Pub Date : 2021-10-25DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-06-2021-0045
D. Ghode, Vinod Yadav, R. Jain, G. Soni
Purpose A supply chain (SC) involves many stakeholders, directly or indirectly, for satisfying consumers’ requirements. SC management is restricted by a lack of information sharing among stakeholders as parties of SC do not have direct communication and/or are not willing to share private and competitively sensitive information. In the SC, the bullwhip effect (BWE) is an undesirable phenomenon that aggravates the SC performance and increases the overall cost of SC. The main culprit of BWE is the lack of SC coordination among the parties, which results from wrong and lack of information sharing. Blockchain technology (BT) has the main characteristic of distributed shared ledger that makes all parties in the SC network able to access data. This paper aims to develop a BT model and implement it into the SC. Design/methodology/approach A blockchain is developed consisting four SC stakeholders and an integrated development environment has been used for coding in Python. Findings The analysis of the impact of the adoption of BT in SC shows the reduction in BWE. Originality/value In SC, BT can be considered as an effective tool to share the demand data among all SC partners. Sharing of such data will improve SC planning and reduce the BWE.
{"title":"Lassoing the bullwhip effect by applying blockchain to supply chains","authors":"D. Ghode, Vinod Yadav, R. Jain, G. Soni","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-06-2021-0045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-06-2021-0045","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose A supply chain (SC) involves many stakeholders, directly or indirectly, for satisfying consumers’ requirements. SC management is restricted by a lack of information sharing among stakeholders as parties of SC do not have direct communication and/or are not willing to share private and competitively sensitive information. In the SC, the bullwhip effect (BWE) is an undesirable phenomenon that aggravates the SC performance and increases the overall cost of SC. The main culprit of BWE is the lack of SC coordination among the parties, which results from wrong and lack of information sharing. Blockchain technology (BT) has the main characteristic of distributed shared ledger that makes all parties in the SC network able to access data. This paper aims to develop a BT model and implement it into the SC. Design/methodology/approach A blockchain is developed consisting four SC stakeholders and an integrated development environment has been used for coding in Python. Findings The analysis of the impact of the adoption of BT in SC shows the reduction in BWE. Originality/value In SC, BT can be considered as an effective tool to share the demand data among all SC partners. Sharing of such data will improve SC planning and reduce the BWE.","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43845971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-15DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-10-2020-0058
Saija Bezuidenhout, W. Bean
Purpose This paper aims to establish a systematically constructed defence offset technology transfer (TT) process description and to identify the process pain points and critical success factors from the supplier perspective. Design/methodology/approach A novel integrated case study and Straussian grounded theory approach under the interpretative assumptions and purposive sampling in a global defence industry organisation are presented. Findings The TT is approached from the process modelling point of view, and a detailed operations description covering the end-to-end TT process across a defence industrial participation project is presented. The findings suggest that local recipient’s management, financial resources and planning, supply chain management and local production planning are the main factors of an efficient process. Research limitations/implications This is a single case study, only reflecting the supplier view. Future research could explore the other dimensions of the process to confirm the identified factors playing a role over time. Originality/value To date, the body of TT research has focused on the factors influencing the technology absorption and the identification of meta mechanisms between the supplier and recipient organisations in a context of a multinational corporation and as an intra-firm activity, providing little insight to the actual practical operational level TT process. This study seeks to fill this gap by advancing a more profound understanding of the process activities and the main factors through which the local recipient organisation can best influence the project’s success and manage the inter-organisational TT operations more effectively in a highly technologically complex operational environment.
