Shaohua Song, Xianliang Shi, Guang Song and Fahian Anisul Huq
Supply chain integration (SCI) is key to implementing omni-channel retailing (OCR) strategy. In this paper, the authors explore the role of digitalization as a driver of SCI, as…
Abstract
Purpose
Supply chain integration (SCI) is key to implementing omni-channel retailing (OCR) strategy. In this paper, the authors explore the role of digitalization as a driver of SCI, as well the role of human capital (HC) in digitalization, using a knowledge management (KM) perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was conducted using survey research. A sample of 188 omni-channel retailers in the Chinese market was analyzed using factor analysis and structured equation modeling (SEM) to examine the hypotheses presented in the conceptual model.
Findings
This study reveals that HC is positively related to the level of a firm's digitalization in OCR, and that digitalization is positively related to the retailer's SCI. Moreover, the authors found that employees' capital has a greater impact on digitalization than managers' capital, while digitalization has a stronger driving effect on internal and customer integration.
Research limitations/implications
The findings suggest that although digitalization requires retailers to accept the long-term investment challenges, it has a significant positive effect on the key of OCR strategy implementation, i.e. SCI. The findings also provide evidence for the application of KM in OCR, as this theoretical lens enriches our understanding of the phenomena of SCI in OCR and provides explanation to our results by linking digitalization and HC.
Originality/value
Digitalization is quantified and examined in OCR. Moreover, this study reveals the importance of HC on the implementation of digitalization and the different effects of digitalization on each dimension of SCI.
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Shaohua Song, Xianliang Shi and Guang Song
The purpose of this paper is to apply the dynamic capability view to identify relationships between human capital (HC), supply chain integration (SCI) and firm’s performance. It…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to apply the dynamic capability view to identify relationships between human capital (HC), supply chain integration (SCI) and firm’s performance. It also examines the moderating effect of product variety (PV) on these relationships in the context of omni-channel retailing (OCR).
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was conducted based on survey research. In total, 230 retailers in China’s market adopting omni-channel strategy were surveyed to examine the hypotheses proposed in our conceptual model using statistical techniques.
Findings
This study reveals that HC has a positive impact on SCI, and the impact of employees’ capital is greater on the success of SCI than that of managers’ capital. Moreover, the results confirm that SCI facilitates the achievement of superior performance. Organization integration contributes the most to performance improvement in OCR. Additionally, this study identifies the positive moderating effect of PV on the relationship between HC and SCI, while the moderating effect is insignificant to the influence of SCI on performance.
Research limitations/implications
We obtained valuable insights for both academicians and practitioners. On the one hand, this could be an early attempt as an interdisciplinary study to empirically analyze supply chain management in OCR from human resource perspective. It reveals the importance of human resource management (HRM) and the contribution of SCI to OC retailers. Therefore, this study fills current research gaps. On the other hand, this study provides several practical insights to top management: the importance of improving an individual’s competency to sustain a retailer’s dynamic capability; and the importance of strengthening the organization’s integration to better achieve effective SCI in OCR. Additionally, this study proposes future research based on its limitations.
Originality/value
SCI is investigated in the context of OCR from the HRM perspective. Moreover, this study reveals the importance of HRM and discusses the moderator’s effect in OCR.
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Liqiao Zheng, Guang Song, Shaohua Song, Ning Huang and T.C.E. Cheng
In the face of frequent supply chain disruptions, this study aims to identify the relationships between human capital (HC), digital supply chain practice (DSCP) and supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
In the face of frequent supply chain disruptions, this study aims to identify the relationships between human capital (HC), digital supply chain practice (DSCP) and supply chain robustness and resilience (i.e. SCRO and SCRE).
Design/methodology/approach
To examine the proposed conceptual model based on the resource-based view and organizational information processing theory, an empirical study was conducted using a sample of Chinese manufacturers. Hierarchical regression is applied to understand the direct effect, mediating effect and moderating effect among HC, DSCP, SCRO, SCRE and digital culture.
Findings
The results reveal that HC positively influences digital maturity and supply chain resilience. DSCP positively affects both SCRO and SCRE. However, HC does not significantly influence the adoption of digital tools, and only employees’ capital has a positive relationship with SCRO. In addition, the moderating effect of digital culture on the relationship between HC and DSCP was examined.
