Tony C.T. Chan and Kwai‐Sang Chin
This research aims to identify and examine the importance of the key success factors (KSFs) of strategic sourcing, and investigate the relationship between KSFs and sourcing…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to identify and examine the importance of the key success factors (KSFs) of strategic sourcing, and investigate the relationship between KSFs and sourcing performance in the Hong Kong toy industry. The KSFs are ranked, and the results show those factors that should be given the highest priority in implementing strategic sourcing.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review, a questionnaire survey, interviews with industry experts and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach were employed in the study. First, the KSFs were identified after a full review and evaluation of the strategic sourcing literature. A questionnaire survey of 205 companies was then conducted in the Hong Kong toy industry to verify the importance of these KSFs. Finally, 20 sourcing experts from the toy industry were interviewed and assigned pairwise comparison judgements on a proposed AHP model, which prioritised the relative importance of these KSFs for the Hong Kong toy industry.
Findings
About 14 KSFs are identified through the literature review. The survey results indicate that these 14 KSFs are important and they are positively related to sourcing performance. Moreover, the results show that there is only marginal implementation of these 14 KSFs amongst Hong Kong toy companies. With the prioritisation of the identified KSFs by the AHP approach, it is strongly suggested that the toy manufacturers assess and improve their strategic sourcing performance.
Originality/value
The paper identifies the relative importance of the 14 KSFs, which will allow manufacturers to use their limited resources to focus on the most important factors in improving their strategic sourcing practice and performance.
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Leo Yat Ming Sin and Suk‐ching Ho
Looks at consumer research in Greater China including Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Maps out the contributions within this area and guides future research. Examines the…
Abstract
Looks at consumer research in Greater China including Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Maps out the contributions within this area and guides future research. Examines the state of the art over the 1979‐97 period, with particular emphasis on the topics that have been researched, the extent of the theory development in the field and the methodologies used in conducting research. Uses content analysis to review 75 relevant articles. Suggests that, while a considerable breadth of topics have been researched, there remains much to be done, there is further room for theoretical development in Chinese consumer behaviour studies; and the methodologies used need improvement and further refinement.
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The objective of this study is to investigate how country risk, different political actions from the government and bureaucratic behavior influence the activities in industry…
Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate how country risk, different political actions from the government and bureaucratic behavior influence the activities in industry supply chains (SCs) in emerging markets. The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of these external stakeholders’ elements to the demand-side and supply-side drivers and barriers for improving competitiveness of Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry in the way of analyzing supply chain. Considering the phenomenon of recent change in the RMG business environment and the competitiveness issues this study uses the principles of stakeholder and resource dependence theory and aims to find out some factors which influence to make an efficient supply chain for improving competitiveness. The RMG industry of Bangladesh is the case application of this study. Following a positivist paradigm, this study adopts a two phase sequential mixed-method research design consisting of qualitative and quantitative approaches. A tentative research model is developed first based on extensive literature review. Qualitative field study is then carried out to fine tune the initial research model. Findings from the qualitative method are also used to develop measures and instruments for the next phase of quantitative method. A survey is carried out with sample of top and middle level executives of different garment companies of Dhaka city in Bangladesh and the collected quantitative data are analyzed by partial least square-based structural equation modeling. The findings support eight hypotheses. From the analysis the external stakeholders’ elements like bureaucratic behavior and country risk have significant influence to the barriers. From the internal stakeholders’ point of view the manufacturers’ and buyers’ drivers have significant influence on the competitiveness. Therefore, stakeholders need to take proper action to reduce the barriers and increase the drivers, as the drivers have positive influence to improve competitiveness.
This study has both theoretical and practical contributions. This study represents an important contribution to the theory by integrating two theoretical perceptions to identify factors of the RMG industry’s SC that affect the competitiveness of the RMG industry. This research study contributes to the understanding of both external and internal stakeholders of national and international perspectives in the RMG (textile and clothing) business. It combines the insights of stakeholder and resource dependence theories along with the concept of the SC in improving effectiveness. In a practical sense, this study certainly contributes to the Bangladeshi RMG industry. In accordance with the desire of the RMG manufacturers, the research has shown that some influential constructs of the RMG industry’s SC affect the competitiveness of the RMG industry. The outcome of the study is useful for various stakeholders of the Bangladeshi RMG industry sector ranging from the government to various private organizations. The applications of this study are extendable through further adaptation in other industries and various geographic contexts.
