Purpose
Servitization has been recognized as an effective means for manufacturers to achieve superior performance. However, the servitization-performance relationship is controversial since prior ...empirical studies have provided inconsistent and even contradictory results. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative review on the servitization-performance relationship based on research findings reported in the extant literature.
Design/methodology/approach
Studies from 41 peer-reviewed journal articles were sampled and analyzed. A meta-analytic approach was adopted to conduct a quantitative review on the relationship between servitization and firm performance.
Findings
The results confirm a positive servitization-performance relationship. In addition, the results reveal that the observed servitization-performance relationship is influenced by the operationalization of constructs (servitization and performance) and control variables (industry and region).
Originality/value
As the first meta-analysis on the servitization-performance relationship, this study contributes to the servitization literature and provides future research directions.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in supply chain management (SCM) has gained an increasing research attention in recent years. Extant studies have discussed stakeholder interests, performance ...evaluation, ethical sourcing, and sustainable production. The purpose of this paper is to develop a systematic study quantitatively depicting the knowledge structure and the intellectual progress of CSR for SCM. This research adopts bibliometric analysis in conjunction with network analysis to systematically evaluate the CSR-related publications for SCM. The analysis involves 628 peer-reviewed articles identified with careful selection of influential work. Data analytic techniques including citation analysis, co-citation analysis and co-word analysis are used. Key findings for researchers include (1) an analytical discussion of the five sub-fields that constitute the intellectual structure of CSR for SCM; (2) Theoretical and conceptual research significantly dominate in this field; (3) The topics of sustainable development and economic and social effects are more frequently discussed among scholars; (4) Key research gaps include lacking of practical and normative modeling research, and considering from the supplier perspectives in emerging economies. The findings suggest that future research would emerge a greater depth of practical and modeling analysis to enrich the theories.
•We review 548 papers in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for supply chain management (SCM).•The sub-fields and their relationships constituting the intellectual structure of CSR for SCM is delineated.•Pivotal works in establishing foothold in the domain are identified.•Maps to illustrate the different topic areas of current interests are depicted.•Future research directions encompassing practical and research fields are proposed.
Due to the growing public quest for environmental protection, small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) are under pressure to adopt eco-innovation to improve their operations. However, ...whether and how eco-innovation efforts can bring performance improvements may rely on the implementation level of eco-innovation and other traditional environmental management (TEM) practices. Drawing on the contingency theory, we develop and empirically test a model which proposes the existence of different firm clusters of SMMEs based on their eco-innovation implementation levels and that the performance improvement associated with eco-innovation practices is contingent on the firm clusters and TEM practices (i.e., internal source reduction, external compliance and communication, and internal management and control). Using survey data collected from 382 SMMEs in China, our cluster analytic results reveal two firm clusters of SMMEs characterized by three types of eco-innovation (technology, management, and marketing) implementation. From the results, we observed eco-innovation adopters involving 225 SMMEs (58.9% of the sample). The rest of 157 SMMEs (41.1% of the sample) are labeled as eco-innovation planners. T-test results show that the implementation levels of eco-innovation and TEM practices, as well as environmental and economic performance improvements, are different between eco-innovation planners and adopters. Results from hierarchical regression analyses further show that implementing certain eco-innovation practices jointly with TEM practices is beneficial for performance improvements. External compliance and communication are helpful for management innovation to bring environmental performance among eco-innovation planners, but it can be detrimental to environmental image together with marketing innovation. For eco-innovation adopters, internal source reduction is helpful for both technology and management innovation to deliver environmental performance. Technology innovation and internal source reduction can jointly bring economic performance improvement among eco-innovation planners, but such joint efforts can weaken the economic performance improvement for eco-innovation adopters. Our paper contributes knowledge on the role of eco-innovation to bring performance gains among SMMEs in China, a major manufacturing hub in Asia servicing global production demands. We also examine the performance contingencies of eco-innovation with TEM practices in the SMMEs, providing practical implications for them to improve operations, as well as policy insights for governments to promote the performance benefits of eco-innovation, particularly targeting for the smaller-sized manufacturers in the industry.
