporation and its customers together to further a sales relationship. Other authors view customer service as a package of measurable activities which provide utility to customers or optimum levels of service.
The purpose of this paper is to provide a personal retrospective on six of the key events/experiences that influenced the development of the structure, foundational premises, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a personal retrospective on six of the key events/experiences that influenced the development of the structure, foundational premises, and models of the resource‐advantage theory of competition.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a personal retrospective approach.
Findings
The paper finds that six key events influenced the development of resource‐advantage theory: B.J. “Bud” LaLonde emphasizes the works of Alderson; Rob Morgan suggests an article on the resource‐based theory of the firm; Roy Howell suggests a presentation on R‐A theory; Randy Sparks shows a “socialist calculation” article; Kim Boal suggests the Journal of Management Inquiry as a publication outlet; and Bob Phillips discusses his work on “firm effects vs industry effects”. The paper then relates each of the six events to the paths, routes, or procedures that are often proposed as (or reported to be) likely to lead to the development of theories.
Originality/value
By providing the evolutionary history of resource‐advantage theory, the paper provides implications for developing marketing theories.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a retrospection on the importance, origins and development of the research programs in the author’s career.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a retrospection on the importance, origins and development of the research programs in the author’s career.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an autobiographical approach.
Findings
Most of the articles, research monographs and books that constitute this research and publishing efforts can be categorized into seven distinct, but related, research programs: channels of distribution; marketing theory; marketing’s philosophy debates; macromarketing and ethics; relationship marketing; resource-advantage theory; and marketing management and strategy. The value system that has guided these research programs has been shaped by specific events that took place in the author’s formative years. This essay chronicles these events and the origins and development of the seven research programs.
Originality/value
Chronicling the importance, origins and development of the seven research programs will hopefully motivate and assist other scholars in developing their own research programs.
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Marko Bastl, Tonci Grubic, Simon Templar, Alan Harrison and Ip‐Shing Fan
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the limitations of current accounting practices in an inter‐organisational context; introduce contemporary costing approaches used in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the limitations of current accounting practices in an inter‐organisational context; introduce contemporary costing approaches used in inter‐organisational costing (IOC) programmes; and identify the inhibitors of successful implementation of IOC programmes.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a structured review of empirical and theoretical literature.
Findings
Traditional accounting practices do not adequately fulfil their role in the inter‐organisational context. Contemporary accounting practices overcome only some limitations of traditional accounting practices. The paper uncovers part of the complexity surrounding the implementation of IOC programmes and suggests that we are dealing with a broad inter‐disciplinary phenomenon.
Research limitations/implications
Conclusions are drawn on a conceptual level and further empirical investigation is encouraged.
Practical implications
The paper raises the awareness of the complexity surrounding the implementation of IOC programmes. The broad set of inhibiting factors could be effectively used by managers to assess the readiness of organisations involved in implementation of IOC programmes.
Originality/value
This research is the first that systematically addresses the problem of inhibitors in the implementation of IOC programmes. The broad scope of the paper sets the foundations for more focused research into specific inhibiting factors.
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Paul R. Murphy and Richard F. Poist
With logistics increasingly adopting a strategic orientation inmany firms, senior‐level logisticians must possess certain skills inorder to successfully manage the logistics…
Abstract
With logistics increasingly adopting a strategic orientation in many firms, senior‐level logisticians must possess certain skills in order to successfully manage the logistics function. This article argues that the contemporary senior‐level logistics manager needs to be proficient in three categories namely: business, logistics and management skills. The purpose of this research is to report the results of a survey of US logistics managers designed to assess the importance of business, logistics, and management skills. Management skills emerged as the most important of the three, followed by logistics and business skills. These findings suggest that contemporary senior‐level logistics executives must be managers first and logisticians second. In addition, the emphasis on management skills suggests that high‐ranking logistics executives may have the opportunity of rising to top management positions such as the Chief Executive Officer – a career path unheard of two decades ago.
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Jonathan W. Kohn, Michael A. McGinnis and Praveen K. Kesava
The responses of 222 logistics managers inmanufacturing firms were analysed to identifylogistics strategies and evaluate relationshipsbetween organisational environment and…
Abstract
The responses of 222 logistics managers in manufacturing firms were analysed to identify logistics strategies and evaluate relationships between organisational environment and logistics strategy. The findings were integrated with previous research to develop a contingency model of logistics strategy.
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Jay U. Sterling and Douglas M. Lambert
Although significant advances have been made in customer serviceresearch, a majority of this research has concentrated on defining andmeasuring the importance of customer service…
Abstract
Although significant advances have been made in customer service research, a majority of this research has concentrated on defining and measuring the importance of customer service in isolation from the other components of the marketing mix. In order to achieve a competitive advantage from customer service, it is necessary to establish service levels as part of the firm′s overall marketing strategy. This monograph reviews the development of customer service; evaluates past customer service research; presents a methodology for integrating customer service and marketing strategy, and provides some suggestions for future research.
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Robert H. Ross and Robert F. Lusch
Brokers must realise that the promotional and logistical services they provide wholesalers help to determine the wholesaler's satisfaction with them. Although the results of the…
Abstract
Brokers must realise that the promotional and logistical services they provide wholesalers help to determine the wholesaler's satisfaction with them. Although the results of the research presented in this article clearly show that high quality performance of both types of services is important, logistical services play a more important role in determining wholesaler satisfaction. Consequently, manufacturers must realise that brokers are an important link in the physical distribution channel and can help deliver high customer satisfaction via superior physical distribution service.
Karl B. Manrodt and Frank W. Davis
Traces the evolutionary process leading from traditional supplychain logistics. This is accomplished by tracing three foundationalconcepts – the total cost concept; the systems…
Abstract
Traces the evolutionary process leading from traditional supply chain logistics. This is accomplished by tracing three foundational concepts – the total cost concept; the systems approach; and the customer service concept – to assess their influence on service response logistics. Anticipates continued interest in this area as organizations seek to structure themselves to be responsive to the changing needs of their individual customers.