Web-enabled supply chain management: Key antecedents and performance impacts

A Multi-Country Empirical Study Of ICT-Induced Productivity Variances By Economic Magnitude And Industry:

Global trends such as the prolonged decline in productivity growth and lower fertility rates across many regions have rendered productivity-led growth an important phenomenon. This paper investigates: 1) Does the effect of ICT use on firm-level productivity vary between firms operating in the manufacturing and services industry? 2) How does the country's economic magnitude influence the impact of ICT use on firm-level productivity in manufacturing and services firms? We incorporate the evaluation of the endogeneity issue for the generation of the final results using the 2SLS approach. Using a sample of 2407 manufacturing and service firms operating in 34 countries with diverse economic magnitude, we find that ICT use positively affects manufacturing firms' productivity compared to the service sector. Furthermore, we find that effect of ICT use on firm-level productivity is more potent for manufacturing firms operating in high-income countries when compared to their counterparts in lower-income countries.

An empirical assessment of the relationship between Information Intensity and IT Leaders’ Role and Structural Power:

Using the theoretical lens of the contingency approach to leadership, this study explores the relationship between the information intensity of the organization’s value chains and IT leaders’ role and structural power. Based on data obtained from a sample of 174 Australian IT senior executives, a multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) is used to empirically test for differences between the IT leader’s role and structural power in high and low information intensive organizations. Findings suggest that value chain information intensity significantly influences the importance of individual CIO roles as well as the combined operational (supply) and strategic (demand) groups of roles. However, the IT leaders’ structural power was found to be unrelated to the level of information intensity of the organization. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Review of Research on Digital Supply Chain Management Using Network Text Analysis

Studies that have examined the digital transformation’s association with supply chains have been actively conducted for over 10 years, and studies on digital supply chain management have been increasing. However, there is a lack of consensus on the definitions of or views about the digital supply chain; thus, researchers in the academic or industrial fields propound various concepts of digital supply chains, which results in confusion during the exchange of opinions or transmission of concepts in many cases. The purpose of this study is to identify the research trends from various articles on the digital supply chain that have been published so far, summarize and analyze the theories and concepts pertaining to it, and review future topics of research. Network text analysis was conducted by extracting information from unstructured text data to identify research trends. The results of the analysis showed that many studies have examined the digital supply chain in terms of sustainable management. “Sustainability” was the most influential word in the keyword network, and the digital transformation of supply chains is essential for the sustainable viability of firms in the era of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. Many studies have focused on technology for big data analysis and the IoT as technologies to fulfill digital supply chains and maintained that COVID-19 has increased risk factors such as global supply chain disruptions, which is why global firms must monitor the supply chain in real time by securing end-to-end visibility and making corporate-level efforts to build a digital supply chain to instantly detect and deal with related risks. The common groups of keywords were related to “supply chain integration”, “resilience”, “digital technologies”, and “digital transformation”.

Effect of inter-organizational systems appropriation in agility and resilience development: an empirical investigation

Purpose

This study explored the role of inter-organizational systems (IOS) appropriation in the form of five key IOS usage-based capabilities, namely, IOS use for communication, intelligence, integration, collaboration and coordination in the development of tourism SC agility and resilience. Furthermore, the inter-relationship among these IOS usage-based capabilities were explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected perceptual measures from hotel managers and tour managers having sufficient experience in the tourism sector. With 209 completed responses, the data were analyzed using partial least squares.

Findings

The study found IOS use of communication and intelligence as prominent enablers of IOS use for integration, collaboration and coordination. Furthermore, IOS use for integration, collaboration and coordination was found to have a prominent influence in the development of tourism SC agility and resilience. However, the influence of IOS use for communication on collaboration was not supported. Also, the impact of IOS use for collaboration in tourism resilience development was not supported.

Originality/value

The study is the foremost to explore the role of IOS appropriation in the development of dynamic capabilities like agility and resilience in tourism. Furthermore, the study also contributed to extant literature on IOS appropriation through suggesting two additional factors, namely, IOS use for collaboration and coordination to the existing IOS usage-based capabilities.

Understanding the global diffusion of B2B E-commerce (B2B EC): An integrated model

Using institutional theory, this study offers an integrated framework that describes the diffusion of business-to-business e-commerce within a country. The model specifies the role of national institutional frameworks, international institutional pressures, and market complexity in business-to-business e-commerce diffusion. We test this model using archival, cross-sectional data from 146 countries for the period from 2013 to 2016. The study also compares the roles of these factors in business-to-business e-commerce diffusion across developed and developing countries. The results suggest that national institutional frameworks, international institutional pressures, and market complexity contribute positively to business-to-business e-commerce diffusion and that the influence of these variables varies according to the degree of a country’s development. Theoretical, research, and managerial implications of the study are also discussed.

