title: Dynamics of supply chain relationships: A qualitative study of logistics triads

authors: Luo, Wen

subjects: Triadic Relationship

abstract: In recent years, a growing number of organizations have outsourced logistics services to logistics services providers (LSPs). Consequently, the outcome of logistics outsourcing is significant in determining the outcome of contemporary supply chains. To account for greater interconnection between organizations, supply chain relationship is crucial for achieving successful logistics outsourcing. Because organizations need to continuously change their decision-making in outsourcing, relationships among organizations in outsourcing are dynamic. Further, because logistics outsourcing has created more SCRs among suppliers, LSPs, and customers, managers need to use a network perspective to manage multiple relationships in the process of outsourcing. The triadic relationship is recognized as the smallest network structure. Researchers have therefore suggested that studying triadic relationships can help expand the knowledge of managing network structures in supply chains. As a result, the primary goal of this research is to study dynamics of supply chain relationships in logistics outsourcing from a view of triadic relationship. This relationship is called a logistics triad and consists of a supplier, a logistics service provider (LSP), and their common customer.

Balance theory is a theory that was specifically developed for studying triadic relationships. Balance theory has been used in this thesis as a theoretical lens to develop a conceptual framework and research propositions in order to study logistics triads. Because only a few supply chain studies have adopted balance theory so far, there is a lack of a well-designed research instrument to investigate the research target that the present study explores. To rectify this paucity, qualitative research was conducted using multiple case studies to explore why and how a logistics triad transitions between different triadic relationship structures.

The present research was carried out in two stages. The first stage collected triadic cases from LSPs. To improve validity and reliability, the second stage used a deductive process to test findings of the first stage by collecting triadic cases from suppliers and customers. Results of the comparison between the two stages provided verified research findings because the two stages exhibited close similarity.

In stage one, the findings indicate that balance theory on its own is insufficient to explain the stability and dynamics of logistics triads. This led to the identification of factors that influenced the relationship dynamics in logistics triads. Among these factors, the combined effects of purchasing volumes, resource capability, and focal firm can override influences from other factors to determine stability and dynamics of logistics triads. The influence from the focal firm demonstrates that the supply network model is more useful than balance theory to study logistics triads.

Overall, this thesis makes four major contributions to the knowledge of supply chain relationships: developing an integrative model of triadic relationship dynamics, identifying control approaches used by organizations to dominate triads, comparison between balance theory and supply network model, and demonstrating organizations' mediating effects on dyadic relationships within triads.

text: Dynamics of supply chain relationships: A qualitative study of logistics triads In recent years, a growing number of organizations have outsourced logistics services to logistics services providers (LSPs). Consequently, the outcome of logistics outsourcing is significant in determining the outcome of contemporary supply chains. To account for greater interconnection between organizations, supply chain relationship is crucial for achieving successful logistics outsourcing. Because organizations need to continuously change their decision-making in outsourcing, relationships among organizations in outsourcing are dynamic. Further, because logistics outsourcing has created more SCRs among suppliers, LSPs, and customers, managers need to use a network perspective to manage multiple relationships in the process of outsourcing. The triadic relationship is recognized as the smallest network structure. Researchers have therefore suggested that studying triadic relationships can help expand the knowledge of managing network structures in supply chains. As a result, the primary goal of this research is to study dynamics of supply chain relationships in logistics outsourcing from a view of triadic relationship. This relationship is called a logistics triad and consists of a supplier, a logistics service provider (LSP), and their common customer.

Balance theory is a theory that was specifically developed for studying triadic relationships. Balance theory has been used in this thesis as a theoretical lens to develop a conceptual framework and research propositions in order to study logistics triads. Because only a few supply chain studies have adopted balance theory so far, there is a lack of a well-designed research instrument to investigate the research target that the present study explores. To rectify this paucity, qualitative research was conducted using multiple case studies to explore why and how a logistics triad transitions between different triadic relationship structures.

The present research was carried out in two stages. The first stage collected triadic cases from LSPs. To improve validity and reliability, the second stage used a deductive process to test findings of the first stage by collecting triadic cases from suppliers and customers. Results of the comparison between the two stages provided verified research findings because the two stages exhibited close similarity.

In stage one, the findings indicate that balance theory on its own is insufficient to explain the stability and dynamics of logistics triads. This led to the identification of factors that influenced the relationship dynamics in logistics triads. Among these factors, the combined effects of purchasing volumes, resource capability, and focal firm can override influences from other factors to determine stability and dynamics of logistics triads. The influence from the focal firm demonstrates that the supply network model is more useful than balance theory to study logistics triads.

Overall, this thesis makes four major contributions to the knowledge of supply chain relationships: developing an integrative model of triadic relationship dynamics, identifying control approaches used by organizations to dominate triads, comparison between balance theory and supply network model, and demonstrating organizations' mediating effects on dyadic relationships within triads.

year: 2015

title: A summary of peer-reviewed resources for teaching volcanology in higher education

authors: Dohaney, Jacqueline

abstract: Here, we summarise and categorise the volcanology learning activities identified and described in a systematic literature review of volcanology higher education (a companion article; Dohaney et al. [2023]). We share the 47 peer-reviewed articles organised by useful categories, such as educational level, mode and setting of learning, volcanic phenomena, and skills learned in the curricula for easier use and navigation by volcanology instructors. Based on the claims made in the peer-reviewed resources, considerations and suggestions for improved volcanology teaching are included, e.g. exploring authentic field-based experiences, local sites, or simulated demonstrations of volcanic phenomena. To support use of these curricula, we provide suggestions for adapting the resources and highlight additional online catalogues that house useful and engaging volcanology teaching materials.

text: A summary of peer-reviewed resources for teaching volcanology in higher education Here, we summarise and categorise the volcanology learning activities identified and described in a systematic literature review of volcanology higher education (a companion article; Dohaney et al. [2023]). We share the 47 peer-reviewed articles organised by useful categories, such as educational level, mode and setting of learning, volcanic phenomena, and skills learned in the curricula for easier use and navigation by volcanology instructors. Based on the claims made in the peer-reviewed resources, considerations and suggestions for improved volcanology teaching are included, e.g. exploring authentic field-based experiences, local sites, or simulated demonstrations of volcanic phenomena. To support use of these curricula, we provide suggestions for adapting the resources and highlight additional online catalogues that house useful and engaging volcanology teaching materials.

year: 2023-08-10

title: The teaching and learning of te reo Māori in a higher education context: Intensive fast track immersion versus gradual progressive language exposure

authors: Nock, Sophie

subjects: grading of students

abstract: I report here on a comparison of the course grades of Bachelors degree students who are following two different pathways towards a major in te reo Māori - a traditional pathway in which language courses at different levels are spread over three or four years, and an intensive, fast-track, language immersion pathway in which courses in te reo Māori are concentrated into the first year of the degree programme. My findings are that, overall, in terms of course grades at level three, students following the intensive, fast-track, language-immersion pathway out-perform other students in te reo Māori course assessments. Thus, so far as course grades are concerned, many students appear to benefit from the fast track pathway. Whether course grades can be related to proficiency achievements and whether immediate gains are reflected in long-term gains is something that remains to be investigated.

text: The teaching and learning of te reo Māori in a higher education context: Intensive fast track immersion versus gradual progressive language exposure I report here on a comparison of the course grades of Bachelors degree students who are following two different pathways towards a major in te reo Māori - a traditional pathway in which language courses at different levels are spread over three or four years, and an intensive, fast-track, language immersion pathway in which courses in te reo Māori are concentrated into the first year of the degree programme. My findings are that, overall, in terms of course grades at level three, students following the intensive, fast-track, language-immersion pathway out-perform other students in te reo Māori course assessments. Thus, so far as course grades are concerned, many students appear to benefit from the fast track pathway. Whether course grades can be related to proficiency achievements and whether immediate gains are reflected in long-term gains is something that remains to be investigated.

year: 2006