{"title":"A case study on inter-organisational technology transfer in the defence industry","authors":"Saija Bezuidenhout, W. Bean","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-10-2020-0058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-10-2020-0058","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This paper aims to establish a systematically constructed defence offset technology transfer (TT) process description and to identify the process pain points and critical success factors from the supplier perspective.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000A novel integrated case study and Straussian grounded theory approach under the interpretative assumptions and purposive sampling in a global defence industry organisation are presented.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The TT is approached from the process modelling point of view, and a detailed operations description covering the end-to-end TT process across a defence industrial participation project is presented. The findings suggest that local recipient’s management, financial resources and planning, supply chain management and local production planning are the main factors of an efficient process.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000This is a single case study, only reflecting the supplier view. Future research could explore the other dimensions of the process to confirm the identified factors playing a role over time.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000To date, the body of TT research has focused on the factors influencing the technology absorption and the identification of meta mechanisms between the supplier and recipient organisations in a context of a multinational corporation and as an intra-firm activity, providing little insight to the actual practical operational level TT process. This study seeks to fill this gap by advancing a more profound understanding of the process activities and the main factors through which the local recipient organisation can best influence the project’s success and manage the inter-organisational TT operations more effectively in a highly technologically complex operational environment.\u0000","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43863131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-15DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-02-2021-0014
Sudhanshu Joshi, Manu Sharma
Purpose This study aims to explore the critical factors for digital technologies (DT) adoption to develop a sustainable agri-food supply chain (AFSC). As the developing countries are struggling to survive during COVID-19, DT adoption in AFSC can bring resilience and minimizes the food security concerns. Design/methodology/approach The study has used Fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methods for identifying the critical success factors (CSFs) for DT adoption and inter-relationship among them to explore the crucial factors for food security across AFSC. Findings The research reveals that “Digital Technologies, Logistics and infrastructure” is the most crucial CSF for managing food security in developing economy during the COVID-19 situation. This factor supports the decision-makers to manage data for demand and supply management and helps to survive and sustain in the disruptive environment. The findings of the study will help farmers and supply chain partners to manage the smooth flow of food items from source to end-users during a disruptive environment. The sourcing, manufacturing and delivery methods are needed to be changed with DT inclusion and may support to redesign their internal systems for improvisation. This shorter AFSC will enhance the resilience in AFSCs. Research limitations/implications The emergency situation raised by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought global food security concerns. Adoption of DT across AFSCs can strategically reduce food waste and optimize the demand and supply balance. Originality/value The study aims to build a comprehensive framework by identifying the CSFs to develop resilient and sustainable AFSC amidst COVID-19.
{"title":"Digital technologies (DT) adoption in agri-food supply chains amidst COVID-19: an approach towards food security concerns in developing countries","authors":"Sudhanshu Joshi, Manu Sharma","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-02-2021-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-02-2021-0014","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This study aims to explore the critical factors for digital technologies (DT) adoption to develop a sustainable agri-food supply chain (AFSC). As the developing countries are struggling to survive during COVID-19, DT adoption in AFSC can bring resilience and minimizes the food security concerns.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000The study has used Fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methods for identifying the critical success factors (CSFs) for DT adoption and inter-relationship among them to explore the crucial factors for food security across AFSC.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The research reveals that “Digital Technologies, Logistics and infrastructure” is the most crucial CSF for managing food security in developing economy during the COVID-19 situation. This factor supports the decision-makers to manage data for demand and supply management and helps to survive and sustain in the disruptive environment. The findings of the study will help farmers and supply chain partners to manage the smooth flow of food items from source to end-users during a disruptive environment. The sourcing, manufacturing and delivery methods are needed to be changed with DT inclusion and may support to redesign their internal systems for improvisation. This shorter AFSC will enhance the resilience in AFSCs.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000The emergency situation raised by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought global food security concerns. Adoption of DT across AFSCs can strategically reduce food waste and optimize the demand and supply balance.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000The study aims to build a comprehensive framework by identifying the CSFs to develop resilient and sustainable AFSC amidst COVID-19.\u0000","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42964117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-22DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-02-2021-0017
Saad Zighan
Purpose This study aims to answer the question of how firms can deal with the great bullwhip effects caused by COVID-19? Design/methodology/approach An exploratory research method has been adopted and evidence was collected based on 41 online interviews. Findings The study finds that the bullwhip effect is caused by the sudden changes in customers purchasing behaviour during the pandemic and the businesses’ inaccurate anticipation of the situation. Managing the bullwhip effects caused by COVID-19 requires situation awareness, localisation and an intelligent supply chain. Situation awareness is a vital concept in emergency response, knowing what is going to figure out what should be done. Furthermore, reducing the geographical distances between the firm and other parties in the supply chain, which equates to supply chain localisation, enforces just-in-time inventory. Finally, supply chain digitalisation is no longer an option; implementing such a solution enables end-to-end visibility, collaboration, flexibility and optimisation of orchestration of the supply chain. Research limitations/implications This study presents indicators explaining how organisations can deal with the great bullwhip effects caused by COVID-19. Originality/value The ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant challenges for supply chain management, and this study contributes to the body of knowledge and proposes a model of reducing the bullwhip effects.
