International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Cheah, Jun-Hwa; Kersten, Wolfgang; Ringle, Christian M.; Wallenburg, Carl

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-08-2023-552

Gimeno-Arias, Fernando; Santos-Jaén, José Manuel

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-02-2022-0038

Within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain, one of the problems facing the distribution channel strategy is the presence of the gray market. The article shows two novel antecedents of the participation of official distributors in this gray channel: Negative impact on distributor performance and the relationship with their supplier. Knowledge of this background helps to preserve the strategy outlined for the official distribution channel.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 172 Spanish wholesale distributors and analyzed using PLS-SEM.FindingsThe authors found that the damage through negative affectation in the official distributor's performance and the cooperation provided by the manufacturer, have different effects. While affectation is shown to be a powerful antecedent of participation in the gray market, the effect of perceived manufacturer cooperation does not show strong results.Practical implicationsIn business practice, these findings lead the manufacturer to keep transactions carried out in the gray market at low levels and provide cooperation to official distributors to guarantee the official channel strategy aimed at efficiency in the distribution of branded goods.Originality/valueThe background of the gray market discussed in the study has not been previously analyzed in the literature. In this way, the authors contribute to the knowledge of such a common problem as the presence of the gray market in the segmentation of distribution channels of high-demand products.

Xu, Yizhen; Chin, Wynne; Liu, Yide; He, Kai

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-03-2022-0104

Green supply chain management is an effective, environment-friendly business practice. Based on institutional theory and dynamic capability theory, the study examines the effect of institutional pressures to implement green supply chain management (GSCM) on green innovation, by considering the mediation effects of cross-functional coopetition.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a survey of Chinese companies and collected 1,481 responses. The effects of institutional pressures for GSCM implementation were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThis study finds that coercive pressure, normative pressure and mimetic pressure for GSCM implementation are sufficient conditions to promote green innovation. Normative and mimetic pressures have significant positive effects on cross-functional coopetition. Cross-functional coopetition not only mediates the relationship between normative pressure and mimetic pressure and green innovation but also represents a necessary condition for it to occur.Practical implicationsFirst, managers should comprehend environmental regulations, embrace social norms on the environment and focus on competitors' successful GSCM practices. Second, management can organize training and establish performance-based rewards for enhancing a cross-functional coopetitive mindset to effectively respond to institutional pressures. Third, companies should establish multi-functional groups and informal networking via social events to motivate interaction, knowledge sharing and creative tension to achieve green innovation.Originality/valueThis paper expands the application of institutional theory to investigate the antecedent effects of institutional pressures on cross-functional coopetition. In addition, the study deepens understanding of dynamic capability theory in analyzing dynamic processes of cross-functional coopetition based on three dimensions of sensing, seizing and reconfiguring and empirically examines its mediating effects on institutional pressures and green innovation.

Riggs, Randy; Roldán, José L.; Real, Juan C.; Felipe, Carmen M.

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-03-2022-0098

This article examines the mechanisms through which big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) contribute to creating sustainable value and analyzes the mediating roles that supply chain management capabilities (SCMC), as well as circular economy practices (CEP), play through their impact on sustainable performance.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a literature review, a serial mediation model is presented. Hypotheses regarding direct and mediating relationships are tested to determine their potential for sustainability impact and circularity. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has been applied for causal and predictive purposes.FindingsThe results indicate that big data analytics capabilities do not have a direct positive impact on sustainable performance but influence indirectly through SCMC and CEP.Originality/valueAlthough some authors have addressed the associations between IT business value, supply chain (SC), and sustainability, this paper provides empirical evidence related to these relationships. Additionally, this study performs novel predictive analyses.

Lusiantoro, Luluk; Noviasari, Tria Putri; Sholihin, Mahfud; Ciptono, Wakhid Slamet

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-03-2022-0083

This research aims to provide a predictive model assessment on the effect of information sharing on fresh produce supply chain (FPSC) performance during the COVID-19 pandemic by incorporating information quality as an important part of information sharing, as well as cognitive and affective appraisals as part of a social learning process (mediators) into the model.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted on 197 small fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) retailers in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) particularly PLSpredict supported by SmartPLS 4 software.FindingsThis research reveals that information sharing is positively and significantly associated with information quality and that the two constructs are not directly associated with FPSC performance. The path analysis suggests that the effect of information sharing on FPSC performance is fully mediated by cognitive and affective appraisals to the information-sharing activity. It also suggests that the effect of information quality on FPSC performance is fully mediated by affective rather than cognitive appraisal. This model shows a high predictive power and highlights the pivotal role of the learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThis research is the first to employ a predictive model assessment in PLS-SEM to empirically predict the effect of information sharing on FPSC performance using a social learning perspective, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ngah, Abdul Hafaz; Thurasamy, Ramayah; Han, Heesup

