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Abductive Reasoning in Logistics Research
Abstract
Purpose
To construct a framework for exploring and discussing the use of different research approaches – deductive, inductive and abductive – in logistics.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of research articles in three major logistics journals ( International Journal of Logistics Management , International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management and Journal of Business Logistics ) from 1998 to 2002.
Findings
Recognizes the dominance of deductive research in logistics, and the need for more inductive and, in particular, abductive research for theory development. Discusses the use of the abductive research approach in logistics.
Research limitations/implications
Keywords searches led to a small sample size; more thorough content analysis is needed to apply the findings from the constructed framework.
Practical implications
Useful source of information on the three different research approaches, their possibilities and implications for research.
Originality/value
The abductive research approach has not yet been discussed in logistics.
... This "matching" process iteratively moves between literature and reality (data) to generalize causal links and descriptions that best capture the situation at hand (Timmermans and Tavory 2012). Glaser and Strauss (1967) refer to this as the "constant comparative method," implying a "learning loop" or switching "back and forth" between literature and empirical evidence (Kovács and Spens 2005). ...
... In this way, our process aligns with Straussian, rather than Glaserian, grounded theory (Mello and Flint 2009). After data analysis, we developed propositions through a mix of theoretical and empirical motivations (Kovács and Spens 2005). ...
Supply chain disruptions regularly interrupt the normal operations of organizations, impairing their financial, operational, and service performance. Therefore, organizations must develop capabilities to enhance their resilience–their ability to anticipate, overcome, and transform after disruptions. The literature proposes that agility, adaptability, and alignment (AAA capabilities) enhance long‐term organizational success but does not explicitly link these AAA capabilities to resilience. Motivated by conversations with senior supply chain leaders, our research explores how organizations utilize practices, behaviors, and structures to build AAA capabilities in their pursuit of resilience over different phases of disruption. We use a grounded theory approach, conducting in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with supply chain executives. Our findings contribute to the supply chain resilience literature by (a) highlighting how distinct practices, behaviors, and structures support the development of distinct AAA capabilities, (b) demonstrating which AAA capabilities are most influential in enhancing resilience during specific phases of a disruption, and (c) illustrating how the AAA capabilities operate in a feedback loop to synergistically improve resilience over the lifecycle of a disruption.
... As the aim in this study is to extend theory on market shaping, I adopt an abductive research process, which places equal emphasis on theory and empirical data (Kovács & Spens 2005;Ryan et al. 2012;Welch et al. 2011). Unlike induction, abduction accepts the significance of using existing research as a background for connecting an empirically observed phenomenon with theoretical ideas ). ...
... I have utilized knowledge from multiple disciplines and combined it with my pre-understanding of the focal phenomenon to build a theoretical framework for this research. The framework was used to guide the empirical case selection and data collection, yet during the research process it evolved simultaneously with the empirical data collection and the case analysis, as is characteristic of abductive research (Dubois & Gadde 2002Kovács & Spens 2005). According to Dubois and Gadde (2002, 555), "this stems from the fact that theory cannot be understood without empirical observation and vice versa." ...
This doctoral dissertation contributes to the market-shaping research in the field of business-to-business marketing. Market shaping refers to the purposeful efforts of actors to change market characteristics or to construct new markets. Existing research has focused on incumbent firms or collectives striving to improve their commercial viability through market shaping. However, few studies focus on market shaping undertaken explicitly for the renewal of existing markets towards sustainability. Moreover, we have scant understanding of how market shaping is conducted by hybrid new ventures despite the unprecedented opportunities that digitalization is providing for small actors to exercise their agency. Hybrids refer to entrepreneurial ventures designed from start to equally pursue commercial and sustainability goals, and who seek to drive industrial and/or societal change.
This thesis thereby sets out to explore how the two processes of market shaping and hybrid new venture development are interrelated. To gain a holistic understanding, I draw from research on market shaping, hybrid entrepreneurship, and new venture development. The research process is abductive, iterating between theory and empirical data. Empirical knowledge is acquired through qualitative inquiry from a follow-up case study in the market for Guarantees of Origin (GO) for renewable electricity.
As the main theoretical contribution, this study presents a process model of the intertwinement of hybrid new venture development and market shaping. The model shows this intertwinement as driven by four continuous, interrelated, and reciprocal subprocesses: visioning, legitimizing, engaging, and equipping. The findings illustrate that market shaping extends to the early stages of hybrid new ventures, and that their initial market shaping actions are taken long before they become legal business entities. Furthermore, the study extends current knowledge on the content of market shaping (i.e., what it is exactly that market shapers strive to shape and how) and provides a more nuanced understanding of the market shaping activities taken by the focal actor. The study also produces important implications for entrepreneurs and managers, enabling them to make more informed decisions related to their market shaping and to better navigate complex institutional environments.
... "Abduction" 3.6. Data collection methods and analysis is recognized as a form of organized creativity or intuition in research, crucial in the development of new knowledge (Kovács & Spens, 2005). The abductive approach starts with an observation or a set of observations and aims to identify the simplest and most likely explanations for these observations ( (Kovács & Spens, 2005). ...
... Data collection methods and analysis is recognized as a form of organized creativity or intuition in research, crucial in the development of new knowledge (Kovács & Spens, 2005). The abductive approach starts with an observation or a set of observations and aims to identify the simplest and most likely explanations for these observations ( (Kovács & Spens, 2005). Dubois and Gadde (2002) suggest that the abductive approach is particularly useful when the aim is to discover new insights. ...
... Through a continuous and simultaneous interaction of theory, empirical detection, and analysis (Van Maanen et al., 2007), the abductive approach allows a novel comprehension of extant phenomena, inspecting them from a new viewpoint. The adoption of abductive research logic implies moving from "prior theoretical knowledge" to "empirical evidence" to "theory matching" to "theory suggestion" to "application to a case" (Kovács et al., 2005). ...
... All interviews were audio-recorded with prior consent and transcribed, resulting in 271 pages of 1.5 line-spaced content in 12-pt font. To analyze this "corpus", we employed an abductive logic (Blaikie, 2009) in iterative and multiphase coding based on qualitative thematic analysis, which adopts the theme as a criterion for identifying the units of analysis (King and Horrocks, 2010). After careful and repeated reading of each interview, the first step was a line-by-line open coding analysis of the text (Maguire and Brid Delahunt, 2017), which led to the identification of the "descriptive codes", i.e., discrete themes characterized by a high degree of detail (e.g., concentration, loss of time and reality cognition, sensory realism, realism in motion, pleasure, excitement, fun). ...
The VR-based metaverse may play a role in the technology-mediated user experience, as VR can create immersive virtual environments suitable for conveying impactful marketing activities. Thus, this new experiential context offers novel opportunities for user engagement and consumer response.Our study explores the perceptual factors influencing multidimensional VR engagement, i.e., the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural dimensions, and the related branding outcomes in a VR metaverse brand experience.Given the complex and contemporary nature of the phenomenon, we adopt an abductive qualitative methodology, conducting in-depth interviews with Generation Z users with experience in immersive VR technologies. We focus on the Nike Jordan “Jumpman Zone” experience in the Fortnite metaverse.Brand attitude ex ante and perceived immersion are the main perceptual factors impacting the different dimensions of VR engagement and consumer brand identification, image and recall, the related branding outcomes achievable in a metaverse brand experience.Future research could include consumers with no experience with VR reality technologies from other generations to explore expertise- and age-based differences, using quantitative samples to test the relationships among the focal themes in this study.Our study offers managerial guidelines for developing branding strategies in VR-based metaverses, identifying the main deployable strategic pillars (activities and objectives).We deepen both the literature on user engagement and the nascent research on branding in the VR-based metaverse, augmenting the related yet underresearched branding opportunities.
... As a result, perceptions and values of tax policy representatives from existing African economic integrations were used to determine the best tax system to be adopted in the AU. The research process starts with making research questions and procedures, collecting data from participants, analysing data inductively, constructing data and providing interpretations of the meaning of data (Kovacs & Spens, 2005). The type of research used is descriptive research, which presents a picture of the specific details of the situation, social setting, or relationship (Neuman, 2011). ...
Harmonizing corporate income tax (CIT) is spotlighted in economic integration debates. These debates have reached no consensus regarding the best CIT system to be adopted in various economic integrations, including the African Union (AU). This study aimed to determine the best tax system for CIT harmonisation in the AU. The study adopted a qualitative research method by collecting data through interviews. The study used purposive sampling to identify 30 participants drawn from the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and large international accounting firms, namely KPMG, PWC and Deloitte. The study revealed that a new system called the Africa hybrid tax system or the Africa blended tax system should be implemented for effective and efficient CIT harmonisation in the AU. This system should address the shortcomings of both the classical and the imputation tax systems. The study recommended that technology and adequate resources are crucial for successfully implementing the African hybrid tax system. Therefore, member states should jointly invest in technology and resources to facilitate the implementation of the African hybrid tax system for CIT harmonisation in the AU.
... The second approach -inductive -relates more to a qualitative perspective where the theory is developed and built from the data collected (Saunders et al., 2019). (Kovács & Spens, 2005) "Inductive analysis refers to approaches that primarily use detailed readings of raw data to derive concepts, themes, or a model through interpretations made from the raw data by an evaluator or researcher […]. Deductive analysis refers to data analyses that set out to test whether data are consistent with prior assumptions, theories, or hypotheses identified or constructed by an investigator" (Thomas, 2006, p. 238). ...