Originality/value
As an early exploration of the relationships among HC, DSCP, SCRO and SCRE, this study enriches the literature by offering new insights and responding to the call for more empirical research and theoretical application. It emphasizes the importance of HC and DSCP as strategic resources and highlights the need for a digital culture to implement DSCP.
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Guang Song, Shaohua Song and Luoyi Sun
The purpose of this paper is to apply resource-based theory to identify the relationships between logistics integration capability, supply chain integration (SCI), and performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to apply resource-based theory to identify the relationships between logistics integration capability, supply chain integration (SCI), and performance in the context of omni-channel retailing (OCR).
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was conducted based on a mixed methodology that integrates survey research and focus group. In total, 243 retailers in China have been surveyed to examine the hypotheses of the proposed conceptual model, and focus group discussion has been applied to interpret the results and identify the critical concerns on the implementation of omni-channel (OC) strategy.
Findings
This study reveals that the information integration capability and organization integration capability in logistics management significantly affects SCI, while the integrated supply chain has a greater significant influence on financial performance than operational performance to OC retailers. Moreover, a firm’s characteristics can be regarded as contextual factors influencing performance in OCR.
Research limitations/implications
The authors obtained valuable insights for both academics and practitioners based on the findings. On the one hand, this is an early attempt to empirically study SCI of OCR, revealing the importance of a firm’s nature in the performance. Therefore, this study fills a current research gap. On the other hand, this research provides top managers of OC retailers, particularly supply chain managers, the awareness of the importance of improving of organizational integration and human-resource management capability. Additionally, this study proposes future research based on its limitations.
Originality/value
SCI is investigated in the context of OCR from a logistics perspective. Moreover, this study reveals that the human-resource management and organization management are the main concerns in the implementation of OCR.
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Guanghui Yi, Dajiang Zheng and Guang-Ling Song
The purpose of this paper is to address the concern of some stainless steel users. To understand the effect of surface white spots on corrosion performance of stainless steel.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the concern of some stainless steel users. To understand the effect of surface white spots on corrosion performance of stainless steel.
Design/methodology/approach
White spots appeared on some component surfaces made of 316 L stainless steel in some industrial applications. To address the concern about the pitting performance in the spot areas, the pitting corrosion potential and corrosion resistance were measured in the spot and non-spot areas by means of potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the two different surface characteristics were analytically compared by using optical microscopy, laser confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy and auger energy spectroscopy. The results indicated that the pitting performance of the 316 L stainless steel was not negatively influenced by the spots and the white spots simply resulted from the slightly different surface morphology in the spot areas.
Findings
The white spots are actually the slightly rougher surface areas with some carbon-containing species. They do not reduce the pitting resistance. Interestingly, the white spot areas even have slightly improved general corrosion resistance.
Research limitations/implications
Not all surface contamination or roughening can adversely affect the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.
Practical implications
Stainless steel components with such surface white spots are still qualified products in terms of corrosion performance.
Originality/value
The surface spot of stainless steel was systematically investigated for the first time for its effect on corrosion resistance and the conclusion was new to the common knowledge.
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Yuqing Xu, Guang-Ling Song and Dajiang Zheng
This study aims to provide a model to predict the service life of a thick organic coating.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a model to predict the service life of a thick organic coating.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of thin coating films are rapidly tested under the same exposure condition as the thick coating in its service condition by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.
Findings
The validity of the model is successfully verified. The long-term protectiveness or service life of a thick organic coating can be rapidly predicted.
Originality/value
The prediction model does not require long-term experiments or any test that may alter the degradation mechanism of the thick coating.
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Chi Zhang, Dajiang Zheng, Guang-Ling Song, Yang Guo, Ming Liu and Hamid Kia
This study aims to propose a simple experimental method to distinguish the galvanic corrosion, crevice corrosion and self-corrosion in metal/carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a simple experimental method to distinguish the galvanic corrosion, crevice corrosion and self-corrosion in metal/carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) joints.
Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion behaviors of four different galvanic couples, whose anodes were Zn-coated DP590 steel and Al 6022, and cathodes were two kinds of CFRP, were investigated in immersion and GMW14872 cyclic conditions.
Findings
The results showed that the galvanic corrosion caused by direct contact between CFRP and metals was more serious than that caused by the jointing bolts. The corrosion damage caused by crevice corrosion was severer than that caused by galvanic corrosion. Self-corrosion was also significant, particularly under the cyclic salt spray condition.