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Yaw A. Debrah and Ian G. Smith
Presents over sixty abstracts summarising the 1999 Employment Research Unit annual conference held at the University of Cardiff. Explores the multiple impacts of globalization on…
Abstract
Presents over sixty abstracts summarising the 1999 Employment Research Unit annual conference held at the University of Cardiff. Explores the multiple impacts of globalization on work and employment in contemporary organizations. Covers the human resource management implications of organizational responses to globalization. Examines the theoretical, methodological, empirical and comparative issues pertaining to competitiveness and the management of human resources, the impact of organisational strategies and international production on the workplace, the organization of labour markets, human resource development, cultural change in organisations, trade union responses, and trans‐national corporations. Cites many case studies showing how globalization has brought a lot of opportunities together with much change both to the employee and the employer. Considers the threats to existing cultures, structures and systems.
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Tarwaji Warsokusumo, Toni Prahasto and Achmad Widodo
The study aims to perform an extensive literature review in the area of the maintenance decision analysis (MDA), especially in power generation systems. In the basis of this…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to perform an extensive literature review in the area of the maintenance decision analysis (MDA), especially in power generation systems. In the basis of this review, the paper proposes a new model for the MDA which involves a combination of reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS) performance with energy efficiency performance (EEP).
Design/methodology/approach
Starting from the opportunity in Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS) by improving the energy efficiency (EE) and using renewable energy for the power generation system, also concerning to the major challenge of maintenance optimization in order to implement maintenance strategy, the maintenance decision-making and energetic efficiency management system (EEMS) have been reviewed. In the context of power generation system's performance, the measurement is also analyzed and identified. Then, the extensive literature review has been performed to compare between RAMS and EEP. And finally, the limitation and gap, where EEP is not yet a complementary consideration during MDA being identified and a new model for the performance-based MDA is proposed.
Findings
The new model proposed for the performance-based MDA is able to be used to conduct maintenance decision by utilizing the combination of RAMS and EEP depending on the type of decision required.
Practical implications
There is an opportunity for a maintenance organization of power generation plant to apply this new model proposed for the MDA in order to optimize the maintenance scope and schedule.
Originality/value
The result of work in this paper forms the basis for combining RAMS with EEP as performance-based MDA tools in the context of maintenance of the power generation system.
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Gordon Chi Kai Cheung and Edmund Terence Gomez
This paper aims to examine the UK’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) policies under Margaret Thatcher’s era in the 1980s, with a view to understand the success stories…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the UK’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) policies under Margaret Thatcher’s era in the 1980s, with a view to understand the success stories, historical development and the structures of Chinese family business through a case study of See Woo Holdings Ltd.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have achieved the objective on the study of the SMEs policies under Margaret Thatcher through critical evaluation of the historical literatures, books, journals and newspapers. The study on overseas Chinese business and the case of See Woo Holdings Ltd. is mainly through the research of the Chinese overseas in the UK and Southeast Asia, and the companies report from the Companies House in the UK. The authors have used the latest 2011 UK Census statistics and academic reports to locate the most current demographic changes and Chinese business characteristics in the UK and the Northeast of England.
Findings
First, the UK’s SMEs policies under Margaret Thatcher were quite receptive towards the ethnic business. Second, the case of See Woo Holdings Ltd. indicates that family business networks are still one of the characteristics of Chinese business. Finally, the broader UK’s SMEs policies play an important role in this case study.
Originality/value
The authors provide a tentative linkage between the UK’s SMEs policies under Margaret Thatcher and Chinese family business. In addition, the case study of See Woo Holdings Ltd. improves the current understanding of Chinese family business with a clearer picture about their structure, practice, characteristics and development.
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Looks at the 2000 Employment Research Unit Annual Conference held at the University of Cardiff in Wales on 6/7 September 2000. Spotlights the 76 or so presentations within and…
Abstract
Looks at the 2000 Employment Research Unit Annual Conference held at the University of Cardiff in Wales on 6/7 September 2000. Spotlights the 76 or so presentations within and shows that these are in many, differing, areas across management research from: retail finance; precarious jobs and decisions; methodological lessons from feminism; call centre experience and disability discrimination. These and all points east and west are covered and laid out in a simple, abstract style, including, where applicable, references, endnotes and bibliography in an easy‐to‐follow manner. Summarizes each paper and also gives conclusions where needed, in a comfortable modern format.
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Pawan Budhwar, Andy Crane, Annette Davies, Rick Delbridge, Tim Edwards, Mahmoud Ezzamel, Lloyd Harris, Emmanuel Ogbonna and Robyn Thomas
Wonders whether companies actually have employees best interests at heart across physical, mental and spiritual spheres. Posits that most organizations ignore their workforce �…
Abstract
Wonders whether companies actually have employees best interests at heart across physical, mental and spiritual spheres. Posits that most organizations ignore their workforce – not even, in many cases, describing workers as assets! Describes many studies to back up this claim in theis work based on the 2002 Employment Research Unit Annual Conference, in Cardiff, Wales.