Industrial Management & Data Systems

IT capabilities, interfirm performance, and the state of economic development : Table of Contents

Buraj Patrakosol, Sang M. Lee — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Prior studies have found that productivity gains associated with information technology (IT) adoption, measured at either the firm- or aggregate-economy levels, differ between developed and developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to extend prior cross-country research to the interfirm IT capabilities and relationship-level. Design/methodology/approach – A two-country comparative study is conducted: the USA, a developed country; and Thailand, a developing country. The measurement constructs for the interfirm IT capabilities and performance are derived from the existing literature. Data are collected from IT managers who oversee interfirm relationships as follows: 68 from the US firms; 107 from Thai firms. Several statistical tools are used to test the developed hypotheses, including correlation, regression, and t-test analysis. Findings – The important results of the paper indicate the following: IT technical capabilities are positively associated with interfirm performance across two countries. However, IT personnel IT capabilities had a positive relationship with interfirm performance only in Thai firms. Also, Thai firms realize higher innovation performance as a result of IT adoption than the US firms. Research limitations/implications – This is an exploratory study as it is based on data from only two countries. Thus, a new causal theory about interfirm relationship-level performance is not sought. The future research needs include data collection from more countries and longitudinal analyses of trends based on advances in IT capabilities in different countries. Originality/value – In today's networked global economy, many organizations have value chains that involve interfirm relationships. This paper is the first attempt to explore productivity gains associated with IT adoption, measured at interfirm relationship-level, based on cross-country comparative analysis.

Determinants of satisfaction and continuance intention towards self-service technologies : Table of Contents

Shih-Chih Chen, Huei-Huang Chen, Mei-Fang Chen — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Self-service technologies (SSTs) allow customers to offer their own service encounters via the interaction of electronic service interfaces or machines rather than by interacting with a firm's service personnel. This paper aims to develop an integrated model designed to predict and explain an individual's continuous use of SSTs based on the concepts of technology readiness (TR), technology acceptance model (TAM), and theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach – The participants are from 481 SST users as the sample finally. Structural equation modeling is applied to demonstrate the stability of the proposed model and the results of hypotheses testing. Findings – This paper finds that consumers' satisfaction significantly influences continuance intention, while the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) simultaneously influence satisfaction. Optimism and innovativeness are also the significant motivators of satisfaction. However, TR's inhibitors (discomfort and insecurity) have no significantly negative influence on continuance intention towards adopting SST services. Research limitations/implications – Different from previous SSTs studies, this paper suggests that SN and PBC play critical factors in users' adoption at SSTs encounters. However, additionally empirical evidences should be discussed why the inhibitors (discomfort and insecurity) of TR have no effect. Originality/value – This paper proposes a comprehensive model to synthesize the essence of TR, TAM, and TPB for explaining customers' continuous intention of SSTs.

RFID-based intra-supply chain in textile industry : Table of Contents

Siu Keung Kwok, Kenny K.W. Wu — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a radio frequency identification (RFID)-based intra-supply chain (intra-SC) system to facilitate coordination and integration of supply chain functions and activities, thus eventually enhancing the overall performance of a supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – The architecture of the proposed RFID-based intra-SC system is designed specifically for a chain made up of a fiber producer, fiber dyeing producer, yarn spinning producer, knitting and finishing producer, distributor, and a textile retailer. Findings – Compared with the traditional approach, operational time, costs, lead time, and accuracy of inventory holding and of cycle time operations are noticeably improved. Practical implications – The proposed RFID-based intra-SC system is implemented for trial at a distribution warehouse in Zhuhai, China. It is of benefit to the manufacturer who is able to seek obsolete stock effectively and capture real-time data automatically. Originality/value – The RFID-based intra-SC system is designed to overcome issues of information invisibility, which is considered a huge cost lost for obsolete stocks and ineffective intra-SC operations in the textile industry. In this industry, the products are highly dependent on seasonal factors. Short product life cycle and high forecast errors are also critical difficulties encountered by supply chain parties. Thus, the RFID technology is suggested to be adopted in similar supply chains. In this paper, a textile manufacturing site is selected to test the proposed RFID system. Some advantages, critical issues for implementation of the RFID system, and lessons learned from the case study are shared with other interested parties.

