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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2006

Patricia M. Swafford, Soumen Ghosh and Nagesh N. Murthy

To gain understanding of value chain (VC) agility in terms of value‐adding processes, this paper seeks to present a VC agility framework and then to develop the involved…

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Abstract

Purpose

To gain understanding of value chain (VC) agility in terms of value‐adding processes, this paper seeks to present a VC agility framework and then to develop the involved constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework of VC agility and its theoretical underpinnings is presented. Within the framework, drivers and determinants of VC agility are identified as characteristics enabling flexibility within key components of a firm's VC. Also, it is posited that information technology (IT) capability impacts the levels of achieved flexibility and agility, and that VC agility impacts business performance.

Findings

From scale development, key determinants of flexibility within VC activities are identified. Correlation analysis suggests that firms derive higher levels of agility through integrating information across the VC rather than within VC activities. Firms with flexibility in their VC functions enjoy higher levels of ensuing VC agility and on‐time delivery, ROA, and market share.

Research limitations/implications

While the sample size is adequate for scale development, it is not adequate for structural equation modeling since the guideline is to have at least five survey responses for every item measure. Thus, insights were gleaned from initial analysis based on correlations.

Practical implications

Managerial insights concerning key value‐adding activities that build flexibility and ultimately agility are identified.

Originality/value

To the best of one's knowledge, this work is the first to operationalize VC agility from the perspective that agility is derived from flexibility in the VC processes and is enabled by IT integration. From exploratory research, insights are gained on how VC agility links with business performance.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2012

Susanna Khavul, Edmund Prater and Patricia M. Swafford

The purpose of this paper is to answer the question, “How do international new ventures (INVs) from emerging economies become responsive to the demands of their international…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the question, “How do international new ventures (INVs) from emerging economies become responsive to the demands of their international customers?”

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a model of international responsiveness that incorporates founding team experience, international firm experience, international strategic orientation, and investment in international supply chain and test the model using data from 293 INVs from three leading emerging economies: China, India, and South Africa.

Findings

Results show that for INVs from emerging economies international strategic orientation mediates the relationship between international firm experience, investment in international supply chain, and international responsiveness. In addition, the authors identify a significant difference in the effects of international strategic orientation on international responsiveness among subgroups of INVs.

Practical implications

Given the specific context of the sample, this study provides unique managerial insights for entrepreneurs planning to internationalize their new ventures from emerging economies.

Originality/value

The paper adds originality and value by extending research on international responsiveness, bridging two disciplines, and using a unique international, multi‐country sample.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 32 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

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Article
Publication date: 6 May 2014

Sherry L. Avery, Judy Y. Sun, Patricia M. Swafford and Edmund L. Prater

The purpose of this study is to promote Chinese indigenous research by examining a case in which adopting social capital (SC) scales developed in the Western context for Chinese…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to promote Chinese indigenous research by examining a case in which adopting social capital (SC) scales developed in the Western context for Chinese samples can decontextualize inter-firm guanxi management in the Chinese context.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting the existing Western scales to measure SC, we collected data from Chinese executives participating in executive master of business administration programs on buyer–supplier relationship. Using the same items and data source, we identified post hoc factors representing guanxi dimensions. Ordinary least squared regressions were used for both guanxi and SC dimensions to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Our analysis showed that Chinese natives responded to the Western SC items according to their understanding and mindsets rooted in guanxi. This was evidenced by the results from the post hoc-derived guanxi dimensions with the same data, which show better regression results for the hypotheses tested, although the construct validity was comparable. Adopting Western SC measurement scales deconceptualized the intricate Chinese context and inter-firm interactions.

Research limitations/implications

It is inappropriate to borrow Western-developed scales for Chinese HRM research due to intricate differences in contexts. Doing so may run the risk of ignoring the Chinese context regarding the mechanisms and processes of complex human interactions, although it may produce superficial results consistent with the Western literature. Developing indigenous measurement scales should be considered not only as a preference but also as a requirement for Chinese management research.

Originality/value

We empirically compared the difference between Western-developed measurement scales and a Chinese indigenous construct, as well as their impact on relationship management in relation to indigenous Chinese management research.

