Strategic Network Research Articles

Strategic Alliance for Resilience in Supply Chain: A Bibliometric Analysis

Resilience is a particularly important quality for supply chains in this turbulent environment. Resilience in the supply chain is the ability to retain, resume, and recover operations after an intense destructive incident. One of the strategic solutions for managing supply chain disruptions is to establish collaboration and strategic alliances in order to achieve competitive advantage. Therefore, given the increasing publication of articles in areas of strategic alliances and supply chain resilience, it is a good opportunity to review these articles, identify gaps in the current literature, demonstrate links between the two areas, and provide suggestions for future research. For these purposes, a bibliometric analysis has been performed on literature available on the Web of Science database. The distribution of articles based on year and country, influential journals, research areas, authors, affiliations, keywords, citations, and reference co-citation analysis are discussed. Results indicate that studies about strategic alliances, meant to increase resilience, are growing in areas such as “Management”, “Operations research”, “Management science”, and “Business”. Furthermore, the sources could be categorized into five clusters; namely “From knowledge concept to value creation”, “Internal and external relationships”, “Logistics and supply chain performance”, “Intellectual capital and strategic management”, and “Critical success factors and alliances”. This article can be useful for both practitioners and academics who explore the topic of strategic alliances and resilience in the supply chain, and also offers managers the opportunity to overcome supply chain disruptions and negative consequences of risks by becoming familiar with the key concepts of resilience. The persistence of businesses and supply chains is guaranteed through communicating with partners and even competitors in the light of alliance according to the findings of this research. Managers can pay attention to the integration of the supply chain to improve resilience and increase collaboration between suppliers and customers. Given the research results, strategic alliances can be noted in expanding organizational entrepreneurship and shaping strategic collaboration networks in light of strategic alliances.

The drivers of the post-entry internationalisation commitment of small and medium-sized enterprises

By integrating relational embeddedness in international strategic alliance networks (ISANs) and the dynamic capability perspective, this article presents an examination of the drivers of the post-entry internationalisation commitment of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, we investigated the mediating effect of opportunity-sensing capabilities (OSCs) on the relationship between ISAN relational embeddedness and the post-entry internationalisation commitment of SMEs. We also examined the moderating impact of strategic adaptiveness on the relationship between OSCs and post-entry internationalisation commitment. An analysis of 320 UK-based SMEs, performed using structural equation modelling, revealed that OSCs are an important mechanism through which the ISAN relational embeddedness leads to increased post-entry internationalisation commitment. Furthermore, strategic adaptiveness strengthens the positive relationship between OSCs and post-entry commitment to foreign markets. This article extends the existing SME venturing and internationalisation literature to the domain of SME post-entry internationalisation commitment.

Community governance in rural villager resettlement neighborhoods in China: rural-urban divide, civic engagement, and state control

In China, to meet the demand of expansive urbanization, the state expropriates rural land from village collectives and offers resettlement arrangement to landless villagers. The aim of this study is to advance our understanding of the community governance in government-designated resettlement neighborhoods in Chinese cities. By employing participatory observations and key informant interviews with community association staff and resettled villagers in four neighborhoods in Shanghai, this research documents and evaluates an emerging multi-scalar civic coalition formed to maximize the capacity of community governance. The study finds that the new collation is maintained through strategic networks, information exchange, resource sharing, and reciprocal collaborations. Critiques of the regime spotlight its three shortfalls: the conflicts among regime partners which threatens the stability of the coalition; the justice issue behind differentiated standards that creates divides among community members; and the lack of citizen connection and support that questions the resilience of the regime.

Strategic reliable supply chain network design: determining tradeoffs between cost and risk

The design of a supply chain network (SCN) should address two conflicting objectives, i.e. inexpensive yet reliable operation. This paper presents models to choose supply facilities and determine distribution options while considering the expected risk of not serving customers attributed to supply shortages. The goal is to design a reliable network with a lower cost under traditional cost objectives. We formulate a stochastic mixed-integer biobjective programming model considering the protection of facilities and solve this problem with a progressive hedging algorithm (PHA). We examine the tradeoff curve between the cost and risk through a case study involving Shanghai in China. The results indicate that substantial improvements in reliability can be reached with a limited increase in the total cost.

Cultivated ties and strategic communication: do international environmental secretariats tailor information to increase their bureaucratic reputation?

