Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform activities that are usually handled by internal staff and resources. By using a well‐managed outsourcing…
Abstract
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform activities that are usually handled by internal staff and resources. By using a well‐managed outsourcing agreement, companies can gain in markets that would otherwise be uneconomical. This study was designed to explore why companies are undertaking outsourcing projects and identifies factors that may facilitate or impede outsourcing projects. In addition, this article examines the relationships between outsourcing strategies and organizational performance. The results show that organizations generally considered themselves successful at outsourcing. However, while they achieved significant improvement in organizational performance, they have not reached the magnitude of improvements ascribed to outsourcing.
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Thomas V. Scannell, Roger J. Calantone and Steven A. Melnyk
The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors that influence the decision to adopt computerized numerical control (CNC) and direct numerical control (DNC) machines…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors that influence the decision to adopt computerized numerical control (CNC) and direct numerical control (DNC) machines, material working lasers and robots (specific advanced manufacturing technologies – AMT) using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the underlying framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Firms that had recently adopted a shop floor manufacturing technology were surveyed. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the 123 responses.
Findings
The TPB explained a substantial amount of variance in behavioral intentions to adopt an AMT. As proposed, attitude towards adoption and subjective norms significantly influence a decision maker. However, perceived behavioral control did not have a significant impact on intentions. The TPB was shown to be an effective predictor of technology adoption in a specific context.
Research limitations/implications
Single respondents were used – future research might include multiple respondents. Though sufficient statistical power was realized, there was a relatively low response rate – future research may pre‐screen potential respondents to ensure eligibility.
Practical implications
Primary implications include: adopters may be willing to tolerate a difficult adoption process in order to realize significant competitive benefits; suppliers of AMT may want to develop greater customer knowledge to influence adoption decisions; and champions of AMT adoption may want to proactively influence the opinions of other key stakeholders.
Originality/value
The research context was controlled by focusing on a specific type of AMT. Further, actual technology adoption decisions were investigated. Most applications of the TPB assume that the “intentions” to “behavior” relationship holds.
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Maria Fischl, Maike Scherrer-Rathje and Thomas Friedli
The purpose of this paper is both to provide an overview of existing knowledge pertaining to the management of price risks in manufacturing companies from an operations management…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is both to provide an overview of existing knowledge pertaining to the management of price risks in manufacturing companies from an operations management (OM) perspective and to establish an agenda for future research. Risks related to the purchase prices of industrial consumption factors (raw materials, semi-finished/finished goods, auxiliary materials and operating materials) exert an increasing influence on manufacturing companies’ business continuity and economic sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted following the literature search approach of vom Brocke et al. (2009). In total, 138 relevant articles were identified, analysed and synthesised.
Findings
The literature review reveals that the existing OM literature devotes little attention to price risks and their management in manufacturing companies. In particular, further empirical investigation is required to support decision-making in various risk contexts.
Social implications
This paper emphasises that in addition to existing national resource funds and inter-company alliances, alternative concepts are required to secure both stable prices and access to natural resources. Otherwise, in the future, small- and medium-sized companies, along with companies based in countries lacking available resource funds, will not have an opportunity to engage in fair competition.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first literature review to focus on price as a specific supply risk.
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Melissa Demartini and Paolo Taticchi
The aim of this paper is to review the theoretical lenses used in performance measurement and management in a traditional and industry 4.0 environment and to contribute to…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to review the theoretical lenses used in performance measurement and management in a traditional and industry 4.0 environment and to contribute to understanding the current state of research in the field and its future development.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper performs a structured review of the existing performance measurement and management literature, with the objective to investigate the current state of research, looking at popular theories in more detail, as well as to propose possible avenues for future consideration for the field to develop further moving forward. Particularly, this paper focusses on and identifies (1) theoretical lenses that are dominating this field, (2) the role played by specific theories and the way different theories are used together and finally, (3) an in-depth dive into relevant theories for performance measurement and management applied in an industry 4.0 environment.
Findings
Key findings highlight the growing number of publications, leading authors and journals where research is published. The findings also include the identification and detailed analysis of the most popular theories leveraged by scholars also in reference to research methodologies. A thorough analysis of Industry 4.0 performance measurement and management is then carried out, as this is one of the identified emerging themes in the research field. Findings here include the identification of relevant research and the suggestion of significant theories that can help build this specific body of knowledge.
Originality/value
This research offers a key contribution by providing a powerful “theoretical toolkit” to researchers and practitioners working in performance measurement and management and industry 4.0 fields.
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Paulina Junni and Riikka Mirja Sarala
In this chapter, we examine the role of M&A (mergers and acquisitions) leadership by conducting a review of recent empirical studies on M&A leadership. Our aim is to provide an…
Abstract
In this chapter, we examine the role of M&A (mergers and acquisitions) leadership by conducting a review of recent empirical studies on M&A leadership. Our aim is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge concerning M&A leadership. More specifically, we examine how M&A leadership has been studied (i.e., study methods, data sources), where M&A leadership has been studied (i.e., geographic distribution, industries, level of analysis), which leadership M&A outcomes and M&A leadership perspectives have been examined, and finally, how M&A leadership influences post-M&A outcomes. This allows us to identify main areas of interest and provide suggestions for further research.
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P.P.L. Wong and Balvinder Kaur Kler
This study identifies and interprets the experiences and relationships of a host community to a marine national park in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, as it transformed from a local…
Abstract
This study identifies and interprets the experiences and relationships of a host community to a marine national park in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, as it transformed from a local recreation site into an international tourist destination. This chapter elaborates on an original and innovative amalgamation of qualitative methods used to collect data consisting of verbal and pictorial techniques, including focus group interviews, visitor employed photography, and an adapted Q-methodology incorporating photo-elicitation. The research design for data collection is provided as a guideline to illustrate how the study progressed through two essential parts. This study contributes to a gap in method on how to extract pictorial measures on a collective basis to systematically to produce group place meanings. Recommendations are suggested based on the challenges faced in this study. This innovative qualitative method was successful in deriving sense of place for a marine park.