International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Shi, Yangyan; Venkatesh, V.G.; Venkatesh, Mani; Fosso Wamba, Samuel; Wang, Bill

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-05-2023-550

Guida, Michela; Caniato, Federico; Moretto, Antonella; Ronchi, Stefano

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-12-2021-0536

The objective of this paper is to study the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting the supplier scouting process, considering the information and the capabilities required to do so.Design/methodology/approachTwelve cases of IT and information providers offering AI-based scouting solutions were studied. The unit of analysis was the AI-based scouting solution, specifically the relationship between the provider and the buyer. Information processing theory (IPT) was adopted to address information processing needs (IPNs) and capabilities (IPCs).FindingsAmong buyers, IPNs in supplier scouting are high. IT and information providers can meet the needs of buyers through IPCs enabled by AI-based solutions. In this way, the fit between needs and capabilities can be reached.Originality/valueThe investigation of the role of AI in supplier scouting is original. The application of IPT to study the impact of AI in business processes is also novel. This paper contributes by investigating a phenomenon that is still unexplored and unconsolidated in a business context.

Herold, Silke; Heller, Jonas; Rozemeijer, Frank; Mahr, Dominik

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-12-2021-0535

The purpose of this paper is to achieve a collective understanding of the capabilities required for digital procurement transformation (DPT).Design/methodology/approachThe authors contextualize theory about dynamic capabilities (DCs) to integrate the fragmented body of literature on procurement digitalization by means of a systematic literature review (SLR). By extracting and clustering capabilities, as well as proven performance outcomes from existing literature in the field, the authors develop a conceptual model of the DCs required for DPT.FindingsThe authors first introduce and define DPT and the corresponding motivations that trigger firms to invest in advanced digital technologies. Second, by adopting the DC lens, the authors provide an overview of nine microfoundations required for DPT and highlight the strategic options procurement leaders can use when strategizing about adopting combinations of digital technologies. Third, the authors present a future research agenda on DCs for DPT.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed conceptual model must be verified and enhanced through further empirical research.Practical implicationsThe conceptual model can be used by procurement leaders as a starting point and framework when strategizing about digitally transforming the procurement organization.Originality/valueThe study is the first to synthesize previous research findings on procurement digitalization through an SLR in order to develop a fine-grained conceptual model that supports practitioners and researchers alike in better understanding the capabilities required for and potential performance outcomes of DPT.

Lang, Le Dang; Behl, Abhishek; Phuong, Nguyen Ngoc Duy; Gaur, Jighyasu; Dzung, Nguyen Tien

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-12-2021-0525

Digital transformation (DT) and supply chain resilience have received increasing attention. Structural social capital (SSC) and human capital (HC) have recently been identified as strategic resources for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While the significant role of entrepreneurial competencies (ECs), SME innovativeness (SMI) and technology adoption (TA) in driving business performance have been partially researched, no studies have simultaneously examined the effect of these resources and capabilities on SME business performance growth (BPG) under the lenses of a resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities (DCs) as well as in the context of DT. This study aims to clarify these unclear relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts established theoretical lenses, a mixed-methods approach and structural equation modeling (SEM) using a sample of 371 respondents who are top and middle SME managers in Vietnam.FindingsThe study discovers the significant and insignificant relationships between HC, SSC, ECs, SMI, TA and BPG besides providing a new measurement and reconciling existing measurements for the DT context. Some implications for driving SMEs' DT are also suggested.Originality/valueThis study is the first to thoroughly examine the effect of HC and SSC on SMEs' BPG through the mediating role of ECs, SMI and TA under RBV and DCs lenses in the DT context. The investigation is conducted in an emerging market, where DT implementation is in the process of being learned and experimented upon.

Zhou, Haidi; Wang, Qiang; Wang, Liang; Zhao, Xiande; Feng, Gengzhong

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-12-2021-0532

The authors investigate how logistics digitalization affects two types of third-party logistics (3PL) performance: financial performance and service performance. In particular, the authors explore the mediating role of customer collaboration between logistics digitalization and firm performance based on organizational information processing theory and examine the moderating role of government support.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use an SPSS macro program (PROCESS regression analysis) to analyze survey data from 235 3PL firms in China. The mediation model, moderation model and moderated mediation model are tested.FindingsThe empirical results show that in the new age of digitalization transformation, logistics digitalization positively affects 3PL's financial performance and service performance by strengthening customer collaboration. Additionally, government support amplifies the positive effect of customer collaboration on service performance but not financial performance. The moderated mediation test further indicates that government support strengthens the positive indirect effect of digitalization on service performance through customer collaboration.Originality/valueThis study offers empirical insights into the growing body of 3PL literature, and the findings contribute to the theoretical and practical understanding of the emerging research topic of digital transformation (DT) and sustainability issues in 3PL firms.

