An information sharing theory perspective on willingness to share information in supply chains

The contingency effects of dependence relationship on supply chain information sharing and agility

Purpose

Supply chain agility (SCA) is the primary strategy for reducing impacts and quick recovery when supply chains experience a disruption risk, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study will investigate how SCA can be achieved through supply chain information sharing (SCIS) under the different dependence relationships (DR) with suppliers or customers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on information process and resource dependency theories, this study constructs and empirically tests a proposed model of the relationships amongst the three dimensions of SCIS and the two areas of SCA and the contingency effects of two types of DR on those relationships. Using a dataset collected from 400 manufacturers in China, the authors tested this theoretical model using multi-group and structural path analysis.

Findings

The results of the structural path and multi-group analyses show that (1) all dimensions of SCIS are positively correlated with both areas of SCA and (2) dependence on the supplier and dependence on the customer have completely different impacts on the relationship between SCIS and SCA.

Originality/value

This study can improve the understanding of the multidimensional concepts of SCIS and SCA and relationships between them under two different DR conditions in the Chinese manufacturing setting. It contributes to IS and the SCA literature and provides theoretically driven and empirical explanations for the diverse dynamics between the dependence on the supplier and customer.

Who Will Help to Strive Against the “Infodemic”? Reciprocity Norms Enforce the Information Sharing Accuracy of the Individuals

In recent years, misinformation sharing has become the focus of public debate and academic research. We aim to explore whether individuals prefer to share accurate information or not, and discover what factors increase people’s preferences for sharing accurate information. Combining behavioral economics experiments and psychology experiments, we construct “an information search—information sharing—information feedback experiment” to examine individuals’ behavior of sharing accurate information and its influencing factors. A total of 210 students are recruited for the laboratory experiment. Our results show that when individuals can control the accuracy of the information they obtain through their efforts, they are more willing to share accurate information with others. We also find that positive feedback from information receivers can promote the accuracy of information shared by individuals, and this effect works through reciprocity norms. Individuals with higher reciprocity are more willing to share accurate information, especially in the treatment with the role of reciprocity norms enhanced by feedback. These findings indicate that individuals who are willing to obtain accurate information prefer to share information, and information feedback can enhance this preference through reciprocity norms. This study captures individuals’ behavior and preference characteristics with regard to the accuracy of the information they share in the era of highly developed network interaction.

Factors affecting online knowledge sharing and its effect on academic performance

Purpose

This study aims to explore the factors that affect online knowledge sharing among the scientific performance of academics at the University of Mosul, Republic of Iraq.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by using a random sample by means of an electronic questionnaire distributed to 211 academics at the University of Mosul via online platforms. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses using AMOS 24 software.

Findings

The results showed that collaboration, perceived flexibility and willingness to share had a significant effect on online knowledge sharing behavior and that which in turn had an effect on the academic performance of respondents, while the results showed no influence of knowledge self-efficacy and communication on the behavior of online knowledge sharing.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, the effects of five factors on online knowledge sharing behavior were studied, in addition to the effect of the latter on academic performance. The research did not study the effect of the participants’ personal characteristics on the behavior of knowledge sharing online, which could be an area of future investigation. The study was limited to online knowledge sharing for academics working in public universities, and the authors suggest conducting a future study from the perspective of medical staff working in hospitals and its impact on their performance.

Practical implications

Based on the findings of the current study, this study suggests that the academic staff at the University of Mosul and similar universities pay attention to scientific cooperation between researchers and teaching staff, by creating online groups to carry out joint research projects that contribute to sharing knowledge among participants through social media in general and scientific platforms in particular. Establishing a scientific research portal could serve this well for example.

