Po-Hsing Tseng and Chun-Hsiung Liao
The purpose of this paper is to use a theoretical framework (i.e. resource-based view) to investigate causal relationships between the supply chain integration, market…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use a theoretical framework (i.e. resource-based view) to investigate causal relationships between the supply chain integration, market orientation, information technology (IT) application and firm performance of container shipping firms in Taiwan.
Design/methodology/approach
The data are collected from 124 container shipping firms in Taiwan. The methodologies used in the paper are exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.
Findings
The findings indicated that IT application and market orientation positively influence supply chain integration. It revealed that IT-based and market-oriented firms more easily integrate market information related to partners, departments and customers. Further, supply chain integration and market orientation have a positive effect on firm performance.
Research limitations/implications
Such a result indicated a market-oriented firm quickly responds to market information and competitors’ strategies; and thus, it would make effort to offer satisfactory customer services in dynamically fluctuating markets, and obtain better firm performance. Also, the integration provides higher operation efficiency and obtains an enhanced performance improvement.
Practical implications
The results also indicated that firms are able to develop their market-oriented strategies through electronic information transmission and exchange platform. Based on the study’s findings, managerial strategies are proposed to improve firm performance.
Originality/value
This paper clarifies the concept of supply chain integration, market orientation and IT application in the context of container shipping, and investigates the inter-relationship between supply chain integration, market orientation, IT application and firm performance and develop a conceptual model in the context of container shipping.
Details
Keywords
Chin‐Shan Lu, Chun‐Hsiung Liao and Ching‐Chiao Yang
This study aims to empirically identify investment incentive preference segments for international logistics zones from the manufacturer's perspective.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to empirically identify investment incentive preference segments for international logistics zones from the manufacturer's perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight critical investment incentives were identified, based on the following factors: cost, agglomeration, resource, port, policy, political stability, location and transport, and economic. Cluster analysis was subsequently performed to group respondents on the basis of their factor scores. Three groups or segments were identified: firms that preferred political stability and location factors; those which preferred low‐cost and port‐related factors; and those which preferred agglomeration effect and resource factors. Six factors, i.e. cost, agglomeration effect, resource, port, policy, and political stability, differed significantly across the three segments.
Findings
Results suggest that political stability is the most important incentive, followed by corporate tax incentives, government administration efficiency, labor cost, and energy cost.
Originality/value
This study is a first attempt to understand investment incentive preferences for an international logistics zone from the manufacturers' perspective and to segment investors into different groups.
Details
Keywords
Chun‐Hsiung Liao, Chun‐Wang Tsou and Ming‐Feng Huang
The purpose of this study is to analyse factors influencing subscribers' usage of 3G mobile services in Taiwan.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyse factors influencing subscribers' usage of 3G mobile services in Taiwan.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model, based on a technology acceptance model (TAM) and added perceived enjoyment, was tested by means of a two‐stage structure equation modelling approach. Data were collected from 532 respondents via a web questionnaire survey.
Findings
The findings indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment are positively related to attitude, and perceived enjoyment has a positive influence on perceived usefulness.
Practical implications
The findings suggest users of 3G mobile services need to be provided with more diverse and entertaining ways of communicating, which are at the same time easily accessible and convenient to use.
Originality/value
A new correlation from perceived enjoyment to perceived usefulness was found to have a significant effect. This finding indicates enjoyment as a key factor influences customers' adoption of 3G services.