Can asymmetry impact performance, collaboration and integration? An empirical study

Logistics service quality in an emergent market in Latin America

Purpose

This paper aims to determine how the level of logistics service quality facilitates logistics performance in emerging markets. The authors chose Ecuador because it is an emerging economy with relatively stable economic development, making it an attractive research platform in a challenging environment for logistics services. The authors empirically test the influence on performance and one another of five dimensions of service quality: reliability, responsiveness, empathy, assurance and tangibility.

Design/methodology/approach

SERVQUAL and partial least squares structural equation modeling was undertaken to test the proposed relationships empirically.

Findings

The performance was positively related to assurance, tangibility and reliability but negatively related to the responsiveness and empathy dimensions. The findings suggest the order of priority for improvement actions. The findings highlight that the existing relationships in developed markets do not apply in the same manner in emerging markets.

Research limitations/implications

Although representative, data were only collected in one specific market.

Practical implications

The results reveal a mix of activities that managers should develop to improve the services they provide, relationships with customers and performance.

Originality/value

Few other works have explored logistics service quality in South America's emerging markets. According to contingency theory, various combinations of service quality dimensions can influence performance, suggesting that managers should aim for optimal fit between dimensions according to internal and external situations. An efficient and effective combination in one case may be unsuccessful in another. The approaches presented can improve relationships within global supply chains, especially regarding logistics management.

A conceptual framework for improving effectiveness of risk management in supply networks

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to develop a conceptual framework for improving the effectiveness of risk management in supply networks following a critical literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical review of 91 scholarly journal articles published between 2000 and 2018 supports the development of an integrated conceptual framework.

Findings

The findings emphasize that supply chain integration (SCI) can have both a positive and negative impact on the effectiveness of risk management in supply networks. It is possible to have a positive effect when SCI can be used to develop competencies in joint risk planning within the organization and with wider supply network members and, in turn, to develop collaborative risk management capabilities. Supply network characteristics can influence whether and the extent to which SCI has a positive or negative impact on risk management effectiveness.

Research implications

The conceptual framework can be used to empirically assess the role of SCI for effective risk management. Dynamic evaluation of the effectiveness of risk management and potential redesign of the supply network by considering other contingent factors are some future research avenues.

Practical implications

There is a need for developing specific competencies in risk planning within organizations and joint risk planning with supply network members which, in turn, can help develop collaborative risk management capabilities to improve the effectiveness of risk management in supply networks. Network characteristics will influence whether and the extent to which SCI results in the effectiveness of risk management.

Originality value

Moving beyond recent (systematic) reviews on supply chain risk management, this study develops a novel conceptual framework interlinking SCI and the effectiveness of risk management while considering network characteristics.