bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RFID technology adoption and supply chain performance: an empirical study in China's logistics industry
Authors: Lin Chieh‐Yu , Ho Yi‐Hui 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the factors influencing the adoption of RFID technology and the relation between RFID technology adoption and supply chain performance for logistics companies.Design/methodology/approachDeterminants of RFID technology adoption are analyzed from the technological, organizational and environmental perspectives. Supply chain performance measurements consist of financial and non‐financial indices. Data were collected by means of delivering questionnaires to logistics service providers in China. A total of 574 logistics companies were analyzed.FindingsLogistics companies' willingness to adopt RFID technology are significantly influenced by the explicitness and accumulation of technology, organizational encouragement for innovation, quality of human resources, and governmental support. There is a positive association between the willingness to adopt RFID technology and supply chain performance for logistics service providers.Research limitations/implicationsAs a single‐country and single‐industry study, the current research may be limited in its generalizability.Practical implicationsThe growth of China's economy hinges to a large extent on the ability of the logistics industry to operate efficiently and effectively in the global supply chain system. China's logistics service providers need to adopt more efficient logistics technologies to provide better supply chain services for their customers. This paper provides some suggestions for governmental officials, logistics companies, and RFID technology providers in advancing the application of RFID in supply chains.Originality/valueThis paper may be the first empirical research in analyzing the adoption of RFID technology and its association with supply chain performance in the logistics industry, especially for China's logistics industry.
Managing supply chain in the context of SMEs: a collaborative and customized partnership with the suppliers as the key for success
Authors: Bordonaba‐Juste Victoria , Cambra‐Fierro Jesús J. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the efforts of a Spanish SME, Bodega Pirineos, to combine technology and a customized strategy in communication management with its suppliers. This is extremely important because of the necessity to adapt its supply system to the characteristics of its micro‐suppliers, which are key trade partners of the firm.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used was a case study.FindingsThe case study suggests how firms must adapt their supply relationships both with suppliers and with the environment. The paper shows that technology is not always enough. Firms need to understand their partners and to communicate with them.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is based on a specific case study. Therefore, its recommendations may be successfully applied to other products in different settings and in other sectors.Practical implicationsThe ideas contained in this case study can help supply chain managers to reflect on the necessity of understanding their strategic suppliers. Communication between a company and its suppliers is important for improving the efficiency of its supplying management. A proper management of business‐to‐business communication flow may guarantee the achievement of the necessary inputs and the meeting of the required standards for its products. Understanding why and how Bodega Pirineos customizes communications flows with its micro‐suppliers will help both managers and researchers to reflect on the idea that communication needs comprehension more than technological intensity.Originality/valueThe special characteristics of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) seem to recommend strategies adapted to their economic and human resources. The paper highlights a successful strategy based on the SME context. It includes both the firm's and their most representative suppliers' perspective.
Advantages of intermodal logistics platforms: insights from a Spanish platform
Authors: Cambra‐Fierro Jesus , Ruiz‐Benitez Rocio 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the advantages that an intermodal logistics platform may provide to companies integrating a supply chain, both to manufacturers/distributors and to logistics providers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces a new logistics platform, PLAZA, the largest in Europe, and which was installed in Zaragoza, where some international companies, including Inditex, are established.FindingsThe intermodality and integration provided by an intermodal logistics platform may provide competitive advantages to global supply chains.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is based on a specific case study and, therefore, the conclusions may be only partially generalized to other domains. However, the case results from this example may offer a useful guide to assist managers of global supply chains.Practical implicationsFirms should consider the option of intermodality and the integration of some of the activities of its supply chain in order to decrease transportation costs and lead time, and increase customer service, among other advantages.Originality/valueThe paper provides some practical insights from an intermodal logistics platform and the advantages that may be generated for companies.
