A message to Asian SCM and logistics scholars from IJPDLM

A message to Asian SCM and logistics scholars from IJPDLM

Article Type: Editorial From: International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Volume 45, Issue 3

As a supply chain management and logistics (SCML) researcher based in the USA but with Asian roots and ties, the Editor-in-Chief of IJPDLM has asked me to share my perspectives on how the journal can further encourage participation from Asian-based SCML scholars. The combination of my eight years' work experience in mainland China's bustling international trade and 14 years' of studying and researching in US academic institutions have afforded me some relatively unique perceptions about how Asian researchers can successfully publish their best research in leading Western SCML journals like IJPDLM. I have been fortunate to collaborate with Asian and Western research partners on several Asian context SCML projects. Moreover, as an editorial board member for several leading SCML journals, I have reviewed numerous manuscripts submitted by Asian researchers. I am very pleased to observe the increasing number of submissions and the ever-improving quality of the research that is being conducted by my Asian peers. Accordingly, in addition to conveying IJPDLM's message to Asian SCML scholars, this editorial shares some ideas for progressing these encouraging trends.

IJPDLM welcomes submissions and involvement from Asian scholars

IJPDLM's stated mission is "to be the principal home the world comes to for leading edge research bridging strategic areas of business-to-business management, physical distribution, business logistics, marketing channels, and supply chain management" (www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/ijpdlm.htm). To achieve this ambitious goal, Emerald Publishing Group and IJPDLM are reaching out in this editorial to state that contributions from Asian scholars are sincerely valued and welcomed. Considerable ongoing efforts are being made to facilitate such contributions. In addition to the services offered by Emerald Publishing Group's China Office, IJPDLM has appointed Professor Ivan Su as Asian Regional Editor to act as an ambassador for the journal. As another significant step toward examining key strategic SCML issues in Asia, Professor Su is currently editing a special issue of IJPDLM entitled "Contemporary strategic supply chain management and logistics issues in Asia." The special issue attracted 43 submissions and will be published in 2015. For regular submissions, IJPDLM has a policy that each submission from Asia (or any other region) must have at least one reviewer from that specific region in order to ensure fairness as well as contextual familiarity.

IJPDLM is already making encouraging progress toward raising the number and quality of submissions to the journal from Asian SCML scholars. Since the appointment of the current Editor-in-Chief, IJPDLM has published 19 manuscripts written by Asian authors. This represents 11.45 percent of the total 166 articles published in IJPDLM from 2011 to 2014. The criteria used for this counting procedure are either that at least one author of the manuscript was Asia based, or, if the Asian author was affiliated with an institution outside Asia, the study must have been conducted in an Asian or cross-cultural context. By this rubric, several manuscripts written by Asian authors were excluded because the authors were based outside Asia and the research context was not Asia.

The list below presents an overview of these 19 manuscripts that includes author names, affiliations, volume and issue numbers, titles, as well as research type and context. Among the 19 articles, there are eight empirical studies, five simulation or modeling studies, three case studies, two conceptual papers, and one literature review. Though Asian scholars' research already accounts for a significant portion of all articles published from 2011 to 2014 (11.45 percent), Emerald Publishing Group and IJPDLM's Editor-in-Chief would like see this number increase to 20 percent or more over the next five years.

Manuscripts published in IJPDLM by Asian authors 2011-2014

• Fisher, Ron and McPhail, Ruth (Griffith University, Australia), You, Emily (Lumesse Pte Ltd, Singapore), Ash, Maria (Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK), 2014, 44(8/9), "Using social media to recruit global supply chain managers", Conceptual, n/a,

• Liu, Xiaohong (Central University of Finance and Economics, China), 2014, 44(5), "China-based logistics research: a review of the literature and implications", Literature review, China,

• Liu, Chun Hsien (Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Taiwan), Chen, Ming-Chao (Tamkang University, Taiwan), Tu, Yi-Hsien (Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Taiwan), and Wang, Chu-Ching (Tamkang University, Taiwan), 2014, 44(1), "Constructing a sustainable service business model: an S-D logic-based integrated product service system (IPSS)", Conceptual, n/a,

• Wang, Yacan (Beijing Jiaotong University, China) Wiegerinck, Vincent and Krikke, Harold (Tilburg University, the Netherlands), and Zhang, Hongdan (Beijing Jiaotong University, China), 2013, 43(10), "Understanding the purchase intention towards remanufactured product in closed-loop supply chains: an empirical study in China", Empirical survey, China,

• Kye, Dongmin (Yonsei University, Republic of Korea), Lee, Jeongeun (Reverse Logistics Center, Republic of Korea), and Lee, Kang-Dae (Yonsei University, Republic of Korea), 2013, 43(8), "The perceived impact of packaging logistics on the efficiency of freight transportation (EOT)", Empirical survey, Republic of Korea,