Complex, ill-defined, dynamic and highly interrelated, “wicked problems” - such as climate change and plastic pollution in the oceans - involve multiple stakeholders, often from different countries, with competing interests and no clear solutions. To solve them, we need to collaborate, primarily through multi-actor and cross-border collaboration that transcends organisational and political barriers. In today’s rapidly transforming world, where complex issues are on the rise and organisations operate in a highly interconnected economy, effective multi-actor and cross-border collaboration are becoming increasingly important for success, necessitating a new approach to
problem-solving that embraces complexity and change. However, our knowledge of how to improve multi-actor and cross-border collaboration is hampered because current collaboration research still lacks a solid theoretical framework to understand better which conditions of the collaboration process are essential for success. There is a crucial need to delve inside collaborative groups to gain insights into current and specific collaborative mechanisms and processes. Collaborative mechanisms are the underlying patterns of behaviour and interaction that enable collaboration, while collaborative processes are actions or strategies taken to work towards a collaborative advantage. In the linear economy, collaborative approaches are often limited to a small group of stakeholders and are based on control and hierarchical systems constraining inter-organisational collaboration. Traditional collaborative tools and methods are based on mechanical and reductionist processes that do not address the fundamental causes of “wicked problems”. Mechanical processes involve following predetermined steps in a linear fashion without allowing for flexibility or adaptability. This may include decision-making processes that do not allow much input or deviation from the agenda.
In contrast, the setting of the circular economy can provide insights into a more radical type of collaboration, which could lead to a greater understanding of collaborative processes and mechanisms that could aid in solving grand challenges. Collaboration in the circular economy involves many stakeholders, often from different countries, and moves from firm-centric to ecosystem-centric perspectives by adopting alternative governance, a systemic perspective, and a collaborative attitude. Through collaborative projects, public and private organisations can share resources and make
progress in addressing “wicked problems”. However, projects can be complex and often prone to external and internal challenges that must be considered when studying collaboration. Nevertheless, there is a limited understanding of the collaborative mechanisms and processes used to address collaborative challenges at different levels (regional and cross-border) in complex projects. Similarly, despite renewed interest following the Covid-19 pandemic, we still lack an understanding of collaboration’s role in managing crises affecting complex projects. Extant research suggests that robust entrepreneurial ecosystems may enhance collaboration and facilitate response to crises, but it is unclear how these ecosystems emerge in complex projects. To address such gaps, this thesis investigates: a) how complex projects address multi-actor and cross-border collaborative challenges, b) how a disruptive crisis influences collaboration patterns, and c) how entrepreneurial ecosystems supporting collaboration emerge in complex projects. This research explores these questions in the case of PlastiCity, a European project aiming to use circular economy solutions to address an urgent “wicked problem”: the ever-increasing amounts of commercial plastic waste. PlastiCity is an Interreg 2Seas project aiming to increase plastic recycling rates in urban environments through technical innovations, circular logistics and behavioural change. The philosophy of this thesis is interpretivism applied to an inductive action research qualitative methodology. The data collected are from observation and participatory action research within the
three years of the PlastiCity project and 29 semi-interviews with the PlastiCity partners. The data were analysed using an inductive method to build a process theory. Based on complexity theory, this thesis makes three key contributions to the literature. The first contribution is to the literature on collaboration by a) defining four collaborative mechanisms (banding, bonding, binding and boundarying) used in multi-stakeholder projects, b) identifying antecedents, moderators and barriers of these mechanisms, c) analysing these mechanisms in different circumstances: regional and crossborder collaboration and during a crisis. By identifying these mechanisms, this research contributes to a better understanding of all types of collaboration in different contexts and levels of analysis. Second, this research expands the project management literature’s growing topic on crisis management by identifying boundarying as a crucial collaborative mechanism in adapting and responding to a crisis. Third, this thesis adds to the ecosystem literature by determining the
antecedents to the emergence of new entrepreneurial ecosystems to enhance multi-actor collaboration in the circular economy context. The results indicate that a self-organised and coevolved team helps to create a self-organising ecosystem. Finally, this study also offers practical implications for organisations to consider when collaborating with other organisations, including adopting participatory approaches, fostering trust and open communication, being flexible and adaptable, involving the appropriate stakeholders, and embracing change.
... Guided by the empirical puzzles described earlier, we relied on an abductive reasoning process (Dubois & Gadde, 2002;Kovács & Spens, 2005), a generative method that begins with empirical observations and iteratively moves between them and plausible theoretical explanations (Saertre & Van de Ven, 2021). This reasoning emerged organically from the research process and was exemplified by the early empirical observation of multiple moral voices within the same interview material, which caught our interest. ...
Existing research on identity compartmentalization highlights concerns about moral (ir)responsibility arising from the incomplete integration of multiple role identities necessary for exercising full moral agency. Our study examines the (non)recognition of otherness by managers in morally ambiguous situations during industry-level changes. We adopt a dialogue-based approach, inspired by Bakhtin, and Ricoeur, to analyze compartmentalization from the perspective of polyphonic dialogue. Through an analysis of 61 interviews across four distinct change contexts, we identify five dialogue dynamics that either hinder or facilitate the recognition of alternative moral perspectives, shaping the formation of moral polyphony. We contribute to current understandings of compartmentalization by emphasizing its dialogical and fluid nature, the generative potential of division, and the role of conflicting moral convictions in change situations, as an ideal context for fostering moral polyphony.
... As theory is the starting point of this study, the deductive research process is found to be the most suitable (Kovács and Spens 2005) for testing and building on existing concepts. ...
Government outsourcing has become increasingly prevalent, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the factors that drive success and maximize public value. This study introduces a novel framework for classifying outsourcing arrangements and examines its implications for performance management through a multidisciplinary lens. We identify thematic patterns and highlight the four quadrants of Government Outsourcing Performance Management: Building, Plumbing, Consulting, and Coaching. Each quadrant represents different roles of outsourcing agencies, emphasizing factors like accountability and relationship intensity as critical success differentiators. Our research outlines an adaptive performance management system tailored to these relationships, illustrated through case studies. This innovative approach equips policymakers and public administrators with a robust tool to optimize outsourcing strategies and enhance public value delivery. By offering fresh insights into the complex dynamics of government outsourcing, this paper contributes to both theoretical discourse and practical applications in public administration and management.
... The abductive approach enables a dynamic interplay between theory and data, facilitating the refinement and expansion of theoretical frameworks based on new empirical insights (Saunders et al., 2012;Bryman & Bell, 2015;Alvesson & Sköldberg, 2008). This approach is widely recognized in applied sciences, such as supply chain interaction research, for its capacity to describe and explain emerging phenomena by leveraging existing theories (Kovács & Spens, 2005;Dubois & Gadde, 2002). ...
... The data analysis involved both within-case and cross-case methods to identify and validate patterns across different cases (Eisenhardt, 1989). The analysis was conducted in an abductive manner, integrating both deductive and inductive reasoning (Kovács & Spens, 2005). Initial coding was performed for each case, following grounded theory principles (Charmaz, 2006), to organize raw data into meaningful codes. ...
This study proposes a taxonomy of digitalization technologies to be used in road freight transportation logistics, employing the taxonomy development methods by Nickerson et al. (2013) and the revised approach by Kundisch et al. (2021). Based on a literature review and a case study analysis, key dimensions for classifying digitalization technologies are identified. The taxonomy provides a framework for decision-makers to promote strategic technology adoption and operational efficiency. This taxonomy offers practical insights, enhancing the strategic selection of digital solutions in road freight transportation logistics and contributing to academic discourse by addressing a notable research gap in the field of information systems.
... 12-13 in Grix 2002. Further, this is a qualitative study adopting abductive reasoning (Kovács and Spens 2005). As regards data gathering, face-to-face and video-call interviews were conducted with owner(s) of SMEs and, in three companies, with an employee (CEO, marketing manager, and COO of the company in question). ...
The literature on entrepreneurial marketing has grown over the past 25 years, but entrepreneurial branding remains under-studied. The purpose of the present study was to conceptualize entrepreneurial branding in the context of tourism small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Firstly, this study seeks to add to the literature on entrepreneurial branding by developing a new definition of entrepreneurial branding, by looking at literatures on both ‘entrepreneurial’ and ‘branding’ addressing the limitations of existing definitions to offer a more complete conceptualization. Secondly, it explores whether and how tourism business SMEs employ bricolage in their entrepreneurial branding. The study adopts a qualitative approach with abductive reasoning. In total, 20 interviewees representing 16 Finnish tourism SMEs were interviewed. The findings demonstrate resource constraints faced by tourism SMEs in entrepreneurial branding. Unique features of the place, such as history and heritage of place, were significant sources for building a unique brand identity for the SMEs, often at little cost. The study exemplifies how companies use domains of bricolage (Baker and Nelson in Administrative Science Quarterly 50(3):329–366, 2005) to manage resource constraints. The study offers new insights into the contents of entrepreneurial bricolage domains (physical inputs, labor, skills, customers, and the institutional environment) within a specific context, while also suggesting a new bricolage domain in entrepreneurial branding—namely, media bricolage. This domain refers to companies’ innovative and proactive generation of unpaid or low-cost media coverage in different channels for the purposes of brand building.
... The concepts of abduction and abductive reasoning are often associated with Charles Sander Peirce (1931), who took the concept from Aristotle and coined the modern meaning of the words (Kovács & Spens, 2005). It is not possible here to give full justice to Peirce and investigate the full meaning and development of his understanding of abduction. ...
