The effect of supply chain responsiveness on customer development

An investigation of transportation logistics strategy on manufacturing supply chain responsiveness in developing countries: the mediating role of delivery reliability and delivery speed

This study aims to investigate and examine the impact of delivery reliability (DR) and delivery speed (DS) on the relationship between a manufacturing firm's transportation logistics strategy (TLS) and supply chain responsiveness (SCR). Furthermore, it examine the impacts of SCR on manufacturing firm performance (MFP). A quantitative methodology was used for the purposes of gathering and analysing primary data for this empirical study, which included 212 participants in large-sized manufacturing firms in the Middle East Territory. A web-based survey was used for the data gathering process and applied after conducting a small pilot study. The conceptual model was tested by using a hypothesis-testing deductive approach. The findings are based on covariance-based analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS software. The findings show that DR is mediating partially the relationship between TLS and MSCR, and that DS is mediating fully the relationship; further, it is pointed out that SCR is supported with improved MFP. The empirical findings can have insightful implications for managers and practitioners in terms of boosting competitive advantage and financial performance.

Environmental Uncertainties and Competitive Advantage: A Sequential Mediation Model of Supply Chain Integration and Supply Chain Agility

In this study, the direct effect of environmental uncertainty on competitive advantage and its indirect effect through the sequential mediator variables of supply chain integration and supply chain agility were investigated. The sample of the study consists of company managers operating in the manufacturing sector in Turkey. An online survey was sent to company managers through connections established on LinkedIn and an analysis was carried out with the data collected from 414 participants. As a result of the analysis, it has been determined that environmental uncertainty has a direct, significant and positive effect on competitive advantage. In addition, the results of the research show that supply chain integration and supply chain agility have a partial mediating role in the relationship between environmental uncertainty and competitive advantage. According to the results of this study, in conditions of high environmental uncertainty, companies can increase their supply chain agility capabilities by establishing a more integrated structure with their supply chain partners, and thus gain a unique competitive advantage over their competitors. It has been observed that the relationships between the concepts, which are the subject of the study, have been investigated separately in different studies in the literature. This study will contribute to the literature by investigating the relationships between concepts in a holistic way.

Process modularity, supply chain responsiveness, and moderators: The Médecins Sans Frontières response to the Covid-19 pandemic

The unprecedented scale of the Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenge for health supply chains around the world. Many international humanitarian organizations have had to ensure the continuity of their already complex development programs, while addressing their supply chain disruptions linked to the pandemic. Process modularity has frequently been advocated as a strategy to mitigate such disruptions, although empirical evidence regarding its impact on supply chain responsiveness and what moderates this impact is scarce. This exploratory research uses supply chain data analysis, qualitative content analysis, interviews, and a three-round Delphi study to investigate how Doctors without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières; MSF) and its 151 missions employed process modularity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our results show that despite severe disruptions, process modularity-based on a modular architecture, interfaces, and standards-has helped MSF maintain supply chain responsiveness. Specifically, it (1) enabled time-consuming, nonessential tasks to be skipped, (2) relieved internal and external bottlenecks, and (3) facilitated better allocation and prioritization. Our analyses also put forward eight moderators, structured in three dimensions (visibility, alignment, and resource orchestration), which can affect the impact of process modularity on supply chain responsiveness. We extend the literature on supply chain responsiveness and process modularity by presenting extensive empirical results suggesting that process modularity improves responsiveness in crisis situations, how it does so, and what moderates this impact. Our study thereby highlights the potential of this strategy and provides operationally relevant insights that could help organizations to implement or to review and redesign their process modularity.

Examining the relationship between dimensions of supply chain integration, operational performance and firm performance: evidence from Ghana

Purpose

The study aims to examine the relationship between dimensions of supply chain integration (SCI), operational performance and firm performance of firms. The study proposes that internal integration serves as the basis for supplier integration and customer integration and all three dimensions directly enhance operational performance and firm performance. Additionally, operational performance is proposed to mediate the effect of dimensions of SCI on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model grounded on the resource-based view and the extended resource-based view was developed to examine the proposed relationships between the dimensions of SCI, operational performance and firm performance. A survey of manufacturing and service firms in Ghana was conducted, with 120 usable responses received. The research model was analysed by using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Robustness tests were conducted by using logistic regression and the Kruskal Wallis test.