Collaborative e-business efforts and firm performance

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how e-business (EB) practices and performance are directly and indirectly related, and to examine the complementary effects of adopting various types of EB practices on both business and operational performance, where the latter is conceptualized as a mediator between EB practices and business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural equation modelling was used to examine the conceptual model using data collected through a survey of 108 Omani manufacturing firms. EB was conceptualized as a second-order factor resulted from a production of a simultaneous adoption of three distinct groups of EB practices to examine the complementarity effect of EB practices on performance.

Findings

Controlling for the variations of firm size and age effects, the empirical analysis of this study found support for the superior effects of the complementarities amongst various EB practices on business performance, but this effect will be indirect through the operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings may lack generalisability due to the possible effects of other contextual factors which should be considered by future research studies.

Practical implications

Several implications are highlighted for the effective deployment of collective EB competencies, and for the role of operational performance on achieving higher business benefits.

Originality/value

This paper satisfies the need to validate the complementarity effects model in different contexts such as EB, and the need to investigate the mediating effect of other factors on EB practices and business performance.

Effect of information technology-enabled supply chain integration on firm's operational performance

Purpose

Using the assumptions of the resource-based view, relational view and swift, even flow theories and the overarching principles of supply chain management, the study aims to test the role of information technology (IT) capability (cross-functional application, supply chain application and data consistency) in enabling supply chain integration (SCI; internal, customer and supplier integration) and the impact of SCI on firm's operational performance in terms of quality, delivery, production cost, inventory level, customer service and product-mix flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural equation modeling approach is used to test theoretical predictions underlying the relationship among dimensions of IT capability, SCI and operational performance based on data obtained from senior executives of 108 large manufacturing firms listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Findings

The results suggest that IT capability has positive impact on SCI, except for data consistency, which is found to have negative impact on internal integration. The results further indicate that SCI, especially customer integration, has positive and significant impact on all operational performance indicators.

Practical implications

The findings inform future initiatives associated with the SCI improvement via specific IT capabilities. When undertaking such initiatives, managers are advised to consider the differential impact of the following IT capabilities on SCI: cross-functional applications, supply chain applications, and data consistency capability.

Originality/value

The study makes an empirical contribution to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the value of the multidimensional representation and analysis of IT capability, SCI, and operational performance given a differential and even opposed influence by some of the dimensions in specific business contexts.

Effect of blockchain technology adoption on supply chain adaptability, agility, alignment and performance

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how blockchain technology can improve supply chain adaptability, alignment and agility which collectively enhance competitive advantage which in turn influences firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework of the present study is developed by conducting an extensive literature review on blockchain technology, supply chain adaptability, alignment, agility and competitive advantage. The sample data were collected from 397 supply chain practitioners in India to validate the conceptual model. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to ascertain the validity of the measures used and a structural model was analyzed for testing the proposed conceptual framework.

Findings

The results of the present study show that blockchain technology can improve supply chain adaptability, alignment, agility which lead to competitive advantage, which leads to better firm performance. Besides, trust generated through blockchain use also increases firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the respondents do not have practical experience of using blockchain technology. They have responded based on their knowledge about supply chain and blockchain which they acquired from published sources. Different supply chains require different strategic choices and different information needs. But the present study assumes that all supply chain needs are identical. The present study assumes that government regulations regarding blockchain technology are favorable; however, currently, there is no legal framework to address blockchain technology. The findings of the current study indicate that companies not only should create more awareness regarding blockchain but also should actively work with IT companies that are engaged in developing blockchain-based supply chain solution. Managers, as well as IT companies and academicians, should join hands to study and develop a framework for regulating blockchain technology and suggest these to the policy actors.

Practical implications

The present study shows that supply chain practitioners are confident that blockchain technology will help improve supply chain parameters. These findings can help IT companies and their marketers for developing and promoting blockchain-based IT applications. In addition, the important implication for supply chain practitioners is that blockchain helps in creating a competitive advantage and increases firm performance.

Originality/value

The effect of IT on important supply chain variables has been studied in the past; however, there is not a single study which sheds light on how disruptive technologies such as blockchain will affect supply chain adaptability, alignment, agility and firm performance.

Exploring the intention to use M-payment in India

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a model that explains a user’s attitude toward M-payments in India, based on the motivational model and awareness about demonetization policy. The study also investigates the validity and differential predictive power of four different M-payment usage models, by considering the effect of improved awareness regarding demonetization policy on the core construct of the motivational model.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested with survey data from 362 M-payment users using partial least squares. Respondents were M-payment users with significant usage experience.

Findings

This study empirically determined that the motivation model and awareness about demonetization policy in M-payment usage after demonetization are connected. As hypothesized, the study found: a positive relationship between extrinsic motivation and intention to use M-payment, positive relationship between awareness about demonetization policy and behavioral intention to use M-payment, positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation, positive relationship between awareness about demonetization policy and extrinsic motivation and positive moderation effect of awareness about demonetization policy on the extrinsic motivation-behavioral intention relationships. The hypothesis that awareness about demonetization policy would have a moderating effect on intrinsic motivation–behavioral intention relationship was not supported.