{"title":"Managing the great bullwhip effects caused by COVID-19","authors":"Saad Zighan","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-02-2021-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-02-2021-0017","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This study aims to answer the question of how firms can deal with the great bullwhip effects caused by COVID-19?\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000An exploratory research method has been adopted and evidence was collected based on 41 online interviews.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The study finds that the bullwhip effect is caused by the sudden changes in customers purchasing behaviour during the pandemic and the businesses’ inaccurate anticipation of the situation. Managing the bullwhip effects caused by COVID-19 requires situation awareness, localisation and an intelligent supply chain. Situation awareness is a vital concept in emergency response, knowing what is going to figure out what should be done. Furthermore, reducing the geographical distances between the firm and other parties in the supply chain, which equates to supply chain localisation, enforces just-in-time inventory. Finally, supply chain digitalisation is no longer an option; implementing such a solution enables end-to-end visibility, collaboration, flexibility and optimisation of orchestration of the supply chain.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000This study presents indicators explaining how organisations can deal with the great bullwhip effects caused by COVID-19.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000The ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant challenges for supply chain management, and this study contributes to the body of knowledge and proposes a model of reducing the bullwhip effects.\u0000","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44779017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-13DOI: 10.1108/JGOSS-02-2021-0018
T. Koerber, Holger Schiele
Purpose This research aims to investigate the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic (C19, Corona) on trends of transcontinental sourcing as an extreme form of global sourcing. This study starts by observing that the sideward movement of international trade in the past decade can be differentiated into an increase in transcontinental sourcing and a relative decline of intra-EU sourcing. By differentiating between continental and transcontinental sourcing, this study gains insights into global sourcing trends and conducts a fine-grained analysis of the impact of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach After analysing Eurostat statistics, the authors conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with companies from multiple industry sectors affected by a high share of transcontinental suppliers. Using the Gioia method, data from the interviews were structured. By examining the identified motives, challenges and solutions, the authors analyse the impact of COVID-19 on transcontinental sourcing. Findings The COVID-19 pandemic seems not to represent a turning point stopping global sourcing. The authors did not find evidence for a trend reversal. Most of the interviewed companies share the opinion that transcontinental sourcing will remain important or slightly increase in the future. Based on the analysis of their specific motives for transcontinental sourcing, it became clear that factors supportive as well as detrimental to transcontinental sourcing are levelling each other out. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study explicitly differentiating between continental and transcontinental sourcing as different types of global sourcing. While in European sourcing, a decreasing trend is already evident, as shown by our data analysis, there is a lack of investigations addressing transcontinental sourcing. In this study, the authors concentrated on motives, challenges and solutions of transcontinental sourcing. Extending beyond the immediate COVID-19 impact assessment, findings suggest that purchasing would benefit from treating transcontinental, remote sourcing as a distinct process from continental sourcing, particularly intra-EU-sourcing.
