Outsourcing by corporations is increasing the demand for complex services (such as customization) from third-party logistics providers (3PLs). Effective integration between 3PLs…
Abstract
Purpose
Outsourcing by corporations is increasing the demand for complex services (such as customization) from third-party logistics providers (3PLs). Effective integration between 3PLs and their customers, known as the external integration of 3PLs, not only allows 3PLs to respond rapidly to shippers’ needs but also to increase customer satisfaction and the effective allocation of resources while increasing operational efficiency (such as by proposing comprehensive plans for future logistics services to meet shippers’ demands). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causal relationships among the external integration capabilities, cost advantages, and the financial performance of 3PLs.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 3PLs in Taiwan and China was performed. The research model was tested using a structural equation modeling technique along with the partial least square (PLS-SEM/PLS) approach.
Findings
The results herein demonstrated a positive relationship between 3PLs’ external integration capabilities and resource efficiency. The results also suggested that cost competitiveness positively affected the financial performance of 3PLs. Although the external integration capabilities of 3PLs were not found to directly affect their financial performance, the results in this study indicated that external integration capabilities enable a firm to improve financial performance by capturing cost advantages.
Originality/value
This study provides useful information about the effects of external integration capabilities on the financial performance of 3PLs in a bi-regional context. The sample in this study was drawn from the 3PL industry in Taiwan and China, enabling a comparative analysis of these two countries of similar cultural backgrounds but different degrees of development of their logistics industry and different related demands.
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SAEED M. FENIS, JAMES E. DIEKMANN and PEI‐YU HUANG
This paper describes a research and development effort on a GIS‐based pipeline planning system (GIS‐based PPS). Research was first conducted to identify the aspects of pipeline…
Abstract
This paper describes a research and development effort on a GIS‐based pipeline planning system (GIS‐based PPS). Research was first conducted to identify the aspects of pipeline planning and pipeline network design that could benefit from a computer assisted approach, and the recent advancements in information technology. This paper describes a cohesive computer environment that integrates the hydraulic analysis and geographic information processing with a graphic user interface (GUI), in order to improve the effectiveness of pipeline design functions. An interactive system prototype was implemented and is currently being applied in real‐world pipeline network planning and design for municipal and industrial water conveyance.
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Kamran Rashid and M.M. Haris Aslam
The purpose of this paper is to show how the quality practices such as leadership and strategic quality planning, supplier relationship management, customer focus, quality data…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how the quality practices such as leadership and strategic quality planning, supplier relationship management, customer focus, quality data and reporting, process management and human resource management are as relevant to supply chains as they are to an individual firm.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the review of relevant literature, propositions have been framed to stimulate future research. In order to evaluate the quality management (QM) practices in Pakistani supply chains, three cases have been presented. These cases provide information about QM practices of the case companies with respect to the supply chains they represent. Based on the case comparisons, common themes regarding the state of QM in Pakistani supply chains have been identified.
Findings
The current study shows that the state of QM in the supply chain context is at a primitive level in Pakistan. Most organizations have instituted quality departments and devised quality policy and planning inspired by ISO 9000 standards. However, quality culture that promotes bottom‐up improvement throughout the organization is nonexistent. Compared with the proposed framework of total supply chain quality management (TSCQM), Pakistani organizations have a long way to go before any significant integration can be achieved in the quality functions at the supply chain level.
Originality/value
Building upon the current literature in the field of supply chain and QM, the current study proposes a new, more comprehensive framework TSCQM.
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Yubing Yu and Baofeng Huo
This paper aims to examine the impacts of relational capital on supply chain quality integration (SCQI) and operational performance from the holistic perspective of the entire…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impacts of relational capital on supply chain quality integration (SCQI) and operational performance from the holistic perspective of the entire supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modeling with LISREL was used to test the conceptual model based on data collected from 308 companies in China.
Findings
The results indicate that with the exception of internal relational capital not having a significant impact on customer quality integration, supplier, internal and customer relational capital have positive impacts on supplier, internal and customer quality integration, which consequently improve operational performance. The results also show that internal relational capital has positive impacts on supplier and customer relational capital, and internal quality integration has positive impacts on supplier and customer quality integration.
Practical implications
The results provide important managerial insights for the improvement of operational performance through the development of relational capital and the implementation of SCQI practices throughout the supply chain.
Originality/value
The authors contribute to the relational capital and supply chain quality management literature by exploring the effectiveness of relational capital in improving SCQI and operational performance from the holistic perspective of the entire supply chain. The findings enrich the knowledge of SCQI management from the perspective of relational capital.
