Enterprise Competitive Advantage Research Articles

Supply Chain Management and Marketing Integration for Competitive Advantage

Purpose: To explore the effect of the integration of supply chain management and marketing on the competitive advantage of enterprises. Approach/Methodology/Design: The relationship between supply chain management and marketing, the importance of integration and strategy were expounded through theoretical analysis, and the actual cases of Apple and Amazon were analyzed. Findings: It is found that supply chain management and marketing are closely related and interact with each other, and integration can improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, improve enterprise efficiency and enhance innovation ability. Cases such as Brazil Company show the positive effects of integration, but there are also cases where relevant advantages are not fully utilized. Practical Implications: TIt helps enterprises, government, academia and other parties to understand the importance and application of the integration of supply chain management and marketing in enhancing competitiveness and achieving sustainable development.. Originality/value: Put forward relevant theories and strategies for the integration of supply chain management and marketing, provide new ideas and methods for enterprise operation, and verify its effectiveness and practical significance through actual case analysis.

ESG Performance and Enterprise Competitive Advantage Construction: A Case Study of Walmart

This essay opens with an in-depth discussion of the growing importance of ESG concepts in modern corporate management and highlights their significant role in promoting long-term corporate value creation. With the increasing global focus on sustainability, ESG concepts have become an integral part of corporate strategic planning and operational decision-making. Next, this article selects the global retail giant Walmart as a case study and uses SWOT analysis and other management tools to analyse in detail how Walmart has effectively constructed and consolidated its competitive advantages in the highly competitive market through the implementation of an active ESG strategy. The article specifically describes Walmart's practices on several ESG dimensions, including but not limited to the implementation of environmental protection measures, active support to the community, the enhancement of employee welfare, and the optimisation of corporate governance structure. In terms of environmental protection, Walmart has significantly reduced the environmental impact of its operations through measures such as reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable products. In terms of community support, the company has strengthened its ties with local communities and enhanced its brand image through various community programmes and charitable activities. Employee well-being has been achieved through improved working conditions and career development opportunities, which have not only increased employee satisfaction but also enhanced the company's attractiveness. The article concludes by summarising the important contribution of Walmart's ESG practices to the company's sustainability and long-term competitive advantage and suggests possible future strategic directions and recommendations for Walmart in ESG based on current market trends and company performance. These recommendations are intended to provide valuable references and insights for Walmart and other companies in their future strategic planning and decision-making processes, especially in terms of how to balance economic efficiency and social responsibility to achieve long-term sustainable development. However, due to the limitation of data and the depth of research on Walmart ESG, the article still has limitations.

Strengthening SMEs competitiveness and performance via industrial internet: Technological, organizational, and environmental pathways

The industrial internet acts as a crucial accelerator for driving enterprise digital transformation and plays a vital role in enhancing performance and competitiveness. However, our understanding of how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leverage the industrial internet to improve their performance and competitiveness remains limited. This study developed a “Digital transformation paths chain” framework to shed light on the key factors that drive SMEs to adopt the industrial internet and its influence on performance and competitiveness. Data from 314 Chinese SMEs were collected and analyzed using fsQCA and PLS-SEM to examine this model. Our findings highlight the positive impact of industrial internet adoption on enterprise performance and competitive advantage. The results highlight that technology, organization, and environment (TOE) drive industrial internet adoption. Industrial internet adoption positively impacts enterprise performance and competitive advantage through integration, application, and drive. This study offers valuable insights for businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders engaged in digital transformation initiatives through the industrial internet.

A Preliminary Study on the Impact of Digital Transformation on Enterprise Competitive Advantage

With the rapid development of digital technologies such as big data and cloud computing, more and more enterprises are participating in the wave of digital transformation. Although many scholars have explored the impact of digital transformation on corporate performance, the improvement of performance does not mean that enterprises can gain a dominant position in market competition, and the relationship between digitization and corporate performance is complicated, and the relationship between the two is still controversial. Competitive advantage is the antecedent of performance. Focusing on competitive advantage research is not only conducive to further understanding the impact of digital transformation on enterprises, but also helpful to reveal the complex relationship between digital transformation and performance. On the basis of expounding the connotation of enterprise digital transformation and competitive advantage, this paper discusses the influence of enterprise digital transformation on the source of competitive advantage from two aspects: exogenous and endogenous, combined with industrial organization theory and resource-based theory. From the perspective of optimizing internal conditions, responding to external environment, adjusting competition and cooperation relationship, demand response and product innovation, this paper discusses the ways in which enterprises can gain competitive advantage through digital transformation.

КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНЫЙ ПОДХОД К ПОСТРОЕНИЮ ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЙ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ РЕШЕНИЯ ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ ЗАДАЧ МОНИТОРИНГА КООПЕРАЦИИ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ ПРОМЫШЛЕННОСТИ В ЦЕЛЯХ ОБЕСПЕЧЕННОСТИ ПРОДУКЦИЕЙ, ИЗДЕЛИЯМИ И КОМПЛЕКТУЮЩИМИ

A conceptual approach to the construction of information technology for monitoring products, products and components at industrial enterprises is proposed. The accounting of product movement is considered as a task of monitoring in logistics, which means the information flow corresponding to the product about the condition and movement of products, the management of which allows to achieve new competitive advantages for enterprises in the market. Design and technological solutions were used in the form of information technology elements for solving the monitoring problem, which is the novelty of the work. Conclusions are drawn about the need to create a unified information space and information technology for monitoring products, products and components as a tool for logistical support of industrial enterprise management processes.

Strategic analysis of light industry and fashion enterprise competitive advantages: Japanese experience

Strategic analysis of light industry and fashion enterprise competitive advantages: Japanese experience

Study of Firm Performance: EMS Adopter Firms to Achieve Sustainable Business Goals

EMS effectiveness is studied concerning financial, environmental, and competitive outcomes among corporations. A comparative analysis of Companies with EMS integrated into their management systems will be made with those Companies without EMS in this research. EMS’s contribution to business sustainability is also analyzed and validated with the help of quantitative research methods including panel data using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and regression analysis. The research focuses on the differences in the financial results, the positive impact on the natural environment, and competitive advantage of enterprises that voluntarily apply the EMS compared to those that do not. The findings of this study shown that EMS adoption enhance environmental performance and offer competitive advantage by enhancing stakeholder relations and market positioning. This alters the nature and benefits that organizations experience while implementing EMS as some companies initially experience cost implications and functioning challenges but in the long run, EMS brings profitability and cost-effectiveness. It may provide more information on how EMS promotes and can sustain responsible business activities and the most effective means of doing so. The above analysis may be useful to firms and policy makers in understanding how to encourage sustainability that will benefit economies and the natural environment in the long-term.

What Is a Successful Business Model? Exploration and Measurement of Key Attributes of Business Model

The attributes of the business model have become an essential factor affecting enterprise performance and competitive advantage. However, there still needs to be systematic identification of key attributes and empirical tests between key attributes and firm performance. To fill the research gap, we conducted a questionnaire and open-ended coding to identify five key attributes of successful business models, and then a measurement scale was developed. The empirical analysis based on 445 samples shows that the measurement scale of multi-dimensional business model attributes composed of novelty, sustainability, efficiency, expandability, and value co-creation has good reliability and validity. Our findings contribute to identifying key attributes of successful business models from different industries and examining the impact of key attributes on firm performance. Furthermore, the conclusion of this study will be an excellent enlightenment to understand better the key attributes of business models and the firm performance advantages brought by them for both research and practice.

Design for product upgradability considering remanufacturing outsourcing: A three-level joint optimization approach