{"title":"Is COVID-19 a turning point in stopping global sourcing? Differentiating between declining continental and increasing transcontinental sourcing","authors":"T. Koerber, Holger Schiele","doi":"10.1108/JGOSS-02-2021-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-02-2021-0018","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This research aims to investigate the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic (C19, Corona) on trends of transcontinental sourcing as an extreme form of global sourcing. This study starts by observing that the sideward movement of international trade in the past decade can be differentiated into an increase in transcontinental sourcing and a relative decline of intra-EU sourcing. By differentiating between continental and transcontinental sourcing, this study gains insights into global sourcing trends and conducts a fine-grained analysis of the impact of COVID-19.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000After analysing Eurostat statistics, the authors conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with companies from multiple industry sectors affected by a high share of transcontinental suppliers. Using the Gioia method, data from the interviews were structured. By examining the identified motives, challenges and solutions, the authors analyse the impact of COVID-19 on transcontinental sourcing.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The COVID-19 pandemic seems not to represent a turning point stopping global sourcing. The authors did not find evidence for a trend reversal. Most of the interviewed companies share the opinion that transcontinental sourcing will remain important or slightly increase in the future. Based on the analysis of their specific motives for transcontinental sourcing, it became clear that factors supportive as well as detrimental to transcontinental sourcing are levelling each other out.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study explicitly differentiating between continental and transcontinental sourcing as different types of global sourcing. While in European sourcing, a decreasing trend is already evident, as shown by our data analysis, there is a lack of investigations addressing transcontinental sourcing. In this study, the authors concentrated on motives, challenges and solutions of transcontinental sourcing. Extending beyond the immediate COVID-19 impact assessment, findings suggest that purchasing would benefit from treating transcontinental, remote sourcing as a distinct process from continental sourcing, particularly intra-EU-sourcing.\u0000","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47472762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-31DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-07-2020-0034
Wael Hassan El-Garaihy
Purpose The strategic management of the supply chain encompasses the development and integration of a supply chain strategy and the evaluation of the findings. An integrated approach is required for linking the supply chain strategy with the overall strategic management of the company for it to be successful. In this regard, this paper aims to examine and compare the relative efficiency of two models, namely, supply chain operations reference (SCOR) and the balanced scorecard (BSC) for measuring the supply chain performance. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design is used and 800 individuals were recruited from the industrial sector in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A three-tier model was used based on BSC, data envelopment analysis (DEA), decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). Findings The findings have indicated that DMUs 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 were efficient, while the other DMUs were non-efficient. These non-efficient units were not aware of the training and development and learning and growth. The concern presents comparatively poor performance of employees at this stage even this issue was based on system performance and indifference of managers, establishing complexities in the long-term system. The relationships were determined among four dimensions of BSC by identifying the supply chain metrics and applying the DEMATEL approach. Originality/value The current study provides empirical support for the DEA network model concerning its preference and improved performance measurement as compared to BSC model.
