bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technology turbulence and environmental scanning in Thai food new product development
Authors: Ngamkroeckjoti Chittipa , Speece Mark 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the use of environmental scanning (ES) in the new product development (NPD) process among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Thai food processing industry. This study also shows that more extensive use of ES improves new product (NP) performance, and that perception of higher technology turbulence increases usage of ES.Design/methodology/approachData from a survey of 124 Thai SMEs through statistical package for the social sciences software shows that more extensive acquisition of ES information does improve NP performance.FindingsManagers who perceive more technological turbulence do use ES more extensively. The technology strategy of the company does not have much impact on the use of ES. The results indicate that even SMEs can benefit from ES, a practice more commonly carried out by larger companies. Some SMEs seem to recognize that more turbulent environments require more extensive scanning.Research limitations/implicationsThese results may not hold exactly this way in other industries where technology plays a much greater role. Also, the impact of technology strategy on ES usage would be much more apparent in more technology intensive industries. It is clear that industry context variables should be included in future research to more fully understand the role of ES and NPD outcomes, as well as the factors that encourage companies to use ES more extensively. In addition, the ES impact on NPD outcomes should be examined in conjunction with some of the other determinants of quality NPD process.Originality/valueThe major contributions of the study consist of how comprehensive use of ES makes a significant contribution to NP performance, the findings on the impact of technology strategy, technology turbulence upon ES and the impact of ES upon NPD.
Life‐style orientation of rural US and Canadian consumers
Authors: Harcar Talha , Kaynak Erdener 
Published: October 2008

PurposeIn view of the existing void in the current international and cross‐national/cultural marketing literature, the purpose of this paper is to look into the similarities and differences of life‐style orientations prevalent among US and Canadian consumers. The AIO (Activities, Interest, and Opinions) and VALS (Values, Attitudes, and Life‐Styles) statements adapted from the current cross‐cultural marketing literature were utilized to determine different US and Canadian consumer market segments. The research tools and techniques used in this study help retail businesses as well as manufacturing companies of the two countries to develop and execute more effective target marketing strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this study were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered in two different locations. First, in Brandon, Canada and second, in the rural part of south central Pennsylvania (York and Lancaster counties). Both regions are similar to each other, each having a flourishing agricultural industry and a significant number of companies in the service and manufacturing industries. The data were collected through a drop‐off and pick‐up method among a sample of 300 Canadian married or common‐law families and 400 in the USA.FindingsThe study results show that there are, indeed, differences among the consumers’ life‐styles in the two countries which were similar in demographics and as such may have been previously treated the same way by marketers, but in reality have very different lifestyles. Based on the survey findings, managerial and/or public policy implications are offered for orderly marketing decision‐making purposes.Research limitations/implicationsA study of total urban consumers may produce different life‐style profiles than the ones presented here. This study only examined North American consumer life‐styles within the framework of product group (form). Additional studies may look at consumer life‐styles by use of product brands and even product options.Originality/valueThis empirical research study presents cross‐cultural comparisons of life‐styles, value orientations of consumers in the purchase of a variety of goods and services in the similar environments of North America, namely rural areas of the USA and Canada.
The impact of consumer ethnocentrism and country of origin sub‐components for high involvement products on young Chinese consumers’ product assessments
Authors: Yim Wong Chui , Polonsky Michael J. , Garma Romana 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of country of origin (COO) sub‐components (i.e. design, assembly and parts), as well as the extent to which consumer ethnocentrism tendencies interact with these COO sub‐components for young Chinese consumers with regards to product quality assessments and purchase intentions.Design/methodology/approachA 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experimental design was used to examine the effects of the three sub‐components of COO with two levels of sourcing location – Home (China) and Foreign (Germany), for two high involvement products (an automobile and a digital camera). Chinese students in China represented the sample of 272 respondents. MANOVA was used to examine the direct effects and interactions of the three COO components, as well as ethnocentrism, measured using the CETSCALE.FindingsIt was found that the three COO sub‐components did not influence young Chinese consumers’ evaluation of product quality or purchase intentions. In addition, consumers’ level of ethnocentrism also did not have a direct effect on perceived product quality or purchase intentions. There was only one statistically significant interaction effect between ethnocentrism and country of parts for one of the two products. As such, COO dimensions and young Chinese consumers’ ethnocentrism appears to have limited influence on their assessments of product quality or purchase intentions. This may occur because young Chinese consumers perceive that hybrid products are the norm for high involvement products in China as these products are all these consumers have experienced.Originality/valueThe findings of this research dispute the commonly held belief and evidence that sub‐components of COO have an impact on the perceptions of product quality and purchase intentions. Young Chinese consumers may be different to consumers from western countries because they have been extensively exposed to hybrid products. Given the size and growth potential of China, young Chinese are an important, under‐researched segment within the Chinese market.
