Beatriz López-Morales, Leopoldo Gutierrez, Francisco Javier Llorens-Montes and Araceli Rojo-Gallego-Burin
This study aims to test how three types of institutional pressure (normative, coercive, and mimetic) influence supply chain digital embeddedness (SCDE) and how SCDE benefits…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to test how three types of institutional pressure (normative, coercive, and mimetic) influence supply chain digital embeddedness (SCDE) and how SCDE benefits supply chain (SC) competences.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop and test hypotheses through structural equation modeling (SEM) based on data from 201 European firms. Institutional theory is applied to determine the reasons that lead SCs to embed digitally. SCDE is assessed through three dimensions: technology, infrastructure and culture. The data were analyzed using SEM-partial least squares (PLS-SEM) modeling with SmartPLS software.
Findings
The findings show a positive relationship of normative and coercive pressures to SCDE but no relationship between mimetic pressures and SCDE. Additionally, results confirm a positive relationship between SCDE and SC competences that contribute to SC competitive advantage obtaining.
Practical implications
The results underscore the importance of analyzing the environment when undertaking digital projects. Key issues include SC culture and infrastructure in these projects and the advisability of anticipating potential influence of digitalization projects on SC competences that support the chain’s competitive advantage.
Originality/value
This study contributes to institutional theory by providing empirical evidence of the individual effect of the three types of institutional pressure, with noteworthy lack of influence from mimetic pressures. The paper also contributes a conceptualization of SCDE composed of three dimensions: digital technologies, digital infrastructure and digital culture. Finally, the study advances the literature on SC competences.
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Casey G. Cegielski, L. Allison Jones‐Farmer, Yun Wu and Benjamin T. Hazen
The purpose of this paper is to employ organizational information processing theory to assess how a firm's information processing requirements and capabilities combine to affect…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to employ organizational information processing theory to assess how a firm's information processing requirements and capabilities combine to affect the intention to adopt cloud computing as an enabler of electronic supply chain management systems. Specifically, the paper examines the extent to which task uncertainty, environmental uncertainty, and inter‐organizational uncertainty affect intention to adopt cloud computing technology and how information processing capability may moderate these relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a multiple method approach, thus examining the hypothesized model with both quantitative and qualitative methods. To begin, the paper incorporates a Delphi study as a way in which to choose a practically relevant characterization of the moderating variable, information processing capability. The authors then use a survey method and hierarchical linear regression to quantitatively test their hypotheses. Finally, the authors employ interviews to gather additional qualitative data, which they examine via use of content analysis in order to provide additional insight into the tenability of the proposed model.
Findings
The quantitative analysis suggests that significant two‐way interactions exist between each independent variable and the moderating variable; each of these interactions is significantly related to intention to adopt cloud computing. The qualitative results support the assertion that information processing requirements and information processing capability affect intention to adopt cloud computing. These findings support the relationships addressed in the hypothesized model and suggest that the decision to adopt cloud computing is based upon complex circumstances.
Research limitations/implications
This research is limited by the use of single key informants for both the quantitative and qualitative portions of the study. Nonetheless, this study enhances understanding of electronic supply chain management systems, and specifically cloud computing, through the application of organizational information processing theory. The authors’ mixed‐methods approach allowed them to draw more substantive conclusions; the findings provide a theoretical and empirical foundation for future research in this area, and also suggest the use of additional theoretical perspectives.
Practical implications
This study provides insight that can help supply chain managers to better understand how requirements, when coupled with capabilities, may influence the decision to adopt cloud computing as an enabler of supply chain management systems.
Originality/value
As an emerging technology, cloud computing is changing the form and function of information technology infrastructures. This study enhances the understanding of how this technology may diffuse within the supply chain.
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Xiaodie Pu, Zhengxu Wang and Felix T.S. Chan
Based on structural embeddedness theory and resource dependence theory, this research aims to examine the mediation role of information sharing in the relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on structural embeddedness theory and resource dependence theory, this research aims to examine the mediation role of information sharing in the relationship between deendency structures and electronic supply chain management system (eSCM) adoption and a firm's intention to adopt eSCMs.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey questionnaire was undertaken from 212 companies based in Mainland China. Three-stage least squares (3SLS) regression was employed to test the research model.
Findings
The results from 3SLS regressions showed that the effect of interdependence on eSCM adoption intention is fully mediated through information sharing when relationship duration is either below or about the mean. Interdependence and dependence disadvantage was shown to have significant positive effects on eSCM adoption while the effect of dependence advantage was statistically insignificant. Relationship duration was found to negatively moderate the relationship between information sharing and adoption intention.