• Hwang, Bang-Ning (National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, Taiwan) and Lu, Taping (National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan), 2013, 43(8), "Key success factor analysis for e- SCM project implementation and a case study in semiconductor manufacturers", Case study, Taiwan,

• Zhang, Min (University of East Anglia, UK) and Huo, Baofeng (Zhejiang University, China), 2013, 43(7), "The impact of dependence and trust on supply chain integration", Empirical survey, China,

• Lirn, Taih-cherng (National Taiwan Ocean University, Taiwan), Wu, Yen-Chun Jim (National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan), and Chen, Yenming J. (National Kaohsiung First University of Science & Technology, Taiwan), 2013, 43(5/6), "Green performance criteria for sustainable ports in Asia", Empirical survey, Greater China,

• Rotchanakitumnuai, Siriluck (Thammasat University, Thailand), 2013, 43(1), "Assessment of e-procurement auction with a balanced scorecard", Empirical survey, Thailand,

• Hussain, Matloub (Abu Dhabi University, UAE), Drake, Paul R. (University of Liverpool, UK), and Lee, Dong Myung (Konkuk University, Republic of Korea), 2012, 42(10), "Quantifying the impact of a supply chain’s design parameters on the bullwhip effect using simulation and Taguchi design of experiments", Experiments/ simulation, n/a,

• Feng, Mengying (Chongqing Jiaotong University, China), Mangan, John (Newcastle University, UK), and Lalwani, Chandra (University of Hull, UK), 2012, 42(5), "Comparing port performance: Western European versus Eastern Asian ports", Empirical survey, China and UK,

• Herbon, Avi, Moalem, Shalom, and Shnaiderman, Haim (Bar-Ilan University, Israel), and Templeman, Joseph (The College of Management, Israel), 2012, 42(5), "Dynamic weights approach for off-line sequencing of supplier selection over a finite planning horizon", Simulation, n/a,

• Shabani, Amir, Torabipour, Seyed Mohammad Reza, and Saen, Reza Farzipoor (Islamic Azad University, Iran), 2011, 41(10), "Container selection in the presence of partial dual-role factors", Modeling, Iran,

• Hussain, Matloub (Abu Dhabi University, UAE) and Drake, Paul R. (University of Liverpool, UK), 2011, 41(8), "Analysis of the bullwhip effect with order batching in multi-echelon supply chains", Modeling/ simulation, n/a,

• Lim, Hyunwoo (Inha University, Republic of Korea) and Shiode, Narushige (Cardiff University, UK), 2011, 41(8), "The impact of online shopping demand on physical distribution networks: a simulation approach", Simulation, Republic of Korea,

• Liu, Gensheng (Jason) and Deitz, George D. (University of Memphis, USA), 2011, 41(7), "Linking supply chain management with mass customization capability", Empirical survey, Multi-country including Japan and Korea,

• Su, Shong-Iee Ivan (Soochow University, Taiwan), Gammelgaard, Britta (Copenhagen Business School, Denmark), and Yang, Su-Lan (Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan), 2011, 41(6), "Logistics innovation process revisited: insights from a hospital case study", Case study, Taiwan,

• Boon-itt, Sakun (Thammasat Business School, Thailand) and Wong, Chee Yew (University of Hull, UK), 2011, 41(3), "The moderating effects of technological and demand uncertainties on the relationship between supply chain integration and customer delivery performance", Empirical survey, Thailand,

• Lin, Yong and Zhou, Li (University of Greenwich, UK), 2011, 41(2), "The impacts of product design changes on supply chain risk: a case study", Case study, China,

Note: Asian authors are highlighted in italic font

Some thoughts on identifying research topics for IJPDLM

Journal editors and reviewers frequently reject manuscripts submitted by Asian scholars due to their perceived lack of a significant enough contribution to warrant publication. As an author researching Asian SCML issues, I often find myself considering the critical question: what is valuable "international SCML research?" Asian scholars may be at an inherent disadvantage due to a couple of undeniable facts: first, almost all theories and frameworks applied in SCML research were developed in developed Western countries and second, North American and Western European SCML research and practice has a much longer history and is generally at a more advanced stage than in other parts of the world like Asia. However, this does not mean that research conducted in other regions of the world cannot be meaningful. In fact, quite the opposite. As is widely noted in both academic and industry publications, today's supply chains are often trans-national and, in many cases, have significant portions in developing countries - particularly in Asia. How to manage the portions of supply chains outside the Western world therefore has crucial implications to the successful implementation of global supply chain strategies.