Practical implications
Cyclic salt spray test may more reliably simulate the galvanic corrosion of a joint in industrial service environments, and real corrosion damage may be underestimated by a galvanic current measurement.
Originality/value
A deeper understanding of different corrosion mechanisms involved in CFRP/metal joints under different service conditions in industry has been given.
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Guang Song, Luoyi Sun and Yixiao Wang
The purpose of this paper is to apply an empirically based approach to develop a decision-making model that comprehensively incorporates the potential affecting factors and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to apply an empirically based approach to develop a decision-making model that comprehensively incorporates the potential affecting factors and the related significant drivers that support network designers in selecting the appropriate strategic supply chain configuration or checking the coherence of an existing supply chain structure in four industry sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
The decision-making model is developed based on an empirical study that integrates multiple case studies and statistical analyses. In total, 113 best-in-class manufacturing firms in four sectors are studied to investigate their strategic supply chain configurations and the information of identified affecting drivers. The factor analysis and regression analysis are conducted to classify the drivers into five factor groups, and to identify the significant drivers used to develop the decision-making model.
Findings
The findings of this research are three-pronged. First, 12 significant drivers related to 5 factor groups affecting strategic supply chain network design (SCND) are identified. Second, a decision-making model is developed to support users in strategic SCND. Last, the main characteristics of various strategic supply chain configurations are summarized in four industry sectors.
Research limitations/implications
The authors identified valuable insights for both academics and practitioners based on the identified significant affecting drivers and the developed decision-making model. In addition, this study also proposes two potential research lines on the study of additional contextual affecting factors and decision issues in strategic SCND.
Originality/value
This study could be the first attempt to use an empirically based method to develop a decision-making model aimed at supporting the preliminary design of a supply chain network. Therefore, the drawbacks of a pure qualitative conceptual model and optimization model are eliminated.
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Luoyi Sun and Guang Song
The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it describes the general characteristics of studies on logistics and supply chain education (L&SCE). Second, it classifies…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it describes the general characteristics of studies on logistics and supply chain education (L&SCE). Second, it classifies identified papers on the basis of their main research methods and issues. Finally, it proposes some meaningful directions for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
Seventy-three papers published since 2000 in international peer-reviewed journals were reviewed using a systematic review methodology. The collected papers were analyzed and classified on the basis of research methods and issues.
Findings
It was found that most papers on L&SCE were published in journals in the logistics and supply chain management field and were conducted by either a single or mixed-method approach. The survey-based approach was the most preferred method. The contribution of this study is twofold. First, the identification of the five competencies and 49 skills required of logistics and supply chain talents was performed along with the analysis of the 42 courses and the teaching methods. Second, this study revealed some important aspects that have received inadequate attention in the literature and proposed potential research directions.
Originality/value
This paper provides academics and practitioners alike with a guide to extant literature. The proposed framework of the competencies and skills required of talents could be a guide to develop competence in both students and employees. The summary of the curriculum and the matrix of relationships between the relevant courses and competencies can be used by educators to improve L&SCE. Finally, the proposed research directions are meaningful for academics.
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Riccardo Mangiaracina, Guang Song and Alessandro Perego
The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it classifies research on distribution network design (DND) according to the methodologies adopted and themes tackled. Second, it…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it classifies research on distribution network design (DND) according to the methodologies adopted and themes tackled. Second, it discusses the main implications for practitioners. Finally, it proposes a few promising directions for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
The review is based on 126 papers published from 1972 to 2013 in international peer-reviewed journals in the Business, Management and Economics field. The academic papers have been analyzed and classified based on the main research methods used and the themes tackled.
Findings
It was found that most of the earlier research adopted quantitative models to deal with different decisions on DND, whereas the number of conceptual papers, proposing frameworks and classifications, is still limited. In all, 42 factors that affect DND have been identified and classified into five groups, and the relationships between factor groups and strategic decisions have been investigated. This study revealed that some important areas have not received much attention in the literature and, therefore, three potential directions for further research have been identified.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the extremely large number of papers on DND, it is possible that a few papers may have inadvertently been missed. Despite the possibility of not being all-inclusive, the authors firmly believe that the general picture presented in this paper is precise and trustworthy.
Originality/value
This review offers valuable insights for practitioners: a clear understanding of the main decisions related to DND; a comprehensive analysis of the main factors that affect the distribution network structure; a clear understanding of the relationships between factor groups and key decisions; and a guide to the models that can be used to support the different phases of DND.