Influential factors and performance of logistics outsourcing practices: an evidence of malaysian companies

Despite the growing trend of logistics outsourcing, there are very limited sources of literature on logistics outsourcing, especially in determining the relationship between factors influencing outsourcing and the extent of logistics outsourcing practices. In this study, we tap into the field of strategic management to help clarify the mechanisms underlying the links between factors influencing, logistics outsourcing practices and outsourcing performance. A model based on the resource based view illustrates the hypothetical connections among these variables. The data gathered from the survey were analysed using SmartPLS software. A response rate of 21 % out of the 486 firms selected was achieved and fixed as the empirical data for this study. The results of this study provide support that superior performance is correlated to the resources of the firm. The analysis shows that lack of human and physical asset capabilities, as well as transaction uncertainty influence the extent of different logistics outsourcing practices. The four logistics outsourcing practices under study were found to have a positive relationship with logistics outsourcing performance, particularly strategic focus. This study shows that although theoretically firms aim at cost reduction by employing a logistics outsourcing strategy but not proven in this study because the financial benefit was only positively contributed by one of the four logistics outsourcing practices under study. Besides that, the results from this study also support that most firms outsource their non-core activities of the logistics practices to respond to the transaction uncertainty that their business experiences.     

Job strain and psychotropic drug use among white-collar workers

The main objective of this study was to measure the association between simultaneous exposure to high psychological demand and low decision latitude at work and the use of psychotropic drugs among white-collar workers. A second objective was to determine whether social support at work modified this association. A cross-sectional study was performed that included 2786 workers from the public sector in the Greater Quebec City area. A self-administered questionnaire was used in order to evaluate psychological demand, decision latitude and social support at work. Psychotropic drug use was measured over a period of 2 days. The prevalence of psychotropic drug use among the participants was found to be 3.9%, even though 20.5% were exposed to job strain. The association between job strain and psychotropic drug use, after adjustment for social support at work, age, gender, education, family income, employment status, occupation, stressful life events, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity, was statistically significant (odds ratio: 4.5, 95% CI 1.7?12.2). Social support did not appear to modify this association. The results of this study suggest that job strain might be a determinant of psychotropic drug use among white collar workers. Social support at work does not appear, however, to modify this association.     

Healing components of a bereavement camp: children and adolescents give voice to their experiences

This qualitative study is the follow-up to a quantitative controlled study which showed a decrease in childhood traumatic grief and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in parentally bereaved children participating in a bereavement camp. The purpose of this study was to identify the healing components of this camp model. Semi-structured interviews with 19 children and 13 parents/guardians were conducted 3 to 9 months after participation in the bereavement camp. Therapeutic Interventions and Traditional Camp Activities emerged as themes. The themes are discussed in relation to previous research as are limitations of the study and the implications for theory, practice, and future research.     

Conversations, coping, & connectedness: a qualitative study of women who have experienced involuntary pregnancy loss

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe processes and strategies used by women to cope after pregnancy loss. Twenty women with a history of involuntary pregnancy loss were interviewed. All of the women were in the last month of a subsequent pregnancy, married or partnered, and most were EuroAmerican or Asian American and had completed college. Taped interviews, fieldnotes, and analytical notes were transcribed then subsequently coded and developed in individual or team sessions. Construction and confirmation of the categories and related themes derived from the data was a collaborative process. Three themes were revealed that described the coping behaviors used by the women: being myself, connecting with others, and avoiding and pretending. The core concept of connectedness and coping after involuntary pregnancy loss was further validated in this study. The purpose of this study was to describe processes and strategies that facilitate coping for 20 women, pregnant subsequent to an involuntary pregnancy loss (IPL). Involuntary pregnancy loss (IPL) refers to miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, fetal deaths, and stillbirths (Van & Meleis, 2003). This current study was designed to replicate two prior qualitative studies, with African-American women, by the author (Patterson, 2000; Van, 2001). Based on the author's previous work, a theoretical framework entitled "A Model of Living with Grief after Pregnancy Loss" was constructed (Patterson, 2000). For the current study, a more diverse sample was used to potentially expand the applicability of the Model of Living with Grief after Pregnancy Loss to women who are of races other than African American.     