So how can we conduct valuable SCML research as international scholars? Far too often, we receive manuscripts that merely replicate other studies. Many of these studies simply test an existing model with the same concepts in a different country or a different industry. While replication studies can add value by verifying and validating existing research, such contributions may not warrant publication in top journals such as IJPDLM unless significantly different results are found that can be plausibly theoretically justified and explained. Considering the limited space in leading SCML journals, it is understandable that editors tend to give priority to manuscripts that espouse more innovative ideas. However, the truth is that Asian SCML scholars can do much more than repeat existing studies. Our in-depth understanding of region-specific SCML phenomena enables us to consider many research questions in ways that are rather different from the perspective of Western scholars. Our Asia-specific experience and academic backgrounds can also help bring new elements into our research. In fact, these unique perspectives can help us contribute to the existing body of SCML knowledge in so many ways, including, but not limited to:

• examining overlooked or under-researched topics that are important in Asian countries;

• expanding existing theories and frameworks by incorporating and testing the influences of country-specific variables (like culture);

• challenging and testing widely accepted theoretical relationships in Asian research contexts;

• developing new theories or frameworks that may be applicable in the Asian contexts; and

• conducting theoretically meaningful cross-country comparison SCML research studies.

In particular, I hope Asian logistics scholars are fully aware of the abundance of intriguing, emerging research topics in this region. Manuscripts published by Jiang et al. (2007), Zhao et al. (2007) and most recently by Liu (2014) each provide a comprehensive review and discussion of SCML-related research topics in China. I strongly suggest that Asian logistics scholars refer to these articles for potential research ideas because many of the opportunities identified are equally relevant for other Asian countries.

Next, I want to highlight two additional areas that may represent great research opportunities for Asian SCML scholars. The first area is diversity. With approximately 4.3 billion people, Asia is a continent full of contrasts and diversity. Its diversity extends into dimensions such as economic, social, political, cultural, and natural resources. These variances across Asian countries all have substantial impacts on logistics activities. Logistics development levels (such as logistics infrastructure and capabilities) as well as logistics management approaches may also differ significantly according to where they are conducted. I therefore perceive that incorporating different diversity variables into our investigations of logistics phenomena in Asia has the potential to further develop and enhance existing theories and conceptual frameworks. In a time when more global supply chains are expanding into Asia for multiple reasons, the need to develop a better understanding of how to effectively manage logistics in the diverse Asian contexts is increasingly important to both research and practice.

The second area is new topics generated by Asia's prolific economic growth. Despite the diversity of many aspects, most Asian countries also share a common trend - that is economic growth at a stunning pace. Representing perhaps the most dynamic economic region in the world, Asia is a fertile soil for studying many exciting new SCML topics that might not be nearly as apparent in Western countries. For example, in recent years, Asia has been experiencing exponential growth in e-commerce. Asia now accounts for over 35 percent of the world's B2C e-commerce market (Millar, 2015). The massive increase in online sales is driving the need for comprehensive logistics networks that is stretching Asia's express logistics capabilities like never before. With millions and millions of Asian consumers now able to access the internet through smart phones even in remote locations, how to handle the last-mile deliveries for online retail transactions is so operationally challenging in many Asian countries that it has become a research priority (Dutta and Ganesh, 2014).

Another example is the express carrier market in Asia. While a very few giants (e.g. FedEx, UPS, and DHL) dominate express logistics in Western countries, the burgeoning Asian express market has literally thousands of providers. By the end of 2013, there were more than 8,000 licensed express carrier companies in China alone. Although most of them have limited logistics capabilities, they are jointly responsible for a significant portion of China's e-commerce logistics and there is an urgent need to both better understand and inform their best practices. List of such emerging logistics research topics are almost endless. And Asian SCML scholars are situated at the frontline for tackling these important questions, many of which have important implications for researchers and practitioners throughout the rest of the world.

Writing and submitting manuscripts for IJPDLM

In terms of writing and submitting articles to a top SCML journal like IJPDLM, I firmly believe that collaborating with coauthors with different background and research capabilities can be extremely beneficial for Asia-based SCML authors. Most Asian SCML scholars do not have English as their native language and many have not experienced research training in Western countries. It is therefore understandable that producing top-quality, writing publishable manuscripts represents a much greater challenge for Asian scholars. For example, Asian scholars' great ideas or meaningful results can often be diminished or even get lost in writing or translation. However, working with partners who have complementary research or language skills can substantially increase the likelihood of success.