Opazo-Basáez, Marco; Vendrell-Herrero, Ferran; Bustinza, Oscar F.; Vaillant, Yancy; Marić, Josip

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-12-2021-0538

The implementation of Smart Manufacturing (SM) is deemed a key enabler in the enhancement of manufacturing competitiveness and performance. Nevertheless, SM's repercussion on consumer perceptions and the contextualization of SM's performance-enhancement effects remain undetermined and have yet to be clarified. This study analyzes the effect of SM on operational and customer performance. Moreover, this study explores how these relationships change depending on a firm's geography of production (i.e. national/local vs transnational operations) and the relational arrangement adopted (i.e. service-oriented vs transaction-oriented manufacturers).Design/methodology/approachThis research surveys 351 Spanish manufacturing firms operating in an SM environment. The theoretical framework comprises a Multiple-Indicators Multiple-Causes (MIMIC) model and is tested using a Generalized Structural Equations Model.FindingsThe results obtained substantiate the positive effect of SM implementation on both of the performance measures analyzed (i.e. operational and customer focused). Moreover, the study reveals that while geography of production moderates the effect on a firm's operational performance, relational arrangement also does so in terms of customer performance.Originality/valueThis research clearly differentiates the benefits of SM depending on business context. In this regard, transnational production firms tend to gain in operational performance while service-oriented manufacturers gain in customer performance.

Fang, Mingjie; Liu, Feng; Xiao, Shufeng (Simon); Park, Kwangtae

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-12-2021-0545

This study conceptualizes the digital transformation (DT) strategy in a supply chain context, identifies its drivers from intra- and inter-organizational perspectives and examines the effect of the DT strategy on the strategic agility and financial performance of Chinese manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors constructed a theoretical model by synthesizing the diffusion of innovation and organizational information processing theory (OIPT) and provided a set of hypotheses. The authors empirically tested the arguments using partial least squares structural equation modeling using data from a sample of 200 manufacturing firms in China.FindingsThe findings indicate that while supply chain connectivity positively affects DT adoption and DT routinization, data analytics capability and organizational learning positively influence DT adoption but not DT routinization. The mediation analysis also shows that DT strategy has significant direct effects on financial performance and a stronger indirect influence on financial performance via improved strategic agility.Research limitations/implicationsThis study responds to repeated calls for a new understanding of supply chain DT strategy. In addition, the study offers important contributions to the literature by identifying the potential discord between the existing DT strategy and the supply chain context and proposes a new framework that provides essential theoretical underpinnings.Originality/valueThis study enriches the literature by conceptualizing and validating the dimensions, driving factors and performance implications of DT strategy in strategic supply chain management.

Ronchini, Alessio; Moretto, Antonella Maria; Caniato, Federico

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-12-2021-0541

This paper investigates how the adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) impacts upstream supply chain (SC) design and considers the influence of drivers and barriers towards the adoption.Design/methodology/approachTen case studies investigating AM adoption by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in five industries were conducted. This research is driven by a literature-based framework, and the results are discussed according to the theory of transaction cost economics (TCE).FindingsThe case studies reveal four patterns of AM adoption that affect upstream SC design (due to changes in supply base or types of buyer–supplier relationships): make, buy, make and buy and vertical integration. A make or buy decision is based on the level of experience with the technology, on the AM application (rapid manufacturing, prototyping or tooling) and on the need of control over production. Other barriers playing a role in the decision are the high initial investments and the lack of skills and knowledge.Originality/valueThis paper shows how different decisions regarding AM adoption result in different SC designs, with a specific focus on the upstream SC and changes in the supply base. This research is among the first to provide empirical evidence on the impact of AM adoption on upstream SCs and to identify drivers of the make or buy decision when adopting AM through the theoretical lens of TCE.