Demand chain management: a Swedish industrial case study : Table of Contents

Per Hilletofth, Dag Ericsson, Martin Christopher — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of demand chain management (DCM) by investigating how it has been structured and executed in an international manufacturing company. Design/methodology/approach – The main emphasis has been on producing descriptive results and the applied research strategy has been an embedded single case study. The case organization originates from Sweden, but it has significant international presence. Empirical data have been collected mainly from in-depth interviews with key persons representing senior management in the case company. Findings – This research shows that DCM is about developing synergies between the demand creation and the demand fulfillment processes. A completely implemented DCM approach should incorporate all the major demand creation and fulfillment processes. This kind of fully implemented approach probably does not exist in real life today but some companies have started to develop versions including some of the major processes, and this research provides an example of this. The ultimate goal of DCM is to gain competitive advantages by differentiating not only the products, but also the delivery process. This is necessary in markets characterized of intensive competition, high product variety, large amounts of customer-adapted products, and short product life cycles. It can be concluded that DCM is not another name for demand driven supply chains (SCs) or a fad. It is rather a way to finally benefit from decade long marketing discussions on how to achieve customer focus. It highlights the interplay between marketing and supply chain management (SCM) as an enabler of value creation. Research limitations/implications – This research work is limited to one Swedish company; however, the case company has large international presence and is in top three in their industry measured by sales, which provides some ground for the generalization of the research. Practical implications – This paper gives an insight for managers and practitioners to the value of coordinating marketing and SCM to develop a truly customer-driven organization and SC. Originality/value – Several studies have addressed the synergies between marketing and SCM but failed to address how to in some detail realize this in practice. This paper contributes by discussing how to realize this coordination in practice.

Knowledge sharing: game and reasoned action perspectives : Table of Contents

Chien-Ta Bruce Ho, Shih-Feng Hsu, K.B. Oh — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate knowledge sharing (KS) to characterize its behavior in companies based on the concepts of theory of reasoned action and game theory (GT). Design/methodology/approach – The paper proposes two models: Model A: KS process is constructed by capturing personal psychological feelings; and Model B: KS process is not only constructed by personal psychological feelings but also takes into consideration other people's decisions. By comparing the two knowledge-sharing models' predictability performance, the authors are able to characterize the process of KS. Findings – The results show that different companies require different models. On average, Model B with game concept has lower predictive accuracy than the Model A without game concept. Research limitations/implications – The paper provides practical implications for manager to frame effective KS policies and also suggests future studies to improve measurement. Originality/value – The values of this paper are: provide a methodology to determine whether individuals analyze decisions of others in making KS decisions; test the predictive ability of GT analysis in a KS modeling, and build a single-instance two-person game to characterize individuals' tacit KS behavior.

Turning knowledge into new product creativity: an empirical study : Table of Contents

Jie Yang, Mingjie Rui — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between knowledge acquisition, dissemination, and innovation and new product creativity and to identify different hidden patterns in which knowledge acquisition, dissemination, and innovation affect new product creativity. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs additivity and variance stabilization analysis. Findings – The new product creativity is significantly related to knowledge management. Practical implications – The paper implies that if organizations fail to understand the subtle ways by which different dimensions of knowledge acquisition, dissemination, and innovation influence new product creativity, they may fail to harvest the full value of knowledge management in creativity improvement. Originality/value – It is one of the first to assess the link between knowledge management and new product creativity.

Towards a stage theory for industrial management research : Table of Contents

Petter Gottschalk, Hans Solli-Sæther — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how stages of growth models have been applied to a number of organizational phenomena in management research. One class of models consists of maturity models for IT outsourcing relationships. There is a need for an improved theoretical foundation for stage models. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review of theory research as well as stage research, a stage of growth theory is proposed in this paper. Also, a procedure for stages of growth modeling is suggested. Findings – A theoretical foundation for stages of growth models enables trust worthier modeling. Research limitations/implications – Future research modeling organizational phenomena can follow the suggested modeling procedure. This paper can be used in teaching by discussing industrial management phenomena along stages of growth by applying dominant problems and benchmark variables. Practical implications – In strategy work, this paper helps in providing a framework for assessing current stage as well as determining future strategic direction for an industrial organization. Originality/value – Theory development in this paper includes four important propositions on which this theory is based.

Customer knowledge management in the natural cosmetics industry : Table of Contents

Vesselina Dimitrova, Mariana Kaneva, Teodoro Gallucci — Sat Nov 07 08:00:18 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the level of customer knowledge (CK) for natural cosmetic products, namely Bulgarian rose products, in three European countries – Bulgaria, Montenegro and Italy – and to propose appropriate solutions for its management. Design/methodology/approach – The research structure is based on a questionnaire and represents a part of the general investigation about the nature of the Bulgarian rose products. The study includes the responses to priority questions on customers' knowledge about these products. Feedback is received from 236 respondents in 450 distributed inquiries for the whole investigation. Findings – The results of the research indicate that the role of the customers in the cognitive process of knowledge accumulation for the specific and rare aromatic rose products is captive, based on a new learning for the nature of the product and on the application of integrated marketing ideas for product development and promotion. Practical implications – This paper gives suggestions for the customers' preferences of organizing communication systems by the use of integrated media mix of TV, internet and journals on the unique natural cosmetic products in Bulgaria. The empirical results show the opportunity to organize a collected database for healthy products as Bulgarian rose products. Originality/value – The study of CK in the natural cosmetics industry is structured on the basis of logit regression model, which targets to analyze the increase of the chance for effective knowledge transfer with customers, with the recognition of motivation for purchasing natural Bulgarian rose products and the exchange of high-grade information with customers about this product.