Originality/value

Most previous studies have focused on areas related to knowledge sharing in higher education institutions from the traditional perspective and therefore studies that examine the factors affecting online knowledge sharing among academics are limited, so this study fills this gap. This paper focuses on identifying the scientific benefits for academics through knowledge exchange and the use of electronic platforms at the University of Mosul. The study is expected to contribute to enhance the exchange of knowledge online between academics in similar universities in Asia and Africa due to the convergence of cultures and the nature of the work of these universities, as well as the possibility of generalization due to the research’s use of the deductive method.

The impact of supply chain relationship configurations on supplier performance: investigating buyer–supplier relations in the aerospace industry

Purpose

A supplier may sell not only to one buyer (sole relationship configuration) but also to the buyers competitors (shared relationship configuration) for a specific product category. This study examines the performance implications when suppliers establish shared relationships with the buyer’s competitors.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data are used to test hypotheses relating a supplier’s relationship configurations to its operational performance. A seemingly unrelated regression approach (SUR) is applied to analyze the data, followed by endogeneity checks of the empirical findings.

Findings

The study shows that suppliers with less-shared ties with buying firms’ competitors exhibit superior inventory efficiency and asset turnover. Thus, suppliers can improve operational efficiency by creating relatively exclusive, deep and trust-based relations instead of more extensively shared and shallower relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Based on agency theory as a theoretical lens and aerospace industry data, this research contributes by addressing the supplier’s perspective and linking its operational efficiency performance with its chosen supply relationship configuration.

Practical implications

Suppliers need to understand the performance implications of choosing relatively exclusive relationships versus shared relationships with buying firms. The research provides new insights for managers and can guide their supply chain decision-making.

Originality/value

Little is known about how a supplier’s relationship configurations can elevate, or impair, its operational efficiency. While conventional wisdom holds that suppliers should focus on multiple avenues of revenue growth by selling to buyers’ competitors, this study demonstrates that more sales to a buying firm’s rivals might, in fact, reduce a supplier’s efficiency.

Supply chain management practices, retail outlets attributes and organisational performance: a case of organised food retailers in India

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of supply chain management (SCM) practices and retail outlet attributes on the performance of organised food retailers in India during COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Authors conducted empirical research with SCM practices and retail outlet attributes to evaluate the retailers’ performance. The authors present the results from 321 valid responses from the Indian food retailers. The study used structured equation modeling to present the analysis and the results.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that most of the SCM practices (i.e. information technology, level of information sharing, customer relationship, supplier relationship and goal congruence) have a positive impact on performance except the quality of information sharing. The results show that in the time of the pandemic, the retail outlet attributes (image, service quality and convenience) have no significant relationship with the food retailer’s performance while SCM practices are necessary to achieve better performance of the food retailers.

Research limitations/implications

A proactive approach is needed from retailers at the time of pandemic situations to manage the supply chains. The retailers must be extra careful in screening the suppliers for the short and long run. The reason being that in the situation of pandemic, customers might be more demanding and hence, food retailers need to pay special attention to gain growth. It is also required that the policymakers should give importance to the implementation of these SCM practices to be positioned differently.

Originality/value

The research can be valued in terms of its original contribution towards companies in overcoming the disruption caused by COVID-19 to maintain a balance between demand and supply and proposes a completely new theoretical framework. The proposed theoretical model would add value to the existing literature to help the retailers in process of their performance improvement. The study has provided insights for retail organisations, suppliers and government departments to manage their SCs more effectively and efficiently during the pandemic.

Hybrid Fuzzy and Data-Driven Robust Optimization for Resilience and Sustainable Health Care Supply Chain with Vendor-Managed Inventory Approach

One of the problems that government managers deal with are medical inventory management in COVID-19 conditions. Based on this situation, the best strategy for managing and reducing inventory costs can be Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) policy in the recent decade. Therefore, a hybrid fuzzy and data-driven robust optimization for Resilience and Sustainable Health Care Supply Chain (RSHCSC) with VMI approach is appropriate for improving the inventory management system and tackling uncertainty and disruption in this situation. Three RSHCSC models are suggested using hybrid fuzzy and data-driven robust optimization with a stochastic programming approach. The first model is average and mean absolute function, the second model is Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR), the third model is Minimax model, and the final model is the traditional inventory model. Each of the proposed models has advantages and disadvantages that depend on the conservative level of decision-maker. Sensitivity analysis is done on essential parameters like fuzzy cut, confidence level, robust and resilience coefficient, and size models. The results show that increasing fuzzy cut, confidence level, robustification coefficient, resiliency coefficient, and CVaR confidence level amount of costs grows. The Minimax function is suitable for conservative decision-makers.