Theory building is part of the academic endeavor, more emphasized in some contexts than in others. Knowing how to build theory-by either establishing new theoretical approaches or adjusting and developing already known theories-is part of the researcher's competence profile. The concepts of induction and deduction often anchor and justify the theory-building process but cannot always explain how new ideas are created. This chapter discusses the concept of abduction to address commonly envisaged abnormalities in the theory-building process. Abduction is best conceptualized as making guesses. Continually, in a theory-building process, researchers make assumptions when they undertake observations in surprising ways depart from existing theory. Accordingly, abduction is the more profound understanding of theory building. This chapter seeks to explain abduction, going beyond existing frameworks to embrace the systematic combining of theory and the empirical world and arguing that abduction can help better comprehend how theory emerges in specific phases of theory testing, development, and creation. Some argue that the approaches are helpful in both realist and interpretive research and in understanding collaborative research design activities in the business field. 3.1 Introduction Developing new theoretical insight is an ongoing, infinite, and never-trivial scholarly process. This development includes inquiry into the process of theorizing-that is, theorizing about theorizing. This chapter aims to contribute to this meta-endeavor so that scholars may benefit in specific research by recognizing how their newly gained knowledge transforms into theories and why or why not. Scholars want to contribute theories with significant explanatory power. However, because
... The concepts of abduction and abductive reasoning are often associated with Charles Sander Peirce (1931), who took the concept from Aristotle and coined the modern meaning of the words (Kovács & Spens, 2005). It is not possible here to give full justice to Peirce and investigate the full meaning and development of his understanding of abduction. ...
Theory building is part of the academic endeavor, more emphasized in some contexts than in others. Knowing how to build theory—by either establishing new theoretical approaches or adjusting and developing already known theories—is part of the researcher’s competence profile. The concepts of induction and deduction often anchor and justify the theory-building process but cannot always explain how new ideas are created. This chapter discusses the concept of abduction to address commonly envisaged abnormalities in the theory-building process. Abduction is best conceptualized as making guesses. Continually, in a theory-building process, researchers make assumptions when they undertake observations in surprising ways that depart from existing theory. Accordingly, abduction is the more profound understanding of theory building. This chapter seeks to explain abduction, going beyond existing frameworks to embrace the systematic combining of theory and the empirical world and arguing that abduction can help better comprehend how theory emerges in specific phases of theory testing, development, and creation. Some argue that the strategies are helpful in both realist and interpretive research and in understanding collaborative research design activities in the business field.
... We began with our empirical data, following our "hunch" (Alvesson & Skoldberg, 2009) that the study of local digital platforms could enrich current understandings of the ethical challenges of platforms and different forms of territorial embeddedness. This potential was further investigated, and our interpretations were gradually elaborated through a dialogue between the empirical and the conceptual (Kovács & Spens, 2005;Lorino, 2018) (see analysis below). ...
Digital platforms are increasingly criticized for being disembedded, raising ethical concerns about their minimal links with the economic, political, and cultural environments in which they operate. Many ‘local digital platforms’ argue that their connection with and responsibility to their territory sets them apart from traditional digital platforms. However, more research is needed to better understand how local platforms claim different forms of territorial embeddedness to address the ethical challenges of the platform economy. In this article, we analyze these claims and abductively develop a typology of digital platforms’ links to their local environments based on eleven sub-dimensions, drawing on the concept of territorial embeddedness. According to our framework, territorial embeddedness is multifaceted, and platforms can be characterized by a continuum from weak to strong embeddedness. This renewed conceptualization offers a deeper understanding of local platforms’ territorial embeddedness. In addition, our framework allows for a critical examination of how local platforms respond to ethical challenges of the platform economy. Our research thus brings a fresh perspective to the polarized debate between platform capitalism and cooperativism.
... Our starting point was an inductive approach (Saunders et al., 2019). However, the aim of our research was not primarily to develop a new theory, but to elaborate on existing theory, based on the use of abductive elements to generate hypotheses and best-fit explanations through an iterative process between theory and empirical data (Kovács and Spens, 2005). We used a qualitatively driven multimethod sequential design (Hesse-Biber et al., 2015;Saunders et al., 2019), where the first step was comprised of semi-structured interviews and the second step consisted of a workshop, during which preliminary findings from the interviews were presented for further elaboration through group and plenary sessions. ...
... Data analysis Two authors coded the interviews' transcripts using an abductive approach through NVivo 12 software independently [34]. The approach is organized into two sequential steps [35]. First, the two authors tested a first version of the coding matrix that was built using as categories the existing facilitating factors about integration (i.e. ...
... The Abductive Research Process and Implementation (adopted fromKovács & Spens (2005)) ...
This study addresses a gap in Indonesia’s mineral-downstream policy research by identifying the optimal policy scenario for enhancing the added value of primary metal mineral commodities. This research examines competitive and comparative advantages and economic impacts using system dynamics modeling. Initially, qualitative interviews are conducted to identify elements affecting domestic refining facilities’ growth, followed by quantitative surveys and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize factors fostering these advantages. Findings suggest that developing existing theories to fit Indonesia’s specific context is crucial, and focus group discussions with key mining company decision makers are recommended to develop relevant indices. This method evaluates policy options to determine those offering the most significant economic advantage for each mineral type by analyzing unique characteristics and mapping them to suitable policies. Integrating competitive and comparative advantages into the mineral-added value policy context maximizes economic returns and provides practical recommendations for policymakers, addressing a critical gap in the literature.
... Abductive Reasoning Abductive reasoning is a type of logical inference aimed at determining the simplest and most probable explanation from observations. It is used in fields like logistics, design synthesis, and visual reasoning [11,17,18,19]. Liang et al. introduced a task to evaluate machine intelligence in visual scenarios through abductive reasoning. ...
This paper addresses the challenge of enhancing artificial intelligence reasoning capabilities, focusing on logicality within the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC). Humans solve such visual reasoning tasks based on their observations and hypotheses, and they can explain their solutions with a proper reason. However, many previous approaches focused only on the grid transition and it is not enough for AI to provide reasonable and human-like solutions. By considering the human process of solving visual reasoning tasks, we have concluded that the thinking process is likely the abductive reasoning process. Thus, we propose a novel framework that symbolically represents the observed data into a knowledge graph and extracts core knowledge that can be used for solution generation. This information limits the solution search space and helps provide a reasonable mid-process. Our approach holds promise for improving AI performance on ARC tasks by effectively narrowing the solution space and providing logical solutions grounded in core knowledge extraction.
... More precisely, the two researchers will start applying the existing theoretical framework of Beirão et al. (2016) to transcripts, highlighting any issues related to the framework's capacity to explain the empirical observations. The emerging 'deviating observations' will be explained and discussed through 'the creative iterative process of theory matching' that aims at refining and mixing the prior theoretical framework with other theories [39]. The results of the coding analysis will be compared and discussed within the research group. ...
Background
This paper describes a study protocol for co-producing and co-assessing a new sustainable and scalable service solution that enhances health and social integration by involving providers and volunteers delivering services for elderly people in the province of Cremona (Italy), where the elderly population will reach 27% in 2023.
Methods
This upcoming study involves mixed-method participatory research and is structured in three study phases and related objectives. First, it will co-produce a new, accessible and sustainable service solution using an iterative design and management method, Plan-Do-Check-Act by involving professionals and volunteers of a heterogeneous group of health, social and third sector organizations located in the city of Cremona (Italy). Second, the study protocol will co-assess the outcomes of the new service solution using a mixed-method approach for measuring the outcomes on: professionals and volunteers (micro level) and their health, social and third sector organizations (meso level). Third, this study will co-investigate the scalability of the new solution promoting health and social integration in other similar urban areas of the Province of Cremona via the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (macro level). The data will be collected through the analysis of official documents, websites, policies and participatory workshops.
Discussion
This protocol proposes an innovative intervention, a novel participatory approach, and an unexplored scalability assessment tool in the context of health and social care integration. This study aims to support professionals from health and social care service providers and volunteers from third-sector organizations to collaborate and integrate each other’s resources. In doing so, the participatory approach will facilitate the co-creation of an effective response to the need of health and social integration, and the development of trustful relationships between health and social care service providers. Moreover, the adoption of Plan-Do-Check-Act and Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool will ensure the quality, scalability and sustainability of the new service solution in other settings.
... As such, this case grew to provide a detailed description of the studied company, its supply processes and the context in which focal company (Alpha) is operating (Dyer and Wilkins, 1991;Eisenhardt, 1991). In this context, a continuously evolving framework, case, theory and frame of reference is called "systematic combining" (Dubois and Gadde, 2002) and is a central part of the abductive research methodology (Kovács and Spens, 2005;Eriksson, 2015). This approach is frequently used within a critical realist research ontology (Aastrup and Halldórsson, 2008) and has been applied in recent studies (Rotaru et al., 2014;Eriksson and Svensson, 2016). ...
Purpose
This study aims to explore and theorize value gaps within value chain management (VCM) by extending the service quality gap model to the context of global manufacturing value chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon a case study of a small, family-owned Swedish furniture wholesaler, Alpha, this research adapts the service quality gap model and integrates it into the VCM framework. The investigation examines the value creation and delivery processes across a network of actors, highlighting how various gaps emerge at different stages of the value chain.
Findings
The study identifies and describes several value gaps, including those related to consumer understanding, manufacturing capabilities and coordination across the value chain. Value creation gaps arise from poor communication about consumer needs and product features, whereas value delivery gaps are mainly tied to manufacturing capacity and material restrictions. These gaps can result in misalignment between consumer expectations and the delivered value.