Findings

The findings showed that internal integration had positive and significant effects on customer integration and supplier integration. Internal integration had a positive and significant effect on firm performance whilst customer integration had positive and significant effects on operational performance and firm performance. Additionally, operational performance mediated the effect of customer integration on firm performance.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that examine the interrelationships between dimensions of SCI. Additionally, to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically examine the mediating role of operational performance in the relationship between dimensions of SCI and firm performance.

Triggering sustainable firm performance, supply chain competitive advantage, and green innovation through lean, green, and agile supply chain practices

Due to extensive industrial activities, many environmental challenges have devastated human beings and environmental integrity. Therefore, sustainable supply chain (SC) practices (lean, green, and agile - LGA) gained momentum in the manufacturing industry. Considering the importance of LGA-SC, this study investigates the impact of LGA-SC practices on green innovation (GI), supply chain competitive advantage (SCPA), supply chain responsiveness (SCR), and sustainable firm performance (SFP). Data were collected from employees of the manufacturing industry in China. The proposed conceptual framework was verified by using structural equation modeling. The empirical results indicate that LGA-SC practices are statistically associated with GI, SCR, SCPA, and SFP. Moreover, this research finds that GI and SCR play mediating roles between LGA-SC practices and SCPA. GC positively moderates the relationship between LGA-SC practices and GI, and IP also acts as a strong moderator between GI and SCPA. To the authors' best knowledge, this study is the pioneer to provide insights about a novel framework combing LGA-SC practices, SCPA, and SFP with mediating role of GI and moderating role of GI and IP. This study supports managers of the Chinese manufacturing sector to further extend strong roots for LGA-SC adoption.

Analysis of factors impacting survivability of sustainable supply chain during COVID-19 pandemic: an empirical study in the context of SMEs

Purpose

Nowadays, many firms are finding ways to enhance the survivability of sustainable supply chains (SUSSCs). The present study aims to develop a model for the SUSSCs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of exhaustive literature review, constructs and items are identified to collect the responses from different SMEs. A total of 278 complete responses are received and 6 hypotheses are developed. Hypotheses testing have been done using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

Major constructs identified for the study are supply chain (SC) performance measurement under uncertainty (SPMU), supply chain cooperation (SCCO), supply chain positioning (SCP), supply chain administration (SCA), supply chain feasibility (SCF) and the SUSSCs. From statistical analysis of the data collected, it can be concluded that the considered latent variables contribute significantly towardsthe model fit.

Research limitations/implications

The present study contributes to the existing literature on disruptions and survivability. The study can be further carried out in context to different countries and sectors to generalize the findings.

Practical implications

The research findings will be fruitful for SMEs and other organizations in developing strategies to improve survivability during uncertain business environments.

Originality/value

The study has developed a model that shows that the identified latent variables and their indicators contribute significantly toward the dependent variable, i.e. survivability. It contributes significantly in bridging the research gaps existing in context to the survivability of SMEs.

Antecedents and outcomes of supply chain security practices: the role of organizational security culture and supply chain disruption occurrence

Purpose

The study examines organizational security culture as the driver of supply chain security (SCS) practices (information management security, facility management security and human resource security). Additionally, the study examines the minimization of occurrence of supply chain disruption as the outcome of SCS practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model grounded on the contingency theory and the dynamic capabilities theory was developed and tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Data was obtained from 110 manufacturing and service firms in Ghana.

Findings

It was revealed that organizational security culture has a positive and a significant impact on information management security, facility management security and human resource security as hypothesized. In addition, facility management security significantly minimized supply chain disruption occurrence as hypothesized but information management security and human resource security did not.

Originality/value

To the best of the researchers' knowledge, this is the first study that examines organizational security culture as the driver of SCS practices. Additionally, the study is novel in examining the interplay between organizational security culture, SCS practices and supply chain disruption.