Recommendation agents and information sharing through social media for coronavirus outbreak

The novel outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was an unexpected event for tourism in the world as well as tourism in the Netherlands. In this situation, the travelers’ decision-making for tourism destinations was heavily affected by this global event. Social media usage has played an essential role in travelers’ decision-making and increased the awareness of travel-related risks from the COVID-19 outbreak. Online consumer media for the outbreak of COVID-19 has been a crucial source of information for travelers. In the current situation, tourists are using electronic word of mouth (eWOM) more and more for travel planning. Opinions provided by peer travelers for the outbreak of COVID-19 tend to reduce the possibility of poor decisions. Nevertheless, the increasing number of reviews per experience makes reading all feedback hard to make an informed decision. Accordingly, recommendation agents developed by machine learning techniques can be effective in the analysis of such social big data for the identification of useful patterns from the data, knowledge discovery, and real-time service recommendations. The current research aims to adopt a framework for the recommendation agents through topic modeling to uncover the most important dimensions of COVID-19 reviews in the Netherland forums in TripAdvisor. This study demonstrates how social networking websites and online reviews can be effective in unexpected events for travelers’ decision making. We conclude with the implications of our study for future research and practice.

The Application of the Principles of Responsible AI on Social Media Marketing for Digital Health

Social media enables medical professionals and authorities to share, disseminate, monitor, and manage health-related information digitally through online communities such as Twitter and Facebook. Simultaneously, artificial intelligence (AI) powered social media offers digital capabilities for organizations to select, screen, detect and predict problems with possible solutions through digital health data. Both the patients and healthcare professionals have benefited from such improvements. However, arising ethical concerns related to the use of AI raised by stakeholders need scrutiny which could help organizations obtain trust, minimize privacy invasion, and eventually facilitate the responsible success of AI-enabled social media operations. This paper examines the impact of responsible AI on businesses using insights from analysis of 25 in-depth interviews of health care professionals. The exploratory analysis conducted revealed that abiding by the responsible AI principles can allow healthcare businesses to better take advantage of the improved effectiveness of their social media marketing initiatives with their users. The analysis is further used to offer research propositions and conclusions, and the contributions and limitations of the study have been discussed.

Fostering Trust and Commitment in Complex Project Networks through Dedicated Investment in Partnership Management

An absence of trust among partners can magnify the risk in a complex project by increasing behavioural uncertainty. Partnership trust can effectively substitute for control, reducing variability of outcomes and increasing value-adding strategic collaboration. It is introduced as strategic countermeasures against risks associated with project complexity that can only be achieved with commitment from all partners. This research conceptualises partnership trust on four dimensions and investigates the roles of dedicated investment and information sharing in partnership trust–commitment. The complexity of trust management is further highlighted in an exploration of the importance of the exchange relationship environment.

Shifting Paradigm of Education Landscape in Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Revealing of a Digital Education Management Information System

