Alexander Spieske, Maximilian Gebhardt, Matthias Kopyto, Hendrik Birkel and Evi Hartmann
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unveiled resilience deficits in supply chains. Scholars and practitioners aim to identify supply chain resilience (SCRES) measures…
Abstract
Purpose
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unveiled resilience deficits in supply chains. Scholars and practitioners aim to identify supply chain resilience (SCRES) measures suitable for this unique disruption; however, empirical evidence on a pandemic's specific characteristics, resulting challenges, and suitable countermeasures is scarce.
Design/methodology/approach
A single-case study on an automotive supply chain network (ASCN), including eight nodes, was conducted. Based on current research and interviews with 35 experts, characteristic pandemic challenges for the ASCN were identified. Moreover, promising SCRES measures were determined along the most prominent SCRES levers. The findings lead to five central propositions and advance organizational information processing theory in the context of SCRES.
Findings
This study’s results confirm unique pandemic characteristics along the supply chain disruption's duration, severity, propagation, and volatility. The resulting unprecedented challenges made the ASCN apply novel SCRES measures, particularly regarding collaboration and risk management culture. However, well-known visibility and flexibility strategies were also suitable. Overall, agility and collaboration measures showed the highest capacity to address characteristic pandemic challenges. A lack of preparedness impeded some measures' application, calling for enhanced proactive risk management following the pandemic.
Originality/value
This paper addresses several research calls by providing in-depth empirical evidence on hitherto conceptually researched pandemic characteristics, challenges, and suitable SCRES measures from a network perspective. The study uncovers the different perceptions of individual tiers, emphasizing the need to analyze supply chain disruptions from multiple angles.
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Hendrik Sebastian Birkel and Evi Hartmann
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications for supply chain risk management (SCRM) by applying internet of things (IoT). Therefore, the impact and effects on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications for supply chain risk management (SCRM) by applying internet of things (IoT). Therefore, the impact and effects on the SCRM process, as well as the internal and external pathway and the outcome of SCRM are examined.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a multiple case study methodology with twelve companies from the manufacturing industry. This study is guided by the information processing theory (IPT) and a theory-grounded research framework to provide insights into information requirements and information processing capabilities for IoT-supported SCRM.
Findings
The studied cases demonstrate an increase in data availability in the companies that contribute to improved process transparency and process management. Furthermore, the process steps, risk transparency, risk knowledge and risk strategies have been enhanced, which enabled improved SCRM performance by fitting information requirements and information processing capabilities, thus allowing for competitive advantage.
Practical implications
This study offers in-depth insights for SCRM managers into the structure of IoT systems, primary use cases and changes for the process itself. Furthermore, implications for employees, incentives and barriers are identified, which could be used to redesign SCRM.
Originality/value
This study addresses the requirement for additional empirical research on technology-enhanced SCRM, supported by IPT as a theoretical foundation. The radical change of SCRM by IoT is demonstrated while discussing the human role, implications for SCRM strategies and identifying relevant topics for future development.
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Hendrik Sebastian Birkel and Evi Hartmann
The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive overview of challenges and risks of the Internet of Things (IoT) in supply chain management (SCM) and provide a structured…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive overview of challenges and risks of the Internet of Things (IoT) in supply chain management (SCM) and provide a structured framework for classifying and analyzing the relevant literature to deduce insights for research and practice.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) of 102 peer-reviewed journal articles on the topic of IoT in SCM was conducted.
Findings
This review identifies, categorizes and describes the relevant literature regarding the dimensions time and specificity. The resulting framework contains a holistic overview including focus areas and relations of macro-environmental, network-related and organizational challenges and risks. Furthermore, this review represents a conceptual framework for future research, considering the multidisciplinary body of the subject and provides an analysis of the timeline of literature, journals and used methodologies.
Practical implications
This study offers valuable insights into IoT and its impact on applications, processes and the structure of organizations and supply chains (SCs). The identification of challenges and risks helps to prepare for changes in the future because of the disruptive nature of this technology.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies in the synthesis of the fragmented body of literature of IoT challenges and risks for SCM. The derived framework and identification of relations and research gaps provide the foundation for further research to evaluate the relations between challenges and risks and offer solutions.
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Alexander Schlegel, Hendrik Sebastian Birkel and Evi Hartmann
The purpose of this study is to investigate how big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) enable the implementation of integrated business planning (IBP) – the advanced form of sales…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate how big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) enable the implementation of integrated business planning (IBP) – the advanced form of sales and operations planning (S&OP) – by counteracting the increasing information processing requirements.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model is grounded in the organizational information processing theory (OIPT). An embedded single case study on a multinational agrochemical company with multiple geographically distinguished sub-units of analysis was conducted. Data were collected in workshops, semistructured interviews as well as direct observations and enriched by secondary data from internal company sources as well as publicly available sources.