Details

Journal of Chinese Human Resource Management, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8005

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 13 November 2007

361

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 27 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

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Book part
Publication date: 30 October 2018

Yingyi Ma and Amy Lutz

We focus our study on children of immigrants in science, technology, math, and engineering (STEM) fields because children of immigrants represent a diverse pool of future talent…

Abstract

We focus our study on children of immigrants in science, technology, math, and engineering (STEM) fields because children of immigrants represent a diverse pool of future talent in those fields. We posit that children of immigrants may have a higher propensity to prepare for entering STEM fields, and our analysis finds some evidence to support this conjecture. Using the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS: 88-00) and its restricted postsecondary transcript data, we examine three key milestones in the STEM pipeline: (1) highest math course taken during high school, (2) initial college major in STEM, and (3) bachelor’s degree attainment in STEM. Using individual level NELS data and country-level information from UNESCO and NSF, we find that children of immigrants of various countries of origin, with the exception of Mexicans, are more likely than children of natives to take higher-level math courses during high school. Asian and white children of immigrants are more likely to complete STEM degrees than third-generation whites. Drawing on theories of immigrant incorporation and cultural capital, we discuss the rationales for these patterns and the policy implications of these findings.

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Article
Publication date: 9 August 2013

Peter M. Ralston, Scott J. Grawe and Patricia J. Daugherty

The purpose of this manuscript is to assess the impact of logistics salience on logistics capabilities and performance. Specifically, the impact of logistics salience on logistics…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this manuscript is to assess the impact of logistics salience on logistics capabilities and performance. Specifically, the impact of logistics salience on logistics innovativeness and logistics service differentiation is measured along with logistics innovativeness and logistics service differentiation effect on logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Conclusions were drawn from survey data gathered from logistics and supply chain managers at US firms. Structural equation modelling was utilized to measure the statistical significance of the hypothesized model paths with all findings meeting the basic requirements of interpretation.

Findings

The results suggest that logistics salience positively impacts both logistics innovativeness and logistics service differentiation. Logistics innovativeness and logistics service differentiation both positively influence logistics performance. These findings give credence to the resource based view of the firm which states that resources lead to capabilities which leads to performance.

Research limitations/implications

Conclusions based on the study's results highlight the importance of logistics within firms and indicate that the function must be made salient throughout the firm to further capitalize on the benefits of logistics. These benefits include enhanced logistics capabilities and their eventual impact on logistics performance.

Originality/value

Using the resource based view of the firm as the theoretical framework, the manuscript supports the notion that logistics salience is an important resource for firms looking to provide differentiated services and innovative logistics operations to their customers.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1999

Zawiyah M. Yusof and Robert W. Chell

This is the second part of a two‐part article which examines the various definitions accorded to the two key terms in records management – the records and records management…

4332

Abstract

This is the second part of a two‐part article which examines the various definitions accorded to the two key terms in records management – the records and records management. Variations in their definition have lead to confusion which affects the formulation of theory to underpin the discipline. Having discussed the changing definition of a record in Part 1 in this part the authors discuss the various definitions of records management.

Details

Records Management Journal, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-5698

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 1998

Zawiyah M. Yusof and Robert W. Chell

This article examines the various definitions accorded to the two key terms in records management ‐ the records and records management. Variations in their definition have lead to…

5579

Abstract

This article examines the various definitions accorded to the two key terms in records management ‐ the records and records management. Variations in their definition have lead to confusion which affects the formulation of theory to underpin the discipline. This problem is to be discussed in two separate parts. Part 1 discusses the changing definition of the ‘record’ as it evolves from an archives perspective, through a management perspective to an information technology perspective. These changes have lead to changes in the status of records. This is discussed as records as objects vs records as electronic objects. However, this is not a new issue. It was recognised by Jenkinson as early as 1922. The debate on the definition of records concludes that any new definition needs to take account of the component parts of a record: the information, the medium and the function. Part 2 will discuss the various definitions of records management.

Details

Records Management Journal, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-5698

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