Christina W.Y. Wong

Institutional isomorphism and the adoption of information technology for supply chain management

The adoption of information technology (IT) along a supply chain has increasingly become a necessity for enhancing supply chain performance. Organizations in a supply chain often adopt IT due to the institutional pressure exerted by their supply chain partners. The implications of the different types of institutional isomorphism, namely coercion, mimesis, and norms, are explored from both the perspectives of firms that have taken the initiatives to adopt IT and those that have followed their supply chain partners to adopt IT. The possible impact of the different types of institutional isomorphism discussed here can help managers to better understand the institutional pressure they are putting on and/or of adapting to their supply chain partners, in particular, the possible problems and the injunctions/compliances they may face in the course of adopting IT for the management of their supply chains. The implications of institutional isomorphism on the adoption of IT for supply chain management are discussed.

The consumption side of sustainable fashion supply chain: Understanding fashion consumer eco‐fashion consumption decision

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between product‐ and store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion and fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decisions; and if such relationships are subject to the price premium level of eco‐fashion.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted with consumers in Hong Kong: in total, 216 consumers participated in the survey. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to check the validity and reliability of the scales. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis.Findings – The findings showed that only store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion positively influence consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decision, yet, such relationship can be weakened by the price premium level of eco‐fashion.Research limitations/implications – Fashion consumers’ response to product‐ and store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion is still important in predicting fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decision. Fashion consumer environmenta...

A coordination-theoretic investigation of the impact of electronic integration on logistics performance

Using the Coordination Theory, we explored the impact of electronic integration of intra-organizational and inter-organizational business processes on organizational performance in terms of logistics cost and service improvements. Our work extends knowledge on adoption of information technology (IT) in logistics operations, with a focus on examining the performance implications of electronic integration within and between firms in a supply chain. Data was collected from 227 trading firms in Hong Kong and analyzed to investigate the research issues. Our empirical findings revealed that electronic integration is positively associated with logistics performance in cost but not in service, suggesting that electronic integration is not sufficient for delivering superior logistics services. Theoretical and practical implications of our results are discussed.

Institutional Perspective on the Adoption of Technology for the Security Enhancement of Container Transport

Abstract The adoption of technology for security enhancement by organizations in a container transport chain has become a necessity for enhancing container transport security. Organizations in a container transport chain, including shippers, consignees, freight forwarders, transport operators, maritime carriers, container terminal operators, custom authorities and government agencies, adopt technologies, such as radio‐frequency identification (RFID) technology, smart box initiative and container non‐intrusive inspection (NII) technology, due to the institutional pressures exerted by partners in the chain. This paper explores the implications of the different types of institutional isomorphisms, namely coercion, mimesis and norms, from both the perspectives of organizations that have taken the initiative to adopt technology for container transport security enhancement and those that have followed other organizations to adopt technology. The possible impacts of the different types of institutional isomorphisms elaborated in this study can help managers better understand the institutional pressures that they put on, and the institutional pressures that drive them to adapt to their container transport chain partners; in particular, the possible problems and compliance requirements they may face in the course of adopting technology for enhancing container transport security.

How does visual merchandising affect consumer affective response

Purpose – The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between visual merchandising elements and consumer affective response by focusing on a function‐oriented product – intimate apparel.Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, a different perspective on visual merchandising is offered through the different types of intimate apparel retailers (from fashion‐oriented, mass market‐oriented to fashion forward). This is presented in an interpretive study of Hong Kong Chinese female consumers, between the ages of 25 and 35. A qualitative approach is employed and the grounded theory method is chosen. A total of eight focus group interviews are conducted with 64 subjects.Findings – The findings indicate that participating subjects have two points of view when evaluating visual store displays, which include utilitarian and hedonic aspects. The utilitarian aspect relates to the actual needs of consumers, such as garment deterioration, seasonal changes and occasions. The hedonic aspect finds that t...