Research limitations/implications
Although this study provides insights into the emergence of value gaps, further research is needed to determine the magnitude and reduction strategies for these gaps. In addition, understanding how consumers evaluate new products remains a critical area for investigation.
Practical implications
The research highlights the significance of a coordinated approach to managing value creation and delivery processes. It underscores the need for companies to capture accurate consumer data, consider manufacturing capabilities and engage in effective coordination with various actors in the value chain.
Social implications
By addressing value gaps, companies can enhance consumer satisfaction and minimize potential dissatisfaction caused by misalignment between consumer expectations and delivered value. This, in turn, can lead to improved relationships with consumers and other actors within the value chain.
Originality/value
This research offers a novel perspective on value gaps in VCM, extending the service quality gap model to the realm of manufacturing. It underscores the importance of managing both value creation and delivery processes for enhancing competitive advantage in a global market.
... Our research followed an abductive approach (Kovács & Spens, 2005;Timmermans & Tavory, 2012), aiming to generate new, context-specific theoretical insights by applying the established concept of institutional work in the context of global agri-food SCs. We also followed the notion of conceptualizing SCs as meta-institutional fields (see Figure 1). ...
Global agri-food supply chains (SCs) are under public scrutiny to ensure the sustainable production of agricultural commodities. However, many producers of these commodities face difficulties in meeting the sustainability requirements of global markets due to challenges arising from their local operating contexts. The purpose of this study is to provide insights into how the community in agri-food SCs manages to work towards social frameworks that contribute to the adoption of sustainable production practices at the farm level. To better understand this phenomenon, our research utilized the concept of institutional work in combination with the notion of the SC field. A case study focusing on the context of global agri-food SC was conducted, combining empirical data from the cocoa and coffee industries into a single case. The research presents different forms of institutional work, classified as either boundary work or practice work. Departing from traditional institutional studies in sustainable supply chain management, our study adopts a novel perspective to explain how the purposive actions of individual and collective actors contribute to the institutionalization of sustainable practices in global SCs.
... Figure 1 presents the research design, including methods, process and outcomes. Abductive reasoning engages with empirical evidence and current theoretical understanding in parallel and equally, but it is neither data-driven nor hypothesis-driven (Kov acs et al., 2005). Abductive research aims to produce several tenable explanations for observable facts rather than a single objective truth (Ketokivi and Choi, 2014). ...
Purpose
Franchising contributes significantly to national economies but is overlooked in supply chain literature. This study aims to contribute to the franchising and supply chain literature by examining how the digitisation of the franchising supply chain improves firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A single longitudinal case study approach was selected to investigate how a leading coffee brand digitised its franchising supply chain. Resource constraints theory and agency theory provide the theoretical framework. Data collection included both qualitative and quantitative data. Over two years, chronological, supply chain and thematic analyses and interpretation uncovered important findings and developed four research propositions.
Findings
Findings show that digitisation can impact performance in eight areas: Resource management, Resource constraints, Efficiency, Business-to-Business (B2B)/Business-To-Customer (B2C) links, Rapid expansion, Risk mitigation, Information asymmetries and Faster supply chain responses. Four digital technologies (advanced analytics, Internet of Things, Autonomous Mobile Robots and B2B e-shop) impacted three franchisor functions (Machine maintenance, Inventory management, Franchisee and end-customer relations). The study develops four research propositions on how digitisation impacts performance in terms of (1) resource monitoring and control, (2) learning and knowledge creation, (3) coordination and collaboration and (4) competition.
Originality/value
Franchising supply chains have been overlooked in the literature; this study provides insights into using resource constraints theory and agency theory complementarily to explain supply chain digitisation and provides actionable practical implications for selecting, implementing and continuously improving Industry 4.0 technologies in franchising supply chains.
... More precisely, the two researchers will start applying the existing theoretical framework of Beirão et al. (2016) to transcripts, highlighting any issues related to the framework's capacity to explain the empirical observations. The emerging 'deviating observations' will be explained and discussed through 'the creative iterative process of theory matching' that aims at re ning and mixing the prior theoretical framework with other theories [39]. The results of the coding analysis will be compared and discussed within the research group. ...
Background
This paper describes a study protocol for co-producing and co-assessing a new sustainable and scalable service solution that enhances health and social integration by involving providers and volunteers delivering services for elderly people in the province of Cremona (Italy), where the elderly population will reach 27% in 2023.
Methods
This upcoming study involves mixed-method participatory research and is structured in three study phases and related objectives. First, it will co-produce a new, accessible and sustainable service solution using an iterative design and management method, Plan-Do-Check-Act by involving professionals and volunteers of a heterogeneous group of health, social and third sector organizations located in the city of Cremona (Italy). Second, the study protocol will co-assess the outcomes of the new service solution using a mixed-method approach for measuring the outcomes on: professionals and volunteers (micro level) and their health, social and third sector organizations (meso level). Third, this study will co-investigate the scalability of the new solution promoting health and social integration in other similar urban areas of the Province of Cremona via the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (macro level). The data will be collected through the analysis of official documents, websites, policies and participatory workshops.
Discussion
This protocol proposes an innovative intervention, a novel participatory approach, and an unexplored scalability assessment tool in the context of health and social care integration. This study aims to support professionals from health and social care service providers and volunteers from third-sector organizations to collaborate and integrate each other’s resources. In doing so, the participatory approach will facilitate the co-creation of an effective response to the need of health and social integration, and the development of trustful relationships between health and social care service providers. Moreover, the adoption of Plan-Do-Check-Act and Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool will ensure the quality, scalability and sustainability of the new service solution in other settings.
Purpose
This study proposes the concept of phygital service inclusion, exploring its core principle and identifying the key competencies required for its implementation, particularly for individuals experiencing vulnerabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts the term “individuals experiencing vulnerabilities” to highlight the situational and dynamic nature of vulnerability, thereby avoiding the stigmatizing effect of labeling individuals as "vulnerable" and instead promoting a perspective that affirms dignity and resilience. In line with this framing, the study employs an abductive qualitative approach, engaging with Deaf communities in an emerging country as a salient case of individuals experiencing vulnerabilities. To explore cultural and social identity, a netnographic analysis was conducted on user-generated content from YouTube, analyzing 22 videos with a combined total of approximately 7.8 million views and 12,000 comments. In addition, semistructured interviews were conducted with Deaf individuals, complemented by passive observation at a community center that facilitates phygital interactions, providing deeper insights into their lived experiences.
Findings
This study conceptualizes phygital service inclusion as the intentional integration of physical and digital service elements to create experiences that are inclusive, accessible and equitable, particularly for individuals experiencing vulnerabilities. Central to this concept is the principle of “ Physically Informed – Digitally Enhanced ,” highlighting the importance of anchoring digital innovations in the physical realities of individuals experiencing vulnerabilities. Furthermore, this study identifies four key competencies for service professionals – ambicultural, interpersonal, advocacy and digital – that are essential for designing and implementing inclusive phygital service systems.
Research limitations/implications
The study centers on a particular group of individuals experiencing vulnerabilities, which, while offering valuable insights, represents only one dimension of a broader spectrum of such individuals. The methodological scope is further shaped by the reliance on YouTube as the sole source of secondary data and by the limited geographic reach of interviews, which were conducted in just two regions of the country.
Originality/value
This study advances the theoretical discourse on inclusive service systems by bridging physical and digital service elements. It offers actionable frameworks and insights for designing culturally sensitive and contextually adaptive phygital service ecosystems, with a particular focus on empowering individuals experiencing vulnerabilities.
Purpose
Circular supply chains (CSCs) have experienced significant transformations, reflecting shifts in consumer preferences, a growing emphasis on the circular economy and increasing regulatory pressures. In the used clothing sector, nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have traditionally managed CSCs, but growing competition from for-profit entities is driving NPOs to adopt profit-oriented models. This paper examines how NPOs transformed their CSC capabilities to navigate this shift.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a case study approach to collect data from three NPOs, among Sweden’s largest operators of used clothing CSCs, each with distinct operational structures. The dynamic capability view guides the design of semi-structured interviews and data analysis.
Findings
This study identifies seven microfoundations of dynamic capabilities crucial for the competitive management of used clothing CSCs. These seven microfoundations emerged across four distinct levels representing employee, managerial, organizational and supply chain levels. These findings provide a holistic framework for understanding and enabling competitive capabilities in functioning used clothing CSCs.
Originality/value
This study offers empirical insights into maintaining efficiency and competitiveness in used clothing CSCs. Although the evidence is drawn from NPOs, the findings also apply to for-profits, as NPOs have shifted toward profit-driven models. Additionally, this study guides for-profit and policymakers by promoting collaboration with NPOs to achieve synergies. Finally, this study advances the dynamic capability view by introducing four levels at which capabilities arise and their importance for competitive CSC management.
Purpose
This study aims to investigate ambicultural sensitivity using the lens of international dynamic marketing capabilities. Specifically, it examines how ambicultural sensitivity and its elements – cognitive understanding, emotional aptitude and behavioral adaptation – shape micro-, meso- and macro-level consequences in business-to-business (B2B) contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
An abductive qualitative methodology was used, integrating semi-structured interviews with 25 professionals from multinational corporations operating in Indonesia. These individuals were drawn from various sectors, including education, not-for-profit, energy, technology and creative agencies. Data was collected over three months and analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive coding to identify key themes and insights.
