Qiwei Pang, Lanhui Cai, Xueqin Wang and Mingjie Fang
Sailing toward sustainability is becoming the strategic focus of shipping firms. Drawing on organizational information processing theory (OIPT) and the theory of planned behavior…
Abstract
Purpose
Sailing toward sustainability is becoming the strategic focus of shipping firms. Drawing on organizational information processing theory (OIPT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), we investigated the impact of digital transformation (DT) on shipping firms’ sustainable management performance and the boundary conditions guiding this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors examined the hypotheses by employing hierarchical linear modeling on two-wave time-lagged data from 189 shipping firm employees in China.
Findings
The results suggest that a shipping firm’s DT is positively associated with its sustainable management performance and that the relationship is strengthened by having better cross-functional and customer coordination mechanisms. Furthermore, our three-way interaction analyses show that while injunctive norms in a shipping firm’s networks can strengthen the contingency roles of both cross-functional and customer coordination mechanisms, descriptive norms alone significantly influence customer coordination.
Originality/value
Drawing on organizational information processing and planned behavior theories, the present research provides new insights into leveraging DT for sailing toward sustainable success. Moreover, this study extends the current understandings of the boundary conditions of the relationship between DT and sustainable management performance by showing the two-way and three-way interaction effects of coordination mechanisms and subjective norms. The findings of the present research can be utilized as effective strategies for promoting sustainable management performance.
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Cam Tu Nguyen, Thu Thao Nguyen, Lanhui Cai, Kum Fai Yuen and Xueqin Wang
This paper aims to investigate logistics operators’ acceptance of robots by adopting an integrated perspective of trust and technology acceptance.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate logistics operators’ acceptance of robots by adopting an integrated perspective of trust and technology acceptance.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey instrument was developed for data collection, targeting employees from Vietnam’s manufacturing or logistics sectors. A total of 401 valid responses were collected; the data were analysed using structural equation modelling.
Findings
Dispositional and situational trust positively influenced perceived usefulness and ease of use. Furthermore, dispositional and situational trust, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness collectively influenced trust in logistics robots. In addition, we found that trust in logistics robots positively affected operators’ acceptance intentions. Thus, the integrated perspectives of trust and technology acceptance were supported.
Research limitations/implications
By focusing on the interaction between operators and logistics robots, this paper’s findings extend the technology acceptance model (TAM) and enrich the theory of trust.
Practical implications
The study has significant implications for factories integrating logistics robots into production processes by elucidating the relationship between operators and logistics robots.
Originality/value
Previous research has repeatedly identified trust considerations as a critical factor influencing individuals’ automated technology usage. However, the micro-level trust formation process has received limited attention. This study explains the relationship between perspectives on trust and technology acceptance.
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Lanhui Cai, Kum Fai Yuen, Mingjie Fang and Xueqin Wang
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in consumer behaviour, which has had a cascading effect on consumer-centric logistics. As a result, this study conducts a…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in consumer behaviour, which has had a cascading effect on consumer-centric logistics. As a result, this study conducts a focused literature review of pandemic-related consumer behaviour research to address two research questions: 1) what are the pandemic's direct effects on consumer consumption behaviour, with an emphasis on changes in their basic and psychological needs? and 2) what are the consequences of behavioural changes on consumer-centric logistics?
Design/methodology/approach
The scientific procedure and rationales for systematic literature review (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol and the theory, context, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework were adopted as a guideline to map, refine, evaluate and synthesise the literature. A total of 53 research articles were identified for further analysis.
Findings
Using Maslow's hierarchy of human needs as a theoretical guide, this review synthesises the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on consumer behaviour into four categories: abnormal buying behaviour, changes in consumer preferences, digitalisation of shopping behaviour and technology-related behaviour. Furthermore, four consumer-centric logistics propositions are proposed based on the four aspects of consumer behavioural changes.
Originality/value
This study outlines the significant behavioural changes in consumers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and how these changes impact consumer-centric logistics, with implications for managing consumers' involvement in logistics and pointing out future research directions.