Kihyun Park

Electronic commerce applications for supply chain integration and competitive capabilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the impacts of supplier‐ and customer‐oriented electronic communication technologies (ECTs) (electronic data interchange (EDI) and internet‐based) on supply chain integration and manufacturing competitive capabilities (flexibility and quality).Design/methodology/approach – The research model is based on resource‐based view of technology use, ECTs, and supply chain management literature. Data from 711 international manufacturing firms International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS IV) are analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships.Findings – The results suggest: the importance of applying two specific ECTs (EDI and internet‐based) for both supplier and customer integration; and the direct impact of supplier integration and customer integration on manufacturing competitive capabilities.Research limitations/implications – Except for perceptual biases inherent to survey methodol...

Effective organisational control for sourcing risk: from the perspective of small companies in China

This paper aims to examine sourcing risk management issues faced by foreign invested small companies (FISCs) that operate in China. Using a case study approach, this paper investigates the relationship between perceived sourcing risk and organisational control. The research findings show that foreign invested small companies operating in China exercise different types of organisational control to mitigate different sourcing risks. We also suggest managerial insights on effective sourcing in China.

Network Building Strategy and Adaptation to New Models of Commerce: An Analysis of Japan’s Trucking Industry

This paper presents a comparative analysis of four key players in the Japanese trucking industry, Nippon Express, Fukuyama Transporting, Yamato Transport, and Sagawa Express, in order to address the question of how the sources of competitive advantage in the logistics area are changing in the face of a new global commerce model enabled by technology and characterized by an increasing number of direct-to-consumer transactions. The analysis concludes that, while efficiency remains an important success factor, network building capability and innovative partnerships are the dominant factors leading to sales, market share, and profitability in the contemporary Japanese trucking industry. Firms with the ability to build wide-reaching networks, to augment those networks through innovative partnerships, and thus fill structural holes for parties wishing to engage in business transactions have the greatest chance of success in the industry.