Ilias Vlachos

The effect of human resource practices on organizational performance: evidence from Greece

The present study addresses a central research question: how do human resource management practices contribute to organizational performance? We examined the following HR practices: (1) job security; (2) selective hiring; (3) self-managed teams and decentralization of decision making; (4) compensation policy; (5) extensive training; and (6) information sharing. We surveyed food managers in Greece and recorded their perceptions on HR practices and their relation to firm performance. Results provide overall support for all HR practices except of job security. Selective hiring was found to be a key practice that improved organizational performance. Compensation policy, information sharing, decentralization of decision making and extensive training were significant predictors for all performance variables. Directions for further research are provided.

A hierarchical model of the impact of RFID practices on retail supply chain performance

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) practices on supply chain performance. We examined eight variables of RFID applications grouped in two categories: location (suppliers warehouse, retailers central warehouse, retailers local warehouse, retailers owned stores) and utilisation (standards, transportation, pallet level, specialised software). Given the inherent difficulty in assessing supply chain performance and the widespread use of different performance models, such as the SCOR and balanced scorecard, we developed a list of performance indicators. Factor analysis produced 7 supply chain performance factors: supplier, inventory, distribution, ordering, plan, sales, and forecasting. Empirical data were collected via an online survey administered to 300 retail companies. 130 usable questionnaires were returned, for a 43.3% response rate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide an analytical model that places supply chain performance indicators as dependent variables in a hierarchical regression equation with RFID variables as independent variables. Results found that the implementation of RFID practices significantly affect the supply chain performance in the following areas: supplier, inventory, distribution, plan, sales, and forecasting. RFID can improve the performance of distribution systems, including products dispatched and inventory in transit by 33.8% and stock availability by 45.6%. This study contributes to both the RFID and the supply chain performance literatures. Limitations and suggestions for further research are also discussed.

Supply Chain Collaboration Between Retailers and Manufacturers: Do They Trust Each Other?

This study examines the collaboration in the food supply chain focusing on two chain partners: the retailers and the manufacturers. The authors examine the impact of key factors on collaboration performance including trust and the duration of collaboration. This study compares and contrasts the perceptions by retailers and manufacturers on the role of supply chain management. It illustrates that different food supply chain partners perceive differently the key critical factors which lead to supply chain effectiveness and casts doubts on the viability of current collaboration efforts which aim to achieve mutual benefits across the entire supply chain. It shows that the effectiveness of collaboration, and thus the functioning of the food supply chain, is highly dependent on retailers′ initiative to build and foster trust with their partners. It also depends on manufacturers′ ability to fulfil a complex set of retailers′ requirements including physical distribution management, commitment to the partnership, and effective information management. Managerial implications are discussed particularly for small and medium sized companies and directions for future research are provided.

Applying lean thinking in the food supply chains: a case study

The purpose of the study was to examine the adoption and implementation of lean thinking in food supply chains. Since the majority of food companies are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a lean action plan was developed taking into account the particularities of SMEs. The methodology used was a case study research of a UK tea company. An action research approach was adopted to study the lean process and diagnose the problems which occurred during lean implementation. This study developed a lean action plan with three stages: (a) planning for lean; (b) interim lean diagnosis and (c) lean operations and control. The first stage includes the following steps: find a change agent, get the knowledge, find a lever and suspend grand strategy. Interim lean diagnosis revealed issues with top management support, expert knowledge and operational easiness. The last stage, lean operations and control, includes the following steps: (i) re-define value, (ii) map process activities and value streams, (iii) detect waste, (iv) develop an ideal state of production and supply chain operations and (v) control lean operations. The potential contribution of lean food small and medium companies can be enormous given the percentage of food waste across supply chains. The contribution of this study is threefold: (a) it develops a new lean action plan for small and medium companies; (b) it sheds light on how lean thinking can be applied in the food sector and can achieve substantial waste reductions; (c) it tests a unique reflecting methodology using action case research to gather, interpret and develop reflective learning.

Manufacturer–retailer collaboration in the supply chain: Empirical evidence from the Greek food sector

The purpose of this study is to examine collaboration between food manufacturers and retailers and compare their motivation to collaborate the possible areas for collaboration and the preferred type of collaboration. Using a large quantitative sample of the Greek food sector, we compare and contrast what triggers retailers and manufacturers to get involved in long-term collaboration. We also compare the types of collaboration favoured by each group and illustrate the factors which influence the favoured type of collaboration for both manufacturers and retailers. Results show that the type of collaboration preferred is related strongly to specific factors, such as physical distribution management, trust and commitment to collaboration, and effective information management, with the last one commanding an increased role in the years to come. Another key finding is that transaction collaboration is the preferred collaboration type for these chain members.

