Purpose – This paper provides guidance in setting the level of autonomy (i.e. parental control) o... more Purpose – This paper provides guidance in setting the level of autonomy (i.e. parental control) of plants in a network to enhance operational performance. In particular, the effect of autonomy on performance is analysed directly and indirectly through internal manufacturing network integration and external supply chain integration as two dimensions of manufacturing network embeddedness. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on data from 441 manufacturing plants in 17 countries. Data were gathered during the sixth International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. Five main constructs were obtained after carrying out a confirmatory factor analysis: plant autonomy, internal manufacturing network integration, external supply chain integration, efficiency and effectiveness. Direct and indirect relationships among the constructs are tested through a structural equation model. Findings – Higher levels of autonomy correlate with higher effectiveness and similar efficiency. However, lower autonomy leads to higher levels of manufacturing network and supply chain integration, which enhance performance. Although not statistically significant, the analysis of the total effects reveals a mildly positive effect of autonomy on effectiveness and negative effect on efficiency, which requires further investigation. 2 Research limitations/implications – Further research could include headquarters' perspectives or additional determinants (e.g. business strategy objectives). Practical implications – Managers should set autonomy levels strategically: higher for effectiveness and lower for efficiency. However, lower autonomy can also strengthen internal manufacturing network integration and external supply chain integration, thus improving operational performance. Originality/value – The concept of manufacturing network embeddedness highlights the importance of considering external supply chain and internal manufacturing network integration in the same framework, as both dimensions can affect operational performance.
The already significant volume of freight vehicles moving within city limits is steadily growing,... more The already significant volume of freight vehicles moving within city limits is steadily growing, and is expected to continue increasing at an even faster rate. Many European cities, however, have historical urban heritages and constraints that make them a logistics nightmare, where traffic congestion can result from improperly parked vehicles. In this paper, we focus on the location and sizing of commercial parking lay-bys in urban centres, where it is possible to park for a limited amount of time to perform loading/unloading operations and deliveries. The problem has been formulated and addressed with reference to a central district in the city of Bergamo, with a strong commercial presence, and characterized by significant problems of traffic congestion. We present a mixed analytic-Monte Carlo simulation approach in order to find an optimal distribution and relative sizes of the lay-by areas according to the demand and location of the business activities.
Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di ... more Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di fuori della cerchia degli addetti ai lavori. Molto spesso, è un tema dato quasi per scontato, e del quale magari ci si rende conto solo in occasioni particolari. Ma, allo stesso tempo, il tema della logistica urbana delle merci è un tema reale e attuale, in quanto da esso dipendono molti elementi in grado di influenzare, in positivo quanto in negativo, la qualità della nostra vita. In questo, le tecnologie sono sicuramente un fattore abilitante, ancorché non l’unico. La city logistics, e in particolare la logistica urbana delle merci, a nostro parere ben si innesta nel filone, alquanto attuale, delle smart city: una città può (anzi, deve) essere smart anche dal punto di vista della mobilità delle merci.
Objectives: Seen as a competitive weapon (Chikán, 2009) or a necessary pain, inventories are cost... more Objectives: Seen as a competitive weapon (Chikán, 2009) or a necessary pain, inventories are costly especially in downturn periods-like today's-when the access to the financial market is harder. In past, different solutions (eg just-in-time, vendor-managed inventory) have been proposed to reduce inventories, basically with the aim to push them away to other partners of the supply chain. However, the dynamics of inventories are quite complex. First of all, business cycles have impact on the level of sales and therefore on the overall ...
