Jorge Tarifa-Fernández, Jerónimo de-Burgos-Jimenez and José Cespedes-Lorente
The purpose of this paper is to explore and advance on existing knowledge regarding supply chain integration (SCI) and absorptive capacity (AC). On the one hand, new elements…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and advance on existing knowledge regarding supply chain integration (SCI) and absorptive capacity (AC). On the one hand, new elements, such as high-performance human resource practices (HPHRP) and internal integration (II) are proposed to foster AC within the supply chain. On the other hand, the study proposes a model and hypotheses to analyze the moderating effect of AC on the relationship between external SCI and supply chain performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Four hypotheses are formulated based on relevant literature. Data were collected from the horticultural marketing sector, using two different sources, a survey and archival data. A total of 99 responses were analyzed. Hierarchical multiple regressions were carried out to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results confirm that HPHRP are a crucial element when trying to increase the level of AC. In addition, the results show that AC has a moderating effect on the relationship between SCI and supply chain performance (both economic and financial). AC moderates the relationship between customer integration and economic performance.
Originality/value
This study examines the potential causes for the differences that exist in a firm’s ability to develop AC. Thus, on the one hand, HPHRP and II are proposed as triggers of AC, and on the other, AC is proposed as a moderator in the relationship between SCI and performance.
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Jorge Tarifa-Fernández, José Céspedes-Lorente and Jerónimo de Burgos Jiménez
This paper examines the moderating effect of environmental capability development on the relationship between supply chain integration and both environmental and financial…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the moderating effect of environmental capability development on the relationship between supply chain integration and both environmental and financial performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use empirical data collected from three diverse sources in the horticultural marketing sector. A total of 97 responses were used. An ordered logit analysis and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression were employed to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results confirm that firm environmental capability development enhances the effects of supply chain integration on firm environmental performance. Additionally, supplier integration and environmental capabilities may be considered firm strategic capabilities that are positively related to financial performance. Thus, public policies should encourage the development of firms' individual environmental capabilities and supply chain integration to improve environmental sustainability.
Originality/value
This study recognizes the importance of environmental capability development as a strategic objective and its fundamental role as a complementary capability with supply chain integration. This paper contributes by empirically analyzing how firms along the supply chain can promote environmental sustainability through the development of environmental and integration capabilities.
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Jorge Tarifa Fernández, José Cespedes-Lorente and Jerónimo de Burgos Jiménez
Based on the human resource (HR) and supply chain integration (SCI) literature, this paper aims to argue that high-involvement human resource practices (HIHRP) work as a…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the human resource (HR) and supply chain integration (SCI) literature, this paper aims to argue that high-involvement human resource practices (HIHRP) work as a complementary capability for SCI, and thus, HIHRP moderates the relationship between SCI and firm productivity. This moderating role is analyzed through the following HIHRP dimensions, namely, ability-enhancing, motivation-enhancing and opportunity-enhancing practices framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Using empirical data collected from a survey of the agri-food sector (horticultural firms of southern Spain), the moderating effects of HIHRP on the relationship between supply chain external integrations (with customers and suppliers) and productivity are examined. Hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results support that HIHRP has a moderating effect on the SCI/productivity relationship. However, these results are only significant in the case of supplier integration.
Originality/value
This study analyzes HIHRP as a complementary asset in the context of SCI and makes both theoretical and managerial contributions to the SCI literature by empirically analyzing the role of HR practices in enhancing the relationship between SCI and performance.
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Eva Carmona‐Moreno, José Céspedes‐Lorente and Javier Martinez‐del‐Rio
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the moderating effect of environmental human resource management on the relationship between firms' environmental management practices and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the moderating effect of environmental human resource management on the relationship between firms' environmental management practices and competitive advantages of cost and differentiation.
Design/methodology/approach
CEOs of Spanish chemical firms were asked to respond to a questionnaire containing the measures of the study variables. The final sample consists of 94 firms and the hypotheses were tested using partial least square methodology.
Findings
Empirical evidence showed that companies with a high level of human resource environmental practices can benefit from the advantages in costs and differentiation derived from the implementation of pollution prevention technologies.
Originality/value
From a theoretical standpoint, the paper discusses the moderating role of environmental human resource management practices in the relationship between pollution prevention technologies and economic performance. Empirically, it provides evidence of the role of human resource management practices and proactive environmental management practices in supporting competitive advantages of cost and differentiation.
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Pilar Jerez Gómez, José J. Céspedes Lorente and Ramón Valle Cabrera
This paper provides an in‐depth study of the relationship between the company's training strategy and its learning capability. On a sample of 111 Spanish companies from the…
Abstract
This paper provides an in‐depth study of the relationship between the company's training strategy and its learning capability. On a sample of 111 Spanish companies from the chemical industry, tests a set of hypotheses which link four different training strategies with the learning capability dimensions. The results obtained from the regression analyses clearly show that ongoing training, team‐based training and job rotation programmes have a positive influence on company learning capability. The present study presents evidence of how a specific human resources strategy (training strategy) influences the development of a strategic capability (organisational learning). Future studies should analyse the influence of training on performance, using organisational learning capability as a moderating variable. Additionally, the relationship between human resource management and learning should also be studied using a configurational approach. This would enable to take into account the synergic effect deriving from the joint use of complementary human resources strategies.