Green supply chain management (GSCM) has gained increasing attention within both academia and industry. As the literature grows, finding new directions by critically evaluating the research and ...identifying future directions becomes important in advancing knowledge for the field. Using organizational theories to help categorize the literature provides opportunities to address both the objectives of understanding where the field currently stands and identifying research opportunities and directions. After providing a background discussion on GSCM, we categorize and review recent GSCM literature under nine broad organizational theories, with a special emphasis on investigation of adoption, diffusion and outcomes of GSCM practices. Within this review framework, we also identify GSCM research questions that are worthy of investigation. Additional organizational theories which are considered valuable for future GSCM research are also identified with a conclusion for this review.
Green supply chain management (GSCM) has been a developing topic for at least a couple of decades. Over this time, significant complexities have been observed in its management. Helping to simplify ...and understand these complexities is necessary from both a practical and research perspective. Given this situation and to further enhance understanding of the topic and even supply chain management in general, this paper develops and empirically tests a theoretical model on the different types of institutional pressures motivating manufacturing enterprises to pursue green supply chain management (GSCM) practices and commensurate performance outcomes. Using a sample of 396 Chinese manufacturers, path analysis is used to evaluate the many structural links. The statistic results show that institutional pressures have driven the manufacturer adoption of internal GSCM practices which in turn relate to their external GSCM practices adoption. The statistic results also suggest that GSCM practices do not directly affect economic performance, but can improve it indirectly. This research contributes to the literature on institutional theory in corporate environmental practices. The research findings provide useful insights for managers seeking to adopt GSCM practices. The results also provide policy insights for professional organizations, regulators, and legislators to further promote GSCM.
► We develop a theoretical model on economic gains of green supply chain management. ► We empirically test a model of green supply chain drivers, practice and performance. ► Institutional pressure brings green supply chain management practice and performance. ► Manufacturers' managers should respond to pressures for environmental improvements. ► Policy makers should further motivate manufacturers to green their supply chains.
Based on the stakeholder theory, this study develops “7+2” dimensions for CSR practices measurement among Chinese national state-owned enterprises (CNSOEs), and examines if their CSR practices bring ...financial and social performance improvements. By analyzing the 2011 CSR reports that cover 100 CNSOEs, we identify that these CNSOEs highlight CSR practices related to the environment, labor practices, political responsibility, and human rights in their reports. However, three CSR practices related to managing the supply chains, fair operating practices and community development need more of their attention. We evaluate the social performance of CNSOEs by using the two performance ranking systems developed by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Regression results obtained through Structural Equation Model (SEM) using the partial least square (PLS) method indicate that CSR practices pertinent to organizational governance, human rights, and the environment are beneficial for their social performance. With secondary data inputs from the annual operating performance evaluation conducted by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration, we identify that four CSR practices can bring financial performance, but two of the four concerning communities and managing the supply chains are implemented at the lowest level among the others. Our “7+2” CSR practices dimensions together with their underlying measurement items extend the use of stakeholder theory for studying CSR practices, which can also serve as a checklist for evaluating how well CSR practices are implemented at CNSOEs. Our study results identify the need for CNSOEs to highlight community-related CSR practices in their operations and expand CSR efforts to the management of their supply chains.
•We develop “7+2” dimensions to evaluate corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.•Chinese national state-owned enterprises (CNSOEs) highlight environmental-related CSR.•CNSOEs implement political CSR practices which bring them financial performance.•CNSOEs should extend their CSR practices to supply chains for financial performance.•CNSOEs should highlight community-related CSR practices for financial performance.