{"title":"Analysis of supply chain operations reference (SCOR) and balanced scorecard (BSC) in measuring supply chains efficiency using DEMATEL and DEA techniques","authors":"Wael Hassan El-Garaihy","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-07-2020-0034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-07-2020-0034","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000The strategic management of the supply chain encompasses the development and integration of a supply chain strategy and the evaluation of the findings. An integrated approach is required for linking the supply chain strategy with the overall strategic management of the company for it to be successful. In this regard, this paper aims to examine and compare the relative efficiency of two models, namely, supply chain operations reference (SCOR) and the balanced scorecard (BSC) for measuring the supply chain performance.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000A quantitative research design is used and 800 individuals were recruited from the industrial sector in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A three-tier model was used based on BSC, data envelopment analysis (DEA), decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL).\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The findings have indicated that DMUs 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 were efficient, while the other DMUs were non-efficient. These non-efficient units were not aware of the training and development and learning and growth. The concern presents comparatively poor performance of employees at this stage even this issue was based on system performance and indifference of managers, establishing complexities in the long-term system. The relationships were determined among four dimensions of BSC by identifying the supply chain metrics and applying the DEMATEL approach.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000The current study provides empirical support for the DEA network model concerning its preference and improved performance measurement as compared to BSC model.\u0000","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41946204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-25DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-08-2021-077
Godfrey Mugurusi, Richard Glavee-Geo, I. Ambe
{"title":"Editorial","authors":"Godfrey Mugurusi, Richard Glavee-Geo, I. Ambe","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-08-2021-077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-08-2021-077","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48020361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-19DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-07-2020-0033
Kalpana Tokas
Purpose This paper aims to carry out a qualitative analysis to compare India and China as a choice of service-provider from the perspective of Japanese MNEs for information technology (IT)-IT enabled services (ITeS) offshoring destination, using the four dimensions of the cultural-administrative-geographic-economic (CAGE) distance framework by Ghemawat (2001). Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study used a mix of primary and secondary evidence to carry out a comparative evaluation of the challenges and synergies existent between India and Japan relative to China and Japan, in the context of IT-ITeS offshoring industry. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with multiple stakeholders and the findings were classified using the CAGE framework. Findings The paper discusses that for IT-ITeS industry, owing to its characteristics and the changing global order in the post-pandemic world, the “distances” that matter the most for business engagement between countries are – cultural, administrative and economic. Based on the comparative analysis, it was seen that China fares better than India, from a Japanese perspective, for the case of cultural and geographic distances while India had an advantage in the case of administrative and economic distances. Thus, India and Japan seem to have higher synergies and potential mutual gains by expanding engagement in the IT-ITeS industry in future. Research limitations/implications One of the limitations of this paper was the lack of comparable secondary data source concerning the size, growth rates, exports, employment figures for China that could have helped establish the contrast in the structure of IT-ITeS industry of India and China. Originality/value This study provides a framework for a comparative analysis of multiple facets of “distance” between competing service providing nations at bilateral, as well as unilateral level, in a holistic manner for the IT-ITeS offshoring industry. The results thus provide the gaps that shall be bridged by the policymakers for realizing mutual benefits.
{"title":"IT services offshoring from Japan: a multi-dimensional comparative analysis between India and China","authors":"Kalpana Tokas","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-07-2020-0033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-07-2020-0033","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This paper aims to carry out a qualitative analysis to compare India and China as a choice of service-provider from the perspective of Japanese MNEs for information technology (IT)-IT enabled services (ITeS) offshoring destination, using the four dimensions of the cultural-administrative-geographic-economic (CAGE) distance framework by Ghemawat (2001).\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000This exploratory study used a mix of primary and secondary evidence to carry out a comparative evaluation of the challenges and synergies existent between India and Japan relative to China and Japan, in the context of IT-ITeS offshoring industry. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with multiple stakeholders and the findings were classified using the CAGE framework.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The paper discusses that for IT-ITeS industry, owing to its characteristics and the changing global order in the post-pandemic world, the “distances” that matter the most for business engagement between countries are – cultural, administrative and economic. Based on the comparative analysis, it was seen that China fares better than India, from a Japanese perspective, for the case of cultural and geographic distances while India had an advantage in the case of administrative and economic distances. Thus, India and Japan seem to have higher synergies and potential mutual gains by expanding engagement in the IT-ITeS industry in future.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000One of the limitations of this paper was the lack of comparable secondary data source concerning the size, growth rates, exports, employment figures for China that could have helped establish the contrast in the structure of IT-ITeS industry of India and China.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study provides a framework for a comparative analysis of multiple facets of “distance” between competing service providing nations at bilateral, as well as unilateral level, in a holistic manner for the IT-ITeS offshoring industry. The results thus provide the gaps that shall be bridged by the policymakers for realizing mutual benefits.\u0000","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46573790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-19DOI: 10.1108/jgoss-11-2019-0063