Purpose. The last decades have witnessed an increased interest in urban logistics originating fro... more Purpose. The last decades have witnessed an increased interest in urban logistics originating from both the research and the practitioners' communities. Sustainable freight transports today are on the political, social and technological agenda of many actors operating in urban contexts. Due to the extent of the covered areas and the continuous progress in many fields, the resulting body of research on urban logistics appears quite fragmented. From an engineering management perspective, this paper presents a systematic literature review that aims to consolidate the knowledge on urban logistics, analyse the development of the discipline, and provide future research directions. Design/methodology approach. The paper discusses the main evidence emerging from a systematic literature review (SLR) on urban logistics. The corpus resulting from the SLR has been used to perform a citation network analysis and a main path analysis that together underpin the identification of the most investigated topics and methodologies in the field. Findings. Through the analysis of a corpus of 104 articles, the most important research contributions on urban logistics that represent the structural backbone in the development of the research over time in the field are detected. Based on these findings, this work identifies and discusses three areas of potential interest for future research. Originality/value. This paper presents an SLR related to a research area in which the literature is extremely fragmented. The results provide insights about the research path, current trends and future research directions in the field of urban logistics.
Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain managem... more Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has on company’s sustainability performance (both environmental and social), (ii) the direct and the indirect impacts that traditional supply management (SM) has on such performance and (iii) the effect that global sourcing exerts on the relationships involving SM, SSCM and firm sustainability performance. Design/methodology/approach. Empirical data were obtained from the fifth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. The sample consists of 336 assembly manufacturing companies from 21 countries. Data were collected in 2009. We apply a moderated mediation analysis to analyse the role of SM and SSCM. We also perform a multi-group analysis to verify the moderation effect played by global sourcing. Findings. First, SSCM improves sustainability performance (both environmental and social) of the company that implements it. Then, SM plays a complex role as it fosters the adoption of SSCM and makes SSCM more effective. Interestingly, these results are valid for both Locals (i.e., companies sourcing mainly within their continent) and Globals (i.e., companies that have relevant international supply relationships). However, for Locals only, SM also produces a direct effect on sustainability performance of the company. Originality/value. Findings provide empirical evidence that supports previous theoretical works. Furthermore, this paper expands the literature by shedding light on the multifaceted role of SM and on the moderating role of global sourcing. Results are useful to practitioners and researchers interested in developing their understanding of how sustainability at the company level is related to supply chain management.
Purpose
– In 2003 the authors investigated the level of adoption of e‐business by manufacturing ... more Purpose – In 2003 the authors investigated the level of adoption of e‐business by manufacturing firms in Europe. Four company strategies were identified based on different extents of adoption of internet‐based tools for interaction with customers and/or suppliers. The purpose of this paper is to replicate, those analyses using the new release of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) IV. These new results are compared with previous ones in order to determine whether modeling previously described in the literature remains valid.
Design/methodology/approach – Data collected in Europe through IMSS III and IV are used. In particular, companies are clustered according to e‐business practices adopted in supply chain management (SCM) and the degree of adoption of e‐business between the two editions of the research is compared. A longitudinal analysis is also conducted using data from companies participating in both editions of the survey.
Findings – It is shown that the fundamental aspects of the modeling approach earlier proposed in the literature remain valid, with a higher average level of adoption of e‐business tools in the more recent edition of the study. However, the four‐cluster model is shown to be no longer valid. In the more recent dataset, three clusters emerge. They are characterized by different levels of adoption of e‐business, balanced between e‐commerce and e‐procurement. The longitudinal analysis shows that the firms participating in both editions of the research have changed their strategy, coherently to what the overall sample does.
Research limitations/implications – This paper is focused on the assembly industry and only part of the sample is strictly longitudinal. Further research is needed to relate e‐business strategy with performance and to distinguish among the various tools available.
Practical implications – This paper also shows that the adoption of e‐business is increasing among small and medium firms, even if the practices adopted by any individual company remain limited. Results show that a cautious adoption is preferable to more radical implementation, since some firms have actually reduced their initial efforts to adopt e‐business.
Originality/value – The literature currently lacks extensive, longitudinal studies on e‐business strategies in SCM. The paper shows how the concept has rapidly evolved recently, and it modifies models that are proposed only a few years ago in the face of new data.