Complementarities and alignment of information systems management and supply chain management

Although prior research has generated considerable knowledge on the importance of information systems management (ISM) and supply chain management (SCM) for improving business performance, the findings are at best inconsistent and at worst contradictory. This is because one of the key issues concerning the effectiveness of their implementation – the alignment of ISM and SCM – is under-explored. The lack of understanding on the alignment of ISM and SCM has prevented the full exploitation of their implementation that will contribute to improvements in business performance. Drawing on the organisation theory, this study attempts to: 1 examine the complementarities in the philosophical emphases of ISM and SCM 2 investigate how they could complement each other 3 provide illustrative case examples on the performance implications of alignment and misalignment in their implementation. This study advances knowledge on the alignment of ISM and SCM practices and highlights the importance of recognising the complementarities of ISM and SCM in their implementation efforts.

A fuzzy multi-criteria decision support procedure for enhancing information delivery in extended enterprise networks

Abstract Extended enterprise networks, which are information networks comprising enterprises that are mostly geographically dispersed but functionally integrated, are favorable to the creation of a collaborative industrial environment to support supply chain activities and smoothen data exchanges for the production of customized parts as well as products. However, there is a lack of research literature related to the generic approach which can enhance the automatic delivery of the right information to the right enterprise within an entire network. This paper introduces a fuzzy multi-criteria decision support (FMCDS) procedure for enhancing information delivery within extended enterprise networks complemented with a case study in mold and die industry. The FMCDS procedure, based on an analytic hierarchy process, breaks down the complex comparative problem of information receivers into hierarchical multi-criteria decision-making processes. The incorporation with fuzzy set is used to suggest the relative strengths of the corresponding criteria, thereby enabling the construction of a more useful fuzzy judgment procedure to facilitate decision-making. Case study findings indicate that the procedure is helpful to provide key decision support in terms of automatic delivery of desired information to the needed enterprise. By using the suggested novel procedure for push delivery of the needed information to relevant enterprises within an extended enterprise network, the proposed FMCDS procedure provides more alternatives and ideas for supporting effective decision-making in information delivery.

Methodology for monitoring supply chain performance: a fuzzy logic approach

An organization’s supply chain is the upstream fraction of the value chain activities, aiming to ensure that the right materials, services, and technologies are purchased from the right sources, at the right time, and in the right quality. It is essential that a company is able to utilize its supply chain with the support of a good monitoring scheme. This paper considers a framework of supply chain management embracing the principles of fuzzy logic for analyzing and monitoring performance of suppliers based on the criteria of product quality and delivery time. The proposed system recommends the quantity that should be placed in the next purchase order by indicating the possible issues to be considered prior to final confirmation with the relevant suppliers.

Institutional pressures and mindful IT management: The case of a container terminal in China

Although it has been only ten years in operations, Yantian International Container Terminals Limited (YICT) has evolved as a world-class container terminal and become the first Chinese port to receive the Best Global Container Port of the Year award for 2005-2006, as well as being designated Chinas best container terminal in terms of operational efficiency for 2008. A success factor of YICT is its extensive use of IT in managing and enhancing the productivity and services of the port operations. Premised upon Institutional Theory and the organizational mindfulness perspectives (preoccupation with failure and success, reluctance to simplify interpretations, sensitivity to operations, commitment to resilience, and reliance on expertise over formal authority) and using case study methodology, we examined the institutional pressures faced by YICT in its IT management (ITM), and determined how YICT coped with its institutional pressures during its IT development.

Measures for evaluating green shipping practices implementation

Despite the need for environmental management in shipping, there is no extant measurement scale that comprehensively captures green shipping practices (GSP) in shipping operations. In view of this research void, we investigate the construct of and develop a measurement scale for evaluating GSP implementation in the shipping industry. Based on conceptualisation of GSP in an earlier study and survey data collected from 107 shipping firms, we develop, refine, and test a six-dimensional GSP measurement scale specifically for evaluating GSP implementation in the sea transportation context. The six GSP dimensions include company policy and procedure (CPP), shipping documentation (SD), shipping equipment (SE), shipper cooperation (SC), shipping materials (SM), and shipping design for compliance (SDC). We construct two measurement models at first- and second-order levels for evaluating the implementation of GSP and validate them by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The empirical findings suggest that both of th...