Regional clusters and innovations in product and processes are found in the literature as important determinants of firms' export performance. However, this relationship is still controversial and ...very highly constrained by industry, and by regions. Based on a more integrative perspective, the aim of the present article is to investigate the role of agglomeration economies of a regional cluster on the export performance of firms. Furthermore, we will test the mediating effect of innovation and the extent by which the technological intensity of the industry can perform a moderating effect between the constructs. Based on a sample of 100 export companies operating in the manufacturing industries, we use structural equation modeling to estimate the determinants of export performance. The results reveal that the agglomeration economies of a regional cluster have been found determinant factors of the export performance, as well as a significant source to generate innovations by firms. However, we found no evidence between the innovations in products and processes and export performance. The results have also shown that there are no differences among technological intensity of the industries, suggesting that the firms will access agglomeration resources of regional cluster in a complementary way to their internal resources.
RESUMO Este caso de ensino tem o objetivo de entender o dilema entre nível de serviços e custos na logística de distribuição business to business numa empresa do varejo da construção civil. A empresa ...enfrentava uma situação de desvantagem no mercado por ter uma tabela de preços abaixo dos valores do mercado, resultando em falha de previsibilidade e continuidade na demanda por frete. Diante desse cenário, o caso levanta um dilema: como aumentar o nível de serviços sem incorrer em maiores custos? Os objetivos pedagógicos deste caso são: analisar potenciais alternativas para elevar o nível de serviço, discutir formas de fidelização dos prestadores de serviços logísticos e aumentar a eficiência da logística de distribuição por meio da melhora do serviço. Desta maneira, este caso pode ser aplicado em cursos de graduação e de pós-graduação lato e stricto sensu, além de poder estar presente na educação profissional, com temas ligados à logística de distribuição, nível de serviço, eficiência operacional, desempenho logístico, gestão de fornecedores, gestão de contratos/modelos de contratação, gestão de riscos, padronização e responsabilização de rotas. O caso também é recomendado para estimular a criatividade dos alunos e prepará-los para a coordenação de atividades profissionais na área de logística.
ABSTRACT This teaching case aims to understand the dilemma between service level and cost in business to business outbound logistics in a retail company. The company faced a disadvantage when hiring logistics providers due to its unattractive payment rates, leading to disruptions in deliveries. Therefore, this teaching case debates the following dilemma: how to increase the logistics service level and control costs? The pedagogical objectives seek to analyze potential alternatives to be used to raise the level of service and discuss forms of loyalty of the logistics service providers, as well as to increase the efficiency of distribution logistics by reducing disruptions. Thus, this case can be useful for undergraduate and graduate students, concerning the following topics: distribution logistics, service levels, operational efficiency, logistics performance, management suppliers, contract management, and risk management. Additionally, this teaching case is recommended to stimulate creativity and to prepare students for professional positions in the logistics area.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have few internal resources compared to large firms. They may rely more on external partners to access the resources needed for developing their quality ...capabilities. How do the interactions between internal and external environments affect a firm's ability to develop its quality capabilities? This paper explores how firms that differ in size and have different characteristics regarding their internal resources interact with the external environment to develop their quality capabilities by adopting a co-evolutionary approach. A multiple case study was employed in four high-quality breweries in Brazil, including one plant belonging to a multinational firm and three SMEs. The findings suggest that internal resources play an important role in determining the co-evolutionary paths of firms when it comes to developing their quality capabilities. The large firm takes advantage of past corporate decisions and challenges in its plants worldwide to develop its capabilities mainly internally. On the other hand, SME breweries actively engage with the environment based on higher levels of multi-directional causalities, non-linearity, and feedback, which affect the co-evolutionary paths of these firms. This study also provides managers with guidance on how to implement strategies that help firms develop their quality capabilities.
This paper aims to analyse how small-scale breweries undertake vertical and horizontal collaborations to manage their quality performance (when measured by reducing quality variabilities). While ...vertical collaborations are overemphasised, horizontal and simultaneous collaboration efforts have been understudied. Our contribution lies in proposing an interplay of vertical and horizontal collaborations through information sharing, joint decision-making, and knowledge exchange with intra- and inter-supply chain partners to address quality variability issues. We draw attention to supply chain relationships being predominantly informal, which contribute strongly towards accessing external sources of knowledge. Additionally, such collaborative efforts have led companies to achieve mutual gains in their relationships. Finally, a framework is presented that consolidates the supply chain actors, collaboration types, socialisation mechanisms, and relationship types.
PurposeThe use of augmented reality (AR) and experiential learning go hand in hand. Although AR learning opportunities have been well discussed, there is limited empirical research on the use of AR ...within higher education settings. Drawing from the uses and gratifications theory (U>), this study aims to explore the use of AR for learning satisfaction and student engagement, while also examining differences in learning styles.Design/methodology/approachThis study used experiments with higher education students in the UK to explore the use of AR as part of the learning experience. Data from 173 students who experienced AR as part of their learning experience were analysed using partial least square analysis.FindingsThe authors found that hedonic, utilitarian, sensual and modality gratifications influence AR learning satisfaction and student engagement. Furthermore, the authors found differences between active and passive learners with regards to utilitarian (information seeking, personalisation) and sensual gratifications (immersion, presence) and effects on learning satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study developed and validated a U> framework incorporating different learning styles rooted in Kolb’s learning cycle. Findings provide important implications for the use of commercial AR applications as part of the learning experience within higher education settings.