This paper investigates supply chain management strategies in the luxury industry to find out (1)... more This paper investigates supply chain management strategies in the luxury industry to find out (1) whether different clusters of companies can be identified within the luxury industry on the basis of a set of contingent variables derived from previous research and (2) which supply chain strategy is currently applied within each cluster. We used case-study methodology to investigate 15 Italian luxury companies from different industrial sectors. Based on five classification variables (namely, company size, selling volume, product complexity, product fashionableness and brand reputation) we have identified four clusters of luxury companies. These clusters present differences in terms of supply chain strategies and practices for managing manufacturing, sourcing and distribution processes.
In recent years, companies have paid growing attention to supply chain management at a global lev... more In recent years, companies have paid growing attention to supply chain management at a global level. With regard to the upstream part of the supply chain, the need for better suppliers, the research into specific competences and concerns related to international competition have forced companies to improve their ability to cope with suppliers located in different countries around the world. The literature suggests that the geographical distance of suppliers should create higher inventory levels primarily because of longer and more uncertain lead times. However, as this paper aims to demonstrate, companies can limit this effect by means of specific investments in the supply chain and in their relationships with suppliers. The empirical analysis is based on data from the last edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS). The results show that companies performing global sourcing have invested in supply chain management (SCM) and that this has been helpful in keeping their inventories under control.
Purpose – This paper aims at understanding the relationship between the adoption of new forms of ... more Purpose – This paper aims at understanding the relationship between the adoption of new forms of work organizations (NFWOs) and measures of country impact, in terms of national culture and economic development. Design/methodology/approach – The adoption of NFWO practices is measured through data from the fourth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey, while Hofstede's measures are adopted for national culture, and gross national income (GNI) per capita is used as an economic development variable. Multivariate linear regression is applied to investigate relationships, using company size as a control variable. A cluster analysis is utilized to identify groups of countries with similar cultural characteristics and to highlight different patterns of adoption of NFWO practices. Findings – The authors show that it is possible to explain different patterns in the adoption of NFWO practices when considering company size and cultural variables. GNI is instead only significant for some practices and does not always positively influence the adoption of NFWO. On the other hand, cultural variables are linked to all the practices, but there is no dominant dimension to explain higher or lower NFWO adoption. Research limitations/implications – Results are limited because only Hofstede's cultural variables are used and manufacturing performance is not considered. Therefore, it is not possible to discriminate between more or less successful NFWO variations. Practical implications – This paper provides managers with insights on how to take into account cultural variables when transferring organizational models to different countries. Originality/value – This paper contributes to previous studies showing the importance of including several contextual variables, country impact in particular, in the study of operations management.
Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 2014
Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain managem... more Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has on company’s sustainability performance (both environmental and social), (ii) the direct and the indirect impacts that traditional supply management (SM) has on such performance and (iii) the effect that global sourcing exerts on the relationships involving SM, SSCM and firm sustainability performance. Design/methodology/approach. Empirical data were obtained from the fifth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. The sample consists of 336 assembly manufacturing companies from 21 countries. Data were collected in 2009. We apply a moderated mediation analysis to analyse the role of SM and SSCM. We also perform a multi-group analysis to verify the moderation effect played by global sourcing. Findings. First, SSCM improves sustainability performance (both environmental and social) of the company that implements it. Then, SM plays a complex role as it fosters the adoption of SSCM and makes SSCM more effective. Interestingly, these results are valid for both Locals (i.e., companies sourcing mainly within their continent) and Globals (i.e., companies that have relevant international supply relationships). However, for Locals only, SM also produces a direct effect on sustainability performance of the company. Originality/value. Findings provide empirical evidence that supports previous theoretical works. Furthermore, this paper expands the literature by shedding light on the multifaceted role of SM and on the moderating role of global sourcing. Results are useful to practitioners and researchers interested in developing their understanding of how sustainability at the company level is related to supply chain management.
Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di ... more Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di fuori della cerchia degli addetti ai lavori. Molto spesso, è un tema dato quasi per scontato, e del quale magari ci si rende conto solo in occasioni particolari. Ma, allo stesso tempo, il tema della logistica urbana delle merci è un tema reale e attuale, in quanto da esso dipendono molti elementi in grado di influenzare, in positivo quanto in negativo, la qualità della nostra vita. In questo, le tecnologie sono sicuramente un fattore abilitante, ancorché non l’unico. La city logistics, e in particolare la logistica urbana delle merci, a nostro parere ben si innesta nel filone, alquanto attuale, delle smart city: una città può (anzi, deve) essere smart anche dal punto di vista della mobilità delle merci.
Urban population is steadily growing, bringing along a manifold increase of demand for goods and ... more Urban population is steadily growing, bringing along a manifold increase of demand for goods and services, mainly concentrated in relatively limited or overly constrained areas. This is inevitably leading cities around the world to face increasing challenges in terms of efficient transportation of persons and goods, while controlling and ideally reducing its negative impacts on the quality of life of their citizens. City logistics projects (CLP) try to address the issue, with the aim at optimizing the logistics and transport activities by public and private actors in urban areas while considering the traffic environment, the traffic congestion and energy consumption within the framework of a market economy. In Bergamo, as part of a larger project, called Bergamo 2.(035) A new Urban Concept in a changing World led by the University of Bergamo, the Bergamo Logistica project aims to identify and analyze the main issues, the ongoing projects and initiatives, and the ideal directions of ...
Purpose – This paper provides guidance in setting the level of autonomy (i.e. parental control) o... more Purpose – This paper provides guidance in setting the level of autonomy (i.e. parental control) of plants in a network to enhance operational performance. In particular, the effect of autonomy on performance is analysed directly and indirectly through internal manufacturing network integration and external supply chain integration as two dimensions of manufacturing network embeddedness. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on data from 441 manufacturing plants in 17 countries. Data were gathered during the sixth International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. Five main constructs were obtained after carrying out a confirmatory factor analysis: plant autonomy, internal manufacturing network integration, external supply chain integration, efficiency and effectiveness. Direct and indirect relationships among the constructs are tested through a structural equation model. Findings – Higher levels of autonomy correlate with higher effectiveness and similar efficiency. However, lower autonomy leads to higher levels of manufacturing network and supply chain integration, which enhance performance. Although not statistically significant, the analysis of the total effects reveals a mildly positive effect of autonomy on effectiveness and negative effect on efficiency, which requires further investigation. 2 Research limitations/implications – Further research could include headquarters' perspectives or additional determinants (e.g. business strategy objectives). Practical implications – Managers should set autonomy levels strategically: higher for effectiveness and lower for efficiency. However, lower autonomy can also strengthen internal manufacturing network integration and external supply chain integration, thus improving operational performance. Originality/value – The concept of manufacturing network embeddedness highlights the importance of considering external supply chain and internal manufacturing network integration in the same framework, as both dimensions can affect operational performance.
The already significant volume of freight vehicles moving within city limits is steadily growing,... more The already significant volume of freight vehicles moving within city limits is steadily growing, and is expected to continue increasing at an even faster rate. Many European cities, however, have historical urban heritages and constraints that make them a logistics nightmare, where traffic congestion can result from improperly parked vehicles. In this paper, we focus on the location and sizing of commercial parking lay-bys in urban centres, where it is possible to park for a limited amount of time to perform loading/unloading operations and deliveries. The problem has been formulated and addressed with reference to a central district in the city of Bergamo, with a strong commercial presence, and characterized by significant problems of traffic congestion. We present a mixed analytic-Monte Carlo simulation approach in order to find an optimal distribution and relative sizes of the lay-by areas according to the demand and location of the business activities.
Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di ... more Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di fuori della cerchia degli addetti ai lavori. Molto spesso, è un tema dato quasi per scontato, e del quale magari ci si rende conto solo in occasioni particolari. Ma, allo stesso tempo, il tema della logistica urbana delle merci è un tema reale e attuale, in quanto da esso dipendono molti elementi in grado di influenzare, in positivo quanto in negativo, la qualità della nostra vita. In questo, le tecnologie sono sicuramente un fattore abilitante, ancorché non l’unico. La city logistics, e in particolare la logistica urbana delle merci, a nostro parere ben si innesta nel filone, alquanto attuale, delle smart city: una città può (anzi, deve) essere smart anche dal punto di vista della mobilità delle merci.
Objectives: Seen as a competitive weapon (Chikán, 2009) or a necessary pain, inventories are cost... more Objectives: Seen as a competitive weapon (Chikán, 2009) or a necessary pain, inventories are costly especially in downturn periods-like today's-when the access to the financial market is harder. In past, different solutions (eg just-in-time, vendor-managed inventory) have been proposed to reduce inventories, basically with the aim to push them away to other partners of the supply chain. However, the dynamics of inventories are quite complex. First of all, business cycles have impact on the level of sales and therefore on the overall ...
Purpose. The last decades have witnessed an increased interest in urban logistics originating fro... more Purpose. The last decades have witnessed an increased interest in urban logistics originating from both the research and the practitioners' communities. Sustainable freight transports today are on the political, social and technological agenda of many actors operating in urban contexts. Due to the extent of the covered areas and the continuous progress in many fields, the resulting body of research on urban logistics appears quite fragmented. From an engineering management perspective, this paper presents a systematic literature review that aims to consolidate the knowledge on urban logistics, analyse the development of the discipline, and provide future research directions. Design/methodology approach. The paper discusses the main evidence emerging from a systematic literature review (SLR) on urban logistics. The corpus resulting from the SLR has been used to perform a citation network analysis and a main path analysis that together underpin the identification of the most investigated topics and methodologies in the field. Findings. Through the analysis of a corpus of 104 articles, the most important research contributions on urban logistics that represent the structural backbone in the development of the research over time in the field are detected. Based on these findings, this work identifies and discusses three areas of potential interest for future research. Originality/value. This paper presents an SLR related to a research area in which the literature is extremely fragmented. The results provide insights about the research path, current trends and future research directions in the field of urban logistics.
Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain managem... more Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has on company’s sustainability performance (both environmental and social), (ii) the direct and the indirect impacts that traditional supply management (SM) has on such performance and (iii) the effect that global sourcing exerts on the relationships involving SM, SSCM and firm sustainability performance. Design/methodology/approach. Empirical data were obtained from the fifth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. The sample consists of 336 assembly manufacturing companies from 21 countries. Data were collected in 2009. We apply a moderated mediation analysis to analyse the role of SM and SSCM. We also perform a multi-group analysis to verify the moderation effect played by global sourcing. Findings. First, SSCM improves sustainability performance (both environmental and social) of the company that implements it. Then, SM plays a complex role as it fosters the adoption of SSCM and makes SSCM more effective. Interestingly, these results are valid for both Locals (i.e., companies sourcing mainly within their continent) and Globals (i.e., companies that have relevant international supply relationships). However, for Locals only, SM also produces a direct effect on sustainability performance of the company. Originality/value. Findings provide empirical evidence that supports previous theoretical works. Furthermore, this paper expands the literature by shedding light on the multifaceted role of SM and on the moderating role of global sourcing. Results are useful to practitioners and researchers interested in developing their understanding of how sustainability at the company level is related to supply chain management.
Purpose
– In 2003 the authors investigated the level of adoption of e‐business by manufacturing ... more Purpose – In 2003 the authors investigated the level of adoption of e‐business by manufacturing firms in Europe. Four company strategies were identified based on different extents of adoption of internet‐based tools for interaction with customers and/or suppliers. The purpose of this paper is to replicate, those analyses using the new release of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) IV. These new results are compared with previous ones in order to determine whether modeling previously described in the literature remains valid.