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Jerónimo de Burgos Jiménez and José J. Céspedes Lorente
The traditional approach of operations management has evaluated an organisation’s performance based on four main areas: cost, quality, time and service. However, the necessity to…
Abstract
The traditional approach of operations management has evaluated an organisation’s performance based on four main areas: cost, quality, time and service. However, the necessity to introduce environmental protection measures in firms so as to achieve sustainable development has forced a redefinition of the operations function. This paper reviews the literature on operations management and environmental issues, in order to determine the role of operations in sustainability. We justify the need to include environmental performance as a new dimension of operations performance. Finally, we analyse environmental performance as an operations objective and present certain aspects that should be taken into account when measuring it.
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Javier Martínez-del-Rio and Miguel Pérez-Valls
– The purpose of this paper is to help Ibero-American researchers identify the key challenges and benefits of moving to an Anglo-Saxon university for a period in their careers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to help Ibero-American researchers identify the key challenges and benefits of moving to an Anglo-Saxon university for a period in their careers.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a review of the insights provided by a number of prominent Ibero-American scholars based on the main experiences they have encountered.
Findings
The paper analyzes three situations: a research visit, searching for a long-term position in North America (NA) and pursuing a PhD program in NA. The paper introduces some principles to succeed in these situations.
Originality/value
The paper defines different strategies to take full advantage of a professional stage in an Anglo-Saxon/US university.
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Lijuan Chen, Ditao Duan, Arunodaya Raj Mishra and Melfi Alrasheedi
This study caries a survey approach using the expert's interview and literature to select the important criteria to select and evaluate the third-party reverse logistics providers…
Abstract
Purpose
This study caries a survey approach using the expert's interview and literature to select the important criteria to select and evaluate the third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs) in manufacturing companies. In total, 16 criteria are selected to evaluate 3PRLPs, and these criteria are classified on the basis of three main elements of sustainable growth, including economic, social and environmental development. Therefore, a hybrid decision-making approach is utilized to evaluate and rank the 3PRLPs in manufacturing companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a new decision-making approach using the projection model and entropy method under the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set to assess 3PRLPs based on sustainability perspectives. A survey approach using the literature review and experts' interview is conducted to select the important criteria to select and evaluate 3PRLPs in manufacturing companies. To assess the criteria weight, the entropy method is used. Further, the projection model is applied to prioritize the 3PRLPs option. Sensitivity analysis and comparison process are performed in order to test and validate the developed method.
Findings
The presented methodology uses the benefits to determine the former for measuring the parameters considered and the latter for rating the 3PRLPs alternatives. A case study is taken to 3PRLPs in the manufacturing industry to illustrate the efficiency of the introduced hybrid method. The findings of this study indicate that when facing uncertainties of input and qualitative data, the proposed solution delivers more viable performance and therefore is suitable for wider uses.
Originality/value
The conception of the circular economy (CE) comes from the last 4 decades, and in recent years, tremendous attention has been carried out on this concept, partially because of the availability of natural resources in the world and changes in consumption behaviour of developed and developing nations. Remarkably, the sustainable supply chain management concepts are established parallel to the CE foundations, grown in industrial practice and ecology literature for a long time. In fact, to reduce the environmental concerns, sustainable supply chain management seeks to diminish the materials' flow and minimize the unintentional harmful consequences of consumption and production processes. Customers and governments are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental sustainability in the CE era, which allows businesses to concentrate more resources on reverse logistics (RLs). However, most manufacturing enterprises have been inspired to outsource their RL operations to competent 3PRLPs due to limited resources and technological limitations. In RL outsourcing practices, the selection of the best 3PRLP is helpfully valuable due to its potential to increase the economic viability of enterprises and boost their long-term growth.
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Jose-Luis Hervas-Oliver, Juan Antonio Antonio Márquez García, García-Chamizo F. and Ronald Rojas-Alvarado
The purpose of this study is to explore and conducts a critical literature review to answer a fundamental question in the industrial district literature: are clusters and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore and conducts a critical literature review to answer a fundamental question in the industrial district literature: are clusters and industrial (clusters/IDs) driving sustainability innovation? By intersecting different yet related strands of literature, the authors take stock of what the authors know about sustainability innovation in clusters/IDs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews the literature for conceptualizing sustainability innovation in clusters/districts.
Findings
Insights point out that the sustainability innovation process (development and diffusion) in clusters/IDs and their firms couples into mainstream cluster/IDs framework; clusters/IDs enable sustainability innovation through usual mechanisms, fostering collective change toward sustainability innovation, vis-à-vis other settings and strengthening firm sustainability innovation and performance. Sustainability innovation in clusters/IDs requires coupling different multi-scalar institutional systems effectively, and the cooperation of local organizations and policymakers for co-designing dedicated policies. Collective actions are important and firm heterogeneity needs to be considered in the clusters/IDs framework.
Originality/value
This study is original because it provides state-of-the-art on sustainability innovation in clusters/districts, enabling the topic to advance in this direction.