PurposeThis paper investigates the relationship between past performance and the development of operational capabilities in manufacturing firms, focusing on the role of intra- and ...inter-organisational learning mechanisms.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a survey database collected in 208 manufacturing plants in 15 countries from three industries: electronics, machinery and transport components. The authors developed a model and tested the study hypotheses using the structural equation modelling technique with two-stage analytical procedures.FindingsIn the analysis of the overall sample, the study findings support prior literature by suggesting that firms with successful experiences may become complacent and less motivated to engage in learning, leading to a decline in performance. However, high-performance firms overcome the “success trap” by engaging supply chain partners. In contrast, low-performance firms exhibit limited learning from past poor performance, leading to organisational inertia and further declines in their current performance.Practical implicationsThis research provides practical guidance for managers in developing operational capabilities, highlighting collaboration with suppliers as an essential element for high-performance firms.Originality/valueThis study focuses on the little-researched topic of how past performance influences the development of operational capabilities in manufacturing firms. The authors highlight the path for developing capabilities in high- and low-performance firms based on intra- and inter-organisational learning mechanisms.
This teaching case aims to understand the dilemma between service level and cost in business to business outbound logistics in a retail company. The company faced a disadvantage when hiring logistics ...providers due to its unattractive payment rates, leading to disruptions in deliveries. Therefore, this teaching case debates the following dilemma: how to increase the logistics service level and control costs? The pedagogical objectives seek to analyze potential alternatives to be used to raise the level of service and discuss forms of loyalty of the logistics service providers, as well as to increase the efficiency of distribution logistics by reducing disruptions. Thus, this case can be useful for undergraduate and graduate students, concerning the following topics: distribution logistics, service levels, operational efficiency, logistics performance, management suppliers, contract management, and risk management. Additionally, this teaching case is recommended to stimulate creativity and to prepare students for professional positions in the logistics area.
This teaching case aims to understand the dilemma between service level and cost in business to business outbound logistics in a retail company. The company faced a disadvantage when hiring logistics ...providers due to its unattractive payment rates, leading to disruptions in deliveries. Therefore, this teaching case debates the following dilemma: how to increase the logistics service level and control costs? The pedagogical objectives seek to analyze potential alternatives to be used to raise the level of service and discuss forms of loyalty of the logistics service providers, as well as to increase the efficiency of distribution logistics by reducing disruptions. Thus, this case can be useful for undergraduate and graduate students, concerning the following topics: distribution logistics, service levels, operational efficiency, logistics performance, management suppliers, contract management, and risk management. Additionally, this teaching case is recommended to stimulate creativity and to prepare students for professional positions in the logistics area.
PurposeAugmented reality (AR) is transforming the business and interactive marketing landscape. This research aims to investigate consumers' degree of involvement and if a feeling of immersion and ...presence influences AR shopping satisfaction, comparing high- and low-immersive AR experiences.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a quantitative approach. Two studies were carried out: a high-immersive AR experiment with 173 participants and a low-immersive AR experience with 222 participants. Findings were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling with SmartPLS.FindingsResults indicate the antecedents of immersion and presence differ when it comes to different immersive AR levels. In a high-immersive AR experience, flow, information seeking and novelty are attributes related to immersion, while enjoyment and personalization are related to presence. Contrastingly, in a low-immersive AR experience, only flow is related to immersion, while information seeking, novelty and personalization are related to presence. These results highlight the role of immersion and presence as mediators for AR shopping satisfaction experience.Originality/valueThis study's originality lies in the use of a rival model for analysis. Findings suggest a contingent perspective of AR experience, depending on high- or low-immersion experience, so companies must pay attention for how to measure AR experiences to increase involvement and satisfaction.
As small companies do not have abundant resources and their mitigation and preparation capabilities for large impacts are minimal, this study presents an alternative that can be adopted to face ...crises resulting from pandemics and develop resilience to respond and recover from major disruptions. The study contributes to the supply chain resilience literature in investigating the gap related to supply chain capabilities for small and medium enterprises' resilience in developing countries. The focus was on micro, small and medium-sized Brazilian breweries. The growth in the number of breweries in Brazil has been a trend in recent years in all country regions. This trend represents an opportunity to develop the local market by generating jobs and strengthening small and medium cities economies. The research objective was twofold: analyze the adoption of resilience strategies from a minimal but possible perspective for small and medium companies (visibility, collaboration, and flexibility), and measure their capacity to anticipate, respond, recover, and learn/ grow from the pandemic's impact. Findings demonstrate the need for visibility and investments in digital transformation and flexibility for workforce reconfiguration and to adjust production to demand. Supply chain collaboration was demonstrated in re-negotiating credit with existing suppliers, finding new suppliers, and getting specific credit lines from the State and Federal Government. These pieces of evidence empirically support previous research findings, although most prior studies were concentrated on large organizations in developed countries. Future research should investigate emergent technologies for small and medium companies to handle supply chain outbreaks in developing countries.
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