Practical implications

From a practitioner’s perspective, this study underscores the importance of raising sufficient awareness about the demonetization policy as a determinant of users’ willingness to use M-payment services. Mandatory regulations by the government and motivation toward M-payment use can be a good starting point for a cashless economy.

Originality/value

This study makes a needed contribution to the literature by validating the integrated motivation model, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about the demonetization policy among M-payment users. The model may provide a useful foundation for future research in this area.

Knowledge sharing through inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems

Purpose

Inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems (IOKSS) are crucial for scientific, social and economic development especially in knowledge-intensive sectors. Knowledge sharing processes and systems will not only be challenged by individual and organizational factors but also by social, technical and political inter-organizational factors. This paper aims to investigate the impact of knowledge worker, peer, IOKSS, organization and sector factors on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Knowledge workers are the key stakeholders that enable the survival of IOKSS.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected, through a questionnaire, from knowledge workers in the education and the health sectors.

Findings

This study found that the human factors (related to knowledge workers and their peers) have significant direct impact on intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Other factors, such as IOKSS system, organization and sector factors showed indirect impacts on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Such investigation can be very valuable for developing countries as technological innovations such as IOKSS can be crucial for training and building human resources, and national knowledge management.

Originality/value

Little is empirically known about the enablers of sharing knowledge in systems that connect organizations in horizontal linkage in a specific sector or industry. The study also adds value to under investigated region.

Towards cloud-based supply chain processes

Purpose

– There are cloud computing (CC) services available for various applications within the supply chain management (SCM). These services offer, for example, consistent global networking platforms and enable quick decision making, which may strengthen competitive advantages. The specification of the single-related elements and the coordination mechanisms between actors and information flows is complex. In this paper, the authors argue that reference models can accelerate understanding these processes. The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of the current state of the underlying research field and to present a reference model that supports theory and practice in adopting CC services at SCM.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper provides a cross-discipline systematic literature review from the research perspectives of information systems and SCM. Based on 102 papers, the authors designed a reference model showing the interrelations between various elements of CC and SCM.

Findings

– The authors discover the most important chances and risks for CC implementations in supply chain (SC) processes and pay special attention to SC sustainability aspects of CC. Until now, SCM research in the realm of CC usage is still in its infancy both in theory and practice.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no systematic literature review that consistently focusses CC usage within SC processes while integrating specific aspects of strategic theory. The obtained insights lead to the first SCM-related reference model for CC usage.

Integrating cloud computing in supply chain processes

Purpose

– There are cloud computing (CC) services available for various applications within supply chain management (SCM) processes and related enterprise information systems (ISs). These services offer, for example, consistent global networking platforms and shared real-time information. Furthermore, they enable quick decision making and ensure efficiency, which may strengthen competitive advantages as to digital processes within the supply chain (SC). However, research lacks a paper that systematically analyzes the interrelation between CC and SCM in detail and aims to become a reference point in the intersection of both research fields. Moreover, the purpose of this paper is to gain a deep understanding of the current state of research and to identify future research challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper provides a cross-discipline systematic literature review from the research perspectives of ISs and SCM. In total, 99 papers have been investigated by combining qualitative and quantitative content analysis. As a side effect the authors developed a new methodological framework for conducting comprehensive literature reviews that could be applied by future research.

Finding

– The authors discover the most important influence factors for CC implementations in SC processes and pay special attention to major issues, research methods, applied theoretical concepts, and geographical differences. Until now, SCM research in the realm of CC usage is still in its infancy both in theory and practice.

Research limitations/implications

– Possibly not all of the relevant papers have been filtered during the paper selection phase. The findings of the literature review and the conceptual framework identifying different areas of concern are believed to be useful for future research to obtain an overview of the evolution of CC in SC processes.

Originality/value

– To the best of the knowledge, there is no systematic literature review that consistently focusses CC usage within SC processes while integrating strategic aspects. Additionally, the authors constructed and applied a unique keyword analysis.

The Adoption of Web-Based Supply Chain Management Applications

The objective of this study is to develop a comprehensive model to explain why organizations adopt Web-based Supply Chain Management (SCM) applications from an institutional perspective. Questionnaire survey was used to collect data from manufacturing firms in Jordan. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), using EQS was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the environmental coercive and mimetic pressures and organizational characteristics have a positive effect on the top management’s perception and support of Web-based SCM adoption and usage. Furthermore, the study revealed that the Web-based SCM applications represent the pool that reflects the degree of response to institutional pressures. This study was the first to empirically explain why organizations adopt Web-based SCM from an institutional perspective, adding new contribution to the developing literature on Web-based SCM. Understanding the external pressures and the effect of organizational factors will provide the practitioners with better knowledge on how to manage the adoption of Web-based SCM applications.