Developing key performance indicators for supply chain: an industry perspective
Authors: Chae Bongsug (Kevin) 
Published: October 2009

PurposeMeasuring or monitoring supply chain performance reveals the gap between planning and execution and helps companies to identify potential problems and areas for improvement. However, it is recognized that developing key performance indicators (KPIs), or metrics, is very challenging and a set of practical guidelines is not readily available for companies and supply chain management (SCM) practitioners. This paper seeks to offer a practical approach to performance measurement and to present a list of essential KPIs.Design/methodology/approachThis paper offers insights from industry in the area of supply chain performance measurement and a practical approach to developing performance metrics.FindingsThe experience from, and the review of, industry standards and best practices in supply chain performance measurement suggest that “less is better” as to developing performance metrics. Companies should focus on only a small list of KPIs which are critical for their operations management, customer service, and financial viability. Potential KPIs should be developed for each of the supply chain operations‐reference (SCOR) model's four meta‐processes (plan, source, make, and delivery) and need to be hierarchically grouped such as primary and secondary metrics.Practical implicationsThe paper offers a background of why performance measurement is necessary for SCM success, pragmatic guidelines for designing and implementing performance metrics, and critical KPIs with the definition, examples, and computation mechanism.Originality/valueDespite the importance of performance measurement for successful SCM, many companies wonder how to put performance metrics in place and make them work in practice. This paper offers an industry‐oriented, practical approach to performance measurement in SCM contexts and proposes key performance metrics which can be easily adapted for different businesses.
Seabass and seabream farmed in the Mediterranean: swimming against the tide of market orientation
Authors: Wagner Beverly A. , Young James A. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how small and medium sized aquaculture producers in the Mediterranean might move from traditional high volume output systems to become more market oriented.Design/ methodology/approachThe quantitative methodology was devised to assess production trends and potential of seabass and seabream farmed off most of the countries bordering the Mediterranean. In addition to markets adjacent to the Mediterranean producers, those in Northern Europe are also included because of the opportunities for market expansion and product diversification.FindingsIt is concluded that greatest scope for industry gain lies in supply channel members being more market oriented to meet the dynamic and varied demands of consumers. The historic, but still predominant, one‐size fits all philosophy and business approach to fish farming is outdated and demands radical revision to realise potential added value of the industry. This is all the more important as consumers, pressure groups and governments become more aware of the political, economic and environmental impact of food miles and wider sustainable production issues, encouraging many international food markets to move away from an emphasis on cheap food.Practical implicationsThe study has practical implications for European Union aquaculture policy and small to medium‐sized enterprise development to ensure more sustainable production and to promote positive benefits in often peripheral and fragile rural economies where alternative options are commonly rare and/or conflicting.Originality/valueThe research highlights the challenges of a sector with spatially disparate points of production and consumption coupled with a highly perishable product critically dependent on efficient distribution whilst facing emergent environmental concerns over sustainable food production systems.
The dynamic relation between management control and governance structure in a supply chain context
Authors: van Veen‐Dirks Paula M.G. , Verdaasdonk Peter J.A. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that local management control systems within supply chain organisations and the governance of supply chains are intertwined and that local control systems and governance structure have an important effect on the functioning of the supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports on a case study of a supply chain and examines how local management control systems within the participating organisations affect cooperation between the organisations in the supply chain. In the case study, a supply chain, including eight food manufacturers, two logistic service providers, and two retailers, is investigated.FindingsThe behaviour of several entities in the chain is explained by examining the present local management control systems. The main conclusion is that these systems call for behaviour that is not congruent with the broad supply chain objective.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is based on a case study in one supply chain that has mainly a cost‐minimisation objective. Further in‐depth studies could be undertaken in supply chains with other objectives to further validate the findings.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates that the local management control systems may hinder the achievement of the supply chain objective. Possible design implications for both local management control systems and governance structures in the supply chain are outlined.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on local information sharing concerns and on local performance measurement and incentive issues at the intra‐organisational level but within a supply chain context.