Relational embeddedness, tertius iungens orientation and relationship quality in emerging markets
Authors: Singh Ramendra 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate in an emerging market (India), the impact of relational embeddedness of dyadic business relationships on relationship quality (RQ) and the moderating impact of tertius iungens orientation (TIO) on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 75 business managers from various industries in India was surveyed, and analysis was done using moderated multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe key finding of the study is that among the five different types of connection that a firm has (with competitors (C), value chain partners (V), internal (I), external (E) entities and auxiliary (A) connections), the A‐connections like those with banks, MR agencies, advertising agencies and other service providers, have the most favorable impact on relationship quality with firms’ customers, when its boundary personnel exhibit high TIO (bonding) towards their customer. However, the direct impact of A‐connection on RQ is negative, possibly due to the negative externalities such as sharing limited common resources. Other four connections were found to be insignificant.Research limitations/implicationsA major limitation of this study is sample size (75). Hence, the findings of this study may not be generalisable.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study suggest that higher ability to bond disparate actors in network of business firm (TIO) have a strong and favorable impact on improving the RQ with its customers in embedded relationships.Originality/valueThe major contribution of the study is to explain the moderating role of TIO in the network embedded dyadic business relationships.
Service quality in maritime transport: conceptual model and empirical evidence
Authors: Thai Vinh V. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend knowledge on service quality and how it is defined and thus, managed, in the context of maritime transport by proposing and testing a new conceptual model of service quality.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a sample of 197 shipping companies, port operators and freight forwarders/logistics service providers, employing the triangulation of both mail survey and in‐depth interview techniques. A total of 120 usable questionnaires were returned and 25 interviews conducted. Data were analysed using the SPSS 13.0 software and thematic analysis technique.FindingsIt was found that service quality in maritime transport is a six‐dimensional construct consisting of resources, outcomes, process, management, image, and social responsibility (ROPMIS), with each dimension measured by a number of explaining factors making up a total of 24 factors. Findings also revealed that factors involving the outcomes and process of service provision, as well as the management factors, which all focus on satisfying the customers, received high ranking. They also emphasised process and management‐related factors which involve the centre of all quality systems: the human element.Research limitations/implicationsAs this is the first stage of a more comprehensive study, the model was tested only with service providers, and this is the major limitation. Future research direction is desired, e.g. conducting the study using the same instruments on customers and compare the gaps with this research.Originality/valueThe major contribution of this study is to fully operationalise service quality as a six‐dimensional construct in the context of maritime transport, and findings on the ranking of dimensions/factors involved in the model. Although this is the first model of service quality in maritime transport with specific quality factors, its generic dimensions could be generalised to other service sectors as well. The research also has great managerial implications as managers across maritime transport companies can use the tool to develop questionnaire for customer satisfaction survey, thus facilitating a universal benchmarking approach across the industry.
“16T”: toward a dynamic vendor evaluation model in integrated SCM processes
Authors: Pal Pralay , Kumar Bimal 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a “trait based approach” for vendor selection and evaluation for expensive procurements in large businesses through a simple and easy‐to‐use mathematical model using safety, quality, delivery and cost criteria. Design/methodology/approach – We use 16 traits addressing safety (S), quality (Q), delivery (D) and cost (C) areas for evaluating performance of a vendor on a linear 10 point scale. We start with evaluating each “supplier‐supply item” combination and compute gross averages for each of the SQDC areas and finally arrive at an “Overall Performance Index” for each supplier‐supply item combination. These indices form a “Vendor Performance Dashboard” for decision making. Findings – The case study shows that the proposed method is quick and easy to adopt, and provides a logical framework for vendor selection and management, based on performance in the four critical (SQDC) areas. Research limitations/implications – A lot of monotonous computations are required for the proposed vendor evaluation process. Hence, the scope for software development warrants further investigation. There is also a need to develop a process for weighting the different SQDC elements for application in different industry/market contexts. Originality/value – This paper presents a unique and simple approach for generating dashboard data for decisions regarding evaluation of vendors and distribution of sub‐contracts in a dynamic technology intensive market with practical examples. The proposed model for vendor selection and determination of order sizes is less dependent on complex algorithms and more practical and logically framed than existing models.
