Towards taxonomy architecture of knowledge management for third‐party logistics service provider

The Nexus Between Human Resource Management Practices and Service Recovery Performance in Takaful Insurance Industry in Pakistan: The Mediating Role of Employee Commitment

Service recovery performance (SRP) is very important for the takaful insurance industry for maintaining and attracting new clients, which in turn serves as a competitive advantage for the survival and continued future of the businesses. If the insurance sector could not maintain SRP, then the competitive advantage of the organizations could be decayed. Therefore, under the theoretical foundation of equity theory and resource-based theory, this research has investigated the link between human resources management practices (HRMP) (such as human capital, training, job description, teamwork, empowerment, and rewards) and SRP directly and indirectly through the employee commitment. By using a convenient sampling technique data was collected from the employees working in the Takaful industry in Pakistan to empirically test the proposed hypotheses and validate the findings. Using cross research design and quantitative research approach. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) had presented the positive relationship between HRM practices and SRP. On the other hand, employee commitment had also mediated this relationship. As employee commitment is significantly mediated among most of the HRMP, this aspect is therefore considered to be a big contribution of the study in the context of Pakistan. Based on these findings, the current study has several important implications the practitioners and readers.

Integrating knowledge management with intellectual capital to drive strategy: a focus on Italian SMEs

Purpose

This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the linkage between knowledge management (KM), intellectual capital (IC), planning effectiveness (PE) and innovation performance in Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from 172 Italian SMEs was collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling (partial least square).

Findings

Results show that KM practices have a positive direct impact on each IC component which influences PE. Finally, structural capital and PE have a positive direct impact a firm’s ability to innovate.

Research limitations/implications

For researchers, this paper fills an important gap in the academic literature by conceptualizing and empirically testing the link between IC and PE. The main practical implication of this study is that developing intangible resources is of particular importance for strategic decision-making in SMEs. The focus on Italian SMEs limits the generalizability of the results.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence on how KM and IC interact and mutually drive PE. Second, results shed light on the importance of IC to enhance a firm’s ability to reach its goals. Finally, the focus on SMEs enriches the extant literature in the field confirming the vital role of KM and IC in managerial decision-making.

The impact of Logistics 4.0 on corporate sustainability: a performance assessment of automated warehouse operations

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impacts of Logistics 4.0 initiatives (focusing on automated warehousing systems) on the economic, environmental and social dimensions of firms' sustainability performance. To achieve this objective, a new framework for the assessment of sustainable warehousing in the 4.0 era is developed.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework, developed via the item-objective congruence index, Q-sort method and interviews with experts, is employed to assess performance changes through management interviews in two warehousing companies after the implementation of automation technologies.

Findings

Most aspects of both companies' sustainability performance are considerably improved (e.g. productivity, accuracy, air emission, worker safety and supply chain visibility); however, the outcome for some criteria might be worsened or improved depending on each company's solutions and strategies (e.g. increasing electricity bills, maintenance costs and job losses).

Practical implications

The findings provide insight into the effective implementation of warehousing technologies. The proposed framework is also a valid and reliable instrument for sustainability assessment for warehousing operators, which companies can utilise for self-assessment.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to establishing a body of literature that explores the previously unclarified effects of Logistics 4.0 on firms' sustainability performance. The proposed framework, which captures critical concerns of corporate sustainability and technological adaptation, is also the first of its kind for warehouse performance assessment.

Prioritizing warehouse performance measures in contemporary supply chains

Purpose

Due to the importance of efficiency and responsiveness measures rather than just efficiency measures, this research recognizes both measures when considering overall performance of warehouse operations. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to prioritize overall performance measures associated with warehouse operations in manufacturing, third-party logistics service provider and retail industry supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an integrated approach that involves the Q-sort method to group measures into four categories. Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process was then used to prioritize individual performance measures within each category and integer liner programming model was used to validate prioritized categories, using the judgment of multiple decision makers across three industries.

Findings

The result shows that the financial category is a dominating performance category in managing warehouse operations across all three industries selected. Within the financial category, cost of insurance accounted for 25 percent of total weight of the category, and is considered to be a powerful measure. The financial category is verified by multiple decision makers across three industries, as the most important performance category.

Research limitations/implications

As part of adopting the proposed methodology in practice, it needs to be guided by overall methodology appropriate for industry-specific contexts.

Originality/value

Key novel aspects of this study are to categorize warehouse operations measures and analyze their perspectives in different industries, understand dominant categories of warehouse operations measures in the contemporary supply chain and finally to explore to what extent current practices lead to achieving efficiency and responsiveness in the selected industries.

Exploring knowledge management practices in third-party logistics service providers

Purpose

This paper aims to explore knowledge management (KM) practices implemented by third-party logistics service companies (3PLs) and the main barriers slowing down the adoption of such practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach used in this paper is based on a multiple case study analysis involving a set of 3PLs operating in Italy and Sweden. The empirical analysis has explored the KM practices used by 3PLs and the main barrier hindering their adoption.

Findings

In spite of some adoption, the findings suggest that 3PLs are not sufficiently realizing the full potential of KM. The evidence also indicates that there is a link between the type of 3PL company (in terms of the breadth and complexity of the services supplied) and the sophistication of KM tools adopted.

Research limitations/implications

From a research point of view, further research should focus on the validation of the link between the number and sophistication of KM tools used and the breadth of services supplied. Further research should also focus on exploring how KM can support 3PL companies in enhancing their performance.

Practical implications

From a practical point of view, the findings may help the management of 3PL companies to take a more strategic approach to KM and thus its contribution to the firms’ overall goals. Additionally, it is critical to conduct a careful analysis of current and future KM needs to identify the most suitable KM solutions linked to the specific characteristics of the business in which 3PLs operate.

Originality/value

This study provides fresh insights into the adoption of KM practices in logistics service organizations. The findings advance the limited body of knowledge regarding this topic and contribute to the further development of the study of KM.

Investigating the impact of knowledge flow enablers on SC performance in Indian manufacturing organizations

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between supply chain knowledge flow enablers (SCKFEs), knowledge flow performance and supply chain (SC) performance (operational performance, customer satisfaction, and financial performance) for Indian manufacturing organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured survey was used to collect the necessary data within the Indian manufacturing industry. Construct validity was conducted using convergent validity, reliability, and discriminant validity. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model.

Findings

The results of the study are tested based on data from 269 respondents from an Indian manufacturing organizations show positive influence: from SCKFEs to knowledge flow performance; knowledge flow performance to SC performance. In essence, the research reveals that the awareness to implement SCKFEs will increase the knowledge flow performance and SC performance.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are beneficial for decision-making authorities in the organization to know the importance of SCKFEs and their influence on knowledge flow performance and SC performance.

Originality/value

This is the unique study, which provides the theoretical framework which shows the relationship among SCKFEs, knowledge flow performance and SC performance and validates the framework with the help of an empirical study with Indian organizations.