There is a notable discrepancy between intention on household waste sorting and the actions taken to support this environmental initiative among residents in China. This study aims to explore the ...influences of personal attitudes, facilities accessibility, and government stimulus on this discrepancy. Built on an integrated framework of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Norm Activation Model (NAM), this study examines the relationship between intention and household waste sorting behaviour considering the psychological behavioural antecedents and circumstantial constraints among Chinese residents. Results from a questionnaire survey administered in China confirm the discrepancy, and show that the link between intention and behaviour on waste sorting is weakened after adding the influencing paths from the factors of facilities accessibility and government stimulus to waste sorting behaviour: however, the presence of these two factors directly promote waste sorting behaviour, but do not moderate the intention-behaviour relationship as their interaction items with behavioural intention are not significantly related to waste sorting behaviour. Furthermore, the personal norm is found to be the major factor influencing intentions of Chinese residents towards waste sorting while both subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were unexpectedly found to have no significant influence thereon. These findings are useful for promotion and planning of waste sorting by policy-makers to ease the waste disposal problem.
•We examine the discrepancy between intention and behaviour on waste sorting in China.•Facilities accessibility and government motivation directly promote waste sorting behaviour.•However, the above two factors do not moderate the intention-behaviour relationship.•Personal norm is found as the major factor for behavioural intention of waste sorting.
The digital supply chains enabled by Big Data Analytics (BDA) capabilities have become a business significance to develop a competitive and sustainable supply chain. The implementation of BDA for ...sustainable supply chains introduces various organisational challenges for the manufacturing firms demanding complementary capabilities. This study presents an investigation of the linkages between BDA capabilities, circular economy (CE) practices, and sustainable supply chain (SSC) flexibility on the SSC performance. Based on a survey of 320 manufacturing organisations, the study presents very interesting results. It is revealed that the BDA does not have a direct effect on sustainable performance. The CE practices and SSC flexibility are significant mediating variables between the BDA capabilities and SSC performance. The BDA is found to drive the implementation of CE practices. Further, CE practices are found to develop SSC flexibility with the BDA complementing these flexibilities.
The energy-saving and emission reduction (ESER) strategy is a crucial measure for promoting the sustainability of manufacturing industry in green transition. Analyzing current practices and ...limitations of the ESER in the manufacturing industry, this paper proposes a new concept entitled lean energy-saving and emission-reduction (LESER) and an approach to effectively improve the energy efficiency and reduce waste emissions. This paper illustrates the definition of the LESER and establishes an implementation framework for LESER to improve the manufacturing process. To quantify and evaluate performance of LESER, the state space model of the carbon footprint for energy consumption and waste discharge is established. A method for implementing the LESER strategy is constructed in the following steps: (i) clarification of the current situation; (ii) analysis of the root cause; (iii) improvement; (iv) evaluation of the carbon emissions; (v) sustaining and standardizing. Finally, the LESER strategy is applied to the Zcrubber Group Co. Ltd., which is characterized with high pollution, high energy consumption, and high emission in green transition. Results demonstrate practicability of the proposed strategy to offer an effective measure for promoting sustainability of manufacturing industry.
Display omitted
•Proposing the LESER for promoting sustainability of manufacturing industry•Illustrating the concept and connotation of the LESER•Describing the carbon footprint for manufacturing process by state space model•Presenting the implementation processes of the LESER
Extending corporate social responsibility (CSR) to manage global supply chains has become strategically important for multinational enterprises (MNEs) to keep long-term relationships with suppliers ...in emergent countries. However, whether and how suppliers in developing countries respond to pressures from MNEs for CSR practices is lacking related studies. Built on the value of formal control through contracts and monitoring for diffusing CSR practices, this study further argues that evolving relational ties, which usually happen in multi-periods, with MNEs at both corporate and individual levels can be helpful or even necessary for suppliers to implement CSR practices from the social capital and guanxi theory perspective. Using survey data collected from 211 suppliers of MNEs in China, which is an emergent country characterized with the world's largest supplier base servicing MNEs, our hierarchical regression analysis demonstrates that relational ties including reciprocity, cooperation, and interaction at the corporate level have mediation and moderation effects on the formal control-CSR practices implementation link for these suppliers. Furthermore, personal trust is important and even necessary to motivate CSR practices implementation among the Chinese suppliers. Researching CSR from the supplier perspective, this study contributes new theoretical insights for MNEs to cultivate relational ties with their emergent-country suppliers in support of their formal control for CSR practices adoption by the latter.