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-04-2022-0124

The issue is which third-party logistics to engage, and escalating customer complaints about service quality of third-party logistics (3PL) enhances the tendency of online retailers to switch to another 3PL. The current study seeks to investigate the factors influencing the satisfaction and switching intention of 3PL services among online sellers in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachApplying a purposive sampling method, data were gathered via an online survey among online sellers. Initially, the system gathered 418 respondents, but only 311 were useable for further analysis. Since we operationalised the measures as composites, a combination of reflective and formative measurement in the study and the study focuses on explanatory and predictive purposes, partial least squares structural equation modelling with SmartPLS 4 was applied to test the model developed.FindingsThe results indicated that conflict handling had a positive effect on satisfaction, and satisfaction had a negative relationship with the switching intention of 3PL among the online retailers. Moreover, satisfaction and customer relationship management sequentially mediated conflict handling and switching intention, whereas CRM strengthens the negative relationship between satisfaction and switching intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe respondents only limit to the online sellers in Malaysia which based on purposive sampling method, thus the findings cannot be generalised to another countries.Practical implicationsThe study offers insightful information for the managers of the 3PL in crafting a better policy to avoid switching behaviour among their customers. The conflict between customers and providers is unavoidable since consumers have unlimited demand and businesses have limited resources. The findings also benefit online sellers and 3PL service providers to create attractive marketing strategies for business sustainability.Originality/valueThe study developed a new model for the 3PL studies using the S-O-R model in introducing conflict handling and customer relationship management as the stimulus, customer's satisfaction as an organism and switching intention as a response. The study introduced single and sequential mediators also contributes to the S-O-R theory to predict the switching intention among the online sellers towards the 3PL providers. Another important contribution, customer relationship management, was confirmed to play a moderating role to influence the relationship between satisfaction and switching intention.

Khan, Eijaz Ahmed; Chowdhury, Md Maruf Hossan; Hossain, Mohammad Alamgir; Baabdullah, Abdullah M.; Giannakis, Mihalis; Dwivedi, Yogesh

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-03-2022-0094

Fake news on social media about COVID-19 pandemic and its associated issues (e.g. lockdown) caused public panic that lead to supply chain (SC) disruptions, which eventually affect firm performance. The purpose of this study is to understand how social media fake news effects firm performance, and how to mitigate such effects.Design/methodology/approachGrounded on dynamic capability view (DCV), this study suggests that social media fake news effects firm performance via SC disruption (SCD) and SC resilience (SCR). Moreover, the relation between SCD and SCR is contingent upon SC learning (SCL) – a moderated mediation effect. To validate this complex model, the authors suggest effectiveness of using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Using an online survey, the results support the authors’ hypotheses.FindingsThe results suggest that social media fake news does not affect firm performance directly. However, the authors’ serial mediation test confirms that SCD and SCR sequentially mediate the relationship between social media fake news and firm performance. In addition, a moderated serial mediation test confirms that a higher level of SCL strengthens the SCD–SCR relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThis work offers a new theoretical and managerial perspective to understand the effect of fake news on firm performance, in the context of crises, e.g. COVID-19. In addition, this study offers the advancement of PLS as more robust for real-world applications and more advantageous when models are complex.Originality/valuePrior studies in the SC and marketing domain suggest different effects of social media fake news on consumer behavior (e.g. panic buying) and SCD, respectively. This current study is a unique effort that investigates the ultimate effect of fake news on firm performance with complex causal relationships via SCD, SCR and SCL.

Marin-Garcia, Juan A.; Machuca, Jose A.D.; Alfalla-Luque, Rafaela

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-03-2022-0091

To determine how to best deploy the Triple-A supply chain (SC) capabilities (AAA-agility, adaptability and alignment) to improve competitive advantage (CA) by identifying the Triple-A SC model with the highest CA predictive capability.Design/methodology/approachAssessment of in-sample and out-of-sample predictive capacity of Triple-A-CA models (considering AAA as individual constructs) to find which has the highest CA predictive capacity. BIC, BIC-Akaike weights and PLSpredict are used in a multi-country, multi-informant, multi-sector 304 plant sample.FindingsGreater direct relationship model (DRM) in-sample and out-of-sample CA predictive capacity suggests DRM's greater likelihood of achieving a higher CA predictive capacity than mediated relationship model (MRM). So, DRM can be considered a benchmark for research/practice and the Triple-A SC capabilities as independent levers of performance/CA.Research limitations/implicationsDRM emerges as a reference for analysing how to trigger the three Triple-A SC levers for better performance/CA predictive capacity. Therefore, MRM proposals should be compared to DRM to determine whether their performance is significantly better considering the study's aim.Practical implicationsResults with our sample justify how managers can suitably deploy the Triple-A SC capabilities to improve CA by implementing AAA as independent levers. Single capability deployment does not require levels to be reached in others.Originality/valueFirst research considering Triple-A SC capability deployment to better improve performance/CA focusing on model's predictive capability (essential for decision-making), further highlighting the lack of theory and contrasted models for Lee's Triple-A framework.

Cepeda-Carrión, Ignacio; Alarcon-Rubio, David; Correa-Rodriguez, Carlos; Cepeda-Carrion, Gabriel

2023 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/ijpdlm-04-2022-0127

This article aims to open the black box of the relationship between customer experience and customer satisfaction. The authors also take a fine-grained approach to the concept of customer experience analysis in terms of four dimensions: basic service experience (BSE), moments of truth (MT), focus on results (FR) and peace of mind (PM).Design/methodology/approachA total sample of 185 industrial customers in Spain was collected via an online platform from March to April 2020. The data were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results indicated that the four dimensions of customer experience are the foundation of commercial success (i.e. customer satisfaction) for express parcel companies in the business-to-business (B2B) environment. Therefore, the most innovative express parcel companies should not only pay attention to providing services in accordance with the customer agreement but also go beyond that; hence, these companies must understand customer needs to be able to offer a unique experience. Therefore, these companies must design experiences that go beyond pure technical delivery services.Originality/valueAlthough previous work has linked customer experience to customer satisfaction, there is little work that does so specifically in an industry as in vogue as express parcels and less so in the B2B environment. In addition, this work analyses fine-grained customer experience in terms of grain's four dimensions, and therefore, the authors analyse how each dimension (e.g. more rational or more subjective dimensions) impacts customer satisfaction. Few studies have focussed on this type of analysis for express parcel companies in the B2B environment.