The COVID-19 pandemic has indirectly changed the landscape of the country’s education system. Through information-based decision-making, the management of the education system seeks to increase the access to and efficiency, effectiveness, equity and quality of education through effective systems of monitoring, evaluation, budgeting and planning. From this perspective, an Integrated National Education Information System (iNEISTM) was developed to streamline and transform business processes and to provide an application and technology platform to comply with the National Education System that may be suitable for the COVID-19 pandemic environment. The implementation of iNEIS™ aimed to significantly improve operational efficiency and productivity and provide better services, value and “holistic education” to students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the newly implemented, integrated iNEISTM and its implications for educational management systems that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. It specifically examines the benefits and obstacles that hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. The result is very interesting. These findings demonstrate that there was a lack of positive impact on end-users, such as lacking readiness to accept organizational change and uncoordinated communication and information exchange between stakeholders and end-users. This research implies that when both the stakeholder-provider and end-user understand the significance of iNEISTM, there is a great possibility that the implementation will succeed in harvesting the full value of the system. This paper provides the stakeholder-provider with useful guidelines, in the form of recommendations, that need to be implemented to ensure improvement in the effectiveness of iNEISTM.

Driving performance of higher education industry: an Indian scenario

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the information and communication technology management enablers (ICTMEs) and establish the hierarchical relationship among them using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and analyse their driving and dependence power, using integrated ISM fuzzy-MICMAC analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

For identifying the ICTMEs, along with extensive literature review a large number of academicians and practitioners of repute are consulted. The contextual relationships between ICTMEs are established with the help of a well-established ISM methodology and further ICTMEs are analysed on the basis of their driving and dependence power and classified them into four different clusters by using fuzzy-MICMAC.

Findings

This paper has identified 25 key ICTMEs related to human resource, organization culture, technology, strategic planning, ICTM practices and organizational performance measurement and created a diagraph representing hierarchical relationship among them. Further these enablers are analysed and classified into four clusters on the basis of their driving and dependence power.

Research limitations/implications

The developed relational model is based on the inputs of academicians and practitioners and any biasing from the person judging the ICTM enablers might influence the power of this model.

Practical implications

Top management of the organization could formulate and execute their strategies keeping in mind these identified critical enablers and relationship among them which will finally result into higher performance of ICTM.

Originality/value

This is the first kind of study which has identified 25 key enablers of ICTM, established hierarchical relationship among them and analysed them on the basis of their driving and dependence power using integrative ISM fuzzy-MICMAC analysis.

Effects of Partnership Quality and Information Sharing on Express Delivery Service Performance in the E-commerce Industry

This study applies the partnership quality theory to investigate how the perceived information sharing quality from express delivery service providers can affect logistics service performance for online shoppers in terms of partnership quality (including trust and commitment) and willingness to share information from E-commerce enterprises. Based on 421 samples of E-commerce enterprises in China, the results of structural equation modelling revealed that perceived information sharing quality affects partnership trust, which in turn affects the partnership commitment and willingness to share information. Partnership quality and willingness to share information affect the perceived performance of the express delivery services. Surprisingly, information sharing quality does not play a role in commitment. This study provides a theoretical contribution to E-commerce supply chain research in constructing a cognition, affective, behavior, and conative performance model for further research.

Trust and commitment in supply chain management: a systematic review of literature

Purpose

Trust and commitment (T&C) among the supply chain partners in the context of supply chain management (SCM) are of interest for both researchers and practitioners. This paper analyses literature on T&C and identifies gaps for further research.

Design/methodology/approach

The current literature review paper provides a comprehensive perspective on the topic using bibliometric analysis followed by a systematic review of literature. In all, 207 relevant articles were extracted from the Scopus database using the relevant key word searches. For the purpose of the systematic review, another 48 relevant papers were identified through an iterative process. Hence, 255 papers published between the years 1990–2019 were analysed for the sake of this study.

Findings

A total of 15 definitions of trust, nine definitions of commitment, 13 classifications of trust, 40 antecedents of trust, six classifications of commitments, 39 consequences of trust, 11 antecedents of commitment and 15 consequences of commitment were identified and analysed. Future research directions were presented.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to identifying the antecedents and consequences of T&C. A detailed framework could be developed in future research. The antecedent and consequences for T&C could be discussed in greater detail.