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Mohammad Alamgir Hossain, Shams Rahman, Tamgid Ahmed Chowdhury, Caroline Chan, Xiaoyan Yang and Qingxin Su
A major transformation in retail logistics over the few years is backed by enormous improvements in internet technologies. It is now easy for e-retailers to entertain delivery…
Abstract
Purpose
A major transformation in retail logistics over the few years is backed by enormous improvements in internet technologies. It is now easy for e-retailers to entertain delivery progression, or consumers can share use-experience with future customers and thereby reducing information asymmetry. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different signals on consumer behavior in the presence of information asymmetry, in the context of online group buying (OGB) markets in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the lemon market theory (LMT) and signaling theory, the study develops a research model of the OGB consumers’ context in China, which is validated using data from an online survey. A total of 528 responses are used for data analysis applying structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
The findings of the study show that perceived vendor quality (PVQ) and perceived product quality (PPQ) have significantly positive effects on intention to purchase from OGB websites. PVQ is associated with perceived reputation and perceived trustworthiness (PT) of vendor, and the determinants of PPQ are quality assurance information of products, and information about mer-chants. Further, PT has a mediating effect, while asymmetry of information has a moderating effect.
Research limitations/implications
The research model is valid as a generic OGB model that can be investigated in other contexts to understand the generalizability of the findings. Future research is needed to incorporate additional relevant factors (e.g. price, advertising activity/investments) that may help increase the acceptability of the model to a wide range of e-commerce contexts. Two of the control variables (gender and prior internet experience) were found to be significant; this could be further examined in future studies to determine the relative impact on each causal relationship.
Originality/value
Whereas prior studies in the domain of consumer service proposed different signaling mechanisms that were believed to eliminate information asymmetry from a market, the study sheds light on the effectiveness of the signals in the OGB context. This is a unique effort that applies and extends LMT and signaling theory in OGB context by theorizing the associated dimensions and their causal effects.
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Weihua Liu, Xinyun Liu and Tsan-Ming Choi
This study aims to explore the impact of supply chain quality event (SCQE) announcements on enterprises’ stock market value.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact of supply chain quality event (SCQE) announcements on enterprises’ stock market value.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the event study approach and analyzes the changes in shareholder value of companies listed in China based on data from 118 SCQE announcements. In the event study, the market, market-adjusted and Carhart four-factor models are used to estimate abnormal stock market returns, and a cross-sectional regression model is performed to examine the effects of SCQE announcements on enterprises’ stock market value.
Findings
SCQE announcements have a negative impact on shareholder value. From the perspective of the supply chain network structure, the market reacts more negatively to SCQE announcements issued by the enterprises with higher supply chain concentration. From the perspective of companies’ characteristics, announcements that do not reflect the establishment of supply chain quality cooperation have a more negative effect on stock market value, which indicates that the supply chain network structure and firm-level characteristic can moderate the market reaction.
Practical implications
The findings demonstrate a quantitative evaluation of how SCQE announcements affect the stock market value of listed companies and provide guidance for managers to enhance the value of SCQE announcements.
Originality/value
This study fills the research gap on the impact of SCQE announcements on stock market value by using secondary data and first explores the relationship between SCQE announcements and stock market value from the perspective of supply chain network. Furthermore, this study contributes to the literature on SCQE using an empirical study in China.
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A.M.A. El Saadany, M.Y. Jaber and M. Bonney
The paper seeks to develop an analytical decision model that is used to investigate the performance of a supply chain when product, process, and environmental quality…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to develop an analytical decision model that is used to investigate the performance of a supply chain when product, process, and environmental quality characteristics are considered.
Design/methodology/approach
Environmental performance measures and methods to quantify quality are reviewed and then used to develop a method to measure environmental quality and its associated costs. This was translated into a two‐level supply chain coordination model that captures most aspects of green supply chains. Numerical examples are provided and solved using Excel Solver enhanced with VBA codes.
Findings
The results confirmed some findings in the literature that investing to reduce environmental costs improves environmental performance and increases total profits.
Research limitations/implications
The environmental quality cost function that was used was of a form that guarantees a global optimal solution. A limitation is that the function may take more complex forms where different analytical and solution methods would be needed.
Originality/value
The model fills a gap in the literature where there is a lack of models to help managers implement environmentally acceptable coordinated two‐level supply chains.
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Marcio C. Machado, Renato Telles, Paulo Sampaio, Maciel M. Queiroz and Ana Cristina Fernandes
The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for performance measurement (PM) for the integration of supply chain management (SCM) and quality management (QM).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for performance measurement (PM) for the integration of supply chain management (SCM) and quality management (QM).
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review on SCM and QM was conducted to develop key performance measures related to six areas of integration between QM and SCM: leadership; continuous improvement and innovation; sustainability performance; stakeholders; information system; and management and strategic planning.
Findings
Supported by the literature concerning to supply chain quality management (SCQM) integration, a set of nine propositions about performance measures, that contribute to the integration of SCQM, were developed.
Originality/value
This study contributes to QM practices within a supply chain environment from an integrated perspective. Additionally, the propositions have significant implications from both managerial and theoretical perspectives. This study also extends the concept of supply chain quality integration by focusing on key aspects of PM that may help to improve the overall performance of the supply chain.