Maria Jesus Saenz

Innovations in a relational context: Mechanisms to connect learning processes of absorptive capacity

Companies increasingly regard relationships with other companies as a source of competitive advantage. Relationships constitute a context in which the firm may learn and build absorptive capacity. This study provides an in-depth explanation of the key mechanisms that interlace the different learning processes leading to innovations in a relational context. A theoretical elaboration of these mechanisms precedes their empirical study within four customer-supplier dyads, centred on two focal customer organizations.The article contributes by discussing how the mechanisms act and interact to create absorptive capacity for a focal firm across relationships. We find that structural learning mechanisms, while necessary are not sufficient to explain variation in the presence of absorptive capacity across different learning contexts. Cultural, psychological and policy learning mechanisms complement the picture. From the empirical analysis we derive propositions to guide further research into the creation of absorptive capacity in a relational context.

Supply chain design for unlocking the value of remanufacturing under uncertainty

Owing to the technological innovations and the changing consumer perceptions, remanufacturing has gained vast economic potential in the past decade. Nevertheless, major OEMs, in a variety of sectors, remain reluctant about establishing their own remanufacturing capability and use recycling as a means to satisfy the extended producer responsibility. Their main concerns seem to be the potential for the cannibalization of their primary market by remanufactured products and the uncertainty in the return stream in terms of its volume and quality. This paper aims at assisting OEMs in the development of their remanufacturing strategy, with an outlook of pursuing the opportunities presented by the inherent uncertainties. We present a two-stage stochastic closed-loop supply chain design model that incorporates the uncertainties in the market size, the return volume as well as the quality of the returns. The proposed framework also explicitly represents the difference in customer valuations of the new and the remanufactured products. The arising stochastic mixed-integer quadratic program is not amenable to solution via commercial software. Therefore, we develop a solution procedure by integrating sample average approximation with the integer L-shaped method. In order to gather solid managerial insights, we present a case study based on BSH, a leading producer of home appliances headquartered in Germany. Our analysis reveals that, while the reverse network configuration is rather robust, the extent of the firm’s involvement in remanufacturing is quite sensitive to the costs associated with each product recovery option as well as the relative valuation of the remanufactured products by the customers. In the context of the BSH case, we find that among the sources of uncertainty, the market size has the most profound effect on the overall profitability, and it is desirable to build sufficient expansion flexibility in the forward network configuration.

Towards an empirical typology of buyer–supplier relationships based on absorptive capacity

This paper develops a taxonomy of buyer–supplier relationships (BSRs), based on the supplier’s absorptive capacity (AC). AC encompasses three learning processes: exploration, assimilation, and exploitation. The aim is to develop a taxonomy that can predict a firm’s performance with regard to innovation and operational efficiency. This research complements the literature, which presently focuses on descriptive rather than predictive taxonomies. Data from 153 firms were collected through survey research. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the quality of data and calculate composite scores to be used in the cluster analysis to develop the BSRs patterns. Analysis of variance was used to explore the relationships between BSR type and firm performance. Finally, semi-structured interviews aided interpretation of the proposed taxonomy. Findings support the identification of groups of dyads through different combinations of the learning processes underlying AC. The different combinations are typified through AC strength and AC reinforcement. The results provide evidence of a significant relationship between AC strength and firm performance. Surprisingly, we did not find empirical support for the relationship between AC reinforcement and performance.

The impact of risk management on the frequency of supply chain disruptions: A configurational approach

The purpose of this paper is to develop a taxonomy of how companies implement Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) in terms of two fundamental approaches: the first emerging from internal actions and operations within companies, and the other involving inter-organizational actions undertaken with external supply chain partners. This taxonomy aims to predict firms’ performance with regard to the frequency of supply chain disruption.,A cluster analysis of survey data from 908 firms representing 69 countries together with an analysis of variance.,The authors’ analysis demonstrates a clear structure of four different patterns of how companies manage supply chain risks: passive, internal, collaborative, and integral. The authors found that firms pursuing an inter-organizational orientation (collaborative and integral) face the lowest levels of supply chain disruption. On the contrary, strategies which simply concentrate on having greater control of internal operations are not vigorous enough to stop the cascade effect of a disruption at the supply chain level. Furthermore, the excellent performance of integral SCRM strategies also suggests that collaboration between buyers and suppliers ensures the efficacy of internal business continuity plans and security procedures.,Managers should play an active role in making sure that supply chain management and risk management disciplines evolve together. Obviously, when an exogenous event results in a supply chain disruption, a firm will try to put its operations under control through internal capabilities. But SCRM strategies designed proactively in advance with relevant partners are even more beneficial.,First, previous studies have limited the analysis of SCRM mainly to its reactive internal initiatives within a firm. This paper takes the SCRM literature beyond the internal focus by considering both internal and inter-organizational efforts and, more importantly, developing a single configurational model to analyze modes of interaction. Second, there is little empirical evidence showing the current situation of SCRM. Research in SCRM has been more qualitative than empirical, especially in global coverage. The research tackles this gap and, based on a broader scope of the samples the empirical findings show a higher level of generalizability.