Mads Bejlegaard, Ioan-Matei Sarivan, B. V. Wæhrens
Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of the strategic transformation of engineering to order company (ETO) at the level of the internal value-adding chain of operations on its position as a sub-supplier. The transformation is motivated and enabled by end-to-end business intelligence related to processes revolving around the product’s design, configuration and engineering. The investigation builds on case-based research following the company’s decision of converting its product portfolio to only one family of products, thus increasing process efficiency whilst at the same time enlarging its market reach by offering individualized and innovative products. By digitally integrating operations related to sales, product development and production preparation, the traditional trade-off between cost-effective solutions with high product variety and low lead-time is significantly reduced. Design/methodology/approach A design science research project has been conducted to create knowledge on the effects of integration across the value-adding chain of operations. Several design cycles illustrate how development based on business intelligence and available technological enablers for inter-operation integration influence the traditional approach towards supply chain pipeline selection strategies. Findings Relating to digital transformation, the consequences and means of adopting digital business intelligence for integrating several administrative and engineering operations in small-medium enterprises (SME) are studied. The product delivery performance of the SME is improved, thus, having ETO lead-time comparable to manufacturing to order company. The findings show how the adoption of state-of-the-art technological solutions for cross-operation digital integration challenges traditional supply chain, coordination models. Research limitations/implications The conclusions are drawn based on a single case. The limitations associated with case-based research call for further work to support generalization. Furthermore, the long-term influence of the effects of increased interoperability on supply chain coordination strategies requires further investigation. Practical implications As technological solutions evolve, new opportunities for supply chain management arise, which put into question the traditional understanding that complex supply chain pipeline characteristics should be handled by complexity reducing initiatives, which opens up new competitive opportunities for companies in high-cost countries. Social implications Enabling the use of human resources towards expanding the business (rather than running it only) are aligned with the current economic and political situation in high-cost countries like Denmark and potentially releases skilled employees from repetitive and low value-adding work and reengages them in business development. Originality/value By embracing flexibility and volatility as an opportunity, this publication exemp
{"title":"The influence of digital technologies on supply chain coordination strategies","authors":"Mads Bejlegaard, Ioan-Matei Sarivan, B. V. Wæhrens","doi":"10.1108/jgoss-11-2019-0063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-11-2019-0063","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This paper aims to investigate the impact of the strategic transformation of engineering to order company (ETO) at the level of the internal value-adding chain of operations on its position as a sub-supplier. The transformation is motivated and enabled by end-to-end business intelligence related to processes revolving around the product’s design, configuration and engineering. The investigation builds on case-based research following the company’s decision of converting its product portfolio to only one family of products, thus increasing process efficiency whilst at the same time enlarging its market reach by offering individualized and innovative products. By digitally integrating operations related to sales, product development and production preparation, the traditional trade-off between cost-effective solutions with high product variety and low lead-time is significantly reduced.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000A design science research project has been conducted to create knowledge on the effects of integration across the value-adding chain of operations. Several design cycles illustrate how development based on business intelligence and available technological enablers for inter-operation integration influence the traditional approach towards supply chain pipeline selection strategies.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000Relating to digital transformation, the consequences and means of adopting digital business intelligence for integrating several administrative and engineering operations in small-medium enterprises (SME) are studied. The product delivery performance of the SME is improved, thus, having ETO lead-time comparable to manufacturing to order company. The findings show how the adoption of state-of-the-art technological solutions for cross-operation digital integration challenges traditional supply chain, coordination models.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000The conclusions are drawn based on a single case. The limitations associated with case-based research call for further work to support generalization. Furthermore, the long-term influence of the effects of increased interoperability on supply chain coordination strategies requires further investigation.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000As technological solutions evolve, new opportunities for supply chain management arise, which put into question the traditional understanding that complex supply chain pipeline characteristics should be handled by complexity reducing initiatives, which opens up new competitive opportunities for companies in high-cost countries.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000Enabling the use of human resources towards expanding the business (rather than running it only) are aligned with the current economic and political situation in high-cost countries like Denmark and potentially releases skilled employees from repetitive and low value-adding work and reengages them in business development.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000By embracing flexibility and volatility as an opportunity, this publication exemp","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49518129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-11DOI: 10.1108/JGOSS-03-2021-0028
