Supply chain learning and performance: a meta-analysis

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the supply chain learning (SCL)–performance relationship based on the existing empirical evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

We sampled 54 empirical studies on the SCL–performance relationship. We proposed a conceptual research framework and adopted a meta-analytical approach to analyse the SCL–performance relationship.

Findings

The results of the meta-analysis confirm the positive effects of SCL on the performance of both firms and supply chains. In addition, building on the knowledge-based view, we found that learning from customers has a stronger positive effect on performance than does learning from suppliers, while joint learning has a stronger positive effect on performance than does absorptive learning. Business knowledge had a greater effect on performance than did general knowledge, process knowledge or technical knowledge, while explicit knowledge had a stronger effect than tacit knowledge. Moreover, the SCL–performance relationship is moderated by performance measure and industry type but not by regional economic development, highlighting the broad applicability of SCL.

Originality/value

This study is the first meta-analysis on the SCL–performance relationship. It differentiates between learning from customers and learning from suppliers, examines a more comprehensive list of performance measures and tests five moderators to the main effect, significantly contributing to the SCL literature.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY STUDIES? RESEARCH FRONTS ON ORGANISATIONAL KNOWLEDGE ABSORPTION

Absorptive capacity (ACAP) is one of the most active themes in knowledge management literature. The topic is extensively mentioned in several relevant research fields, including innovation, organisational learning and strategic management. In this study, we employed bibliographic coupling to analyse the extant academic literature published in order to detect research fronts on the theme. Our sample includes 2,072 papers published in the last four years, which is in line with our basic intent to investigate the latest academic research. Papers included in the core research front highlight the role of ACAP as an organisational ability to assess new valuable knowledge, aiding the development of organisational capabilities. The role of knowledge absorption capacity in alliance networks, open innovation processes, intra-organisational learning, as well as exploratory and exploitative initiatives are the other relevant research fronts identified. We suggest the proposed implications of the analysis as material for further research on the theme.

Supply chain learning and organizational performance: evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms

Purpose

Despite the significance, no study examines the relationship between supply chain (SC) learning components and focal firm performance. This study aims to investigate different types of SC learning (supplier, customer and internal learning) and their influence on the focal firm’s operational and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded in knowledge-based view and absorptive capacity theory, this study applies structural equation modeling to test the conceptual model based on data collected from 213 manufacturing firms in China.

Findings

The findings indicate that supplier and customer learning improve internal learning. Customer and internal learning have direct influence on operational performance, whereas internal learning mediates the relationship between supplier learning and operational performance. Moreover, all three dimensions of SC learning do not affect financial performance directly but operational performance plays the mediating role in their relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study only investigates SC learning outcomes without exploring its antecedents. In addition, SC learning and their impacts on firm performance are tested empirically with cross-sectional data collected only from manufacturing firms in China.

Practical implications

The findings furnish managers to seek for competitive advantages through different types of SC learning.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights concerning the performance implications of SC learning. It divides SC learning into dimensions and shows the distinctive impacts of these dimensions on focal firm’s performance using an empirical method.

ALLIANCE EXPERIENCE, INDUSTRY CONDITIONS, AND EXTERNAL TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION

External technology commercialization (ETC) is one strategy firms use in order to appropriate value from innovation. In view of the complexities associated with managing partner relationships, firms are likely to draw on their prior alliance experience when considering ETC strategies. Applying an organisational capabilities perspective, we investigate the extent to which prior alliance experience shapes a firm’s propensity to engage in external commercialisation. Because the motivations and risks of ETC vary across industries, we further consider how industry effects may influence this relationship. Our study examines the ETC initiatives of 1,642 firms in the US manufacturing sector between 1990 and 2006. The results suggest a curvilinear relationship between alliance experience and ETC. We also find that this relationship is moderated by the nature of the industry appropriability regime, rate of technological change, and competitive intensity.

NUMBER OF R&D ALLIANCES AND INNOVATION OUTPUT — NONLINEAR RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

What is the precise nature of the relationship between a firm’s research and development alliance portfolio size and its innovation output? The existing literature is inconclusive between a positive linear relationship and a nonlinear variant. To address the issue, this study explores the relationship between alliance portfolio size and innovation output in the context of the pharmaceutical industry. Contrary to previous investigations, our results suggest increasing returns at a diminishing rate at a low to moderate alliance portfolio level while exhibiting increasingly higher returns at a moderate to high level of portfolio size. An advantage of the present investigation is that we draw from a larger data set of alliance agreements compared to earlier investigations. Additionally, the results provide improved reliability compared to previous studies where violations of some underlying assumptions have been overlooked. The paper concludes with a discussion of findings and suggestions for future research.

ALLIANCE SCOPE AND FIRM PERFORMANCE IN THE BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY

We test the relationship between alliance scope and firm performance in the context of the biotechnology industry by means of a meta-analysis. Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that allows a systematic review of the existing research that is more rigorously systematic compared to conventional narrative reviews as it uses statistics to capture the strength of relationships. The analysis confirms that a relationship between alliance scope and firm performance does exist. Furthermore, results suggest that there is a statistically significant difference in firm performance between exploitation alliances and exploration alliances, confirming recent studies in the innovation and R&D management literature. Managerial implications and future research suggestions are provided.