Findings
The study identified ambicultural sensitivity as a multifaceted construct encompassing cognitive understanding, emotional aptitude and behavioral adaptation. These dimensions collectively correlate with enhanced intercultural competence and effective B2B engagements. At the micro level, heightened ambicultural sensitivity is associated with identifying cultural misalignments and strengthening positive intra-organizational relationships, thereby facilitating resource reallocation and reconfiguration. At the meso level, it is linked to productive dialogues and collaboration, integrating diverse cultural perspectives into strategic planning. At the macro level, embedding ambicultural sensitivity into organizational routines is related to enhanced dynamic capabilities, ensuring cultural awareness and agility in responding to global market changes.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited by its focus on a specific geographic region and the relatively small sample size, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research could expand to other regions and include a larger sample for more holistic understandings.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the B2B marketing literature by extending the understanding of ambicultural sensitivity. It offers a novel framework for understanding how understanding, appreciating and integrating diverse cultural elements can enhance strategic decision-making and operational effectiveness in international marketing, providing valuable insights for managers in multicultural settings.
The argument that the supply chain discipline needed to make an epistemological break with functionalism in favour of a systems approach was made by Mears‐Young and Jackson (1997) but it has largely been overlooked. This paper seeks to address this oversight by demonstrating what a systems (multiparadigm, multimethodological) approach involves and means for supply chain theory and practice: the adoption of a broad range of paradigmatic perspectives, the juxtaposition and interplay of different perspectives and the creation of opportunities for understanding and action that offer the potential for transformational insight and change. Such a systems approach is demonstrated through the employment of three contrasting perspectives (objective‐positivist, subjective‐interpretivist and radical‐critical) to the case study of the supply chain for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United Kingdom during the first year of the Covid pandemic. This case study is complex and multifaceted and demonstrates well the urgent practical need for a systems approach to supply chain theory and practice as each supply chain perspective offers only partial insight and understanding. In summary, this paper seeks to advance supply chain theory and practice by articulating what a systems approach to it involves.
Purpose
Anchored in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Dynamic Capabilities theory, this study examines blockchain’s role in facilitating firms' transition to a circular economy (CE), aiming to provide a robust framework for understanding the interplay between blockchain, CE and sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an interpretivistic approach and semi-structured interviews to explore how blockchain can drive the transition to a CE.
Findings
The study shows blockchain can expedite the shift to a CE through pollution prevention, product stewardship and sustainable development, by leveraging dynamic capabilities (DC). It emphasizes blockchain as a micro foundation of DCs, with these capabilities enabling NRBV strategic capabilities.
Originality/value
This study investigates the intersection of blockchain and CE, offering empirical validation for a robust conceptual framework and revealing the societal impact of the CE transition.
This study has the purpose to analyze some relevant environmental issues and environmental concerns that are implied and affected by the sustainability organizational management. The analysis departs from the assumption that sustainability organizational management has critical and relevant implications on any issue and environmental concerns in every dimension of organizational settings. The method employed is the meta-analysis descriptive and metacognition reflective based on an extensive conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature review. The analysis concludes that all dimensions and elements for effective sustainability organizational management are related to quantify organizational performance, addressing environmental concerns and environmental issues of stakeholders on achieving the objectives.
Purpose
This study aims to explore the interplay between resource stewardship, relational connectedness and value co-creation in business-to-business (B2B) marketing, addressing gaps in understanding how these elements collectively influence stakeholder relationships and organizational outcomes. Drawing on stewardship theory, social exchange theory and service-dominant logic, the study develops a model that highlights the synergies between ethical resource management, strategic relational engagement and co-creative value processes.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an abductive qualitative approach, the study focuses on the B2B service sector in an emerging economy. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 30 management professionals and analyzed thematically, supported by a network view to visualize the interconnected dynamics.
Findings
Resource stewardship emerges as a key driver of trust and relational connectedness, which facilitates collaborative innovation and value co-creation. Relational connectedness enhances loyalty and cooperative problem-solving, while active participation in co-creation fosters shared ownership, satisfaction and long-term engagement.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s context-specific focus on an emerging economy limits broader applicability, suggesting future cross-industry, cross-cultural approach and quantitative validation.
Originality/value
This study presents an empirically grounded framework that advances theoretical understanding and offers practical insights for optimizing B2B marketing strategies through resource stewardship, relational connectedness and co-creative practices.
The pharmaceutical sector is critical from a life‐saving perspective. However, it also poses significant environmental challenges due to large consumptions of non‐renewable materials and energy, as also extensive by‐product and waste generation. Addressing these issues is paramount, though surprisingly, research on it has largely been theoretical, fragmented and incomplete. These shortcomings are sought to be addressed in this work where a comprehensive green supply chain management (GSCM) framework for the sector is first developed through a systematic literature review. It is then empirically assessed and validated for UK's pharmaceutical sector through 47 interviews and analyses of 112 corporate environmental reports that covered all key stakeholders. Innovative and Bio‐pharma players were found to be at the forefront of the greening efforts with generic players lagging behind. High levels of solvent recycling, AI‐based drug design, and emphasis on Ecopharmacovigilance were observed for the Innovative players. The key drivers for greening were found to be regulatory pressures (e.g., f‐gas, ERA, IED) and cost saving potential, with their influence being particularly greater for the Innovative players. Similarly, complex marketing authorization process, high investment requirements, lack of green culture and time pressure were revealed as the key barriers to greening. On the downstream side, lack of environment‐related regulatory guidance on prescribing and contradictory regulatory guidance on disposing unused/expired drugs were identified as factors having a significant impact on the environmental loading of drugs. Overall, the study findings can help assess the green readiness of the sector, as also develop stakeholder‐specific policy interventions and support mechanisms to increase green adoption.
O objetivo desta tese foi desvelar o conteúdo ideológico dos discursos de (in) dignidade das empresas que intermediam serviços por meio de plataformas digitais de mobilidade. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida à luz da Teoria Crítica da Tecnologia de Feenberg, combinada com a Análise Crítica do Discurso de Fairclough. Para a realização da análise crítica do discurso, foram levantados documentos, nos sites das plataformas digitais de mobilidade Uber e 99, comentários de motoristas na enquete da PLP 12/2024 e realizadas oito entrevistas em profundidade com motoristas que atuam na cidade de São Paulo. Os resultados mostram uma trama paradoxalmente complexa, em que as plataformas tanto violam quanto promovem a dignidade dos motoristas, seja pelo processo de construção ideológica por meio do discurso, ou mesmo por práticas de controle. A partir de reflexões dialéticas sobre as realidades alcançadas, em detrimento de como elas deveriam ser, construímos proposições que, mesmo que não promovam a autonomia em sua completude, podem contribuir para relações mais democráticas entre motoristas e plataformas. A combinação dos momentos da dupla instrumentalização da Teoria Crítica da Tecnologia com as etapas do enquadre de Análise Crítica do Discurso se mostrou como possibilidade viável para pesquisadores interessados na mudança social por meio da tecnologia.
Purpose
Small talk is often regarded as important in business interactions, yet the effect of genuine engagement on B2B communication remains underexplored. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore the concept of genuine small talk, contextualize its key dimensions and examine how it contributes to building rapport and mediates negotiation outcomes in B2B relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a qualitative abductive research approach for this exploratory investigation as it allows for an in-depth examination of the complex relational dynamics inherent in B2B communication. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 35 industry professionals from diverse sectors, ensuring a diverse understanding of the phenomenon across different B2B contexts.
Findings
The study identifies eight core dimensions of genuine small talk in B2B interactions: empathy, curiosity, adaptability, active listening, a nonjudgmental disposition, respect for boundaries, positivity and humility. These dimensions collectively contribute to the development of rapport. The findings also highlight that rapport, fostered through genuine small talk, plays a mediating role in achieving favorable negotiation outcomes.
Originality/value
This study adds to the B2B marketing literature by advancing the understanding of genuine small talk and its strategic importance in building rapport and improving negotiation outcomes.
Purpose
Critical infrastructure (CI) sectors and their resilience are vital for societies to function. In many countries, vital societal functions (VSFs) and CIs depend on inter-organizational and international supply chains (SCs) which combine public and private actors with often competing interests and unclear responsibilities that create discontents. While collaborative supply chain risk management (SCRM) can increase the robustness and resilience of VSF&CIs, their inherent characteristics complicate SCRM. To understand this, supply chain risk governance (SCRG) has conceptually been introduced, suggesting collaborative mechanisms that facilitate inter-organizational SCRM. The purpose of this study is to elaborate on and substantiate the theoretical and practical relevance of an existing SCRG framework, by empirically exploring governance of collaborative SCRM and suggesting future research.
Design/methodology/approach
An abductive case study was performed in a VSF&CI, the Swedish food system, to contextualize top-level governance of collaborative SCRM and elaborate on the conceptual SCRG framework. Archival data supplemented expert interviews with public and private actors representing direct and indirect SC actors.
Findings
Current discourse and interventions in the Swedish food system’s SCRM confirmed discontent in governance and the importance of SCRG mechanisms and supported further conceptualization, e.g. of legal mechanisms vs economic incentives, the importance of government inquiries and the understanding of the influence of indirect public SC actors.
Research limitations/implications
Considering the geographical scope of the study, transferability is limited but invites comparisons with both other countries and the SCRG of other VSF&CIs. Proposed research avenues guide future conceptualization and contextualization of SCRG.
Practical implications
The framework can support CI actors to jointly find and reduce discontents related to inter-organizational SCRM and support policymakers to increase public–private collaboration.
Originality/value
The novelty lies in empirically studying SCRG in critical infrastructures by combining SCRM and risk governance lenses.
Even though the field of human resources is rife with tensions and contradictions, little is known about how HR practitioners experience and navigate these challenges. The impact of these tensions and ambiguities on HR professionalism remains understudied. Using the framework of “bounded professionalism”, this study explores how HR practitioners in business organizations (RBOs) and staffing agencies (RSAs) navigate professional and organizational tensions. Through a qualitative methodology, we conducted 60 semi‐structured interviews with HR practitioners from a variety of organizational settings. By examining the complicated experiences of HR practitioners, we highlight the nuanced ways in which they manage and mitigate professional and organizational tensions. This paper introduces and further develops the concept of “bounded professionalism nexus,” which implies that collaboration between professionals across organizational boundaries may exacerbate the experience of bounded professionalism. Specifically, we identify the triggers and implications of “bounded professionalism nexus”, demonstrating how cross‐border organizational relations contribute to suboptimal performance in both RSAs and RBOs. According to our findings, these tensions are not only prevalent, but also have significant implications for HR professionalism. This study concludes by examining the broader implications of the “bounded professionalism nexus” for HR professionals and offering suggestions for mitigating these tensions.
Purpose
This study examines the role of genuine small talk in business-to-business (B2B) communication through the lens of service language. By exploring and distinguishing genuine and mundane small talk, the research elucidates the impact of sincere, empathetic interactions on value co-creation and relational dynamics within the B2B contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing an abductive qualitative research strategy, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 B2B professionals from Australian and Indonesian multinational corporations. Data analysis involved descriptive coding and thematic analysis, supplemented by network view strategies to visualize interrelations within the dataset.
Findings
The study finds that genuine small talk, characterized by sincere and contextually relevant exchanges, enhances relational enrichment, customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty in B2B interactions. Participants highlighted the importance of empathetic communication and personalized conversations in building trust and rapport. Conversely, mundane small talk, marked by superficiality, was found to erode trust and diminish the quality of client relationships. These insights underscore the critical importance of integrating genuine small talk into communication strategies to foster enduring business relationships and enhance overall service effectiveness.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the service literature by exploring the notion of genuine and mundane small talk in B2B communication, grounding them in service language perspective. It provides novel insights into the verbal and non-verbal elements of genuine small talk, offering practical implications for enhancing B2B negotiation strategies.
This report provides comprehensive evidence of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on businesses, individuals, and society, focusing on social enterprises led by Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals in the United Kingdom. It focuses on the innovative strategies adopted for economic crisis whilst acknowledging the barriers facing BME social entrepreneurs, including increased business costs, difficulties with financial planning, and the potential threat of business death. We use a qualitative research design and interviews as the data collection medium to provide evidence of BME-led social enterprises’ response to the cost-of-living crisis and their adaptation strategies. Fourteen founders and directors were interviewed between March 2023 and January 2024. The social enterprises are predominantly micro and small operating in England, tackling various economic and social issues. The analysis of the interviews suggests five main categories of resilience strategies: strategic business planning, working from home, asset optimisation, fuel voucher schemes, and grant diversification.
Our findings provide ten practical recommendations for social enterprise decision-makers, funding institutions, and government bodies, which are divided into two parts. Recommendations for social enterprise decision-makers are: 1) financial planning, 2) operational efficiency, 3) diversification of income streams, 4) flexible work arrangements and 5) community engagement. Recommendations for funding institutions and government bodies: 6) flexible funding models, 7) long-term support, 8) collaborative initiatives, 9) capacity-building programmes and 10) policy support and advocacy. Investing in flexible funding and sustainable collaboration between social enterprises and relevant stakeholders, such as social investors, can empower social enterprises to develop resources and capabilities fit for crisis response.
Purpose
The study explores Degree Apprenticeship Identity (DAI) conceptualisation to enrich understanding to enhance work-integrated learning (WIL). Lived experiences of degree apprentices (DAs) are examined, and a model of DAI developed to support teaching and learning interventions on this relatively new and significant programme.
Design/methodology/approach
It draws pragmatically upon qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship from diverse backgrounds in a higher education institutes (HEI). Data were explored abductively, using thematic analysis to investigate common patterns that influence identity; investigating personal experiences, socio-economic and cultural background, educational context and social interactions.
Findings
Influential themes surfaced, including pride in work, supporting others, sharing experiences and belonging, facilitating DAI model formation. The model illustrates that DAI is composed of existing personal, necessary professional and power of learning transformation through social identity by interventions that encourage peer engagement, group reflection and group-actualisation.
Research limitations/implications
As this is a small-scale exploratory study, it is not intended to be representative of wider populations, which results in generalisability of findings. Data were collected from a well-established closed cohort programme led by the researcher, previously programme director. Interviews generated a broad range of anecdotal evidence, surfacing valuable insights relating to DAI formation.
Practical implications
To enhance WIL, tutors can foster social interventions that encourage peer dialogue, heighten DAs sense of self as capable learners and increase confidence growth.
Originality/value
The research provides a DAI Model, a fresh approach to understanding ways to enhance WIL for DAs through a stronger focus on group identity through social interventions. This preliminary model presents an opportunity for further research; other apprenticeships, larger and/or open cohorts.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation has been rising in terms of popularity as an alternative to more conventional accommodation like hotels and resorts. Unlike conventional accommodation, P2P accommodation relies solely on online platforms to manage bookings. Most of the service providers of P2P accommodation are the personal owners of private property. They would rent their place through the platform to the guest; hence they are called the host. This puts hosts in a difficult situation as they have to put trust in a stranger over their property. Guests are also in the position to trust the profile of the host in the platform, and whether the host could deliver the service they promised on the platform. The dynamic interaction between host and guest both online and offline creates a dilemmatic situation for them and therefore is suitable to be examined through the lenses of the Drama Theory framework. Most of the past studies relating to the host–guest interaction of P2P accommodation have been centered around trust and its antecedent. This study offers a different view of the guest–host interaction by examining their position relating to each other goals. We also want to expand the analysis of dilemma analysis commonly done in Drama Theory, by using pathology analysis that could help understand how actors could fail to overcome their dilemma. However, since pathology analysis has only been introduced, we need to structure it further to build a coherent analytic tool. We combine dilemma analysis and pathology analysis of Drama Theory with an abductive approach for this study. This study focuses on Airbnb as one of the biggest P2P accommodation platforms. The data is acquired through observation of a peer-to-peer accommodation platform in Bandung, Indonesia, and Focus Group Discussions with the hosts that have received a “superhost” rating. Observation and FGD would be analyzed using dilemma and pathology analysis to come up with a rich map of guest–host interaction dynamics. Our result shows that in the host-guest interaction of P2P accommodation settings, both of them could be trapped in a dilemmatic situation and fail to overcome it properly, hence also caught in a pathological situation.
Purpose
The study analysed the aerospace industry, a traditionally important sector for the topic of risk management, from three complementary perspectives: the supply chain risks present in the sector, the mitigation strategies adopted to face them, and the characteristics (dimensions) observed in the SCRM process of aerospace companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employed a quali–quantitative method: a survey was carried out, followed by interviews with professionals from companies belonging to different tiers of aerospace supply chains. Interviews helped to interpret the survey data and understand in more detail risk management in aerospace companies.
Findings
The study presents a panorama of the aerospace industry in terms of risk management. The sector’s turbulent environment is described as well as the strategies to prevent, minimise or postpone the impact of supply chain risks. In particular, ten dimensions that have been identified in the SCRM process of aerospace firms are discussed. These characteristics influence the objectives of this process and are related to resources, roles and responsibilities, incentives, development of competences and skills, scope (internal and external) and approaches to integrate decisions and actions in the context of the supply chain.
Originality/value
Articles that address the SCRM process usually focus on the process steps, whereas this study investigated dimensions that transcend these steps but whose discussion in the literature is still fragmented. It also analysed a reference sector for the topic from a broader perspective than others available in the literature (supply chain risks, mitigation strategies and characteristics of the SCRM process). Supply chain members with relationships with each other were investigated, a desirable approach for SCRM but still under-explored. The study also answers calls for industry-specific studies and research on emerging countries.
The previous chapter outlined the theoretical framework of the research, focusing on the direct relationships between firm innovativeness, supply chain agility, and firm performance. In alignment with the research aim and objectives, several hypotheses were proposed. This chapter details the research methodology utilized in this study.
Industrial symbiosis can be seen as a collaborative process where actors jointly identify, develop, and maintain resource management innovations, primarily related to secondary material and energy flows, to reduce waste generation and increase resource efficiency. Although industrial symbiosis is commonly recognized and promoted as a process creating business values for involved businesses, knowledge of what kind of values are created and how remains unstructured—and possibly incomplete. This is problematic because, without wider considerations as to what business values can be created through industrial symbiosis, the concept may not garner sufficient support from businesses and policy makers. Therefore, this paper aims to develop and present a framework that captures the wide range of business value propositions of industrial symbiosis, including benefits and sacrifices, along with their enabling mechanisms. The framework was developed based on a synthesis of the literature and interviews with actors involved with existing industrial symbiosis networks and is divided into four domains: costs, revenues, risks, and soft values. Beyond providing an overview of industrial symbiosis business values, the framework has additional uses, such as assisting in negotiations of relationship governance terms, including pricing and compensation mechanisms.
Purpose
To critically examine the holistic implementation of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in entrepreneurial ventures in Thailand.
Design/methodology/approach
The study observed 121 organizations (or respondents) covering 13 industries from both the public and private sectors. The research process started with a semi-structured interview and observation, followed by focus group interviews. The data collected were then analyzed using content and thematic analysis methods.
Findings
Respondents (chiefly entrepreneurial ventures) have good eco-knowledge. Most have more than 3–10 years of experience implementing eco practices that have significantly reduced their eco-impacts and costs. The study also revealed that firms’ directors developed environmental management systems (EMS) and cultures of their firms. This study rejected previously held beliefs that factors including country, firm size, industry type, years of activity and certification, impact both positively and negatively on green performance. However, the influence of top management, green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO), respondents’ different perceptions of the GSCM boundary and the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the success of GSCM’s implementation.
Research limitations/implications
The COVID-19 pandemic obstructed observing GSCM implementation at the respondents’ workplaces. This could reduce the validity of the research, as all evidence obtained was selectively provided by the respondents, not the researchers.
Practical implications
New practitioners are encouraged to focus on green logistics (GL) at a firm level as opposed to the broader supply chain. Effective GL practices recommended utilities usage reduction, reuse/recycle waste and green procurement.
Originality/value
GSCM researchers should focus on patterns of over-consumption, over-trading and relevant institutions that cause environmental unsustainability, rather than specific units in supply chains. The Buddhist sustainable sufficiency concept should be considered as a viable lens to analyze GSCM as it complements existing theories.
The current research presents a middle‐range theorization of logistics customer service attributes predicting overall customer satisfaction for motor carriers. Latent class regression (LCR) analysis was employed to identify importance‐based segments by examining the relationships between logistics customer service attributes and overall satisfaction as measured by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. LCR analysis identified three importance‐based segments, including a segment focused on basic logistics services, a segment focused on sustainability, and a segment focused on security. Correlated components regression analysis was employed to refine the models of each segment to better understand what logistic customer service attributes were most important to each segment. Following an abductive reasoning process, these research results are compared with the theory of strategic purity.
Purpose
Business strategy issues increasingly concern value realized from supply resources. However, how supply resources are valorized by managerial factions in a strategic issue setting is not sufficiently explored. In organizations operating in complex business contexts, several strategic agendas and supply value perceptions typically coexist. This study aims to explore the process of developing corporate attention towards supply-related strategic issues and how it links to sourcing strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
An explorative longitudinal case study within the food industry is conducted. Data are collected in a four year period. Working physically from the case company made it possible to be close to the company’s actors. The first author participated in 26 formal team meetings ranging from 1.5 h to 3 days long, conducted 28 interviews across managerial levels and functions and participated in informal verbal and written communications.
Findings
This study explores strategizing efforts of organizations and scrutinize consequences of strategic ambiguity for sourcing strategy and supply resources. Furthermore, this study outlines implications for management and theory development.
Research limitations/implications
Since this paper is based on an in-depth single case study, its findings are not empirically generalizable.
Practical implications
This paper suggests that managers should pay stronger attention to constituents’ valuation of supply resources, and how they fit with the different strategic agendas within the firm. By doing so, a more comprehensive supply resource mobilization is possible.
Originality/value
Business strategy research increasingly focuses on the value of supply resources for a buying firm’s business strategy (Kotabe and Murray 2018; Lee and Rammohan 2017; Schiele, Calvi, and Gibbert 2012). In a context where the value obtained from sourcing is gaining increased importance, more organizations link supply policies with corporate strategic goals (Andersen, Ellegaard, and Kragh 2016; Hesping and Schiele 2015; Pardo et al. , 2011). However, existing supply chain research does not incorporate an organization’s strategizing efforts, when considering supply resource valuation, and how this can be a source of ambiguity to sourcing strategy. The is the paper’s contribution.
Purpose
This research studies circularity brokers, the economic actors facilitating the transition of companies towards circular operations. The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of “circular brokerage”, deriving from the concept of brokerage existing in network theory and applied to the specific context of the circular supply network. Recent papers have been devoted to particular facets of circular brokerage, with studies dedicated to circular incubators or platforms. This study proposes how these new actors can have a significant role in facilitating circular economy in general.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is qualitative using 17 semi-directed interviews with circularity brokers. The theoretical approach draws on the network view and builds on recent developments of the theory in the context of circular economy.
Findings
Circularity brokers support organisations and their networks, helping them to overcome the problems that stand in their way of adopting circular economy at different levels (micro, meso and macro). To do this, circularity brokers deploy a wide range of activities involving technical, methodological and relational skills. The study extends previous research by elaborating on the relationship between the position these actors occupy within their network and the benefits they can bring in terms of circularity.
Originality/value
This research provides evidence on the role of circularity brokers and moves the state of knowledge from a specific sector or cases to other sectors and a broader role beyond network position specifics. Network theory, with the constructs of broker exchanges and the influence of embeddedness, is used to develop theoretical implications.
In this paper, the focus is on relationship management and its implications for Small-Medium Enterprise suppliers (SMEs). Specific insights are provided into retailer-supplier relationships in the UK fresh produce (fruit and vegetable) market. This sector faces a process of concentration in all parts of the supply chain determined by backward vertical integration at the initiation of powerful multiple retail buyers. The author examines the nature of relationships in a generic product group from the perspective of buyers and sellers and their interaction, utilizing material from multiple depth interviews. Results concern issues of relationship formality, exclusivity, power-dependency, relevance of organizational size, partnered growth potential and risk which lead to a number of provisional conclusions regarding the management of relationships in the supply chain
Sales forecasting and collaboration are two business phenomena that have independently been recognized as contributing to improved organizational performance. The present research employs case study methodology to explore the synergies to be gained from combining the two processes. Depth interviews were conducted with executives at three firms currently engaged in collaborative forecasting with supply chain partners. Results revealed unique approaches to collaborative forecasting that circumvent the inhibitors of collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment adoption, and yield substantial improvement in company and supply chain performance including increased responsiveness, product availability assurance, optimized inventory and associated costs, and increased revenues and earnings. Seven guidelines to implementing interfirm collaborative forecasting are presented.
Warehousing is becoming more and more a critical activity in the supply chain to outperform competitors on customer service, lead times, and costs. However, if warehousing is to be a source of competitive advantage, then the implementation of a warehouse management information system (WMS) is a necessary condition to achieve efficiently the high performance of warehousing operations required in today’s marketplace. A major practical question is then whether a given warehouse should implement a standard or a tailor-made WMS. A standard WMS offers many advantages; it is a proven solution, it is less costly, the implementation lead time is shorter, and the after-sales service is better. On the other hand, a standard WMS remains largely making compromises between the way a warehouse wants to work and the way the system allows the warehouse to work. In certain environments, such compromises might seriously degrade warehouse performance, in which case it then seems better to implement a tailor-made WMS. To answer the above question, we conducted an exploratory field study of warehouses with recently implemented WMSs to first understand the empirical reality and then build up a theory linking the constructs warehouse complexity and warehouse planning and control structure. Warehouse complexity refers to the number and variety of items to be handled, the degree of their interaction, and the number, nature, i.e. technologies used, and variety of processes, determined among others by the warehouse’s position in the logistic chain and the nature of its market. Warehouse planning and control structure refers to the management functions that plan, direct, coordinate and control the flow of goods through the warehouse, from the time of receiving to the time of shipping. It is strongly related to the WMS in use. We found that the number of orderlines to be processed per day and the number of stock-keeping units are the two main observable aspects of warehouse complexity; that the more complex the warehouse is, the more tailor-made the planning and control structure should be; that for simple warehouses a standardized planning and control structure suffices; and that the design of a new-to-build warehouse should be carried out in close concert with the design of the warehouse planning and control structure.
E-commerce is such a new phenomenon that little research has addressed the effects it has on relationships in supply chains. A qualitative study was conducted with eight e-commerce companies in order to construct theoretical relationships with which to develop a grounded theory of the impact of e-commerce on managing supply chain relationships. The e-commerce environment was perceived as highly uncertain, stemming from increased information visibility and dynamic market structures. A stronger emphasis on relationship management as part of business strategy enables managers to manage uncertainty better. Interestingly, increased information does not decrease the perception of uncertainty, but creates more uncertainty. As logistics is the function often involved with both information and relationship management within the supply chain, it may prove to be invaluable in helping firms succeed in this dynamic environment. Our research also found support for the application of transaction cost analysis and the resource dependence theory in explaining interorganizational relationship formation in e-commerce.
Outsourcing, the strategy in which organizations employ the services of external providers, has attracted growing interest. Academic and industrial attention has also focused on the role of seamless supply chain processes in achieving and sustaining competitive advantage. This research is based on petrol retailers in the UK that have adopted logistics outsourcing strategies for implementing supply chain solutions to their convenience-goods operations. Its aim is to identify the factors, which influence outsourcing decisions and the nature and supply chain implications of outsourcing strategies. Research findings indicate that the capability of service providers to facilitate supply chain solutions is largely influenced by four main factors, which in turn substantially determine their role in the supply chain: the strategic orientation of the outsourcing organization; its perception of service providers' role within the logistics strategy; the nature of the resultant client-provider relationship; and, the extent to which the logistics process is outsourced.