Supply chain management ethics: conceptual framework and illustration
Authors: Svensson Göran , Bååth Hans 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a conceptual framework of Supply Chain Management Ethics (SCM‐ethics).Design/methodology/approachThe research is based upon a qualitative approach using a series of semi‐structured interviews. Multiple perspectives and respondents have been applied in the data collection process. The study is limited to the Swedish vehicle industry.FindingsThe empirical findings indicate that the corporate focus of SCM‐ethics is in part narrow in the Swedish vehicle industry. The partial focus may endanger the corporate ethical performance in the long run, while the immediate one may not be affected.Research limitations/implicationsThe approach undertaken and thereof empirical limitations restrict the generality of findings. However, a structure of operationalisation of SCM‐ethics is introduced. It is based upon four orientations and nine areas of questions, all of which serve as a fundament for further research.Practical implicationsThe article explores the common grounds, and provides initial insights into the complex and multifaceted field, of SCM‐ethics. It may be used for teaching, training and analytical purposes. It may also be used for further managerial exploration and replication of SCM‐ethics in business.Originality/valueThe principal contributions are a conceptual framework based upon four distinctive orientations and a set of summarized interview series in the context of SCM‐ethics, all of which may be of interest to both practitioners and scholars.
Performance outcomes and success factors of vendor managed inventory (VMI)
Authors: Claassen Marloes J.T. , van Weele Arjan J. , van Raaij Erik M. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to seek to investigate performance outcomes of vendor managed inventory (VMI) from a buyer's perspective and enablers for its successful application.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modelling through Partial Least Squares (PLS) is used to identify relationships between four enablers (information systems, information sharing, information quality, and relationship quality), perceived VMI success, and three outcomes (cost reductions, customer service, and supply chain control).FindingsBuyer‐perceived VMI success is impacted by the quality of the buyer‐supplier relationship, the quality of the IT‐system and the intensity of information sharing, but not by the actual quality of the information shared. Furthermore, VMI leads to three performance outcomes: higher customer service levels, improved supply chain control and, to a lesser extent, cost reduction.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough theory stipulates a positive impact of high quality information on the success of VMI, this study shows that the effect of information quality is limited in practice.Practical implicationsThe results of the survey show that purchasing managers who invest in the relationship with their suppliers and a good IT infrastructure are more likely to get better results from a VMI implementation. Furthermore, this paper shows that while most managers expect major cost reductions when implementing VMI, benefits primarily come from improved service levels.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical evidence of why VMI in practice does not achieve all the benefits claimed in theory.
Risk perception on logistics outsourcing of retail chains: model development and empirical verification in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Chih , Liao Chun‐Hua , Han Chia‐shing 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a qualitative risk model to empirically identify the important outsourcing risks of logistical functions using the data of Taiwanese retail chains.Design/methodology/approachTransaction cost theory (TCT) and resourced based view (RBV) were combined to develop risk events. Analytical hierarchy process was used for risk calibration. Valid data from 75 outsourcer chains and 41 in‐house chains were collected through a three‐stage survey. Outsourcers were further clustered by risk perception using Wards' and K‐mean clustering and examined by an ANOVA. Results of outsourcers and in‐house chains were compared using nonparametric Spearman rank correlation test.FindingsThe risk perception increases as the number of functions outsourced increases. Risks related to transaction costs and strategic resources were both significant. Of the three main risks identified, asset risk and competence risk are more serious concerns than relationship risk. The values of information risk and loss of control account for the bulk of asset risk, while those of poor competence leverage and poor competence in supporting customer service comprise competence risk. Finally, in terms of risk priority, in‐house chains showed no significant difference from outsourcers.Research limitation/implicationInterrelationships between risk events were limited to avoid complication. Also, due to the sample limit, the risks calibrated may be more associated with outsourcing execution than outsourcing building/abandoning.Practical implicationThe risk structure developed herein can be used as a systematic checklist for outsourcing decision‐making. The qualitative results may provide specific indications for further risk analysis and future risk control.Originality/valueThe study fills a gap in the literature, where prior work has seldom used empirical research to compare how well TCT and the RBV predict logistics outsourcing risk, in particular for the distribution side of the supply chain.