Personality, social relationships, and vocational indecision among college students
Authors: Ng Thomas W.H. , Feldman Daniel C. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships of personality traits and interpersonal relationships with vocational indecision and the mediating role that identity construction plays in the development of those relationships.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 202 college students in Hong Kong at four points in time over a five‐month period.FindingsPersonality traits (e.g. locus of control and positive affectivity) and interpersonal relationships (e.g. with parents and peers) are related to the intensity of college students' search for their overall identity, positive anticipation of the work role, and level of identification with the student role. These role identification processes, in turn, are related to lower levels of vocational indecision. The results here support the idea that identity variables do serve as mediators of those relationships.Research limitations/implicationsA more complete identity approach to studying vocational indecision that focuses on both vocational and non‐vocational identities is warranted. Cultural differences in vocational indecision are in need of more research attention, too.Practical implicationsIn addition to the common practice of assessing the development of students' vocational interests, another way to prepare individuals for the start of their careers is to assess the development of multiple role identities.Originality/valueThis paper extends the vocational indecision literature by examining how the search for identity, the degree of positive anticipation of the work role, and the development of identification with the student role may mediate the effects of personal dispositions and interpersonal relationships on vocational indecision.
Job demands as a moderator of the political skill‐job performance relationship
Authors: Blickle Gerhard , Kramer Jochen , Zettler Ingo , Momm Tassilo , Summers James K. , Munyon Timothy P. , Ferris Gerald R. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine whether political skill is equally effective in its prediction of job performance for different job demands.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses self‐report sources of employee performance and self‐report of political skill after several weeks along with three ratings of target individuals' job demands.FindingsResults support the hypothesis that Holland's enterprising category (i.e. because of its job demands and requisite job competencies to be effective) will moderate the relationship between political skill and job performance, demonstrating stronger predictability under high enterprising job demands.Research limitations/implicationsThe present results suggest that political skill is a better predictor of job performance under situations of high enterprising job demands than under conditions of low enterprising job demands. Furthermore, social and conventional job demands do not significantly moderate the political skill‐job performance relationships, implying that these job demands act as an important boundary condition.Practical implicationsPolitically skilled individuals are more likely to succeed in environments (e.g. enterprising jobs) where they have the opportunity to exercise interpersonal influence, and where that interpersonal influence is directly related to their performance.Originality/valueThis paper makes several contributions to theory and practice in vocational achievement and political skill. Perhaps, most significant is the identification of job demands as a boundary condition in the political skill‐job performance relationship.
Employees' emotional reactions to promotion decisions
Authors: Tzafrir Shay S. , Hareli Shlomo 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the interplay among promotion decision, emotions, and perceptions of organizational justice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts Weiner's attribution theory of motivation and emotion, using it as a tool in the analysis. By using this framework, this paper analyses potential positive and negative emotional, and consequently, behavioral reactions of promoted and non‐promoted employees. The analysis focuses on emotional reactions as a function of the cause and the process for the decision in question from the subjective perspective of the employee whose fate is determined by that decision.FindingsThis paper suggests that the decision and the process of promotion can lead to the experience of a myriad of discrete emotional states. It contends that such emotional reactions are resulting from considerations of justice related to the perceived causes of the promotion decision and the process that lead to it.Originality/valueBy integrating attribution theory of emotion and motivation with considerations of justice, this paper analyses the conditions that lead to specific emotions in employees who are promoted and non‐promoted, showing that procedural and interactional justice serves as carriers of attributions (i.e. causal information).
A fuzzy multicriteria decision‐making methodology for selection of human resources in a Greek private bank
Authors: Polychroniou Panagiotis V. , Giannikos Ioannis 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a fuzzy multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) methodology for selecting employees.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) multicriteria decision tool and the algorithm presented by Karsak. Assuming that n are candidates each of whom is evaluated in j criteria, the methodology starts by defining the ideal and the anti‐ideal candidate.FindingsThe applicability of the methodology is discussed using real data from a major Greek bank. As a result, it is necessary to consider criteria, criteria weights, and the distances from both the ideal and the anti‐ideal solution in order to select the more appropriate candidate.Research limitations/implicationsModern approaches recognize that selection of human resources is a complex process that involves a significant amount of vagueness and subjectivity, and serious consideration for candidate's uncertainties of career life.Practical implicationsThe method can help human resources managers reach better decisions by selecting employees through a process that takes into account organizational objectives as well as employees' qualities. Moreover, selection of human resources can be seen as part of an integrated career management system in the organization.Originality/valueThe MCDM methodology can adequately represent the imprecision and uncertainty that are inherent in any modern organization. The method is quite flexible since criteria weights and distances from ideal and anti‐ideal candidates can be replaced by any method for ranking fuzzy numbers.