Findings
The results show the relevancy of establishing BDAC within an organization to apply IBP by providing empirical evidence of BDA solutions in S&OP. The study highlights how BDAC increase an organization's information processing capacity and consequently enable efficient and effective S&OP. Practical guidance toward the development of tangible, human and intangible BDAC in a particular sequence is given.
Originality/value
This study is the first theoretically grounded, empirical investigation of S&OP implementation journeys under consideration of the impact of BDAC.
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Sebastian Sturm, Nils-Ole Hohenstein, Hendrik Birkel, Gernot Kaiser and Evi Hartmann
This paper integrates research on demand- and supply-side risk management practices to better explain how to achieve competitive advantage in dynamic business conditions. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper integrates research on demand- and supply-side risk management practices to better explain how to achieve competitive advantage in dynamic business conditions. The purpose of this study is to develop a model linking supply chain flexibility, agility, robustness and resilience and to investigate its relationships and impact on business performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conduct a review of existing literature to derive their hypotheses and operationalize the respective constructs. The formulated research model is then validated applying partial least squares structural equation modeling on survey data from 89 multi-national companies based in Europe.
Findings
The authors find a significant positive relationship between supply chain flexibility and supply chain agility as well as supply chain robustness and supply chain resilience, respectively. Additionally, it is argued that supply chain flexibility, agility and resilience have significant positive impact on individual dimensions of business performance.
Originality/value
The relationships between supply chain flexibility, agility, robustness, resilience and business performance are investigated and empirically validated altogether in a single model for the first time, providing a clear separation of these terms and shedding further light on the management of supply chain risks.
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Henrik Bathke, Hendrik Birkel, Heiko A. von der Gracht and Stefanie Kisgen
In the era of digital disruption and customer loyalty loss, it has become even more important to shape the experience journey of a firm’s stakeholders. The benefits of experience…
Abstract
Purpose
In the era of digital disruption and customer loyalty loss, it has become even more important to shape the experience journey of a firm’s stakeholders. The benefits of experience data (XD) analysis for a competitive advantage and firm performance are well proven in the business-to-customer context. Therefore, this study aims to explore the limited exploitation of XD in the business-to-business (B2B) context.
Design/methodology/approach
The data of 338 B2B firms is generated through computer-assisted telephone interviewing using a structured interview guideline. A Mann–Whitney U test and binary linear regression are applied to test hypotheses derived from literature.
Findings
The results suggest that XD non-collectors see XD increase efficiency, whereas XD collectors view XD strategically beyond customer data. Additionally, the successful application of XD in firms can be fostered by connecting XD with operational data through digitalised processes, strategic usage and data collection at certain defined points of time.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the understanding of XD perception between collectors and non-collectors and develops determinants for the successful application of XD management. Based on the results, B2B marketing executives from academics and practice can foster the implementation of XD management to improve all firm’s stakeholders’ experiences. In this way, this study contributes to the understanding of managing not only customers’ but other stakeholders’ experiences.
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This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
Organizations aiming to better manage risks on the supply and demand-side of their supply chains should focus on strengthening several key capabilities. Achieving this together with better understanding of relationships between these factors can also lead to a positive impact on business performance.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
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Md Faizal Ahmad, Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi, Mohamad Reeduan Mustapha, Puteri Fadzline Muhamad Tamyez, Amirul Syafiq Sadun, Idris Gautama So and Anderes Gui
This study comprehensively reviews the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which refers to Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) applications in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Multinational…
Abstract
Purpose
This study comprehensively reviews the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which refers to Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) applications in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Multinational companies and big corporations have the capacity and resources to implement IR 4.0, but SMEs are limited due to financial constraints, expertise and lack of resources. Even so, IR 4.0 is required as technologies evolve and market demand has changed how firms do business.
Design/methodology/approach
To uncover the potential of IR 4.0 and critical determinants of SMEs’ adoption of IR 4.0, this study presents a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the current research streams in IR 4.0 adoption among SMEs through bibliographic coupling. Furthermore, this review provides a glimpse of the future by analyzing prospective trends on IR 4.0 in SMEs.
Findings
Bibliographic coupling produces five clusters: (1) challenges and barriers in IR 4.0 implementation among SMEs, (2) technological adoption of IR 4.0, (3) opportunities and benefits of IR 4.0, (4) business model innovation and (5) implication of IR 4.0 on SMEs technologies. On the contrary, co-word analysis produces three clusters: (1) technologies in IR 4.0, (2) strategy and management of IR 4.0 among SMEs and (3) IR 4.0 model for SMEs.
Research limitations/implications
Implications are directly related to business owners, policymakers and technology developers meeting the needs of the industry and SMEs, which are the focus of this review.
Originality/value
The findings contribute significantly to the body of knowledge by presenting a state-of-the-art science mapping approach to uncover the knowledge structure and intellectual linkage of IR 4.0 adoption within SMEs.