Originality/value
Through investigating factors of inter-organizational relationships, this study fills the knowledge gap in the traditional paradigms which ignore the collaborative nature of eSCM and analyse related problems based on a single firm's point of view.
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Hefu Liu, Qian Huang, Shaobo Wei and Liqiang Huang
The purpose of this paper is to derive a model to examine how Information Technology (IT) capability affects internet-enabled supply and demand process integration, which will…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to derive a model to examine how Information Technology (IT) capability affects internet-enabled supply and demand process integration, which will eventually improve firm performance. In addition, the moderating effects of industry type in the research framework are explored.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were obtained from a survey administered to 261 firms in the manufacturing and services industry in China. The structural equation modeling approach is used to test the hypotheses. The study further applied the t-test to compare the path coefficiencies between manufacturing and service.
Findings
Results from the survey indicate that internet-enabled supply and demand process integration is affected by IT capability, and can directly impact firm performance. The results further indicate that manufacturing and services firms may benefit from IT capability in different ways.
Originality/value
The current paper contributes knowledge on the value-realizing mechanism of internet-enabled supply chain integration (SCI) from a resource-based view. It presents a multidimensional explanation of the relationships among IT capability, internet-enabled SCI, and firm performance.
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Heba F. Zaher and Gilberto Marquez-Illescas
This paper aims to examine the existing literature on firms’ power through the lens of the supply chain and highlights some gaps that could be covered by future research.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the existing literature on firms’ power through the lens of the supply chain and highlights some gaps that could be covered by future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a systematic framework-based review combining the insights of the antecedents, decisions and outcomes (ADO) and theories, contexts and methods (TCM) frameworks. The review was carried out using a sample of 108 articles published between 1984 and 2022 in 25 prestigious journals.
Findings
The ADO framework maps out the state of the art of the antecedents of power (i.e. sources and types of firm power), the decision to use power and the effect that exercising power over other firms may have on firm performance and the quality of inter-firm relationships. In addition, this framework highlights factors that mediate or moderate the decision to exercise power and the factors that mediate or moderate the outcomes of exercising power or power asymmetry. The TCM framework provides insights into the theories, contexts (i.e. countries, industries, level of analysis and sources of data) and methods used by the existing literature. The content analysis using the aforementioned frameworks provides the basis to elaborate propositions for future research on power in the supply chain from the perspective of gender differences.
Research limitations/implications
This systematic literature review offers a comprehensive guide for researchers to understand the antecedents, decisions and outcomes of firm power in the supply chain, as well as the TCM used in the literature. The content analysis using frameworks provides a road map to investigate the proposed factors that might moderate the decision to exercise power and the outcome of exercising power or power asymmetry from the perspective of gender differences. In addition, based on content analysis, the authors make propositions about TCM that could be applied in future research.
Practical implications
From a practical perspective, this systematic literature review may help managers to better understand the sources and consequences of their firm’s power. This would allow managers to make better decisions when negotiating with their supply chain parties, which could potentially lead to better performance for their firms and the whole supply chain.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to conduct a comprehensive systematic literature review of the different dimensions of firms’ power in the supply chain.
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Carlo Mora-Monge, Gioconda Quesada, Marvin E. Gonzalez and Joshua M. Davis
This study aims to examine the effects of trading partner trust and trading partner power, on supply chain integration, and their impact on business performance in the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of trading partner trust and trading partner power, on supply chain integration, and their impact on business performance in the context of Web-enabled supply chains. In doing so, the authors extend previous studies by exploring this phenomenon by using an integrative theory-driven approach.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a theoretical model grounded on the resource-based and dynamic capabilities views and the social capital theory. Data collected from 175 firms in the USA are used to test the hypotheses using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Results highlight the importance of trust and supply chain integration on business performance, whereas power did not appear to have an effect on supply chain integration in Web-enabled supply chains. The findings are robust to concerns of endogeneity, common method bias and alternative model specification.
Practical implications
Companies engaged in Web-enabled supply chains need to focus on increasing their integration efforts, and these efforts must also be accompanied by partnerships built on trust. Trading partners who might be inclined to use coercive strategies to influence other members of the supply chain in Web-enabled environments may be better off using cooperative approaches based on trust to achieve their desired goals.
Originality/value
This study integrates the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities view and the social capital theory to explore the dynamic relationships between trading partner trust, trading partner power and supply chain integration in Web-enabled supply chains. In doing so, this paper extends prior studies by examining supply chain integration’s impact on business performance and its mediating role, as it relates to trading partner trust and power in Web-enabled supply chains.
