R. Glenn Richey

The role of resource commitment and innovation in reverse logistics performance

Purpose – Aims to provide empirical evidence of the relationships between and among reverse logistics, resource commitment, and innovation.Design/methodology/approach – Mail surveys were sent to members of the Automobile Aftermarket Industry Association, a large trade association. Factor level results followed by between‐item results, as typically reported in general linear modeling and mediated regression, are developed using a split sample methodology. Ultimately, Resource‐Advantage Theory provided the framework for examining the impact of developing innovative reverse logistics‐related dynamic capabilities.Findings – Resource commitment makes reverse logistics programs more efficient and more effective. However, the resources must be used in such a manner as to develop innovative capabilities/approaches to handling returns. Resource commitment was not found to be significantly related to innovation in reverse logistics at smaller firms. This is likely to be related to the level of resources available. ...

Global supply chain management: The selection of globally competent managers

The ability of organizations to effectively compete in the global marketplace is contingent on identifying and selecting an adequate number of qualified global managers. Nowhere is the shortage of managerial talent more evident than in the management of global supply chains. The complex and vexing set of problems facing global supply chain managers makes the task of selecting an adequate supply of managers much more daunting. Given the historic perspective of manning supply chain positions (i.e., managers with a operation and functional orientation), human resource managers are modifying and updating the profile of the global supply chain managers position to encompass political, cultural/social, network, and an awareness of the significant differences to be found in global markets. In an effort to develop a criteria for the selection of global supply chain managers, a competency-based theoretical perspective is used and eight intelligences are examined that can be used in the selection of global supply chain managers.

The challenge of reverse logistics in catalog retailing

Many firms are placing greater emphasis on managing returned product. Reverse logistics programs are being used to recover assets that would otherwise be lost. Research results are presented covering reverse logistics programs in the electronics industry, specifically among firms selling through catalogs. The paper looks at how reverse logistics performance and satisfaction with reverse logistics service are influenced by industry, firm size/sales volume, and internal or external assignment of responsibility for disposition. The results are mixed. Performance is significantly impacted by sales volume, while industry effects significantly impact satisfaction. Neither performance nor satisfaction was significantly influenced by location of responsibility for disposition.

The moderating role of barriers on the relationship between drivers to supply chain integration and firm performance

Purpose – Implementation of supply chain management techniques requires thorough integration of processes between supply chain partners in all functional areas, including sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution. Yet insufficient attention has been given to the means by which firms achieve high levels of integration. This study aims to examine moderators impacting supply chain integration barriers.Design/methodology/approach – Supply chain integration drivers and moderating barriers to supply chain integration were identified by extensive search of the literature, and in‐depth interviews with supply chain managers. A survey was developed to measure levels of supply chain integration drivers, barriers to supply chain integration, and firm performance. The measures were validated using EFA, and the responses analyzed using multiple regression.Findings – The study finds that firms with a desire to improve, operating in a challenging competitive environment typically experience high levels of performance. Fu...

Organizational citizenship behavior and performance evaluations: exploring the impact of task interdependence.

The influence of task interdependence on the importance attributed to organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in evaluations of employee performance was investigated in 3 studies. In Study 1,238 undergraduates were exposed to a task interdependence manipulation and a unit-level performance manipulation and provided citizenship ratings. In Study 2,148 master of business administration students were exposed to a task interdependence manipulation and then rated the importance of OCB in their evaluations of employee performance. In Study 3,130 managers rated the task interdependence in their unit of principal responsibility and the importance of OCB in their overall evaluations of employee performance. The results suggest task interdependence may affect the importance attributed to OCB by evaluators. Implications of these results are explored.

Examining the impact of reverse logistics disposition strategies

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to empirically examine the impact that different disposition strategies have on strategic performance in the reverse logistics process. This research also includes the role of the returns policy in the customer decision‐making process as a foundation for determining the appropriate disposition strategy.Design/methodology/approach – A general review of the literature and depth interviews with logistics professionals following commonly employed investigative techniques provided the foundation for the study. A survey was developed and mailed to the senior supply chain operations professional at 400 companies in the auto parts industry resulting in 118 usable responses.Findings – The current research shows that under instances of active resource commitment to reverse logistics programs, operations and supply chain managers may expect superior performance by choosing destroying, recycling, refurbishing, and/or remanufacturing of product.Practical implications – If firms...

Reverse Logistics in the Automobile Aftermarket Industry

Reverse logistics is one of the toughest supply chain challenges. One approach to achieving more effective reverse logistics is to adopt a relationship‐oriented perspective. Two aspects of a relationship‐orientation ‐ trust and relationship commitment ‐ were examined by surveying senior marketing and logistics personnel from the automotive aftermarket industry. Relationship commitment was found to mediate the relationship between trust and reverse logistics performance. Reverse logistics program performance was found to be more effective and efficient when relationship commitment was present.

Evaluating reverse logistics programs: a suggested process formalization

Purpose – Suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers alike are still considering reverse logistics (RL) to be the “necessary evil” in their day‐to‐day operations rather than an opportunity for future performance. At the same time, a well‐structured RL program can create a substantial value‐added and positively affect the bottom‐line. Based on in‐depth investigation of best‐in‐class RL programs implemented in practice, the purpose of this paper is to offer a grounded flow charting approach for assessing the state of program development and, potentially, identifying areas for improvement across different companies in various industries.Design/methodology/approach – The current study utilizes rich qualitative research methodology based on the combination between a thorough review of existing literature and multiple field studies. The findings from existing research, semi‐structured interviews and observation at companies’ sites, and RL‐related documentation at those companies, provide the backbone ...

The supply chain crisis and disaster pyramid: A theoretical framework for understanding preparedness and recovery

Purpose – The research on supply chains concerning disaster and crisis situations is in its infancy, but rapidly expanding on the backs of top researchers in the field. As with most young research streams there is very little theoretical grounding in extant studies. The purpose of this research is to integrate four prominent existing theoretical perspectives to provide a concise yet holistic framework for grounding future research.Design/methodology/approach – The development of the disaster recovery pyramid is completed following an extensive review of the resource, risk and crisis/disaster recovery, and preparedness literature. Additionally, literature from the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm, communication theory, competing values theory, and relationship management theory are canvassed. Business professional and academics are also interviewed to validate the pyramid.Findings – The proposed framework is a call for future studies in the supply chain management and logistics disaster, and crisis ma...

An investigation of market information use in export channel decisions ‐ Antecedents and outcomes

As the number of firms participating in export activities increases, information regarding the international environment in turn becomes critical in effectively managing corporate ventures. Given the level of economic volatility within certain export markets and the increasing levels of competition worldwide, effective distribution management venturing and strategy will also become more complex. Decision support is crucial in effectively monitoring and modifying marketing channels in an overseas environment. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that drive market information use in export distribution decisions, these factors being both internal and external to the organization. Concurrently, the linkage between market information use and export performance is investigated, in order to better understand the role of this strategy in export operations. First, a discussion of strategic, organization specific, and environment specific factors and their association with market information use is discussed. Second, research hypotheses are developed through the support of the existing literature. Next, data collection and analysis procedures are discussed along with results of the hypothesis testing. Finally, a presentation of the findings along with theoretical and managerial implications is offered. The research reveals the strategic importance of market information usage in distribution control, market positioning, venture planning, and market volatility.