Seán de Búrca

The impact of supply chain relationship dynamics on manufacturing performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the dynamics of supply chain (SC) relationships impact on manufacturing performance.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework was developed incorporating dimensions of SC relationship dynamics and manufacturing performance. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model with data collected using a postal questionnaire from 200 suppliers in the electronics sector in the Republic of Ireland.Findings – There was mixed support for the impact of SC relationship dynamics on manufacturing performance. Hypotheses in respect of cost and quality were supported but those in respect of flexibility and delivery were not.Research limitations/implications – Using single informants and focal customers in research design.Practical implications – The process of forming and developing SC relationships can be complex and requires firms to be competent in areas such as negotiation skills, conflict management, anticipating problems/finding solutions...

Strategic technology adoption: extending ERP across the supply chain

Purpose – This article proposes examining how small to medium‐sized organisations (SMEs) are responding to the challenge of harnessing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and internet technologies to enhance performance and improve competitiveness and aims to identify the barriers preventing organisations from harnessing these technologies.Design/methodology/approach – A case‐based research strategy was chosen. Four leading SMEs were interviewed to determine their approach to extended ERP and the barriers encountered. The primary data collection was based on structured in‐depth interviews with key respondents who were involved in the implementation of extended ERP and closely involved in day‐to‐day operations.Findings – While each of the SMEs had already taken some steps to extended ERP, they adopted a cautious approach to the future. In short, SMEs considering extended ERP should determine the impact on all organisations before proceeding and should also apply the lessons learned from their initial ERP im...

Exploring the impact of national culture on investments in manufacturing practices and performance

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to assess how differences in national culture influence the impact of investments in manufacturing practices on operational performance. The paper addresses the following research question: does national culture affect the efficacy of investments in manufacturing practices?Design/methodology/approach – Hofstedes model of national culture is used to test whether there are operational performance differences when organisations in different cultural contexts invest in identical manufacturing practices. The research question is explored and answered by assessing the moderating role of national culture using ordinary least square analysis.Findings – The results suggest that some dimensions of national culture significantly moderate the impact of investments in manufacturing practices on manufacturing performance.Originality/value – This study represents a comprehensive attempt to explain differences in the impact of manufacturing practices investments on operational perf...

The moderating effects of information technology sophistication on services practice and performance

Purpose – To investigate the relationship between service practices, service performance, business performance and information technology (IT) sophistication.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework is developed, incorporating dimensions of services practice and service performance and structural equation modeling is used to test the model with data from 231 companies.Findings – This paper extends the basic service practice‐service performance relationship by incorporating the interaction effects of IT sophistication in a contingency framework. Previous studies found mixed support for the direct effects of IT sophistication on service performance.Research limitations/implications – Using single informants leads to common methods bias.Practical implications – Companies need to identify how IT contributes to service effectiveness from a customer perspective.Originality/value – This study adds to the emerging literature of the relationship between services management and information technology.

The development of an outsourcing process model

This paper aims to develop a dynamic process view of outsourcing. In the research, a longitudinal, grounded theory approach was used, with iterative steps of reviewing the current literature and knowledge on outsourcing and, in parallel, empirically examining the processes occurring with three case companies. The case companies, all from the telecommunications industry, outsourced at least three activities, which were examined over the course of 4 years. The research provided a dynamic model of the outsourcing process as well as identifying key drivers and influences on the process.

Listening practices and performance in service organisations

Considers the concept of the “listening” organisation and its influence on service and business performance. Specifically reports on empirical research which investigated the link between service quality information practices, the listening organisation and service and business performance. In this respect, builds on an earlier model of service management developed by the London Business School and Warwick Business School in the UK. This extended model employs two composite performance indexes as moderator variables. Surveyed 438 service organisations in the Republic of Ireland; the loglinear model used to analyse the data shows a clear pattern. By taking listening practices, including information technology, as a holistic view of a constellation of information‐related practice type factors, demonstrates that there is a close relationship with service performance, which in turn influences business performance. Furthermore, technology type and competitive intensity, moderate this relationship. Establishes that the relationship between listening practices and service performance is much more important for the sophisticated task technology sector and that competitive intensity has a very minor interactive effect on the relationship. The results of the survey mirror recent empirical research in market orientation and organisational learning.

Service management practice‐performance model: a focus on training and listening practices

Examines the complex relationship between listening and training practices and service performance by deconstructing an earlier model of service management developed by the London Business School and Warwick Business School in the UK. This research hypothesizes that the nature of the practice‐performance relationship is far too complex to be represented by a total aggregated index of practice. Hence the composite practice index is decomposed into a listening and a training index. The concept of the “listening” organisation is employed as one facet, and training climate measured by employee training activities is a second facet. These two facets are related to service performance. Reports on empirical research, which investigated the link between listening, and training practices and service performance. The data obtained from a survey of 143 service organisations in the Republic of Ireland show a clear pattern. By taking listening practices, including information technology, as a holistic view of a constellation of information‐related practice type factors, demonstrates that there is a close relationship with service performance. Extensive training activities enhance this relationship.

Spectators as Consumers - The Motivating Forces

This paper attempts to understand sport spectators as buyers of a product in traditional marketing terms. Research on spectators and their behaviour patterns has been neglected by marketers, but has been extensively researched by sociologists and psychologists. The findings in this paper are based on a survey of 493 spectators. Information was collected on their attendance record at games and their loyalty to the product.

Quality management, management and training. A contingency approach

Over the past decade many commentators have highlighted quality and the management thereof as being of fundamental importance towards the attainment of a competitive advantage. The combination of mature, highly competitive markets and the pressure on companies to become low cost suppliers whilst at the same time maintaining consistently high levels of quality has resulted in the emergence of quality as a “strategic imperative” for many organisations.