Practical implications

Important implications for managers emerge from this study for building and implementing T&C, as SCM requires a thorough understanding of relationship-building skills. The discussion on the definitions of T&C, types of trust and the antecedents and consequences provides important insights for practitioners for strategy formulation. Results provide important insights and bring about greater clarity for researchers and practitioners on T&C in SCM.

Originality/value

Through rigorous analysis of the prevailing research, this paper extensively reviews literature on T&C in SCM till 2019. It summarises the current status and proposes future research directions.

The effects of trust and distrust on ICT-enabled information sharing in supply chains

Purpose

Drawing on transaction cost economics (TCE) and social exchange theory (SET), the purpose of this paper is to explain why and how external environment, governance structures and interpersonal relationships influence information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled information sharing in supply chains (SCs) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a theory-building approach using a multiple case study design, including four SMEs operating in SCs from two developing economies (i.e. Republic of North Macedonia and People’s Republic of China), in which the authors conduct both within-case and cross-case analyses.

Findings

Social bonds (known as vrski in Macedonian and guanxi in Chinese) were found to govern buyer–supplier exchanges by supporting the establishment of personal trust and the reduction of distrust. These social bonds compensate for the institutional deficiencies in developing economies and thus encourage ICT-enabled information sharing by SMEs in their SCs.

Research limitations/implications

By applying the theoretical perspectives of TCE and SET to the cross-case analysis, the authors develop nine propositions to explain ICT-enabled information sharing and its interdependencies with external environment, governance structures and interpersonal relationships in developing economies. Further research is recommended to refine and test the generalizability of the theoretical model.

Practical implications

Firms have to develop and nurture social bonds with their suppliers from developing economies to reduce risks related to the environmental uncertainty and institutional voids. This can increase trust and decrease distrust associated with ICT-enabled information sharing.

Originality/value

The study examines why and how external environment (environmental uncertainty and institutional environment), social bonds (vrski and guanxi) and interpersonal mechanisms (trust and distrust) influence ICT-enabled information sharing of SMEs operating in developing economies.

Determinants of information quality in dyadic supply chain relationships

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how different determinants impact specific information quality (IQ) dimensions of shared demand-related information in dyadic supply chain relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a qualitative case study of three manufacturer–supplier dyads in the European automotive industry, a range of methods are used to collect data about 168 possible IQ deficiency situations. IQ deficiencies are identified in 50 situations and determinants thereof are explored.

Findings

Findings show how inter-organisational collaboration, intra-organisational process support and composite information sharing directly impact five pragmatic IQ dimensions (relevance, accessibility, credibility, understandability and ease of operation) – at times beneficially, detrimentally, varyingly and conflictingly. Furthermore, the findings show how the determinant impact on ease of use-related IQ dimensions is moderated by information sharing facets.

Research limitations/implications

The paper extends previous research by showing how information sharing acts as both a determinant and moderator of pragmatic IQ. It furthermore details previous research by showing how previously examined determinants of IQ impact specific IQ dimensions.

Practical implications

The generated propositions of how determinants impact pragmatic IQ can guide managers to identify key drivers of successful information sharing.

Originality/value

Since IQ mediates the linkage between information sharing and performance, this research helps explaining conflicting results regarding the value of information sharing. It also guides several strands of future research, such as hypothesis testing and exploratory and conceptualising studies.

The impact of the core company’s strategy on the dimensions of supply chain integration

Purpose

Nowadays, supply chain integration (SCI) is considered as an enabler of competitive firm performance. It has three important dimensions: internal, supplier and customer integration. Understanding the interaction between these dimensions and organisational strategy would pave the way for effective implementation of SCI. The famous Mileset al. (1978) strategy typology classifies firms into four strategy types: defenders, prospectors, analysers and reactors. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the core company’s product-market innovation strategy on the dimensions of SCI, and to investigate the comparative strength of each dimension of SCI in defenders and prospectors.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected through an online survey of 112 firms in 24 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Direct and mediated relationships were assessed by conducting structural equation modelling on the dimensions of SCI and product-market innovation strategy variables. Cluster analysis was conducted on organisational strategy variables to group the firms into different strategy types. Next, a one-way analysis of variance was applied to assess the impact of organisational strategy on each dimension of the SCI. Finally, apost hocanalysis was conducted to compare the strength of each dimension of the SCI against the different strategy types.

