Multi-homing in B2B services: a psychological perspective

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques into various domains has revolutionized numerous industries, and Supply Chain Management (SCM) is no exception. This paper addresses the challenges encountered in SCM and the development of AI solutions within this context. Specifically, we focus on the application of AI in optimizing supply chain planning tasks. This includes forecasting demand, availability and feasibility checks for customer orders, supply chain network design and information flow inside the supply chain planning processes. However, the successful implementation of AI in SCM requires a deep understanding of both the domain-specific challenges and the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies. Thus, this paper proposes an overarching approach that facilitates collaboration between domain experts in SCM and AI experts, enabling them to jointly develop effective solutions.The paper begins by outlining the key challenges faced by SCM professionals, including demand volatility, complexities in inventory management, and dynamic market conditions. Subsequently, it delves into the challenges associated with developing AI solutions for SCM, including data quality, interpretability, and model transparency. To address these challenges, the proposed approach promotes close collaboration and knowledge exchange between SCM and AI experts. By leveraging the domain knowledge and experience of SCM experts, AI experts can better understand the special issues of SCM processes and tailor AI techniques to suit specific needs. In turn, SCM experts can gain insights into the capabilities and limitations of AI, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding the adoption and integration of AI in their supply chain planning operations. Furthermore, the paper discusses the importance of establishing a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from the fields of SCM, AI, and IT. This team-based approach fosters a holistic understanding of SCM challenges and ensures the development of AI solutions that align with business goals and practical constraints.In conclusion, this paper highlights the challenges in combining SCM and AI and proposes a collaborative approach to address these challenges effectively. By leveraging the expertise of both domain and AI experts, organizations can develop tailored AI solutions that enhance supply chain planning, improve decision-making processes, and drive competitive advantage. The proposed approach contributes to the successful integration of AI in SCM, ultimately leading to more efficient and resilient supply chains in the era of artificial intelligence.

55 Purpose Cancer currently is a major public health problem in developing countries. In Ethiopia, cancer is responsible for 5.8% of total national deaths. Patients often present with advanced stage cancer and have limited access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Access to affordable cytotoxic medicines is a major challenge in the care of patients with cancer, especially in resource-poor settings, such as Ethiopia. This aim of this study was to explore perceived challenges in the accessibility of cancer chemotherapy drugs among different stakeholders in Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was performed using face-to-face in-depth interviews with such key informants as health care providers, supply chain management experts, and decision makers working in the Ministry of Health. Results A total of six key informants participated in this case report, with two oncology pharmacists, two supply chain management experts, one expert from the Ministry of Health, and one private supplier. Challenges were explored and viewed from the perspectives of policy, supply chain management, and health service. The most frequently identified challenges were the presence of inconsistent services and few currently active cancer centers, such as Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Gondar University Hospital, and Jimma University Hospital; difficulties in cancer commodity management; implementation challenges with cancer medicine cost subsidy programs; lack of an efficient stock status reporting system; supplementary medicine requirements; an inefficient market (costly, few suppliers, and noneconomic quantities); the need for combinations of cancer medicines; and a lack of national treatment guidelines. Conclusion Respondents suggested ways forward that included the participation of relevant and specific stakeholders, such as government and private pharmaceutical suppliers, the Ministry of Health, nongovernmental organizations, and hospitals. Strengthening supply chain management at all levels and sustainable subsidy programs for cancer medicines should be sought to avoid frequent interruptions in the availability of chemotherapy drugs. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.

The purpose of this paper is to raise the issue of urgency of supply chain management research in terms of developmental issues, trends and challenges, as well as research objects and methologies in the any industry, business sector, and public sector. This study is an exploratory research with the aim of finding trends, developments, and challenges of current and potential supply chain management research. Data were collected from previous studies and written interviews from supply chain management experts where domiciled in several institutions in Bandung City. The findings of this study show expert opinion on the issues of supply chain management research in terms of developments, trends, and challenges, as well as the urgency of supply chain research. While, the results of the literature review from previous study, the research objects and methodologies of supply chain management research categorized into several categories that need to be concentrated for further research. Research suggestions are aimed specifically at academic, private and public sector practitioners to update and upgrade capacity, information, and knowledge about the development of supply chain management study in a sustainable manner. This paper also suggests to establish a community of supply chain management which consist of academicians, practitioners, and government in Bandung City to share informations and experiences about research and issues related to supply chain management, such as Supply Chain Indonesia (SCI) and American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Management Research, Issue of Supply Chain Management

The world has been witnessing the advent of a wide range of emerging technologies like machine learning, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, internet of things, and others. In supply chain management (SCM) functions, these technologies have increasingly been playing a decisive role in improving the overall success of an organization. So, the purpose of this article was to understand the strategic imperative of adopting smart SCM utilizing these emerging technologies by Indian firms. Thus, the context was of an emerging economy like India from a dynamic capabilities' perspective. The authors undertook a qualitative research with a positivist approach by undertaking expert interviews with 14 respondents. The respondents were interviewed with a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. The responses were content analyzed for themes. The SCM experts were engaged in the adoption of emerging technologies to transform SCM. The adoption of emerging technologies helped SCM functions of Indian firms to cater to the increased expectations of customers.