Product design and business models play a pivotal role in the transition to a circular economy, emphasizing waste reduction and the preservation of valuable materials. Upgrading products by selectively replacing components that devalue over time proves to be an effective strategy for achieving competitive reutilization. This approach, known as product design for upgradability (DfU), not only enhances product value but also avoids whole product replacement, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society. The prevailing practice of DfU is often examined as a life-cycle characteristic, focusing on configurations of functional, physical, and architectural features to achieve competitive reutilization and extend service life. However, the upgradability of a product is strongly influenced by the practices of remanufacturing enterprises, which commonly adopt outsourcing strategies. Coordinating DfU decisions with remanufacturing and outsourcing presents a critical challenge for the effective operation of product upgrades.To address this challenge, this paper proposes a nonlinear mixed-integer decision model emphasizing a three-level joint optimization (TJO) based on a Stackelberg game. This model aims to determine the optimal solution that maximizes profit for the manufacturer, multiple remanufacturers, and outsourcers. To solve for the optimal decisions, a solution approach combining analytical methods with a nested genetic algorithm (NGA) is developed. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed TJO model are illustrated through a practical case study focusing on engine DfU considering remanufacturing outsourcing. The study identifies optimal DfU, remanufacturing, and outsourcing schemes simultaneously and conducts a sensitivity analysis of key parameters. The results demonstrate that our proposed DfU considering remanufacturing outsourcing strategy effectively improves production efficiency and the competitive advantage of enterprises. Moreover, the proposed TJO model successfully addresses coordination and conflicts between different stakeholders. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the integration of DfU, remanufacturing, and outsourcing, offering a practical approach to optimizing decisions and improving the overall performance of enterprises in the context of remanufactured products.

Policy role, information disclosure, and enterprise innovation

The interactive relationship between policy, information disclosure and Enterprise innovation is crucial for the development of modern Enterprises. This paper examines how disclosure regulations imposed by regulators stimulate Enterprise innovation by shaping the dissemination of critical information that supports competitive advantage. This paper uses fixed effects and Bayesian model analysis methods for analysis. The study finds that policy and information disclosure drive corporate executives to make strategic choices, which will promote corporate innovation to ensure sustainable development and competitive advantage of enterprises.

Enterprise Strategic Rhythm and Competitive Advantage

The purpose of the enterprise strategic rhythm is to describe the dynamic characteristics such as the speed and variability of the enterprise strategic activities as time changes. Because competitive advantage is the key to survive and develop in dynamic environment, enterprises need to take a series of strategic activities to obtain competitive advantage. However, even the same type of strategic activities will produce different results due to differences in the implementation process. Therefore, it is very important to study the influence of strategic rhythm on the competitive advantage of enterprises from the perspective of time. By combing and analyzing 45 literatures in the field of strategic management based on time perspective, this paper carries out theoretical research on strategic rhythm in the process of strategic activities. Firstly, it defines the concept of enterprise strategic rhythm, and summarizes the dynamic characteristics of enterprise strategic activities as "strategic rhythm". Secondly, from the two dimensions of speed and variability, the enterprise strategic activities are divided into four basic strategic rhythm types: low speed low variation, high speed low variation, low speed high variation and high speed high variation. Thirdly, the paper combs and analyzes the causes of strategic rhythm from the three aspects of managers, enterprises and external environment, and then analyzes the influence mechanism of strategic rhythm on competitive advantage from the two time dimensions of speed and variability, thus forming the research framework of corporate strategic rhythm and competitive advantage. Finally, the future research direction is proposed to lay a foundation for further research on the strategic rhythm of enterprises.

Enterprise strategy and competitive advantage

This paper delves into the intricate relationship between corporate strategy and competitive advantage. It elucidates the foundational theories of both concepts, explores the various influences shaping corporate strategies, and investigates the sources and drivers of sustained competitive advantage. Additionally, the study examines the issues prevalent in strategic management and underscores the importance of aligning corporate culture with strategy to foster a competitive edge. Through an analytical approach, the paper categorizes corporate strategy schools of thought by their perspective on competitive advantage and asserts that the core subject of corporate strategy theory is the attainment and maintenance of competitive advantage. The findings reveal that challenges in strategy formulation and execution, along with a disregard for the dynamic business context, often result in strategic shortcomings. The construction of a corporate culture that is deeply integrated with strategy is proposed as a key driver for continuous competitive advantage.

Quo Vadis Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Competitive Advantage: Evidence from Indonesia

This research aims to identify the influence of personal network variables and product quality on the competitive advantage of MSMEs through moderating variables. The data used in this research is primary data in the form of a questionnaire filled in by 167 respondents who have heterogeneity in gender, age, education and information about business. Researchers use Structural Equation Modeling as a method for extracting data. The research results show that all independent and moderating variables have a positive influence on the competitive advantage variable of MSMEs. This is indicated by a t-statistic value that is greater than the t-table with a p-value < 0.05. The validity and reliability indicators through outer loading also show values ​​above 0.6 on average. Therefore, the implications of this research are as follows: The government as a stakeholder must be able to bridge the community to be able to access business capital through networks, business incubators, academia, media, and society The community must have good literacy regarding the quality of a product and product knowledge so that it can have competitiveness in numerous free MSME’s Market, Academics and researchers are expected to accelerate the down streaming of products so that they have greater benefits for the informal sector economy.

Competitive Advantage As A Key Factor In Shaping The Economic Security of Enterprises

The modern economy is characterized by high volatility, and doing business under the current conditions is becoming an increasingly difficult task. Under such conditions, the competitive advantage of enterprises is gaining new importance, as a key tool for creating economic security for enterprises, especially in the current turbulent post-pandemic times and in the face of the energy crisis. The area of research covered the issue of competitiveness of enterprises in the development sector, due to the fact that the construction sector is a large component of the national gross product, thereby having a significant impact on the national economy, including the labor market. It also has a major impact on the country's infrastructure, including, among other things, aesthetic and environmental issues, which translate directly into the quality of life of citizens. And thirdly, small and medium-sized developers, which are the subject of this paper, are not frequent objects of analysis, so there is a perceived deficiency and gap in knowledge on this subject, which the author will try to explore. The purpose of this article is to identify the key factors shaping the competitive advantage of real estate development enterprises as a tool for shaping economic security. The research thesis is that the main source of competitive advantage of development sector enterprises is the intangible resources they possess.

АНАЛІЗ СУЧАСНИХ ТЕНДЕНЦІЙ РОЗВИТКУ ІНДУСТРІЇ ГОСТИННОСТІ ТА ТУРИЗМУ НІМЕЧЧИНИ

The article examines the main directions of the modern development of enterprises in the hospitality and tourism industry in Germany after the abatement of the coronavirus pandemic and the recovery of international travel volumes. This made it possible to formulate an idea of modern trends and possible promising directions for the development of the field of hospitality and tourism in Germany. The field of hospitality and tourism is studied in the context of the economic growth of the country, employment and education of the population – as a key factor in the development of the national economy of Germany, which is especially important for improving the attractiveness of structurally weak areas of the country. In particular, the trends are considered as positive impulses for the growth of the hospitality and tourism industry, extending to other sectors of the economy, such as trade, crafts or agriculture. From the analysis of the latest trends in the development of the hospitality and tourism industry, it can be stated that international tourism in Germany in 2023 and at the beginning of 2024 almost recovered to the pre-pandemic level: there was a dynamic growth of inbound tourism, an important stimulus for this process was the organization of EURO-2024 , the market for international business trips recovered particularly quickly, the process of introducing innovations was intensified, a pilot project was launched with an influential face in the field of AI, new programs for the development of barrier-free tourism were developed, the focus of global marketing was on the problems of developing cultural tourism, in the largest outbound markets new city travel programs were presented, new proposals for the sustainable development of tourism were proposed, and there was an extremely dynamic recovery of inbound tourism from China. This work will help researchers in the analysis of new post-pandemic trends in the development of the travel and hospitality industry; to carry out comprehensively substantiated forecasting for the long-term perspective of the sustainable development of international tourism and hospitality; to study the problems and new competitive advantages of enterprises in the hospitality and tourism industry. The prospects for further scientific research in this direction is the development of proposals for the strategic development of the domestic hospitality and tourism industry on the basis of the introduction of effective German practices.