A woman leader's experience in Korea

The methodology described in this article is of significance to HRD scholars seeking to better understand employee perceptions of the work environments in which practitioners seek to develop employees. Diagnostic instruments tailored to specific work settings can be developed simply and inexpensively with the approach described. A summated rating scale was developed to measure employee perception of a broad range of work environment variables that research has shown influence employee development and performance. An employee perception-based factor model was then developed based on factor analysis of data gathered with the study instrument. Analysis of the data indicated an interpretable five-factor model. Based on the salient variables of the factor model, a shorter diagnostic instrument was developed specifically for the work setting used in the study. The approach developed in this study can mitigate the obvious problem that arises if one attempts to generalize a single set of work environment factors as representing the perceptions of work groups which may have significantly different demographic or occupational characteristics, work settings and cultures. While the specific factor model and diagnostic tool generated in this study cannot be generalized beyond the study population, the instrumentation and methodology can be used to develop unique factor models in other work settings to provide the basis for diagnostic instruments appropriate for those settings and work groups.     

EVA 的理论和实证研究: 综述及展望

经济增加值(economic value added , EVA) 是一种剩余收益型的业绩评价指标,在企业管理实 践中有广泛的用途. 文章对EVA 的理论和实证研究成果进行了综述. 首先介绍了EVA 的定义,随 后从理论上讨论EVA 的目标一致性,接着评述有关EVA 的有效性的实证研究结果,最后,对进一 步的研究方向进行展望.     

Exploration of an effective development process in integrative strategy

Through complete supply chain integration, manufacturers can effectively improve performance. However, not all manufacturers can improve performance through a complete integration. According to related research, the problem arises from a poor integration strategy development process. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to identify an effective development process for an integration strategy. Based on the purpose of this study, the two following research propositions should be explored: (1) identify the development stage number in the process and (2) explore the compositions of integration strategies and the competitive capabilities for each development stage to further explore how to establish an integration strategy incrementally. The taxonomy approach was the main methodology used in this study. Empirical data from the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey were used to test this research question. By testing and satisfying these two research propositions, it was determined that an effective development integration strategy process can be divided into four stages as follows: starter, advanced integrator, positive integrator and complete integrator. This study provides a suggestion for an effective gradual integration with partners and obtains a stepwise competitive advantage. Based on the research results, manufacturers can effectively develop a stepwise integration strategy to attain competitive qualifications in the initial period and maintain a competitive advantage.     

Linking Dynamic Absorptive Capacity and Service Innovation for Born Global Service Firms: An Organization Innovation Lens Perspective

Grounded in the dynamic capabilities approach and organizational sub-system view on internationalization, this quantitative study develops and empirically tests a model of international market performance of born global service firms. While several scholars highlighted innovativeness as a driver of competitiveness for born global firms, the capacities underlying the born global firm's innovativeness have received limited scholarly attention, specifically, dynamic absorptive capacities (exploratory, transformative, and exploitative learning capacities). The uniqueness of this paper posits that dynamic absorptive capacities in a born global service firm have contributed to innovation and resulted in international market outcomes. The data was collected using the survey method from born global service firms and was analyzed using structured equation modeling. The findings of this study reveal that service innovation and business strategy are critical drivers of international performance for born global service firms. The paper contributes to the literature on the significance of absorptive capacity in born global service firms by identifying those dynamic absorptive capacities that operate in a composite set of relationships with other capabilities and significantly contribute to their innovation, impacting their internationalization outcomes. This study also supplements the theoretical and practical implications derived from the key findings of this study and provides future research directions.     