Simulation Games in the Project Management Environment

The paper describes and analyses the experiences obtained in the development of PROSIGA and TRAINER games in the project management environment. The benefits of using simulation games are presented, as well as the outlooks for further work with this type of tools. Different aspects of the games development process are commented and specifically the overall effort involved is exposed.

Supply chain relationships as a context for learning leading to innovation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to integrate the literature on learning in the context of boundary spanning innovation in supply chains. A two-dimensional framework is proposed: the learning stage (exploration, assimilation, exploitation) and the learning facet (structural, cultural, psychological and policy). Supply chain management (SCM) practices are examined in light of this framework and propositions for further empirical research are developed. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 60 empirical papers from the major journals on supply chain relationships published over an 11-year time span (2000-2010) were systematically analyzed. Findings – The paper reveals a comprehensive set of best practices and identifies four gaps for future research. First, assimilation and exploitation are largely ignored as mediating learning stages between exploration and performance. Second, knowledge brokers and reputation management are key mechanisms that foster assimilation. Third, the iteration from exploit...

Vertical Collaboration and Horizontal Collaboration in Supply Chain

Collaboration in supply chains has been defined as occurring when “two or more independent companies work jointly to plan and execute supply chain operations with greater success than when acting in isolation” (Simatupang and Sridharan 2002). It can occur in many ways and is commonly divided into two main categories (see Fig. 3.1): (1) vertical, when collaborating with customers, internally (across functions), service providers and with suppliers; and (2) horizontal, between different supply chains when cooperating with competitors and with non-competitors (Barrat 2004).

Collaboration stimulation through supply chain simulation

This paper aims to develop the theoretical framework underlying the Supply Chain Management Laboratory (scmLAB) set up by the authors. The overall aim of the scmLAB is to stimulate collaboration between the participating companies while, at the same time, study collaborative learning and decision-making in a laboratory setting. The method of the scmLAB combines action research and tailor-made simulation models. The theoretical model integrates conceptual, relational and action-driven components. Situated cognition causes behavioural processes to be distinct within the laboratory setting compared to the natural setting. Therefore, research questions have been developed that set the stage to explore these differences. The paper discloses that further supply chain improvement may only take place through the joint effort of the companies involved and that an intervention method such as the one described may facilitate an effective approach to change.

An Empirical Assessment of Absorptive Capacity Configurations in Supply Chains

This study aims to investigate how supply chain partners develop absorptive capability in terms of three learning processes (exploration, assimilation and exploitation). We propose and empirically assess a taxonomy that classifies supply chain relationships based on differences in absorptive capacity. We also explore the performance implications of this taxonomy in 153 companies, operating as key suppliers of the same focal buyer. The results suggests that supply chain partners which develop absorptive capability in a relational context, not only have better levels of operational performance, but also create new ideas for the creation/development of innovative products that satisfy and exceed customers’ demands.

Model for Horizontal Collaboration Dynamics

When they cooperate, companies expect to take advantage of the knowledge transfer that occurs with the information exchange. In order to obtain such advantages, they have to recognize the value underlying their interactions, assimilate it, and apply it to commercial ends. The ability of a firm to do so has been described in the previous chapter as “absorptive capacity”. These concepts have proved to be useful when applied to the supply chain management context. The model described in this chapter is the final result of an iterations-development process used throughout case studies, built upon the idea of creating relational rents out of detected opportunities through relational learning. The different experiences of the analysed companies and the maturity of their collaborative practices have allowed us to organize these influencing elements in a structured way to serve as a guide for starting and developing profitable and sustainable horizontal collaborations.