E. ANDREEWSKY, V. ROSENTHAL and D. BOURCIER
It is the purpose of this paper to indicate certain difficulties confronting traditional approaches to language comprehension. Examples of these difficulties will be presented…
Abstract
It is the purpose of this paper to indicate certain difficulties confronting traditional approaches to language comprehension. Examples of these difficulties will be presented based on linguistic, psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic observations. We shall submit that efforts to provide a satisfactory account of these observations must entail a reconceptualization of language comprehension within a systems framework. A computer simulation of these observations indicates the feasibility of a simple model specifying a preliminary phase of language comprehension. This phase is defined as involving an interactive interface between the morphological properties of linguistic stimuli and the individual's “knowledge of the world”.
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Gyöngyi Kovács and Karen M. Spens
To construct a framework for exploring and discussing the use of different research approaches – deductive, inductive and abductive – in logistics.
Abstract
Purpose
To construct a framework for exploring and discussing the use of different research approaches – deductive, inductive and abductive – in logistics.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of research articles in three major logistics journals (International Journal of Logistics Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management and Journal of Business Logistics) from 1998 to 2002.
Findings
Recognizes the dominance of deductive research in logistics, and the need for more inductive and, in particular, abductive research for theory development. Discusses the use of the abductive research approach in logistics.
Research limitations/implications
Keywords searches led to a small sample size; more thorough content analysis is needed to apply the findings from the constructed framework.
Practical implications
Useful source of information on the three different research approaches, their possibilities and implications for research.
Originality/value
The abductive research approach has not yet been discussed in logistics.
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John Stewart and Evelyne Andreewsky
According to the dominant paradigm in both biology and the language sciences, “information” is an entity which can be “contained” in genes or words; “transferred” to a receptor…
Abstract
According to the dominant paradigm in both biology and the language sciences, “information” is an entity which can be “contained” in genes or words; “transferred” to a receptor, this “information” is supposedly the key to phenomena such as the ontogenesis of living organisms or the meaning of language. Argues that this paradigm suffers from unsurmountable weaknesses and, moreover, that possible alternatives exist: maybe the time has come to abandon the information cult.
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Karen M. Spens and Gyöngyi Kovács
Based on a framework developed by Kovács and Spens, this paper seeks to assess the use of the three different research approaches in logistics research; discuss the use of…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on a framework developed by Kovács and Spens, this paper seeks to assess the use of the three different research approaches in logistics research; discuss the use of different research methods within the three research approaches; find and discuss applications of the abductive research approach to logistics problems.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis is used in order to categorize the different research approaches. While content analysis commonly uses smaller units such as paragraphs, sentences, words or characters, this study used entire articles as the unit of analysis. The scope of the review encompassed five years (1998‐2002) of articles in IJLM, IJPDLM and JBL. A total of 378 articles was reviewed and categorized.
Findings
The findings of the study corroborate earlier studies regarding the main research approach used in logistics. Published logistics research is hypothetico‐deductive, with a strong emphasis on using survey methods. Nevertheless, inductive as well as abductive research is gaining importance. However, most logistics articles do not explicitly discuss the research process, nor the approach used. Therefore, a call for more explicit statements of the research approach is suggested.
Research limitations/implications
The review of the articles is limited to three main journals in the field. A more comprehensive view of research approaches could be obtained by broadening the review to include also other types of research.
Practical implications
The paper provides a framework and guidelines to researchers for explicitly discussing the research approach used in logistics articles.
Originality/value
The paper provides an overview of the research approaches used in logistics research.
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Erno Salmela and Janne Huiskonen
The purpose of this paper is to promote decision-making structures between the customer and the supplier in a highly uncertain environment. This phenomenon of demand-supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to promote decision-making structures between the customer and the supplier in a highly uncertain environment. This phenomenon of demand-supply chain synchronisation includes sharing of high-quality and timely demand and supply information in order to improve the quality and speed of decision-making.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was carried out as an abductive case study, which started from empirical observations that did not match the prior theoretical framework. Through abductive reasoning and empirical experiments, the prior framework was extended to a new synchronisation model and tools that better accommodate the observed need.