The optimization of supply chain management (SCM) is crucial for enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in manufacturing industries. This study employs a qualitative research approach to explore various strategies for SCM optimization. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with SCM experts, focus groups with key stakeholders, and an extensive review of secondary sources. The analysis reveals that the integration of information technology (IT), including ERP systems, supply chain management software, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), significantly enhances supply chain visibility and coordination, leading to improved decision-making and reduced lead times. Additionally, lean manufacturing and Just-In-Time (JIT) practices are found to be effective in minimizing waste, optimizing inventory levels, and aligning production schedules with market demand, thereby reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency. Strategic supplier partnerships and collaborations play a vital role in achieving synchronization across the supply chain, improving quality, and managing risks. The adoption of sustainability and green supply chain management (GSCM) practices is also highlighted as a key driver for cost reduction and efficiency improvement. These practices not only enhance environmental performance but also drive innovation and provide a competitive advantage. However, the study acknowledges the challenges associated with implementing these strategies, including high initial costs, the need for skilled personnel, and the complexity of managing multiple supplier relationships. Despite these challenges, the findings suggest that a holistic approach to SCM optimization, integrating traditional methods with cutting-edge technologies, can significantly enhance supply chain performance. This research provides valuable insights for both academia and industry practitioners, offering practical guidelines for implementing effective SCM strategies. By adopting these strategies, manufacturers can build resilient and adaptive supply chains capable of meeting the evolving demands of the global market, ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness.

Purpose This study aims to systematically explore the complex interrelationships among technological barriers that hinder the adoption of blockchain technology (BT) in supply chain management (SCM). While many studies identify barriers, their interdependencies and hierarchical causal dynamics remain unclear. This study, therefore, empirically models these relationships to uncover underlying structures and influence pathways. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in complexity theory and general systems theory (GST), this study applies interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Fuzzy MICMAC to analyze influence–dependence relationships among 15 key technological barriers. Data from 15 seasoned BT and SCM experts were gathered through structured, multi-stage interviews. This integrated approach transforms expert insights into a hierarchical, system-wide framework that highlights propagation patterns and systemic interactions among barriers. Findings Results show that foundational barriers, such as fork problems, interoperability issues and unreliable data, exert strong driving power, initiating cascading effects throughout BT implementation. Conversely, underperforming functionality appears highly dependent, representing a systemic consequence. The framework identifies four clusters (autonomous, driver, linkage and dependent) that clarify the roles, positions and interconnections of technological barriers in the BT adoption process. Originality/value This study advances literature by empirically applying complexity theory and GST through ISM and/or Fuzzy MICMAC for a hierarchical analysis focused solely on technological barriers. Unlike prior works that list isolated factors, it reveals the causal structure within the technological domain, offering a strategic tool for refining theory and targeted interventions in BT-driven SCM transformation.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe an emergent supply chain management system that supports a sustainable values based organization (VBO) using a structuration theory‐based framework.Design/methodology/approachA case study of a sustainable beef cooperative employing a structuration theory framework provides insights into sustainable supply chain management models.FindingsThe supply chain design and management afford the key to the VBO's success. In order to attain the necessary price premium, the unique product attributes acquired through the natural beef production process must be sustained along the entire supply chain and communicated to the end customer. Structuration theory is useful in understanding supply chain management in VBOs.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper has implications for studying VBOs, particularly those prioritizing sustainability values. The descriptive model presented is useful in settings where organizational structure and the supply chain are needed to support sustainable products and processes and whose success is facilitated by establishing strategic partners, especially those that make possible economies of scale. The study is limited to one, privately owned firm, operating in a specialty industry sector.Practical implicationsThe paper has implications for those entities with an identified values set that endows the product with unique characteristics that must be conveyed to their end consumer in order to command a price premium and/or differentiate the product from a commodity. The case study provides an example of how a unique product as well as a facilitating organizational structure and supply chain emerge out of the application of a set of core values.Originality/valueLittle previous research focuses on implications of supply chain management in VBOs. In addition, the paper contributes to both the supply chain management and sustainability literature by relating supply chain management to a more comprehensive sustainability agenda including social, environmental, and long‐term economic sustainability and by a theoretically based structuring.

