An Interdisciplinary Survey and Introduction
series:International Handbook Series on Entrepreneurship

Since its original publication in 2003, the Handbook of Entrepreneurship Research has served as the definitive resource in the field, bringing together contributions from leading scholars in such disciplines as management, finance, economics, policy, sociology, and psychology to present a holistic, multi-dimensional approach. This new edition, fully revised and updated, and including several ...

Econometric Challenges
series:Springer Series in Accounting Scholarship

While there is a substantial literature in labor economics and microeconometrics directed toward endogenous causal effects, causal effects have received relatively limited attention in accounting. This volume builds on econometric foundations, including linear, discrete choice, and nonparametric regression models, to address challenging accounting issues characterized by microeconomic ...

Strategic Alignment, Governance, People and Culture
series:International Handbooks on Information Systems

Business Process Management (BPM) has become one of the most widely used approaches for the design of modern organizational and information systems. The conscious treatment of business processes as significant corporate assets has facilitated substantial improvements in organizational performance but is also used to ensure the conformance of corporate activities. This Handbook presents in two ...

Introduction, Methods, and Information Systems
series:International Handbooks on Information Systems

Business Process Management (BPM) has become one of the most widely used approaches for the design of modern organizational and information systems. The conscious treatment of business processes as significant corporate assets has facilitated substantial improvements in organizational performance but is also used to ensure the  conformance of corporate activities. This ...

Joint IFIP TC 8 and TC 6 International Conferences, EGES 2010 and GISP 2010, Held as Part of WCC 2010, Brisbane, Australia, September 20-23, 2010, Proceedings
series:IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the IFIP TC 8 International Conference on E-Government and E-Services, EGES 2010 and the IFIP TC 8 International Conference on Global Information Systems Processes, GISP 2010, held as part of the 21st World Computer Congress, WCC 2010, in Brisbane, Australia, in September 2010. The 12 revised full papers presented at EGES were carefully ...

Targeting Consumer Product Development Scientifically

Why do some people drink black coffee and others stick to tea?Why do some people prefer competitors’ products?Why do we sell less in this country?Many companies fail to acknowledge and analyze disparities observed among customers and simply put it down to culture or emotion. New neuroendocrinological research proves that consumers are rational: They just have a different biological perception ...

A New Approach to Studying the Effects of Modern Technologies on Human Behavior
series:Integrated Series in Information Systems

Evolutionary Psychology and Information Systems Research: A New Approach to Studying the Effects of Modern Technologies on Human Behavior is a compilation of chapters written by leading researchers from all over the world. Those researchers’ common characteristic is that they have investigated issues at the intersection of the fields of information systems (IS) and evolutionary psychology ...

Abstract:
Purpose – A review of the literature reveals that previous research on capabilities has been limited to static capabilities and have largely been firm-centric, which neglect today's evolving supply chain environment. To address this shortcoming, this paper aims to explore dynamic supply chain capabilities (DSCCS) as a path to achieving sustainable competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – Logistics and supply chain literature is reviewed to provide a foundation for introducing a model of DSCCS driving competitive advantage. Propositions for future research are presented based upon the theoretical model. Findings – The need to continuously renew boundary spanning supply chain capabilities may be facilitated by the presence of a supply chain orientation and a learning orientation found across the multiple partners. Research limitations/implications – Supply chain organizations exist in a continually evolving environment with the best-performing firms often being characterized as agile and continually improving. The dynamic capabilities perspective provides a theoretical foundation that may be used to better understand and predict the success of supply chain firms. The work presented here is conceptual and empirical examination of the propositions should occur before any broad generalization can be drawn. Practical implications – Long-term organizational success may be facilitated by continuous renewal and creation of new static capabilities through the use of DSCCS. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that dynamic capabilities may be extended beyond the traditional single-firm view to exist across the relationships developed by multiple organizations in a supply chain.

Abstract:
Purpose – Many supply chain reconfiguration programs are launched each year. Despite a wealth of knowledge existing in the general management domain, there has been little work within the supply chain management domain on change. That which does exist deals with change to a technical – as opposed to non-technical – system. This leaves out many of the social and behavioral aspects of change. This paper aims to address this gap. Design/methodology/approach – The paper synthesized the general management and supply chain literature on change to create a framework to explore change within three supply chains. A multiple case study approach was adopted for the research. Longitudinal and quasi-longitudinal data were gathered and template analysis utilized to explore the cases contexts and the design choices they made in each of the change programmes. Findings – In all three cases, the change is non-linear and required re-planning and learning throughout the change effort to build the capacity and capability for change. In all three cases, the success of the change is facilitated through the use of cross-functional teams. Originality/value – Change leaders were involved in the research through co-authorship and a unique set of cross-case lessons learned were generated. The framework used in the analysis incorporates considerations previously ignored in the supply chain literature, including the non-linear, non-processual nature of change.