Design/methodology/approach – Data collected in Europe through IMSS III and IV are used. In particular, companies are clustered according to e‐business practices adopted in supply chain management (SCM) and the degree of adoption of e‐business between the two editions of the research is compared. A longitudinal analysis is also conducted using data from companies participating in both editions of the survey.
Findings – It is shown that the fundamental aspects of the modeling approach earlier proposed in the literature remain valid, with a higher average level of adoption of e‐business tools in the more recent edition of the study. However, the four‐cluster model is shown to be no longer valid. In the more recent dataset, three clusters emerge. They are characterized by different levels of adoption of e‐business, balanced between e‐commerce and e‐procurement. The longitudinal analysis shows that the firms participating in both editions of the research have changed their strategy, coherently to what the overall sample does.
Research limitations/implications – This paper is focused on the assembly industry and only part of the sample is strictly longitudinal. Further research is needed to relate e‐business strategy with performance and to distinguish among the various tools available.
Practical implications – This paper also shows that the adoption of e‐business is increasing among small and medium firms, even if the practices adopted by any individual company remain limited. Results show that a cautious adoption is preferable to more radical implementation, since some firms have actually reduced their initial efforts to adopt e‐business.
Originality/value – The literature currently lacks extensive, longitudinal studies on e‐business strategies in SCM. The paper shows how the concept has rapidly evolved recently, and it modifies models that are proposed only a few years ago in the face of new data.
This paper investigates supply chain management strategies in the luxury industry to find out (1)... more This paper investigates supply chain management strategies in the luxury industry to find out (1) whether different clusters of companies can be identified within the luxury industry on the basis of a set of contingent variables derived from previous research and (2) which supply chain strategy is currently applied within each cluster. We used case-study methodology to investigate 15 Italian luxury companies from different industrial sectors. Based on five classification variables (namely, company size, selling volume, product complexity, product fashionableness and brand reputation) we have identified four clusters of luxury companies. These clusters present differences in terms of supply chain strategies and practices for managing manufacturing, sourcing and distribution processes.
In recent years, companies have paid growing attention to supply chain management at a global lev... more In recent years, companies have paid growing attention to supply chain management at a global level. With regard to the upstream part of the supply chain, the need for better suppliers, the research into specific competences and concerns related to international competition have forced companies to improve their ability to cope with suppliers located in different countries around the world. The literature suggests that the geographical distance of suppliers should create higher inventory levels primarily because of longer and more uncertain lead times. However, as this paper aims to demonstrate, companies can limit this effect by means of specific investments in the supply chain and in their relationships with suppliers. The empirical analysis is based on data from the last edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS). The results show that companies performing global sourcing have invested in supply chain management (SCM) and that this has been helpful in keeping their inventories under control.
Purpose – This paper aims at understanding the relationship between the adoption of new forms of ... more Purpose – This paper aims at understanding the relationship between the adoption of new forms of work organizations (NFWOs) and measures of country impact, in terms of national culture and economic development. Design/methodology/approach – The adoption of NFWO practices is measured through data from the fourth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey, while Hofstede's measures are adopted for national culture, and gross national income (GNI) per capita is used as an economic development variable. Multivariate linear regression is applied to investigate relationships, using company size as a control variable. A cluster analysis is utilized to identify groups of countries with similar cultural characteristics and to highlight different patterns of adoption of NFWO practices. Findings – The authors show that it is possible to explain different patterns in the adoption of NFWO practices when considering company size and cultural variables. GNI is instead only significant for some practices and does not always positively influence the adoption of NFWO. On the other hand, cultural variables are linked to all the practices, but there is no dominant dimension to explain higher or lower NFWO adoption. Research limitations/implications – Results are limited because only Hofstede's cultural variables are used and manufacturing performance is not considered. Therefore, it is not possible to discriminate between more or less successful NFWO variations. Practical implications – This paper provides managers with insights on how to take into account cultural variables when transferring organizational models to different countries. Originality/value – This paper contributes to previous studies showing the importance of including several contextual variables, country impact in particular, in the study of operations management.
Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 2014
Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain managem... more Purpose. The aim of this paper is to explore (i) the impact that sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has on company’s sustainability performance (both environmental and social), (ii) the direct and the indirect impacts that traditional supply management (SM) has on such performance and (iii) the effect that global sourcing exerts on the relationships involving SM, SSCM and firm sustainability performance. Design/methodology/approach. Empirical data were obtained from the fifth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. The sample consists of 336 assembly manufacturing companies from 21 countries. Data were collected in 2009. We apply a moderated mediation analysis to analyse the role of SM and SSCM. We also perform a multi-group analysis to verify the moderation effect played by global sourcing. Findings. First, SSCM improves sustainability performance (both environmental and social) of the company that implements it. Then, SM plays a complex role as it fosters the adoption of SSCM and makes SSCM more effective. Interestingly, these results are valid for both Locals (i.e., companies sourcing mainly within their continent) and Globals (i.e., companies that have relevant international supply relationships). However, for Locals only, SM also produces a direct effect on sustainability performance of the company. Originality/value. Findings provide empirical evidence that supports previous theoretical works. Furthermore, this paper expands the literature by shedding light on the multifaceted role of SM and on the moderating role of global sourcing. Results are useful to practitioners and researchers interested in developing their understanding of how sustainability at the company level is related to supply chain management.
Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di ... more Probabilmente, il tema della logistica urbana di per sé non suscita immediato di interesse al di fuori della cerchia degli addetti ai lavori. Molto spesso, è un tema dato quasi per scontato, e del quale magari ci si rende conto solo in occasioni particolari. Ma, allo stesso tempo, il tema della logistica urbana delle merci è un tema reale e attuale, in quanto da esso dipendono molti elementi in grado di influenzare, in positivo quanto in negativo, la qualità della nostra vita. In questo, le tecnologie sono sicuramente un fattore abilitante, ancorché non l’unico. La city logistics, e in particolare la logistica urbana delle merci, a nostro parere ben si innesta nel filone, alquanto attuale, delle smart city: una città può (anzi, deve) essere smart anche dal punto di vista della mobilità delle merci.
Urban population is steadily growing, bringing along a manifold increase of demand for goods and ... more Urban population is steadily growing, bringing along a manifold increase of demand for goods and services, mainly concentrated in relatively limited or overly constrained areas. This is inevitably leading cities around the world to face increasing challenges in terms of efficient transportation of persons and goods, while controlling and ideally reducing its negative impacts on the quality of life of their citizens. City logistics projects (CLP) try to address the issue, with the aim at optimizing the logistics and transport activities by public and private actors in urban areas while considering the traffic environment, the traffic congestion and energy consumption within the framework of a market economy. In Bergamo, as part of a larger project, called Bergamo 2.(035) A new Urban Concept in a changing World led by the University of Bergamo, the Bergamo Logistica project aims to identify and analyze the main issues, the ongoing projects and initiatives, and the ideal directions of ...
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Papers by Ruggero Golini
Design/methodology/approach. Empirical data were obtained from the fifth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. The sample consists of 336 assembly manufacturing companies from 21 countries. Data were collected in 2009. We apply a moderated mediation analysis to analyse the role of SM and SSCM. We also perform a multi-group analysis to verify the moderation effect played by global sourcing.
Findings. First, SSCM improves sustainability performance (both environmental and social) of the company that implements it. Then, SM plays a complex role as it fosters the adoption of SSCM and makes SSCM more effective. Interestingly, these results are valid for both Locals (i.e., companies sourcing mainly within their continent) and Globals (i.e., companies that have relevant international supply relationships). However, for Locals only, SM also produces a direct effect on sustainability performance of the company.
Originality/value. Findings provide empirical evidence that supports previous theoretical works. Furthermore, this paper expands the literature by shedding light on the multifaceted role of SM and on the moderating role of global sourcing. Results are useful to practitioners and researchers interested in developing their understanding of how sustainability at the company level is related to supply chain management.