Unethical use of information access and analytics in B2B service organisations: The dark side of behavioural loyalty

The value of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is widely discussed within all construction stages including the data-driven culture across building processes and sustainable impact in the long term. Yet, there is a need to explore the opportunities of BIM in improving construction materials management (CMM) as a core function of supply chain management. Due to the dearth of studies on BIM potential in improving CMM within the sustainability context, the authors examine the effectiveness and efficiency of BIM-enabled materials management, via three data streams: a literature review, an online survey, and interviews with subject matter experts in the field. This study aims to explore the drivers of BIM-enabled sustainable construction materials management. This is the preliminary study designed to test the initial hypotheses based on an online questionnaire application to derive tacit knowledge from industry and academic experts, followed by short interviews with respondents. Grounded in the comprehensive literature review, 24 indicators were defined for survey purposes. Preliminarily, 206 experts from 10 countries responded to the survey. The results show significant differences in the ranking of the indicators among the five factors. In developing countries, among two groups, industry sample awareness scales demonstrated lower understanding than among academic experts. Another finding relates to the significant agreement in scaling the importance of opportunities among industrial and academic sector experts. The research adds knowledge to deepen the understanding of opportunities of BIM-enabled materials management as a part of building project sustainable performance for industry policy and decision-makers. It also brings attention to the lack of sustainability awareness amongst industry experts in developing countries. Although materials constitute a solid part of any construction project cost, there is still a collaboration gap among designers, materials management, and, more broadly, supply chain management experts.

As part of efforts to promote sustainable mobility, many cities are currently experiencing the rapid expansion of their metro network. The consequent growth in ridership motivates a broad range of travel demand management (TDM) policies, both in terms of passenger flow control and dynamic pricing strategies. This work aims to reveal the impact of TDM on metro commuters’ behavioural loyalty using stated-preference data collected in Guangzhou, China. Commuters’ behavioural response to TDM strategies is investigated in terms of the possible shift in departure time and travel mode. A hybrid choice model framework is used to incorporate four latent variables of interest, i.e., service quality, overall impression, external attractiveness and switching cost, into the discrete choice model and thereby capture the relationships between the attitudinal factors and observed variables. The model estimation results indicate that the four latent variables all prove useful in interpreting commuters’ behavioural loyalty. Commuters’ perceived service quality and overall impression both show a positive effect on their willingness to continue travelling by metro and are thus instructive for ridership retention. External attractiveness is found to be significant only in the case of the tendency to shift to a private car. Switching costs reveal commuters’ emotional attachment to their already developed commuting habit. These insights into commuters’ behavioural change intention enable metro operators to enhance commuters’ loyalty to their service and develop more effective TDM strategies in future practice.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) has gained importance in recent years. Innovation and technological interventions in SCM would be required to remove inefficiencies. It has become imperative for firms to undertake new innovations in SCM to remain competitive. This chapter focuses on physical and digital innovation in Indian market context in the context of SCM . The authors explore the strategic imperative of technology-based SCM innovation by performing detailed literature review regarding new automated technological innovations in SCM to understand the new set of business gains to be incurred from SCM. The authors then carried out, through a semi-structured questionnaire, in-depth personal interviews of the 24 SCM experts in the study. Thematic content analysis was done. The main finding of the study was that physical innovation in SCM has occurred at a slower pace as compared to digital innovation. Digital innovation was perceived to be helping firms more than physical innovation in SCM. The major challenge has been the integration of the new system with the existing SCM system.