I can attest to the validity of this approach from my own personal experience. I have had good fortune working with Asian-based and Western research partners. One of the research groups that I am proud of being a part of is the one that includes Professors Tian (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Ellinger (The University of Alabama). Professor Tian is an experienced logistics academician based in China who is very connected to China's logistics industry and therefore has access to excellent and timely data. Professor Ellinger is a senior SCML scholar based in the USA. My own familiarity with both contexts helps to effectively blend our diverse perspectives, unique datasets, and research capabilities into publishable manuscripts. Over time, our close collaboration has created a research stream that focusses on supply chain relationship management in China and our partnership has generated several published articles: Chen et al. (2010, 2011), Ellinger et al. (2015), and Tian et al. (2010). I hope this example of author collaboration strategy will motivate Asian SCML scholars to seek out international partners with complementary skills and resources who can help to ensure that great research ideas are effectively transitioned into great, published manuscripts. To this end, we also encourage prospective authors to familiarize themselves with the series of recent editorials authored by the Senior Associate Editors that are posted on the journal's web page. Just like this one, these editorials are intended to give prospective authors a flavor for the type of research that tends to be successful at IJPDLM.

To be more engaged with IJPDLM

In order to achieve our mission, IJPDLM especially welcomes Asian SCML scholars' more active engagement. We sincerely anticipate receiving more quality submissions from Asian SCML scholars during the coming years. In return, IJPDLM's editorial team will strive to provide the best service through timeliness and fairness in the review process, inclusiveness, receptivity to different perspectives, and ultimately impact. Emerald Publishing Group also provides a wide range of services to authors, including region-specific author services and recommended proof-editing services. We also hope that dedicated and capable Asian SCML scholars will visit our Scholar One web site at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ijpdlm and register to serve as reviewers.

Final words

IJPDLM is committed to maintaining and developing its status as a premier worldwide outlet for logistics and SCM research. We fully realize the value of Asian SCML scholars' work, and are willing to put forth effort to help facilitate the process. We hope Asian scholars can respond to the challenges and opportunities by leveraging their unique contexts and perspectives and applying them toward to development and expansion of theories and frameworks focus on Asian developments. We are confident that IJPDLM can collaborate with Asian SCML scholars to produce an ongoing stream of top-quality, high-impact manuscripts that stimulate and advance logistics and SCM theory and practice.

Manuscripts in this issue

There are four very interesting articles in the current issue that address a variety of important strategic SCM topics: purchasing, collaboration, sustainability, and supply chain finance. Kaufmann and Gaeckler's empirical survey study in Europe reports that strategic purchasing integration positively influences purchasing decision-making speed through the mediation of lateral purchasing integration. Kaipia, Alftan, Loikkanen, and Spens conduct a case study in the retail sector that examines centralized grocery supply chain planning - Collaborative Buyer-Managed Forecasting (CBMF) - that can help to overcome limitations associated with Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR). Liimatainen, Hovi, Arvidsson, and Nykanen use a Delphi study to identify driving forces of the long-term future development of road freight CO2 emissions. Their results have important implications for road freight shippers, hauliers, and transport policy makers. Finally, in the emerging domain of strategic supply chain finance, Dello Iacono, Reindorp, and Dellaert offer some very valuable insights by applying systems dynamics methodology to connect key factors in a reverse factoring arrangement to a quantification of each involved party's direct benefits.

Respectfully submitted.

Haozhe Chen

References

Chen, H., Ellinger, A.E. and Tian, Y. (2011), "Manufacturer - supplier guanxi strategy: an examination of contingent environmental factors", Industrial Marketing Management, Vol. 40 No. 4, pp. 550-560

Chen, H., Tian, Y., Ellinger, A.E. and Daugherty, P.J. (2010), "Managing logistics outsourcing relationships: an empirical investigation in China", Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 279-299

Dutta, S. and Ganesh, K. (2014), "Winning strategies for emerging markets in Asia", CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 34-42

Ellinger, A.E., Chen, H., Tian, Y. and Armstrong, C. (2015), "Learning orientation, integration and supply chain risk management in Chinese manufacturing firms", International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, forthcoming.

Jiang, B., Frazier, G.V. and Heiser, D. (2007), "China-related POM research: a literature review and suggestions for future research", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 27 No. 7, pp. 662-684

Liu, X. (2014), "China-based logistics research: a review of the literature and implications", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 44 No. 5, pp. 392-411

Millar, M. (2015), "Asia supply chain insights e-commerce frenzy the biggest challenge for Asia logistics in 2015", Supply Chain & Logistics Business Intelligence, available at: www.eft.com/column/asia-supply-chain-insights-e-commerce-frenzy-biggest-challenge-asia-logistics-2015#sthash.2lxqLT4L.dpuf (accessed January 18, 2015).

Tian, Y., Ellinger, A.E. and Chen, H. (2010), "Third-party logistics provider customer orientation and customer firm logistics improvement in China", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 40 No. 5, pp. 356-376

Zhao, X., Flynn, B.B. and Roth, A.V. (2007), "Decision sciences research in China: current status, opportunities, and propositions for research in supply chain management, logistics, and quality management", Decision Sciences, Vol. 38 No. 1, pp. 39-80

About the Editor

Haozhe Chen is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management, East Carolina University and a Senior Associate Editor, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management.