The past few years have witnessed a growing interest among scholars and policy-makers in the interplay of international bureaucracies with civil society organizations, other non-profit entities, and the private sector. This article extends the state of research by investigating whether and how secretariats try to strengthen their reputation within their respective policy regimes through information provision and alliance building. Based on reputation theory, the article argues that ties cultivated with stakeholders as well as appearance and presentation of information are decisive in this regard. Methodologically, the study implements a mixed-methods design that combines a quantitative survey with social network analysis and qualitative content analysis of interviews with stakeholders within the climate and biodiversity regime. We show that the secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) maintain relationships with a wide range of state and non-state actors to enhance their reputation. Moreover, different types of actors receive different types of information from the two secretariats studied. Our findings reveal that both secretariats use their limited resources for investing strategically into networks with different types of actors (in the broader transnational policy network), either via the tailored provision of information or through strategic networking with multipliers. They also indicate that reputation does not simply depend on characteristics of bureaucracies, but also on framework conditions and different communication strategies.

Hub Location, Routing, and Route Dimensioning: Strategic and Tactical Intermodal Transportation Hub Network Design

We propose a novel hub location model that jointly eliminates some of the traditional assumptions on the structure of the network and on the discount as a result of economies of scale in an effort to better reflect real-world logistics and transportation systems. Our model extends the hub literature in various facets: instead of connecting nonhub nodes directly to hub nodes, we consider routes with stopovers; instead of connecting pairs of hubs directly, we design routes that can visit several hub nodes; rather than dimensioning pairwise connections, we dimension routes of vehicles; and rather than working with a homogeneous fleet, we use intermodal transportation. Decisions pertinent to strategic and tactical hub location and transportation network design are concurrently made through the proposed optimization scheme. An effective branch-and-cut algorithm is developed to solve realistically sized problem instances and to provide managerial insights.

Common types of Crowdfunding Models, Related Concepts and Its Impact on Business: A Brief Literature Review

Crowdfunding is one of the tactics of raising finance by asking a large number of people each for a small amount of money to support innovative business ideas like new projects via the internet through various models. However, how individuals demonstrate readiness or solicitation on strategic networks in a virtual environment is much less clear and there is no comprehensive overview of literature review on different crowdfunding models. The present review puts an attempt to address these gaps and explored the impacts and the foremost crowdfunding concepts like funder, project creator and platform. This is an independent article based on a bibliographic search conducted using electronic databases such as EBSCO, DOAJ, RESEARCH LIFE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The result disclosed that the most universally applicable models of crowdfunding websites are; the equity-based model, donation/social based, lending model, and reward-based model. Interestingly, the review revealed that the lending and rewards models are leading in terms of funds raised across the globe and mostly adopted by investors. It also indicated the rapid growth of crowdfunding is helping small and medium businesses to create job opportunities for young people despite an increasingly challenging environment and its negative impacts on business. Finally, the review recommends researching crowd-funding and the impact of social media in the changing modern technologies and the legality of crowd-funding platforms in various nations.

Beyond Repositioning: Crowd‐Sourcing and Geo‐Fencing for Shared‐Mobility Systems

In this study, we propose an integrated model of two‐sided stochastic matching platforms to understand the design and operations of free‐float shared‐mobility systems. In particular, we address the joint design of incentives (via “crowd‐sourcing”) and spatial capacity allocations (enabled by “geo‐fencing”). From the platform's perspective, we formulate stylized models based on strategic double‐ended queues. We optimize the design and operations of such systems in a case study using a data set from a leading free‐float bicycle‐sharing system, and solve it via mixed‐integer second‐order conic programs (SOCPs). Both stylized results and computational studies generate insights about fundamental trade‐offs and triangular relationships among operational costs, capacity utilization rates and service levels. Interestingly, we identify the role of spatial capacity (parking) management to fine‐tune the market thickness (transient service availability) in such a two‐sided marketplace. We show that a “capacity‐dependent approximation” can be very close to optimality, and outperforms policies ignoring capacity management. We also demonstrate that this framework can be operationalized in multiple directions, which generates insights concerning matching efficiency, performance comparison between crowd‐sourcing and repositioning, strategic server behaviors and network externalities. Our insights guide the platform and the policy‐maker to embrace “crowd‐sourcing” and “geo‐fencing” technologies for shared‐mobility systems.

Physician perspectives on delays in cancer diagnosis in Alberta: a qualitative study.

Background:Delays in cancer diagnosis have been associated with reduced survival, decreased quality of life after treatment, and suboptimal patient experience. The objective of the study was to explore the perspectives of a group of family physicians and other specialists regarding potentially avoidable delays in diagnosing cancer, and approaches that may help expedite the process.Methods:We conducted a qualitative study using interviews with physicians practising in primary and outpatient care settings in Alberta between July and September 2019. We recruited family physicians and specialists who were in a position to discuss delays in cancer diagnosis by email via the Cancer Strategic Clinical Network and the Alberta Medical Association. We conducted semistructured interviews over the phone, and analyzed data using thematic analysis.Results:Eleven family physicians and 22 other specialists (including 7 surgeons or surgical oncologists, 3 pathologists, 3 radiologists, 2 emergency physicians and 2 hematologists) participated in interviews; 22 were male (66.7%). We identified 4 main themes describing 9 factors contributing to potentially avoidable delays in diagnosis, namely the nature of primary care, initial presentation, investigation, and specialist advice and referral. We also identified 1 theme describing 3 suggestions for improvement, including system integration, standardized care pathways and a centralized advice, triage and referral support service for family physicians.Interpretation:These findings suggest the need for enhanced support for family physicians, and better integration of primary and specialty care before cancer diagnosis. A multifaceted and coordinated approach to streamlining cancer diagnosis is required, with the goals of enhancing patient outcomes, reducing physician frustration and optimizing efficiency.

Entrepreneurship in the Times of Pandemic: Barriers and Strategies

Using a mixed method approach, this study investigates the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed for entrepreneurs and the strategies that organizations can adopt to make a turnaround towards survival and growth. Empirical analysis is done on the factors which have affected smaller firms during economic slowdowns in the past, and policies and plans adopted by firms to overcome the barriers. Factors such as lockdown, remote working, digital marketing and digitization were accounted through qualitative research. In the empirical analysis section, descriptive statistics and confirmatory factor analysis have been used. In the qualitative section, thematic analysis and hierarchy charts were made with the help of NVivo software. The prime barriers which affected the firms were organizational readiness, infrastructural support by government, technological inadequacy and financial crises. The main strategies emphasized by founders to overcome the barriers of organizational readiness and financial crunch were marketing, strategic networking and product and services, and for technological ineptness was digitization.

Knowledge mapping of research on strategic mineral resource security: A visual analysis using CiteSpace

The global demand for strategic mineral resources has surged because of technological developments, with the associated strategic mineral resource security (SMRS) issues attracting significant research attention, especially in China. To fully understand this research direction, 3722 research studies were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) and China's National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The knowledge was mapped from the extracted bibliographic records using CiteSpace to analyze the SMRS research status, the development course systematically, and potential research trends, from which it was found that: (1) from 1990 to 2015, SMRS research in the CNKI was more prevalent than in the WoS, and after 2015, the international interest in SMRS increased; (2) the discipline categories of WoS and CNKI have different but complementary emphases; (3) the CNKI research formed a multipoint cooperative network, whereas the WoS results formed a diamond-type cooperative network; and (4) the WoS and CNKI research hotspots were different but interrelated. Future research on SMRS should focus on assessing the availability of strategic mineral resources, sustainable strategic mineral supply from the perspective of the entire industry chain, and the construction of a strategic mineral resource trading network based on new global trade patterns. This study presents an in-depth analysis of strategic mineral resource security research to better understand global trends and directions in this field that have emerged over the past 20 years.

Smallholders’ Personal Networks in Access to Agricultural Markets: A Case of African Leafy Vegetables Commercialisation in Kenya

ABSTRACT We innovatively applied a bifocal approach to network analysis – integrating qualitative and quantitative data – to assess smallholders’ personal networks in access to markets. Exploring a case of conventional and institutional markets for leafy vegetables, we found close networks of family members, friends and neighbors, as gatekeepers in access to institutional markets. Beyond farmer groups, non-farmer groups and religious networks are strategic networks facilitating bulk purchases and linking smallholders to markets. We recommend that policy and programs aimed at smallholders' market development should employ strategies targeted at both farmer groups and non-farm associations, among farming communities.

How to Build a Network that Facilitates Firm‐level Innovation: An Integration of Structural and Managerial Perspectives

AbstractIn this paper, we examine to what extent the firm’s propensity to be embedded in a network with advantageous structural attributes is driven by its capabilities for network management. Specifically, we discern network management practices on two organizational levels (relationship management (RM) and portfolio management (PM)) and explore their effects on three dimensions of local network structure (network centrality (NC), knowledge complementarity (KC), and tie strength (TS)). To test our hypotheses, we collect sociometric survey data from the largest inter‐firm network in the German energy industry. The results indicate that intra‐firm processes for network management indeed are key enablers of structural network advantages. Further, we demonstrate that RM and PM exert distinct effects: PM helps the firm improve NC, RM leads to increased TS, and KC results from an additive effect of the two capabilities. In all, our work contributes to theory on strategic networks by providing an integrated perspective on how network structure and network management benefit innovation performance.

CITY2NAVIGATION (C2N) – A NEW SERVICE FOR DIGITAL, FUTURE-PROOF URBAN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Abstract. Digital traffic management solutions are essential for the effective management of the continuing growth of road traffic. However, technical possibilities for implementing traffic management strategies by Traffic Control Centres are limited to a strategic network. At the same time, modern mobility apps from routing services offer road users many options to get informed and guided. The latter usually work independently from traffic management strategies of public authorities. Thus, different route recommendations not only lead to uncertainty of road users, but ultimately to a reduction in the effectiveness of the public traffic management strategies. A direct information exchange between both systems does not yet exist. This however would be a key to more efficient traffic management.City2Navigation therefore developed a technical concept for a nationwide implementation of a digital data exchange service (C2N service) to link public traffic management with routing services of private vendors. This service fills the gap between both group of actors, thereby serving as a crucial building block for digital traffic management in response to the goals of European and national frameworks for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).The C2N service not only promotes the cooperation of public authorities with private routing services, it also offers a variety of opportunities to develop new business models. It is a complement to C2C and C2X communication solutions in road transport, ultimately also enabling future possibilities for municipalities to conduct efficient and sustainable traffic management.

Influence of Team Conflicts on Collaborative Value within Ashoka Fellows' Organizations in Africa

Team conflicts result from an incompatible interaction among team members due to real or perceived differences, and its effect varies with fundamental aspects of the group setting. This study investigated how both relationship and task conflicts impacted how the Ashoka team members interacted within and with other teams as collaboration is crucial in today's interconnected world, where many new organizational forms, such as strategic alliances, public-private partnerships, and networks, are necessary The study also confirmed that team conflicts have a significant effect on collaborative value. Also confirmed is that Intra-organizational social capital is a significant mediator between team conflicts and collaborative value. A unit change in Team Conflicts significantly changes Collaborative Value within Ashoka Fellow Organizations in Africa by 33.6 % after mediation, an increase of 9.8%. Since conflicts are common in teams, the study recommends that team leadership incorporates intra-organization social capital to increase their collaborative value

Strategic delegation and network externalities under export rivalry market

AbstractIn the presence of network externalities, this study examines the endogenous delegation structure in an export rivalry market with import tariff under Bertrand competition. Contrast to previous works, we show that (i) with strong (weak) network externalities, choosing delegation for exporters is a dominant strategy, which implies the managerial delegation for output expansion (restriction) is socially desirable; (ii) with intermediate network externalities, the exporters choose no delegation in equilibrium; (iii) compared to no delegation, a smaller import tariff further increases both exporters incentives, consumer surplus and social welfare to choose delegation for output expansion unless the strength of network externalities is small; and (iv) hence, two contrasting prisoner’s dilemmas occur in the Bertrand competition when the network effect is medium‐sized.

Standing on the shoulders of giantesses: how women technology founders use single and mixed gender networks for success and change

PurposeBuilding on research about entrepreneurship and social capital, the purpose of this paper is to explore how women founders of technology-based ventures in Canada access and use formal external entrepreneurial networks to build their companies.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on 25 semi-structured interviews with women founders of technology firms and leaders of formal networks.FindingsThe authors demonstrate the positive impact of women only networks (WON) for founders including increasing entrepreneurial diversity, access to financing, and founder credibility and sponsorship. The authors show how women founders use mixed gender and WON to build their businesses and conclude that membership in WON can be a vital step.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size is small and most participants reside in highly urban areas, which may limit generalizability. Findings may not generalize beyond Canada due to cultural and structural differences.Practical implicationsThe research suggests that external WON should be encouraged as important resources for founder identity work which may enable positive change.Social implicationsThis research can assist in designing initiatives that support women entrepreneurs and promote gender parity.Originality/valueThe authors draw on research in women's leadership development to explain how WONs for entrepreneurs help founders create overlapping strategic networks – a unique form of social capital – and serve as identity workspaces for the identity work women founders must complete. The authors argue that the identity work in WONs can be a mechanism by which gender structures are challenged and eventually changed.

Teachers, researchers, but not innovators? Rethinking university-industry collaboration

PurposeUniversities, when collaborating with industry, are generally assumed to be the motors for innovation. Inspired by a case on a university’s collaboration with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a regional strategic network (RSN), this paper aims to put forth how the university makes important contributions through transferring knowledge on innovation processes that is a teaching role, rather than sees itself as the party producing innovations. This paper describes and discusses the university’s teaching role and its consequences in university-industry collaborations for innovation.Design/methodology/approachEmpirically, the paper departs from a mid-Swedish RSN where nine SMEs started to work with a university. Interviews with representatives of the nine SMEs participating in the innovation project, along with university and RSN representatives, comprise the main data source. The paper analyzes the university’s teaching role and the consequences of it.FindingsFindings point at how the SMEs developed structured innovation processes, improved their market intelligence and increased their efficiency in providing new solutions. The university facilitated knowledge, while the SMEs responded through creating knowledge both on how to innovate and in terms of innovations.Originality/valueThe teaching role, which would mean that the university stays with one of its core functions, indicates a need to rethink university-industry collaboration related to expectations and role division. Moving from producing innovations to facilitating knowledge on how to innovate, would, for universities, mean that they minimize those conflicts emerging from their various roles and indicate that the production of innovation is placed at those devoted to run and grow businesses.

The 3.0 Cell Communication: New Insights in the Usefulness of Tunneling Nanotubes for Glioblastoma Treatment.

Simple SummaryCommunication between cells helps tumors acquire resistance to chemotherapy and makes the struggle against cancer more challenging. Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are long channels able to connect both nearby and distant cells, contributing to a more malignant phenotype. This finding might be useful in designing novel strategies of drug delivery exploiting these systems of connection. This would be particularly important to reach tumor niches, where glioblastoma stem cells proliferate and provoke immune escape, thereby increasing metastatic potential and tumor recurrence a few months after surgical resection of the primary mass. Along with the direct inhibition of TNT formation, TNT analysis, and targeting strategies might be useful in providing innovative tools for the treatment of this tumor.Glioblastoma (GBM) is a particularly challenging brain tumor characterized by a heterogeneous, complex, and multicellular microenvironment, which represents a strategic network for treatment escape. Furthermore, the presence of GBM stem cells (GSCs) seems to contribute to GBM recurrence after surgery, and chemo- and/or radiotherapy. In this context, intercellular communication modalities play key roles in driving GBM therapy resistance. The presence of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), long membranous open-ended channels connecting distant cells, has been observed in several types of cancer, where they emerge to steer a more malignant phenotype. Here, we discuss the current knowledge about the formation of TNTs between different cellular types in the GBM microenvironment and their potential role in tumor progression and recurrence. Particularly, we highlight two prospective strategies targeting TNTs as possible therapeutics: (i) the inhibition of TNT formation and (ii) a boost in drug delivery between cells through these channels. The latter may require future studies to design drug delivery systems that are exchangeable through TNTs, thus allowing for access to distant tumor niches that are involved in tumor immune escape, maintenance of GSC plasticity, and increases in metastatic potential.

Optimal Urban Transit Investment Model and Its Application

We present a new urban transit investment model, integrating transport economic theory regarding optimal investment with transport modeling, planning, and network design. The model expands on the theory of optimal transit network planning and investment, accounting for the effects of the investment on accessibility, level of service, and speed. The model seeks long-term optimal transit investment and optimal road pricing simultaneously in an integrated, unified model. To illustrate the advantages of our approach, we applied our empirical model to two case studies, Tel Aviv and Toronto, integrating our theoretical contribution into practice. Our results demonstrate the model’s ability to indicate the optimal transit mode and investment on a corridor level and the total investment required for the city transit network. The model results were compared to the actual and planned transit networks of Tel Aviv and Toronto and showed the model’s capability to produce a good balance of strategic design and network details. The research concludes that applying the right toll with the applicable transit investment is crucial for obtaining an efficient network and performance. This research can direct planners and policymakers in planning urban transport and provide a comprehensive set of guidelines for optimizing the simultaneous investment in mass transit and the congestion toll toward more sustainable cities and transportation systems.