Abduction is an important form of nonmonotonic reasoning allowing one to find explanations for certain symptoms or manifestations. When the application domain is described by a logical theory, we speak about logic- based abduction. Candidates for abductive explanations are usually subjected to minimality criteria such as subset-minimality, minimal cardinality, minimal weight, or minimality under prioritization of individual hypotheses. This paper presents a comprehensive complexity analysis of relevant problems related to abduction on propositional theories. They show that the different variations of abduction provide a rich collection of natural problems populating all major complexity classes between P and Σ
3P, Π
3P in the refined polynomial hierarchy. More precisely, besides polynomial, NP-complete and co-NP-complete abduction problems, abduction tasks that are complete for the classes Δ
iP, Δ
iP[O(logn), Σ
iP, and Π
iP, for i=2,3, are identified.
The complexity of any given cognitive phenomenon, such as "scientific discovery", "technical expertise", or "natural language understanding", requires a miiltidisdpUnary approach Presents, within the framework of such an approach, some visible evidences of how tliese very different phenomena are closely rooted in the same MgMy inventive cognitive process, abduction. These evidences wiü be provided out of examples from both everyday language interpretation and law making expertise.
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An aesthetics perspective on storytelling contributes to an understanding of how and why some stories are more effective than others. Three ideas about the nature of aesthetic experience—that it is (1) felt meaning from abductive reasoning, (2) characterized by feelings of connectedness, and (3) enjoyed for its own sake-supply criteria for identifying story quality and suggest how to make stories more effective. This idea of good and bad stories informs every aspect of management storytelling, which we illustrate by reviewing the functions of management storytelling using Mintzberg's taxonomy of the roles of the manager Furthermore, through Mintzberg's taxonomy, we show the contributions of aesthetically strong management stories to organizational learning.
Proposes that the discipline of logistics can benefit from borrowing theories from other areas of study. Presents examples of theories from other disciplines that have already been applied to logistics issues. Offers potential applications from a variety of non-logistics disciplines, including accounting, anthropology and sociology, computing, economics, marketing, philosophy, political science, and psychology. Discusses examples from various disciplines in some detail and identifies some possible applications of the theory. Concludes with a discussion of the benefits of “borrowing” non-logistics theories to logistics research, practice and theory development.
The reason for this research originates from the time- and functional dependencies between firms’ activities and resources in supply chains. These dependencies cause vulnerability. The principal objective of this research is to conceptualize the construct of vulnerability in firms’ inbound and outbound logistics flows. The vulnerability construct of this research consists of two components: disturbance and the negative consequence of disturbance. This research is based upon a two-phase process utilizing sequential triangulation. It is proposed that the vulnerability in the inbound logistics flows from sub-contractors, and the vulnerability in the outbound logistics flows to customers, may be measured and evaluated by four principal dimensions, namely: service level, deviation, consequence and trend. In addition, a model of inbound and outbound vulnerability scenarios in supply chains is introduced for teaching and training purposes, as well as to position and compare the outcome of replication studies of vulnerability in firms’ inbound and outbound logistics flows.
This research explores the linkage between firms' outsourcing activities and the occurrence of supply chain disruptions. It is based upon a two-phase process utilizing methodological triangulation. Phase one applies qualitative methods that explore the overall environment of outsourcing and disruptions in supply chains in the automotive industry based upon a case study of a Swedish car manufacturer. Phase two applies quantitative methods to test the findings from phase one in a wider context in the automotive industry. The results indicate that there is a significant association between the outsourcing of internal activities and the occurrence of disruptions in firms' inbound logistics flows from subcontractors.
Reports an inductive, qualitative investigation into third party logistics contracts in New Zealand. The objective of the study was to uncover managerial insights into effective logistics outsourcing that are appropriate to the New Zealand context. A salient feature of the research is the methodology that involved going back-and-forth between data gathering (the principal source of data was flexible interviews) and analysis, which was conducted through formal coding techniques. Analysis reveals that the third party provider’s refraining from premature monetary commitments is an instrumental variable in the effectiveness of third party logistics contracts in New Zealand. Also uncovers how the uniqueness of the NZ context shapes third party logistics in NZ.
The complexity of any given cognitive phenomenon, such as “scientific discovery”, “technical expertise”, or “natural language understanding”, requires a multidisciplinary approach. Presents, within the framework of such an approach, some visible evidences of how these very different phenomena are closely rooted in the same highly inventive cognitive process, abduction. These evidences will be provided out of examples from both everyday language interpretation and law making expertise.
This paper describes how qualitative research methods, particularly action research case studies, can contribute to further advance and develop logistics research. The paper also describes limitations with the current dominance of quantitative (especially survey) research in logistics. However, the paper is not a pure criticism of the use of quantitative research methods in general or in logistics in specific. Rather, the argument is that it is necessary to use both quantitative and qualitative methods if we really want to develop and advance logistics research. Logistics problems are often ill-structured, even messy, real-world problems. Modern logistics is based on holistic and systemic thinking and uses multi-disciplinary and cross-functional approaches. Thus action research case studies are especially suited for an applied field such as logistics since they strive to advance both science and practice. This should also be reflected in published logistics research, which it is not. In order to change this situation, we first have to understand paradigms and their influence on how we approach and evaluate research. Second, we have to define what case studies in journal articles mean. Third, we need to develop criteria for evaluating action research case studies.
While supply chain management concepts are receiving increasing
attention in literature and practice, the supply chain management
philosophy is supported by a limited theoretical base. The industrial
organisation literature related to the advantages, disadvantages and
applications of vertical integration and obligational contracts is
explored. The industrial organisation literature regarding vertical
integration and obligational contracts is related to supply chain
management. The advantages and disadvantages which supply chain
management shares with vertical integration and obligational contracts
are discussed. It is concluded that supply chain management is a way of
combining many of the advantages of vertical integration and
obligational contracts, while overcoming some of their disadvantages.
Using the industrial organisation literature and findings from two case
studies, prerequisites are developed for supply chain management, and
three competitive situations are described. Supply chain management
holds promise as a competitive form, provided that certain hazards are
avoided, and that a competitive advantage results.
Outlines possible ways to question “what logistics knowledge is” and “how it comes about”, as a means to improve the craftsmanship in logistics research. The logistics knowledge-creation activity is examined with respect to its content, context and processes. A framework distinguishing three levels of abstraction (philosophy of science, methodology and theory, and practice) is presented and discussed. This framework highlights some key issues to be considered when research in logistics and supply-chain management is to be carried out. The implications of the paper should be considered as complementary to increased rigor and borrowing theories from other disciplines as a means to enrich the logistics discipline.
A conceptual framework for the analysis of vulnerability in supply chains is developed. The conceptual framework is limited to the inbound logistic flow of manufacturers. The study has been performed as a two-step process. Step one explores the concept of vulnerability from the point of view of an inductive approach. The conceptual framework is generated and based on the empirical findings from a case study of a Swedish car manufacturer in the automotive industry. Step two is deductive in terms of testing in other industries the generated conceptual framework that originates from step one. The conceptual framework consists of two dimensions, namely categories of disturbance and sources of disturbance. Principally, categories of disturbance are divided into quantitative and qualitative disturbances. Sources of disturbance are divided into atomistic (direct) and holistic (indirect) disturbances. In addition, the specific criteria of an inbound logistic flow indicate how vulnerability in supply chains is proposed to be analysed according to the developed conceptual framework of vulnerability.
Traditional methodologies for evaluating periodicals focus on the quality of research-oriented, peer refereed journals. This research broadens the evaluation process to include practitioner publications and an assessment of periodical usefulness across three educational activities. More than 100 U.S. logistics educators identified and evaluated periodicals germane to the logistics discipline. The Journal of Business Logistics, Harvard Business Review, and Supply Chain Management Review achieved the highest usefulness scores based on an analysis of the survey responses.
Managing the logistical issues resulting from changes in assortment depth in the retail supply chain is challenging, involving various complex tradeoffs. While increasing assortment depth can increase sales, it also increases inventory-holding costs and reduces the amount of space for other items. As space is taken from existing items to increase assortment depth, it reduces the inventory-holding capacity of existing items on the shelf, increasing expected annual cost of lost sales. The paper presents a conceptual model of the relationships between assortment depth, category gross margins, and the logistical concerns resulting from inventory costs and out-of-stocks. Evidence for the significance of depth and resulting costs are provided in an examination of 100 product categories from a case study of a retail grocery chain.
Case studies are frequently used in industrial network research. In this article, we discuss the difficulties and opportunities characterizing the case study approach. In particular, we deal with single case research aiming at theory development. For this purpose, we suggest an approach based on ‘systematic combining’ grounded in an ‘abductive’ logic.
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Thomas S. Kuhn's classic book is now available with a new index. "A landmark in intellectual history which has attracted attention far beyond its own immediate field. . . . It is written with a combination of depth and clarity that make it an almost unbroken series of aphorisms. . . . Kuhn does not permit truth to be a criterion of scientific theories, he would presumably not claim his own theory to be true. But if causing a revolution is the hallmark of a superior paradigm, [this book] has been a resounding success." âNicholas Wade, Science "Perhaps the best explanation of [the] process of discovery." âWilliam Erwin Thompson, New York Times Book Review "Occasionally there emerges a book which has an influence far beyond its originally intended audience. . . . Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions . . . has clearly emerged as just such a work." âRon Johnston, Times Higher Education Supplement "Among the most influential academic books in this century." âChoice One of "The Hundred Most Influential Books Since the Second World War," Times Literary Supplement
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- M Alvesson
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An international analysis of the value of logistics periodicals for research, teaching, and outreach purposes: an update
- B J Gibson
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A critical realism perspective on logistics research
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Salesperson logistics expertise: a proposed contingency framework
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contingency framework", Journal of Business
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The impact of e-commerce on supply chain relationships
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- J T Mentzer