Osama F. Atayah, M. Dhiaf, K. Najaf, G. Frederico
Purpose This study aims to contribute to the extant literature on logistics by investigating the interrelationship between the financial performance of listed logistics firms and the COVID-19 and compare the logistics firms’ financial performance of G-20 countries during the pandemic period. Design/methodology/approach To conduct the confirmatory analysis by testing the hypotheses formulated for this study, data have been collected from Bloomberg of all logistics firms from G-20 countries. This paper gathered the first quarter from 2010 until the last quarter of 2020 as the research sample to examine the pandemic impact on financial performance. Findings The results show that the financial performance of logistic firms was significantly higher during 2020. Overall, the country-wise findings corroborated with the main results and the financial performance of 14 countries’ logistic firms out of 20 ones analysed has been significantly elevated, during the pandemic period. However, this paper has found out a negative financial performance of the logistics firms during the COVID-19 period in six countries (Germany, Korea, Russia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the UK), which support the second proposition. Research limitations/implications The study’s results were important as they highlighted the role of logistics firms in offering insights to academics, practitioners, policymakers and logistic firms’ stakeholders. For future research, this paper suggests including some other variables that might influence firm performance and that have not been considered in this study, which is a limitation, and going more deeply into the logistics sector by comparing the financial performance of the sub-sectors. Practical implications As the importance of logistics services during the pandemic period is relevant, this study may provide significant insights because the logistics firms play a crucial role by anticipating to ensure the supply of essential items such as food, medicine, then supporting for the continuity of supply chains. The view of finance impacts during the pandemic may provide insightful perspectives for logistics companies, allowing them to understand those impacts and better prepare for likely disruption events such COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value This paper is novel considering that it is unique in evaluating logistics firms’ financial performance from a global perspective, considering the context of this historical pandemic.
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 on financial performance of logistics firms: evidence from G-20 countries","authors":"Osama F. Atayah, M. Dhiaf, K. Najaf, G. Frederico","doi":"10.1108/JGOSS-03-2021-0028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-03-2021-0028","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This study aims to contribute to the extant literature on logistics by investigating the interrelationship between the financial performance of listed logistics firms and the COVID-19 and compare the logistics firms’ financial performance of G-20 countries during the pandemic period.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000To conduct the confirmatory analysis by testing the hypotheses formulated for this study, data have been collected from Bloomberg of all logistics firms from G-20 countries. This paper gathered the first quarter from 2010 until the last quarter of 2020 as the research sample to examine the pandemic impact on financial performance.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The results show that the financial performance of logistic firms was significantly higher during 2020. Overall, the country-wise findings corroborated with the main results and the financial performance of 14 countries’ logistic firms out of 20 ones analysed has been significantly elevated, during the pandemic period. However, this paper has found out a negative financial performance of the logistics firms during the COVID-19 period in six countries (Germany, Korea, Russia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the UK), which support the second proposition.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000The study’s results were important as they highlighted the role of logistics firms in offering insights to academics, practitioners, policymakers and logistic firms’ stakeholders. For future research, this paper suggests including some other variables that might influence firm performance and that have not been considered in this study, which is a limitation, and going more deeply into the logistics sector by comparing the financial performance of the sub-sectors.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000As the importance of logistics services during the pandemic period is relevant, this study may provide significant insights because the logistics firms play a crucial role by anticipating to ensure the supply of essential items such as food, medicine, then supporting for the continuity of supply chains. The view of finance impacts during the pandemic may provide insightful perspectives for logistics companies, allowing them to understand those impacts and better prepare for likely disruption events such COVID-19 pandemic.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This paper is novel considering that it is unique in evaluating logistics firms’ financial performance from a global perspective, considering the context of this historical pandemic.\u0000","PeriodicalId":43346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44799120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}