Human resource development in technology-driven small and medium size firms: case study of a small Korean firm

 The purpose of this study was to suggest a conceptual framework for the dynamic skill formation process based on relevant environments. First, after categorizing the types of task at the work-flow level, such as regular maintenance tasks, nonregular maintenance tasks, regular improvement tasks, and nonregular improvement tasks, this study identified conceptually how these tasks are related to the ways by which individuals learn (single-loop learning/double-loop learning versus OJT and Off-JT). This study also tried to apply the above conceptual model to the Korea context (e.g., Company W) for external validity. Company W is well known among Korean small firms for its innovative human resources management. The study shows that, generally, Company W gained a competitive advantage using the dynamic conceptual model of the skill formation process suggested in this study. OJT, On the job training; Off-JT, off the job training.     

The Effort-Reward Imbalance model of psychosocial stress at the workplace—a comparison of ERI exposure assessment using two estimation methods

It is not unusual for old data to be used in epidemiological studies. Recently developed instruments for measuring work-related stress did not exist when the data collection was carried out. Therefore, approximate questions are sometimes used. An apparent problem is the lack of validation of proxy questions. The aim of this study was to compare the original questions for measuring Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) with approximate questions. The study population corresponded with a subgroup in the WOLF-n (WOrk, Lipids, Fibrinogen-north) cohort study of cardiovascular risk in a working population in the north of Sweden: 655 men and 178 women. The agreement in exposure between the original and the approximate ERI single questions was relatively low throughout, whereas the correlation between the ERI subscales and the ERI ratios was reasonable. The latter agreement between the original and the approximate ERI ratio indicates that the approximate measures might have been useful in the past. Yet, whenever possible the implementation of the original questionnaire in study protocols is recommended since a complete measurement of ERI might help to further improve the internal consistency and the predictive validity of this exposure to effort-reward imbalance.     

Enhancement of sigma level in the manufacturing of furnace nozzle through DMAIC approach of Six Sigma: a case study

In this paper, a case study on implementing Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) phases of Six Sigma programme in a furnace manufacturing company is reported. When Six Sigma was developed at Motorola, it was encapsulated with DMAIC and belt-based training infrastructure. Since belt-based training is expensive, companies with less revenue have been implementing only DMAIC phases. In this background, the impact of implementing DMAIC phases was examined in the research narrated in this paper through the reporting of the case study mentioned above. As the result of implementing DMAIC phases, the sigma level increased from 3.31 to 3.67 in the case of drilling a hole in a component called ‘furnace nozzle’. This increase in sigma level proved that DMAIC phases are powerful enough to enable the companies with less revenue to perform at six sigma level quality and acquire competitive strength.     

Measuring impact of Lean implementation on construction safety performance: a structural equation model

Abstract

The construction industry is a risky endeavour. Therefore, it is essential to develop significant safety measures for lowering risks and ensuring safety during projects. However, current safety applications are yet to be developed given the increasing number of workplace accidents. Among these, Lean applications have the potential to improve safety standards and enhance safety performance. Within this context, this study develops components for Lean implementation and construction safety performance, and it presents a conceptual framework to study the relationship between them. A questionnaire was designed and given to Lean practitioners to quantify the impact of the components. Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyse the framework and validate the relationship between Lean implementation and safety performance. The results of the study indicate that there is a significant relationship between Lean implementation and safety performance. The findings also imply that firms that perform well in implementing Lean practices achieve better safety performance. The primary contribution of this research is to prove that Lean practices are closely related to safety performance, with the aim of encouraging construction practitioners to work in a safer environment by using well-established Lean practices. Moreover, the study aims to expand the use of Lean practices to achieve better safety performance by revealing the strong ties between safety and Lean. Finally, this study can guide construction practitioners to adopt Lean techniques and apply them in their projects to enhance safety performance.     

Is it worth it? Linking perceived high-performance work systems and emotional exhaustion: The mediating role of job demands and job resources

The present study utilizes the job demands–resources model and examines the effects of employees’ perceptions of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on emotional exhaustion. For the needs of this study, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used on a sample of 343 frontline employees in a Greek manufacturing company. The findings do not support the critical arguments regarding HPWS, which suggest that these systems lead to work intensification and emotional exhaustion through increased job demands. In contrast, HPWS was positively related to job resources, although no support was found for a direct and negative relationship with emotional exhaustion. Last but not least, this study calculates HPWS as both a system and bundles of practices and provides useful insights regarding the differences between the two different measurement methods. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications are drawn for improving our understanding of how HPWS influences job demands and resources and employees’ emotional exhaustion.     