Findings

The results indicate that internal integration (II) mediates the positive effects of the core company’s product-market innovation strategy on supplier and customer integration. Furthermore, the results indicate that prospectors have stronger internal, supplier and customer integration as compared to defenders.

Research limitations/implications

This study had two main limitations. One limitation is the lack of consideration of possible differences in the strengths of the investigated relationships across different geographical locations and cultures. The second limitation is the inability of the cross-sectional research design to capture the dynamics in the process of adopting SCI and organisational strategy.

Practical implications

The present study highlights to executives the need for understanding the implications of specific strategies on the SC linkages and relationships that are required to implement those strategies. Thus, it could serve as a preliminary clue in decision-making for establishing integrated SC that is compatible with the organisational strategy. Furthermore, it could serve as a guidance to managers in steering their firms in the organisational adaptive cycle, by indicating that the implementation of product-market innovation strategy requires adopting strong SCI, and by highlighting the importance of adopting II prior to external integration.

Originality/value

This paper tests relationships that explain how the core company’s strategy influences each dimension of SCI.

Dry Bulk Carrier Investment Selection through a Dual Group Decision Fusing Mechanism in the Green Supply Chain

Uncertain linguistic variables and scoring evaluations are two important evaluation mechanisms in the decision making field. Sustainability requirements for ship investment lead to the complexity of influence factors and the decision making process. The uncertain linguistic assessment features a large amount of ambiguity and subjectivity, while the scoring evaluation features high precision and distinct gradations. This paper constructs a criteria system in the green supply chain and proposes a dual group decision fusing mechanism for integrating the linguistic variable and scoring evaluation into a unified evaluation term. A hierarchical cloud of linguistic variable terms is constructed based on scoring via a reverse cloud generator, and then, the ship investment linguistic terms are transformed into prospect values. In addition, the consistency and investment selection performance are measured after aggregating the individual decision matrices for group decision making. The empirical research results on the selection of dry bulk carriers for investment show that dual group decision fusing mechanisms could effectively improve the consistency, decision making efficiency, and accuracy of dry bulk ship investment choices and reduce the cost of feedback adjustment for group decisions. In comparison with the trapezoidal fuzzy and fuzzy TOPSIS methods of group decision making, the proposed method performs better when there are a large number of alternatives.

Buyer–supplier relationships in IT outsourcing: consultants’ perspective

Purpose

Supply chain relationships have often been analysed from the macro-perspective of the companies involved, but there is less evidence of how relationships relate to the micro-perspective of persons involved. The purpose of this paper is to investigate, in IT outsourcing (ITO), how the buyer–supplier relationship type strengthens buyer performance from the perspective of consultants.

Design/methodology/approach

IT consultants were surveyed, and analysis was performed considering the aggregated values of variables that characterise buyer–supplier relationships adjusted to ITO.

Findings

The results show that strategic relationships are associated with higher supplier investment in relational management than in transactional ones. Similarly, in this type of relationship, higher levels of trust are linked to the recognition of more activities shared between parties involved than in transactional relationships. The improvement of supplier development by buyers was also found to improve buyers’ performance.

Research limitations/implications

The model proposed here was developed for nonspecific industries but tested in the context of ITO. Further research should be undertaken to broaden generalisability.

Originality/value

The paper provides an understanding of the influence of the buyer–supplier relationship type on buyer performance based both on relational management and, more specifically, how the formal dimension of supplier development can also contribute to performance. ITO is increasing worldwide, and relational management affects outsourcing outcomes in broad supply chain integration. This analysis is usually visited from buyer and supplier perspectives using decision makers. This paper assesses it from the perspective of consultants.