The Croatian police, police integrity, and transition toward democratic policing
Authors: Kutnjak Ivković Sanja 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to explore a critical component of the successful transition into a democratic police agency – the state of police integrity – among the Croatian police officers. The paper also analyzes the police officers' views about the community policing efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe questionnaire administered to police officers in Croatia focuses on various forms of police misconduct, as well as the respondents' views about community policing. A random sample of 811 Croatian police officers was collected at the end of 2008.FindingsThe results of 2008 survey portray a more optimistic picture of integrity of the Croatian police than the results of the 1995 survey did. The respondents in 2008 seem to expect more serious discipline than the respondents in 1995 did. Furthermore, the code of silence – one of the key elements of police integrity theory – seems to be weakening. However, the evaluations of scenario seriousness remain relatively similar, indicating a common hierarchy of seriousness. Finally, the support for the idea of community policing is perceived to be much stronger at the top than at the lower levels of the organizational hierarchy or among individual police officers.Research limitations/implicationsThe 1995 and 2008 samples are random samples and thus do not constitute a panel data set.Practical implicationsThe methodology can be utilized by police administrators to explore the contours of police integrity in their agencies. More specifically, the administrators can explore whether police officers know the official rules, how serious they evaluate police misconduct, what they think the appropriate and expected discipline is, and how willing they are to tolerate police misconduct in silence.Originality/valuePrior studies of police integrity focused almost exclusively on one form of police misconduct – police corruption. Following the idea that police integrity encompasses the inclination to resist all temptations (and not just for‐gain ones) to abuse the rights and privileges, the questionnaire used in the study tests the police officers' tendency to resist a variety of temptations and thus yields a more comprehensive picture of police integrity. Furthermore, this methodology enables measurement of the changes in police integrity, which is particularly relevant for a police agency in transition or a police agency undertaking efforts to improve its state of police integrity.
Shifting cultures: managerialism and the rise of “performance”
Authors: Cockcroft Tom , Beattie Iain 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the consequences that followed the introduction of a performance measurement regime that is introduced into a subdivision of an English police force. The police force under consideration is located in a county that covers over 1,500 square miles and envelops areas as diverse as large urban conurbations, small villages and considerable rural expanses.Design/methodology/approachPart of this research utilised semi‐structured interviews to gauge officers' reactions to the new system and the impact on their occupational behaviour.FindingsThe research found widespread resistance to the new system, due to a perception that the performance indicators did not fully reflect the breadth of the officer role. Similarly, evidence emerged to suggest that performance indicators can play a key role in focussing officers' attention on those core behaviours being measured and encouraging presentational and working styles which, whilst satisfying scoring criteria, might, arguably, be deemed inappropriate.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited by its focus upon officers working under a pilot project in a solitary subdivision. Further research might seek to draw on the views of larger numbers of officers working under a variety of police performance measurement mechanisms. Such an approach would facilitate the development of guides to best practice in both the formulation and implementation of such regimes and would, conceivably, help overcome officer resistance to such systems.Originality/valueThe paper is original in that acknowledges, and focuses upon, the cultural dynamics of the police officer and uses this approach to chart the challenges of effective implementation of such strategies. As such, the paper should be of interest to middle and senior police managers tasked with implementing effective performance measurement. Furthermore, this paper, although originating from evaluation research, represents a more critical contextualisation of the interviews, which are conducted with officers. In doing so, it seeks to locate the practicalities associated with the introduction of “performance measurement” against the reality of police work.