A cross-cultural comparative study of management

This paper discusses a conceptual scheme and the research findings of an empirical study recently completed in six developing countries. The main purpose of the study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of transferring advanced management practices, know-how, and techniques from the developed to the developing countries. The research design and approach utilized in this study can be best classified as a micro-macro approach.     

Role clarity, work overload and organizational support: multilevel evidence of the importance of support

The present study extended the demands-control-support model used in occupational stress research in two ways. First, it hypothesized that role clarity (i.e. role ambiguity), like control, would moderate the relationship between demands and psychological strain. Second, the study assessed support (from leaders) as a macro characteristic of the work-group environment. Data were drawn from a large study of US army soldiers, the study sample consisting of 1786 lower enlisted male soldiers. The inclusion of support as a work-group characteristic lead to a multilevel test of the model. A three-way multilevel interaction among work demands, role clarity and support was observed. As predicted, the relationship between demands and psychological strain was moderated by role clarity; however, this moderating relationship was found only when work-group support was high.     

Targeting lean process improvement projects for maximum financial impact

This empirical paper details a 12-month applied research project at a UK low-volume manufacturer of large vehicles. The industry problem from which this study originates was a concern over the subjective nature with which the firm’s existing lean intervention projects were being targeted (prioritised and selected). A structured literature review on this topic was unable to identify any objective decision support mechanism for doing so; one that encompassed financial as well as operational criteria. The resultant study was organised around an established seven-step action research framework. The main body of evidence was derived from extensive analysis of financial and operational data extracted from the firm’s enterprise resource planning system, along with two structured workshops that each involved multiple informants drawn from the firm’s production centres and its accountancy department. Supplementary primary research was provided in the guise of numerous unstructured interviews to validate data and from observation of shop floor practices. The main contribution of this article is identifying and addressing the gap highlighted above, by developing and testing a financially driven method for objectively targeting process improvement interventions within this large and geographically dispersed operation. This innovative method includes five new constituent techniques.     

享乐型服务的场景要素与顾客行为意向的关系研究

以享乐型服务消费的典型业态--休闲餐厅为研究背景,从情绪和认知两个视角对服务场景与顾客的情绪反应、感知服务质量、感知服务价值和行为意向的关系进行研究.在文献回顾的基础上,建立反映各概念关系的理论模型;利用自行开发的问卷,采用调查法收集数据,应用结构方程模型进行数据分析.研究结果表明,服务场景对调动顾客的积极情绪、提高顾客的感知服务质量和感知服务价值有显著影响,积极情绪、感知服务质量和感知服务价值均会影响顾客餐后的行为意向,感知服务价值对行为意向的影响最为显著,并且在情绪反应与行为意向、感知服务质量与行为意向的关系中起中介作用.研究结果的管理含义在于,享乐型服务的管理者应充分利用服务场景改善顾客的感知质量、感知价值和重购意愿,以获得持续的竞争优势.     

Operations research and bank planning

Starting with its use by the military in World War II, the Systems approach to problems solving and planning found its way into the business field. In the U.S.A. this was partly due to the filter-down effect into many firms entering into long term contracts with the Department of Defense. In examining the use of Systems Analysis in corporate planning, there appeared to be a prominent gap in its general use in the financial services industry of which commercial banks are the most important segment. Theoretically, banks are ideal economic units to use mathematically oriented Operations Research. Therefore, an in-depth study of such an existing planning system as used in a major U.S. commercial bank was undertaken. Such a case study, it was hoped, would yield important information as to how to introduce such a planning system into a bank, the types of programs in which it appeared to have strengths and weaknesses, and its applicability to planning processes in commercial banking generally. Consequently, a series of interviews with the director of this planning activity, his staff, and other officers of the bank were conducted. In order to obtain the data used in this study, a pledge to maintain anonimity of the bank was required. So, in the balance of this presentation, it shall be known as ‘The Bank’.