Findings
A new co-innovation toolbox was developed to create common understanding of demand-supply chain synchronisation between the customer and the supplier. The toolbox includes Demand Visibility Point-Demand Penetration Point, Supply Visibility Point–Supply Penetration Point and Integrative Synchronisation tools.
Research limitations/implications
The study extends the current models and tools of demand-supply chain synchronisation. With the new toolbox, the development needs of decision-making structures can be identified more comprehensively than with the current tools.
Practical implications
The developed visual toolbox helps partners create a common understanding of problems and development possibilities in demand-supply chain synchronisation in a highly uncertain environment. Common understanding is a starting point for changing decision-making structures to improve the overall performance of a demand-supply chain.
Originality/value
The new toolbox is both more comprehensive and more detailed than the previous tools.
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Morgane M.C. Fritz and Salomée Ruel
This study explores practitioners' perspectives on and definitions of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), which are then compared to academic definitions to identify new…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores practitioners' perspectives on and definitions of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), which are then compared to academic definitions to identify new implications for researchers, educators and practitioners.
Design/methodology/approach
An abductive, explorative and qualitative approach was followed in the form of a review and classification of 31 academic definitions of SSCM as well as 30 interviews with supply chain (SC) practitioners.
Findings
The practitioners' answers show a lack of awareness of upstream and downstream challenges as the practitioners' focus on practices within the practitioners' firms, where the economic and environmental dimensions prevail. However, the practitioners highlighted understudied topics in SSCM: human resources policies, leadership for sustainability and ethics.
Research limitations/implications
This research stimulates discussion on how to teach an SSCM course and which directions to follow to ensure that research has an impact on practices. Practitioners' focus on the practitioners' everyday practices confirms that practice-based theories, amongst others, are relevant in the field and that more interdisciplinary research is needed to highlight the contributions of human resource management (HRM) and business ethics to SSCM.
Practical implications
The proposed framework clearly defines the scope of the practices and research (upstream or downstream of the SC or within the firm), which will allow practitioners to contribute to SSCM more holistically.
Social implications
Educators and researchers have a crucial role to play in clarifying the meaning of SSCM for students who are future practitioners and consumers. Interacting more with practitioners could help.
Originality/value
This research is targeted not only to researchers and practitioners but also educators.
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Evelyne Andreewsky and Danièle Bourcier
The complexity of any given cognitive phenomenon, such as “scientific discovery”, “technical expertise”, or “natural language understanding”, requires a multidisciplinary…
Abstract
The complexity of any given cognitive phenomenon, such as “scientific discovery”, “technical expertise”, or “natural language understanding”, requires a multidisciplinary approach. Presents, within the framework of such an approach, some visible evidences of how these very different phenomena are closely rooted in the same highly inventive cognitive process, abduction. These evidences will be provided out of examples from both everyday language interpretation and law making expertise.
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To consider aspects of a theory of systemic construction by discussing two concepts which will assist in our understanding of the surrounding world which it is considered is made…
Abstract
Purpose
To consider aspects of a theory of systemic construction by discussing two concepts which will assist in our understanding of the surrounding world which it is considered is made of both systemic and non‐systemic entities.
Design/methodology/approach
Considers how these entities (metasystem, network, transitron etc.) can be conceived and defined. Systemic frames notions are presented and examples of systems given. Discusses the historic use of the word “system” and systemic thinking and its varieties.
Findings
Discovered that on the basis of these concepts, an understanding of the surrounding world can be achieved which is not homogeneous but made of both systemic and non‐systemic entities. These can change when certain systemic properties are reached as well as in their specific degrees in their limitations and paradoxes.
Originality/value
Introduces an original approach to the life support system by proposing concepts that are discussed and defined and that will provide cyberneticians and systemists with a revised view of systemic thinking.