Supply risk management in a small company perspective
Authors: Ellegaard Chris 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to determine if owners of small manufacturing companies manage supply risk in similar ways and identify the practices constituting this potential joint approach.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive case based methodology was applied in this research. Interview data on the supply risk management practices of 11 SCOs (small company owners) were analysed.FindingsThe findings confirm that the 11 studied SCOs apply largely the same supply risk management practices, which can be characterised as defensive. The approach covers risk elimination practices such as knowledge protection and local sourcing as the major practices, combined with relational practices such as fairness, loyalty, and seeking out responsive, dependable, and like‐minded suppliers.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses exclusively on small manufacturing companies. Studies of other types of companies, such as trade or hi‐tech companies might reveal other practices.Practical implicationsThe SCO supply risk management approach is optimised to simultaneously reduce supply risks and resource and time consumption. Especially the relational practices may be feasible alternatives and valuable to supply chain managers and purchasers. Local sourcing and knowledge protection are effective practices, but tend to work at the expense of supply chain opportunities.Originality/valueNo studies of small company supply risk management exist in the literature, despite the increased focus on supply risk management and small company purchasing/SCM. The study addresses this gap by offering insights into small company supply risk management practices.
Dynamic capabilities to match multiple product generations and market rhythm
Authors: Dacko Scott G. , Liu Ben S. , Sudharshan D. , Furrer Olivier 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide greater insights to managers seeking to time properly the launches of innovative new products (NPs) across multiple generations. This paper aims to address the rhythm matching problem by developing a typology and a conceptual framework of the interaction between a firm's technological readiness to launch NPs and a market's receptivity in influencing a firm's long‐term performance.Design/methodology/approachBased on the new product development (NPD) and diffusion of innovation literatures, the paper develops a model explicitly to address the rhythm matching problem by highlighting the interaction between a firm's technological readiness to launch new products and a market's receptivity in influencing a firm's long‐term performance. The logic of this model may be described as follows: long‐term performance is a function of matching: products to customer needs, marketing mix dynamics to customer segments and buying behavior dynamics, and logistics, supply chain management, and inventory to market dynamics and financial efficiency; uncertainty in: knowledge of needs, market segments and their dynamics, and market dynamics is all a function of time, as is financial efficiency. Therefore, a firm's long‐term performance is a function of these matches over time.FindingsDeriving from the proposed model and typology, it was found that in independent rhythm windows, the management focus is on a single generation and each successive generation can be planned independently. In market‐imposed windows, firms aim at adapting their own NP readiness rhythm to the market receptivity rhythm. In firm‐imposed windows, firms have the initiative to drive the market receptivity rhythm. In dynamically resultant windows, everything is more complicated because firms' NP readiness rhythm and market receptivity rhythm influence each other.Originality/valueThe model and typology developed in this paper are a breakthrough result of synthesizing various traditions of NPD and diffusion of innovation research. It is believed that the paper provides a rich conceptual framework drawing together extant research on the development and introduction of new products. The framework is intended both to explicitly inform managers of the importance of rhythm matching as well as to the factors that influence such matching. It is also intended to provide a lens with which further research can be directed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of resource utilization in NPD and the long‐term success of the firms.
Alliance governance and product innovation project decision making
Authors: Kok Robert A.W. , Creemers Paul A. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this exploratory study is explaining the effects of control and interdependence on decision making at the level of product innovation projects in dyadic strategic alliances.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on alliance research, strategic decision‐making research and product innovation literature a conceptual framework is developed using a multiple case research methodology.FindingsThe empirical case results indicate that decision‐making effectiveness in product innovation projects is dependent on the nature of the decision‐making process which, in turn, is affected by alliance governance structure characteristics.Research limitation/implicationsThe case research results only gives an in‐depth understanding of the nature of the effects. A large‐scale quantitative study is needed to arrive at generalizations taking into account industry‐specific and firm‐specific factors.Practical implicationsManagers may want to take the effects on decision making into account when deciding on the alliance governance structure for a new product innovation project.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to earlier research first, by viewing product innovation as a joint activity for which not only one organization is responsible, and second, by relating alliance governance structure to decision making beyond the strategic management level at the level of product innovation projects.