Abstract:
Purpose – Owner operators are an important group of truck drivers, yet have been the subject of very little academic research. Specifically, no research has explored retention issues among owner operators. Thus, this paper aims to employ a segmentation approach to owner operator retention, examining important independent variables that include: pay and compensation, top management support, time at home, and safety. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a large truckload (TL) carrier. The drivers surveyed were irregular route long-haul drivers. A total of 239 responses were obtained, for a response rate of 74.6 per cent. Latent class regression (LCR), a technique new to logistics and supply chain management (SCM) research, was utilized for data analysis. Findings – The results show there are four different need-based driver segments, which means that specific driver retention programs must be developed for each segment. Research limitations/implications – The major limitation of this paper is that an attitudinal measure (intent to stay) was used to assess turnover instead of actual behavior. Additionally, only one demographic variable was collected. Implications of this paper include demonstrating the existence of unique segments within the same sample; the specification of the major attitudinal drivers for each segment; and the need to further study a largely neglected but very important group in the supply chain. Practical implications – From a practitioner viewpoint, knowing that different groups of owner operators exist will help in developing programs to improve driver retention. Specific recommended actions for each segment are presented. These results will help managers with the retention of owner operators. Originality/value – Owner operators are an important group when it comes to making the global supply chain function smoothly and efficiently. Yet, little research in logistics and SCM address this group. Driver turnover continues to plague the TL industry and understanding owner operators, and their segments, is critical to improve driver retention, cost structure, and profitability. Also, to determine if segments of this under-researched group exist, LCR was deployed.

Abstract:
Purpose – The concept of supply chain orientation (SCO) has been described in multiple ways in previous research. The purpose of this paper is to integrate previous descriptions and further develop the structural element of SCO including the areas of organizational design, human resources, information technology, and organizational measurement. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review is used to identify previous descriptions of SCO and present a framework to more completely describe the concept. Findings – SCO cannot be understood without incorporating both a firm's strategic intention to compete via supply chain capabilities and the firm's internal structural elements. Research limitations/implications – This is a conceptual study undertaken to develop a comprehensive framework incorporating SCO concepts. Although the framework is developed from the existing literature, further research is necessary to test the extended view of the concept. Practical implications – The paper provides a template for understanding a firm's current SCO, and may be a useful roadmap for firms wishing to develop a greater SCO. Originality/value – Little research has been published surrounding the concept of SCO. The paper integrates previous descriptions by incorporating both strategic and structural views, and by explaining the antecedent elements internal to the firm that are required to form a SCO.

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and teaching of graduate courses providing in-depth experiential learning employing commercial supply chain management software. The benefits of teaching such courses are described, the challenges in offering such courses are identified, and some solutions to overcome the challenges are offered. Design/methodology/approach – The experiences of the authors in developing and teaching supply chain management courses utilizing commercial software provided a basis for discussing the benefits and challenges associated with teaching students the management of modern supply chains using commercial decision-support software. Findings – Incorporating commercial software in university programs presents a myriad of challenges and therefore is rarely done. However, providing students with in-depth knowledge of commercial logistics and supply chain management software improves their understanding of supply chain issues and provides a key differentiator in the marketplace. Modeling real-world supply chains using commercial software enhances student's education by providing relevant experiential exposure to real-world problems and decision-support tools. Originality/value – The observations of the authors in developing and teaching courses in supply chain management utilizing commercial software afford a unique viewpoint and roadmap for others regarding teaching supply chain management in academic environments.

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use the technology acceptance model (TAM) from the information technology (IT) literature to investigate the relationships among technology use and acceptance, and perceptions of quality and satisfaction with logistics services among industrial customers. Design/methodology/approach – To test the proposed model, an online survey was prepared using WebSurveyor and an introductory e-mail with a link to the survey was sent to a sample of members of two professional organizations of industrial purchasing managers. Findings – The findings indicate that both logistics service quality (LSQ) perceptions and satisfaction levels are significantly related to future purchase intentions. In addition, LSQ perceptions mediate the relationship between the two TAM constructs and customer satisfaction. Originality/value – This paper provides additional insight on technology acceptance in the context of logistics and supply chain management. IT is a common thread throughout logistics and supply chain management, from electronic data interchange, through collaborative forecasting and replenishment and vendor-managed inventory processes. Consequently, extending research on technology acceptance and use into the context of logistics and supply chain management is an important step, both in terms of theory development and managerial relevance for both the information systems and supply chain management disciplines.

