International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Wendy L. Tate; Lisa M. Ellram; Kevin J. Dooley

2014 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-12-2012-0356

Purpose – Suppliers play a more significant role in the environmental footprint of supply chains than most final manufacturers. The purpose of this paper is to apply transaction costs and institutional theory to help understand why the more conservative, or reactive suppliers may or may not be likely to adopt environmental practices. Design/methodology/approach – This research builds on a prior conceptual paper and uses the results of a survey to test whether transaction costs and institutional theory can provide insight into supplier's adoption of environmental practices. Findings – This research finds that perceived transaction costs affect supplier cooperation in adopting environmental practices. Suppliers are more likely to adopt an environmental practice if information‐seeking costs are low or the cost of adoption is considered necessary to maintain the relationship. Data did not support the hypotheses concerning institutional pressures. Originality/value – There is much research in the area of proactive adoption of environmental business practices. This research looks specifically at what influences the adoption of environmental business practices by suppliers that are more reactive or hesitant to be leaders in this area.

Bernadette Förster; Jonas Keller; Heiko A. von der Gracht; Inga‐Lena Darkow

2014 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-09-2012-0289

Purpose – Consumer goods supply chains (SCs) are characterized by continuously changing customer trends. Early detection of these trends is crucial for deriving successful long‐term SC strategies. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic process to support decision makers in assessing future‐relevant issues and developing strategies. Design/methodology/approach – In order to contribute to the quality of long‐term decision making for SC strategy, we combine strategic issue management (SIM) and corporate foresight methodology. The authors develop a procedure that integrates the Delphi technique and SIM to empirically demonstrate how “Delphi‐based SIM” can support SC strategy development. Findings – The paper demonstrates how to craft a strategy for consumer goods SCs supported by Delphi‐based SIM. The authors are able to include and evaluate uncertain and ambivalent future developments. Pertinent strategic issues for the consumer goods SC include: consumer demographics, automated ordering, city supply, and concept stores. For the reference company, five different strategic paths were created and evaluated. Practical implications – It is challenging for companies to be well prepared for dynamic business environments and to successfully establish a robust SC strategy. The authors develop a systematic Delphi‐based SIM for detecting and evaluating signals and integrating them into SC strategy development. Originality/value – To date, a structured approach to integrate uncertain and ambivalent issues into SC strategy development is missing. With SIM and corporate foresight, the authors provide novel methods for strategy development in the consumer goods SC.

Xiaohong Liu

2014 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-08-2012-0225

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which research opportunities on China's logistics have been identified in the field. Design/methodology/approach – In order to fulfill the research objective, a literature‐based survey was executed in eight peer‐reviewed logistics and supply chain management journals during the 2001‐2012 timeframe. In total, 91 articles were examined and analyzed from three perspectives: research focus, theoretical base and methodological approach. A content analysis was used to classify and assess the analytical units with selected examples from the articles surveyed. Findings – The analysis reveals that a number of research foci have been addressed, but there are some fertile areas that researchers could explore in view of the evolution of logistics and transitional trends in present‐day China. Theory applications were applied in few papers, showing a low rate of usage of theories. Different research techniques have been applied, but greater methodological rigor is expected to be achieved, given the unique research setting in China. Research limitations/implications – While the study has consulted the major logistics journals in the logistics field in which researchers aim to pursue their publications regarding China‐based logistics research, it should be noted that contributions in other journals may have been missed. Practical implications – The study sheds new light on the research needs and opportunities for advancing China‐based logistics research; for those researchers interested in China's logistics, it provides options which may lead to further, valuable research in this area. Originality/value – This paper represents the first attempt to examine a body of literature on China‐based logistics research. It provides implications for future study.

Toyin A. Clottey; Scott J. Grawe

2014 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-10-2012-0314

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the concepts of individual and complete statistical power used for multiple testing and shows their relevance for determining the number of statistical tests to perform when assessing non‐response bias. Design/methodology/approach – A statistical power analysis of 55 survey‐based research papers published in three prestigious logistics journals ( International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management , Journal of Business Logistics , Transportation Journal ) over the last decade was conducted. Findings – Results show that some of the low complete power levels encountered could have been avoided if fewer tests had been used in the assessment of non‐response bias. Originality/value – The research offers important recommendations to scholars engaged in survey research as they assess the effects of non‐respondents on research findings. By following the recommended strategies for testing non‐response bias, researchers can improve the statistical power of their findings.