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Katri Kauppi and Davide Luzzini
Increasing amount of empirical research in operations and supply chain management is using institutional theory as its theoretical lens. Yet, a common scale to measure the three…
Abstract
Purpose
Increasing amount of empirical research in operations and supply chain management is using institutional theory as its theoretical lens. Yet, a common scale to measure the three institutional pressures – coercive, mimetic and normative – is lacking. Many studies use proxies or a single, grouped, construct of external pressures which present methodological challenges. This study aims to present the development of multi-item scales to measure institutional pressures (in a purchasing context).
Design/methodology/approach
First, items were generated based on the theoretical construct definitions. These items were then tested through academic sorting and an international survey. The first empirical testing failed to produce reliable and valid scales, and further refinement and analysis revealed that coercive pressure splits into two separate constructs. A second q-sorting was then conducted with purchasing practitioners, followed by another survey in Italy to verify the new measurement scale for four institutional pressures.
Findings
The multimethod and multistage measurement development reveals that empirically the three institutional pressures actually turn into four pressures. The theoretical construct of coercive pressure splits into two distinct constructs: coercive market pressure and coercive regulatory pressure.
Originality/value
The results of the paper, namely, the measurement scales, are an important theoretical and methodological contribution to future empirical research. They present a much-needed measurement for these theoretical constructs increasingly used in management research.
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The purpose of this paper is to predict the mechanical behavior of a piezoelectric nanoplate under shear stability by taking electric voltage into account in thermal environment.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to predict the mechanical behavior of a piezoelectric nanoplate under shear stability by taking electric voltage into account in thermal environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Simplified first-order shear deformation theory has been used as a displacement field. Modified couple stress theory has been applied for considering small-size effects. An analytical solution has been taken into account for various boundary conditions.
Findings
The length scale impact on the results of any boundary conditions increases with an increase in l parameter. The effect of external electric voltage on the critical shear load is more than room temperature effects. With increasing aspect ratio the critical shear load decreases and external electric voltage becomes more impressive. By considering piezoelectric nanoplates, it is proved that the temperature rise cannot become a sensitive factor on the buckling behavior. The length scale parameter has more effect for more flexible boundary conditions than others. By considering nanosize, the consideration has led to much bigger critical load vs macro plate.
Originality/value
In the current paper for the first time the simplified first-order shear deformation theory is used for obtaining governing equations by using nonlinear strains for shear buckling of a piezoelectric nanoplate. The couple stress theory for the first time is applied on the nonlinear first-order shear deformation theory. For the first time, the thermal environment effects are considered on shear stability of a piezoelectric nanoplate.
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Xiaodie Pu, Felix T.S. Chan, Zayyad Tsiga and Ben Niu
Based on the factors derived from the structural embeddedness theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents to the adoption intention for eSCM from two…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the factors derived from the structural embeddedness theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents to the adoption intention for eSCM from two perspectives: buyer and supplier. The six factors examined in this study are product complexity, product specificity, the number of partners, relationship duration, dependence disadvantage and dependence advantage.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was designed to collect data from Mainland China with 206 valid data received. Regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses proposed.
Findings
The differences in the results show that product specificity and dependence disadvantage are significant determinants of eSCM adoption for buyers’ perspective, but not from that of suppliers. In addition, product complexity and dependence advantage (although negatively associated with eSCM adoption) are significant for suppliers, but not for buyers. Number of partners and relationship duration are significant determinants from both perspectives.
Originality/value
This research contributes to understanding on how the factors embedded in an exchange structure influence the adoption of eSCM from the angles of both the buyers and suppliers. We fill the research gap in the existing literature by recognizing the differences in the roles of the buyer and supplier regarding the antecedents to eSCM adoption.
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Xiaodie Pu, Zhao Cai, Alain Yee Loong Chong and Antony Paulraj
Firms are subject to power from both upstream and downstream partners; those partners may have different or even opposing impacts on supply chain relationships and financial…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms are subject to power from both upstream and downstream partners; those partners may have different or even opposing impacts on supply chain relationships and financial performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate how upstream and downstream dependence structures affect a firm's financial performance through upstream and downstream relational depth (DEP) and relationship extendedness (EXT).
Design/methodology/approach
Data representing both upstream and downstream supply chain perspectives was collected using a multiple-respondent survey and was further augmented using financial performance data from an archival database.
Findings
Dependence advantages (ADVs) and disadvantages from upstream and downstream partners affect relational mechanisms and firm performance differently. Only downstream ADV will enhance a firm's DEP and EXT and subsequently affect firm's revenue and profit. Contradictory to widely held belief, the results reveal that firms that maintain long-term relationships with buyers and suppliers may experience lower revenue/profit.
Originality/value
This research represents a significant step in understanding the economic ramifications of dependence by (1) highlighting the difference between upstream and downstream supply chain dependence structure and (2) understanding the indirect effects of dependence structure on financial performance.