Adoption of Electronic Data Interchange by Agribusiness Organizations

Abstract This study presents new insights into the adoption of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) by agribusiness organizations and focuses on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and its adoption by small companies. In the last two decades there is consensus that the implementation of electronic communication throughout the supply chain has changed profoundly the way businesses operate. The adoption of EDI results in substantial cost savings, transaction efficiency as well as facilitates food supply chain management. However, the overt advantages of EDI are not sufficient to explain its current diffusion rates in food industry, which are lower than anticipated and lower than other industries. This study aimed to understand how small agribusiness enterprises perceive new information and communication technologies, and electronic data interchange in particular. A conceptual framework of the factors that associate to EDI adoption was developed based on literature survey. Case research of seven small agribusiness firms was used in order to understand the adoption of EDI. The results of multi-case research show that small agribusinesses were aware of new ICTs and three of them planned to implement EDI in the near future. The cost and the complexity associated to EDI were perceived as the most significant barriers to its implementation. Small agri-business adopted a reactive stance and external pressure, i.e., by a big customer, would initiate the adoption process. The paper concludes by providing managerial and policy implications, suggesting further research, and indicating how the research findings might be used in other contexts.

High‐performance workplace practices for Greek companies

Purpose – This study aims to examine whether are there human resources (HR) practices that influence firm performance of companies operating in the Mediterranean region and, specifically, in Greece. Existing literature comes mostly from American studies, leaving a research gap what happens when HR practices are applied by companies in the Mediterranean region.Design/methodology/approach – The author reviewed the existent literature and examined six HR practices, which were initially proposed by Pfeffer. Using a self‐reported questionnaire, the author surveyed managers in Greece. The author used univariate and hierarchical multiple regression models to analyse the data.Findings – Analysis of data provides overall support for all HR practices except of job security. Selective hiring and compensation policy were significant predictors for all performance variables.Research limitations/implications – Results from studies on a specific industry may have limitations to generalising to other sectors of the econo...

Reverse logistics capabilities and firm performance: the mediating role of business strategy

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the impact of reverse logistics capabilities on firm performance and mediating role of logistics strategies. We reviewed three theories of reverse logistics capabilities: (a) resource-based view of the firm, (b) transaction cost economics, and (c) institutional theory. We examined six reverse logistics capabilities: logistics information management, close-loop capability, supply chain integration, supply chain coordination, conformity capability, and institutional incentives. We examined three reverse logistics strategies: joint reverse logistics, manufacturer reverse logistics, and third-party reverse logistics. We conducted a survey of Chinese mobile phone companies out of which we received 125 usable questionnaires with a response rate of 80%. The results of mediated hierarchical regression support the hypothesis that reverse logistics capabilities influence firm performance. Institutional factors were more significant than supply chain factors. Close-loop capability was the most significant factor. We provide managerial implications and suggestions for future research.

Key performance indicators of the impact of radio frequency identification technologies on supply chain management

Although the benefits of Radio Frequency Identification Technologies (RFID) are quite well known, they are still scarce applications to agriculture and food supply chains. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which the adoption of RFID can improve supply chain performance in agri-food supply chains. The methodology was a case study of a fruit cooperative using semi-structured interviews and other sources of evidence in order to examine the supply chain performance before and after the RFID implementation. Benefits from the RFID implementation were classified into two broad categories: strategic and operation ones. Strategic benefits included: reduction of the warehouse costs; reduction of total lead time from production to sales; improvement of customer relationship management; improved recall management. Operational benefits included: Better handling of unforeseen events; reducing lead times in warehousing and inventory; improved quality control.

Consumers’ perceptions of food quality products: Greece’s experiences

Consumer perceptions of food are based on social and personal constructs. The Greek consumer perceptions of quality food were reviewed. The Greek food sector is characterised by the proliferation of small and medium enterprises, yet a major transformation over the past decade has occurred with the evolution of large retail chains. For example, new retail warehouses – regional distribution centres, were established to support consumer demand. Then, the main traditional Greek food products certified as Protected Geographical Status/ Protected Denomination of Origin (PGIs/PDOs) are described. A distinction is made between PDOs and traditional products, as consumers often use these two terms interchangeably. In the beginning of 2012, Greece had certified 94 products as PDOs/PGIs while there were three more awaiting inclusion and seven more are already in the process of getting certification. The literature on food marketing in Greece was reviewed and five types of Greek food consumer are presented. The five types can be classed as: average consumer, innovators, ethnocentric, organic funs, highly health and quality conscious. Finally, a successful case of marketing a traditional product is presented and the marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion) that was followed is discussed.