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ AGILE-МЕТОДОЛОГІЇ В КОНТЕКСТІ РІЗНИХ ВИДІВ БІЗНЕС-ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ

In the context of modern business, which requires a quick response to changes, improved communication and project management, the use of Agile methodologies becomes extremely relevant and an important factor for achieving success and competitive advantage of enterprises. The purpose of the article is to study the peculiarities of using Agile methodologies in the context of various types of business activities. Using a comparative analysis, the article considers the directions of implementation of Agile methodologies for such types of business activities as production of products, execution of works, provision of services, trade activities and commercial mediation. The study notes the role of Agile methodologies in improving the efficiency of work processes, increasing flexibility in project management and increasing responsiveness to changes in market requirements. The main differences in the application of Agile methodologies in the organization of production processes compared to the provision of services are highlighted, emphasizing the flexibility of Agile methodologies in adapting to various requirements and needs of business activities. It is noted that the Agile concept is effective in process activities, which is confirmed by the example of a quick service cafe. The suitability of Agile methodologies for the development of projects in a wide range of industries, including marketing, advertising and PR activities, is substantiated, which indicates the universality of the approach and its successful use in areas that require quick adaptation to changing market conditions and a high level of communication with clients. The effectiveness of the use of Agile methodologies in various sectors of economic activity from the point of view of project management, development of products and services, as well as in response to changes in market conditions is shown. This topic is important for understanding and promoting the benefits of Agile methodologies in modern business, stimulating further research and implementation of these practices to achieve competitive advantages in various industries. The results of the study will contribute to the improvement of the organization of work processes in various industries and areas of business, allowing enterprises to increase the speed of reaction to market changes and customer requirements.

Small and medium-sized enterprises dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage: The mediating effect of digitalization

Small and medium-sized enterprises dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage: The mediating effect of digitalization

Exploring the Influence of Smart Product Service Systems on Enterprise Competitive Advantage from the Perspective of Value Creation

With the continuous development of information and communication technology, the development of smart product service systems (smart PSS) has become a crucial approach for enterprises to establish a competitive advantage. However, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the impact process of smart PSS on competitive advantage. This paper aims to explore the impact mechanism of smart PSS on competitive advantage from the perspective of value creation, using an intelligent connected vehicle supplier as a case study. The findings reveal that the composition of smart PSS, including smart technology, smart products, and smart services, influences competitive advantage through the value creation process, which involves relationship construction, relationship operation, and value release. Under the smart PSS environment, changes occur in subject relationships, resources, and key elements. In the context of smart PSS, deep cooperation between enterprises and partners focuses on ecological advantages, while general cooperation emphasizes benefit advantages. This research provides valuable insights into the impact of smart PSS composition on competitive advantage and offers reference values for organizations to establish competitive advantage objectives.

Deconstructing innovation in the wood furniture industry in Kenya

Innovation is often considered to be a critical component of enterprise competitive advantage. Continuous innovation is necessary to allow firms to better meet consumer needs, stay ahead of the competition, capitalize on strategic market opportunities, and align organizational strengths with market opportunities. In this research, innovation was deconstructed into product, process, and business systems innovations. A model was then developed and used to examine the relationships between innovation constructs and demographic and management attributes of wood furniture firms in Kenya. Results show significant differences in product innovation between micro- and medium-size furniture firms, and between small- and medium-size firms. There were also significant regional differences in all innovation types. Overall, the most significant predictors of innovation were company location and rewards for implementing innovation. Other statistically significant innovation predictors were Internet use and research and development expenditures.

Determinants of competitive advantage: The roles of innovation orientation, fuzzy front end, and internal competition

Although innovation orientation is identified as an effective strategy to enhance an enterprise's competitive advantage, its mechanism remains to be investigated. This study divides the fuzzy front‐end (FFE) activities of new product development (NPD) projects into idea generation, concept definition, and initial planning and investigates the transmission path between innovation orientation and competitive advantage through these three activities. Additionally, we explore the moderating role of internal competition. This empirical study is based on 261 respondents from China. The results suggest that innovation orientation has a positive impact on FFE activities, and these promote competitive advantage. The mediating role of FFE activities in the relationship between innovation orientation and competitive advantage is confirmed. The results also reveal that internal competition regulates the relationship between innovation orientation and FFE activities in an inverted U‐shape. The study further reveals the internal mechanism of innovation orientation on competitive advantage and provides a deeper understanding of the link between them. The study guides research and development (R&D) management practitioners in managing FFE activities and rationalizing internal competition to enhance NPD success.