Mathematical models and methods have been established in various fields of applications in recent years. These include transport and traffic (see for instance the Oberwolfach workshop on “Traffic and Transport Optimization” in 1999), production planning (see Handbooks in Operations Research and Management Science, the volume on “Logistics of Production and Inventory” Graves, Rinnooy Kan and Zipkin (eds.), North-Holland, 1993), communication networks (see “Handbook of Discrete and Combinatorial Mathematics” Rosen (ed.), or “Handbook in Operations Research and Management Science” the volume on “Network Models” Ball, Magnanti, Monma and Nemhauser (eds.)) and financial engineering (“Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives” by J. Hull). The success of mathematical methods does not only rely on progress in computer technology, but in a fundamental way it relies on the improvement of the underlying mathematical models, methods and associated algorithmic developments. In recent years new challenges from industry and business have arisen. Modern problems contain more and more structures whose origins lie in various disciplines of mathematics, including graphs and networks, optimization, control and stochastic processes. A prominent field in which such problems arise is supply chain management. Supply chain management is typically defined as: A set of approaches utilized to efficiently integrate suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, and stores so that merchandise is produced and distributed in the right quantities, to the right locations, and at the right time, in order to minimize systemwide costs while satisfying service level requirements. The idea of the workshop was to bring people from mathematics who have successfully applied mathematical methods for the solution of practical problems together with people who are in touch with the real-world problems that constitute supply chain management. To motivate and initiate interactions between the two groups, the mathematicians presented their applied methods and explained the situations in which they are effective as well as the underlying theory. These methods and concepts cover a wide spectrum, ranging from integer programming and dynamic programming methods through approximation algorithms to stochastic optimization methods. Similarly, supply chain management experts explained their problems, pointed out where current methods will help and where further developments are necessary. The scope of these problems is quite impressive. It includes distribution problems that integrate warehousing and transportation, inventory management models, the integration of procurement and manufacturing activities with demand planning processes and pricing and auction models that are used to improve business-to-consumer and business-to-business interactions. In this way we hope that the workshop provided a forum for open discussions about interesting new mathematical problems that are of central importance to supply chain management. The workshop itself was organized as follows. We had a series of plenary talks from world leading experts in mathematics and in supply chain management about the current state-of-the-art in these fields. We completed the program by having a series of shorter talks where people reported on their chosen models and solution methods for these models. In particular we invited and encouraged young people to participate in the workshop. They used the chance to gain as well as to present insights into new developments in applied mathematics and supply chain management. The interconnection of the two disciplines showed to provide a great source for new, interesting research projects in the future. The Oberwolfach workshop on “Mathematics in the Supply Chain” turned out to be of great interest for both experts in mathematics and experts in supply chain management. The meeting offered a platform for mathematicians to become acquainted with an important future-oriented field of applications. Vice versa, it offered a platform for supply chain management people to learn more about current mathematical models and methods potentially useful in solving further problems. We are very happy that we had the opportunity to organize such an interdisciplinary workshop at Oberwolfach.

PurposeA significant way of achieving high profitability is to retain existing customers who contribute to the service provider's revenue by continuously purchasing and paying more for products and services and building brand equity to the provider. The main objective of this study is to empirically examine and extend the knowledge underlying the linkage between service loyalty and brand equity performance outcomes in the context of business‐to‐business markets. It aims to develop and empirically test a theoretical model examining the antecedents and the outcomes of service loyalty in a business‐to‐business context. The model also aims to examine the relationship between service loyalty and customer share of wallet and price premium, as well as the links between the proposed antecedents (habitual buying, trust in the service provider, and perceived service quality) and service loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical model was empirically tested with a sample of 294 Australian small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), using online and paper‐and‐pencil surveys. Respondents were owners of SMEs, financial controllers, and managers who are decision‐makers in the selection and use of courier service providers for their businesses.FindingsFindings provide support for the theoretical model in linking drivers of service loyalty with two types of loyalty, purchase intentions (i.e. behavioural loyalty) and attitudinal loyalty. Furthermore, the two types of loyalty are differential predictors of brand equity outcomes in that customer share of wallet is mainly driven by purchase intentions, whereas willingness to pay a price premium is mainly driven by attitudinal loyalty.Originality/valueThe paper examines the relationship between service loyalty and willingness to pay a price premium as one key indicator of brand equity.

The chapter delves into the leadership attributes that former military members bring to the realm of supply chain management (SCM) which involves overseeing the movement of products and services from suppliers to consumers. The authors examine studies on the parallels and distinctions in SCM leadership by gathering insights from discussions with 15 SCM experts who recount their journey from transitioning from the battlefield to the boardroom. The emphasis lies in highlighting the valuable leadership capabilities veterans possess, such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and resilience, and how they leverage these skills in SCM. Moreover, the authors address the hurdles veterans encounter when transitioning into work environments and offer suggestions for aiding their adaptation and assimilation into SCM. Supporting veterans during their transition can prove advantageous, for both them and the SCM sector.

Abstract: This paper presents a systematic framework via a meta-analytical approach to distinguish various dimensions of customer loyalty in the banking industry. Manuscript type: Documentary Research. Research Aims: Presenting a systematic framework of customer loyalty in the banking industry. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted searches in various databases and analysed 146 observations in 27 articles. For the quantitative data analysis, the authors used the count of variable repetitions to measure the size and scope of the studied variables. Research Findings: The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrated four dimensions of customer loyalty in the banking sector: behavioral loyalty, attitudinal loyalty, cognitive loyalty and affective loyalty. These four dimensions were derived from 25 variables. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This research has clarified the dimensions of customer loyalty in the banking sector and presented important results through a meta-analytical review. This meta-analysis contributes to the marketing literature using a set of empirical generalizations, including relationship coefficients and calculated fail-safe numbers. Practitioner/Policy Implication: The results show that according to the four main dimensions of loyalty, managers should care about customer loyalty because it results from the consumer’s banking outcomes. Research limitation/Implications: This meta-analysis reviewed universal relations between literature throughout expanding and improving on current knowledge. It identified ways that research on customer loyalty in the banking sector is lacking and presents suggestions for the elaboration of new studies to allow future researchers to better define their agendas. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA