Robert E. Overstreet

Research in humanitarian logistics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide future researchers with a framework for conducting research in the unique field of humanitarian logistics.Design/methodology/approach – The authors categorized humanitarian logistics research articles. Borrowing from the theory of constraints and management information systems literature, the authors developed a framework for research.Findings – The review of humanitarian logistics literature indicates that researchers have begun to lay the foundation for a core body of knowledge. While there is a growing body of research in humanitarian logistics, it is predominately focused on the area of planning.Originality/value – This effort categorizes past research using elements of logistics, develops a framework for research in humanitarian logistics, and recommends areas for further research.

Supply chain innovation diffusion: going beyond adoption

Purpose – A comprehensive evaluation of the constructs that contribute to the incorporation of a supply chain innovation into an organization is markedly absent in the literature. Even in academic fields where the post‐adoption diffusion stages of acceptance, routinization, and assimilation are often investigated, no study integrates these constructs and their constituent dimensions into a unified framework. In addition, these post‐adoption activities are largely ignored in the supply chain innovation literature. This paper aims to integrate extant literature regarding acceptance, routinization, and assimilation for the purpose of clarifying the definitions and identifying the dimensions of each construct to provide guidance to scholars who are investigating innovation diffusion in the supply chain.Design/methodology/approach – Through the lens of diffusion of innovation theory, a broad base of literature both within and beyond the scope of traditional supply chain management (SCM) journals is considered ...

Suggested reporting guidelines for structural equation modeling in supply chain management research

Purpose – Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a data analysis method of choice for many empirical supply chain management (SCM) researchers. As the statistical technique has evolved, so have its applications and reporting guidelines. Consequently, there has been a lack of standardized reporting across the SCM literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide a basis for standardizing reporting conventions. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a review of recent SEM methods literature. In addition, the authors content analyze articles from International Journal of Logistics Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, and Journal of Business Logistics that contained either covariance-based or partial least square structural equation models. Using the aforementioned literature review and content analysis, the authors compare and contrast what is currently reported in extant supply chain literature with suggested reporting protocols in the methods lite...

Leadership style and organizational innovativeness drive motor carriers toward sustained performance

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the complex relationships between transformational leadership, organizational innovativeness, and motor carrier performance.Design/methodology/approach – A covariance‐based structural equation model was developed, tested and validated to explain the effect of leadership style and innovativeness on motor carrier performance. The authors’ hypotheses were tested using responses from 158 North American motor carriers.Findings – The results support a direct as well as an indirect positive relationship between transformational leadership and organizational performance. Through the theoretical lens of dynamic capabilities theory, the results indicate that leaders motivate organizational change based on their own idiosyncrasies and perceptions of the environment.Research limitations/implications – This research was limited by its focus on the motor carrier industry and may limit the generalizability of the findings. While the sample of motor carriers was selected ...

Knowledge management for logistics service providers: the role of learning culture

– Knowledge management capabilities have proven to be key success factors for organizations within our increasingly information-based economy. Although knowledge management literature has a rich history, less is known about how an organization’s learning culture affects outcomes realized via knowledge management initiatives. Moreover, there is a dearth of understanding regarding how to successfully operationalize knowledge management activities in order to achieve performance in the dynamic logistics and supply chain management environment. Rooted in competence-based theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the role that learning culture plays with regard to knowledge management capabilities, human capital, and organizational performance at logistics service providers. , – This study uses survey data from 448 managers and covariance based structural equation modeling to assess how knowledge management, learning culture, and human capital influence organizational performance. , – The results of this study indicate that knowledge management has a significant positive relationship with learning culture and human capital. There was also an indirect effect of knowledge management through learning culture on human capital and organizational performance. Interestingly, human capital did not have a significant relationship with organizational performance as hypothesized. , – The results support the vital role that leaders and managers have in creating a culture that is conducive to the success of knowledge management initiatives. , – This study goes beyond the simple direct relationship between knowledge management and personal and organizational outcomes that is usually examined by testing learning culture as an important mediator.

Preservation of line shape in the performance of a poem

The easiest way to perform a poem is to disregard its line endings and read it as simply a collection of sentences. A more difficult—and more satisfying—mode of performance allows audience members to perceive the poems intellectual meanings, conveyed in sentences, and also those emotional meanings revealed through the poems metrical rhythms and rhythmic variations. One source of those meanings is the rhythmic statement derived from the poems line shapes. This paper investigates line shape in modern and earlier poems and makes some suggestions for their preservation in performance.

Innovativeness in the motor carrier industry

Drawing upon diffusion of innovation and institutional theory, we examine the effects of innovativeness on various aspects of motor carrier performance and reputation. Motor carriers operate in an extremely competitive environment, where there is little if any room for strategic mistakes. It is understandable that leadership within these organisations is cautious when it comes to the adoption of innovations, as little evidence exists in the literature to support whether or not adoption of common motor carrier innovations will lead to positive outcomes. The results of this study suggest that the degree of motor carrier innovativeness is positively related to on-time delivery, claims ratio, safety, and reputation. These findings provide support for diffusion of innovation and institutional theory while also providing evidence that motor carriers can make more informed decisions regarding innovation adoption.

John T. Ford and the savannah theater

John T. Ford of Baltimore contributed richly to theater in Savannah. Companies and stars appeared there under his management, even when conditions were adverse. The most important amateur theatrical group in the city respected him so highly that the members chose to call themselves the John T. Ford Amateur Association.

Information theory and oral interpretation

The Mathematical Theory of Information can be applied to the study of oral interpretation in ways that help performers understand and use the channels available to them in sharing literature with listeners.

The speaking of poetry in Charles Williams descent into Hell

Charles Williams’ novel Descent into Hell has the speaking of poetry as one of its central concerns. In it the author reveals some of the insights which made him a particularly good oral reader himself. In his criticism, Williams avers that poetry is beyond commentary and exists only in the reading.