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to add a cultural-relational dimension to the supply chain risk management (SCRM) literature. Design/methodology/approach – Inter-firm learning and cultural adaptation literatures are reviewed, missing themes identified and a conceptual model proposed. Findings – The authors define the problem of supply chain relational risk (SCRR) and explain the cultural differences between China and the West, which form a subset of SCRR. They then propose cultural adaptation as the solution to this problem. Two missing themes are identified concerning the process of cultural adaptation between China and the West and the causal relationship between cultural adaptation and partnership performance. Research limitations/implications – This is a conceptual paper based on secondary data. Practical implications – Cultural differences between China and the West impact the relational risks facing Western buyers and their Chinese suppliers. To create a mutually beneficial partnership, it is necessary for both parties to understand the cultural differences and the process of cultural adaptation. Ultimately, the paper will help firms mitigate the relational risks associated with cultural differences. Originality/value – The paper extends prior work in the area of SCRM by adding a relational-cultural dimension. With a view to mitigation of SCRRs, the authors develop a conceptual process model, which describes a relationship-building process incorporating cultural adaptation for the creation of a mutually beneficial partnership, which features a hybrid cultural interface.

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper examines two co-manufacturing relationships, which were efficient with the aim of understanding why they were not value maximising. Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilises a methodology designed by Wilding and Humphries and based on Williamson's organisation failure framework. Using a case study approach, it is applied in a new context to provide insights into the dynamics within two co-manufacturing relationships in the food-manufacturing industry. Findings – The relationships are judged as operationally efficient by both sides but frustrations and conflicts have emerged over time, leading to a real danger of relationship breakdown. These problems are caused by failure to involve co-manufacturing partners in strategy discussions, shortcomings in relationship management, and lack of recognition of partners' developing capabilities. Research limitations/implications – The paper challenges the transaction cost economics (TCE) focus on efficiency in the context of co-manufacturing relationships and advocates a relational perspective to value maximisation. Practical implications – The findings indicate that an undue focus on operational efficiency in the management of close, long-duration co-manufacturing relationships may result in a reduction in innovation and a failure to maximise value. Originality/value – The paper provides empirical support for arguments in favour of dynamic efficiency, rather than the static efficiency implied by TCE. These findings are of great importance to companies engaged in strategically important co-manufacturing relationships, as they demonstrate how “negative spiral behaviours” can develop.

Innovative Solutions for a Fragile Planet

Despite the accelerating pace of globalization, it is impossible to ignore the marginalization of the developing world, as billions of people continue to slip deeper into poverty. While many theories, policies, and practices have been proposed to help redress the disparities between the "haves" and the "have-nots," only recently have proponents of sustainable economic development and ...

series:Advances in Group Decision and Negotiation

The growing field of Group Decision and Negotiation is best described as the empirical, formal, computational, and strategic analysis of group decision-making and negotiation, especially from the viewpoints of Management Science and Operations Research. The topic crosses many traditional disciplinary boundaries. It has connections to business administration and business strategy, management ...

AAMAS Workshop, AMEC 2008, Estoril, Portugal, May 12-16, 2008, and AAAI Workshop, TADA 2008, Chicago, IL, USA, July 14, 208, Revised, Selected Papers
series:Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing

This volume contains 13 thoroughly refereed and revised papers detailing recent advances in research on trading agents, negotiating agents, dynamic pricing, and auctions. They were originally presented at the 10th International Workshop on Agent-Mediated Electronic Commerce (AMEC 2008) collocated with AAMAS 2008 in Estoril, Portugal, or the 6th Workshop on Trading Agent Design and Analysis ...

Abstract:
Purpose - Many supply chain reconfiguration programs are launched each year. Despite a wealth of knowledge existing in the general management domain, there has been little work within the Supply Chain Management domain on change. That which does exist deals with change to a technical - as opposed to non-technical - system. This leaves out many of the social and behavioral aspects of change. It is this gap that is addressed through this research.Design/methodology/approach - We synthesized the general management and supply chain literature on change to create a framework to explore change within three supply chains. A multiple case study approach was adopted for the research. Longitudinal and quasi-longitudinal data were gathered and template analysis utilized to explore the cases contexts and the design choices they made in each of the change programmes.Findings - In all three cases the change was non-linear and required re-planning and learning throughout the change effort to build the capacity and capability for change. In all three cases the success of the change was facilitated through the use of cross-functional teams.Originality/value - Change leaders were involved in the research through co-authorship and a unique set of cross-case lessons learned were generated. The framework used in the analysis incorporates considerations previously ignored in the supply chain literature, including the non-linear, non-processual nature of change.