– In 2003 the authors investigated the level of adoption of e‐business by manufacturing firms in Europe. Four company strategies were identified based on different extents of adoption of internet‐based tools for interaction with customers and/or suppliers. The purpose of this paper is to replicate, those analyses using the new release of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) IV. These new results are compared with previous ones in order to determine whether modeling previously described in the literature remains valid.
Design/methodology/approach
– Data collected in Europe through IMSS III and IV are used. In particular, companies are clustered according to e‐business practices adopted in supply chain management (SCM) and the degree of adoption of e‐business between the two editions of the research is compared. A longitudinal analysis is also conducted using data from companies participating in both editions of the survey.
Findings
– It is shown that the fundamental aspects of the modeling approach earlier proposed in the literature remain valid, with a higher average level of adoption of e‐business tools in the more recent edition of the study. However, the four‐cluster model is shown to be no longer valid. In the more recent dataset, three clusters emerge. They are characterized by different levels of adoption of e‐business, balanced between e‐commerce and e‐procurement. The longitudinal analysis shows that the firms participating in both editions of the research have changed their strategy, coherently to what the overall sample does.
Research limitations/implications
– This paper is focused on the assembly industry and only part of the sample is strictly longitudinal. Further research is needed to relate e‐business strategy with performance and to distinguish among the various tools available.
Practical implications
– This paper also shows that the adoption of e‐business is increasing among small and medium firms, even if the practices adopted by any individual company remain limited. Results show that a cautious adoption is preferable to more radical implementation, since some firms have actually reduced their initial efforts to adopt e‐business.
Originality/value
– The literature currently lacks extensive, longitudinal studies on e‐business strategies in SCM. The paper shows how the concept has rapidly evolved recently, and it modifies models that are proposed only a few years ago in the face of new data.
Design/methodology/approach. Empirical data were obtained from the fifth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. The sample consists of 336 assembly manufacturing companies from 21 countries. Data were collected in 2009. We apply a moderated mediation analysis to analyse the role of SM and SSCM. We also perform a multi-group analysis to verify the moderation effect played by global sourcing.
Findings. First, SSCM improves sustainability performance (both environmental and social) of the company that implements it. Then, SM plays a complex role as it fosters the adoption of SSCM and makes SSCM more effective. Interestingly, these results are valid for both Locals (i.e., companies sourcing mainly within their continent) and Globals (i.e., companies that have relevant international supply relationships). However, for Locals only, SM also produces a direct effect on sustainability performance of the company.
Originality/value. Findings provide empirical evidence that supports previous theoretical works. Furthermore, this paper expands the literature by shedding light on the multifaceted role of SM and on the moderating role of global sourcing. Results are useful to practitioners and researchers interested in developing their understanding of how sustainability at the company level is related to supply chain management.
– In 2003 the authors investigated the level of adoption of e‐business by manufacturing firms in Europe. Four company strategies were identified based on different extents of adoption of internet‐based tools for interaction with customers and/or suppliers. The purpose of this paper is to replicate, those analyses using the new release of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) IV. These new results are compared with previous ones in order to determine whether modeling previously described in the literature remains valid.
Design/methodology/approach
– Data collected in Europe through IMSS III and IV are used. In particular, companies are clustered according to e‐business practices adopted in supply chain management (SCM) and the degree of adoption of e‐business between the two editions of the research is compared. A longitudinal analysis is also conducted using data from companies participating in both editions of the survey.
Findings
– It is shown that the fundamental aspects of the modeling approach earlier proposed in the literature remain valid, with a higher average level of adoption of e‐business tools in the more recent edition of the study. However, the four‐cluster model is shown to be no longer valid. In the more recent dataset, three clusters emerge. They are characterized by different levels of adoption of e‐business, balanced between e‐commerce and e‐procurement. The longitudinal analysis shows that the firms participating in both editions of the research have changed their strategy, coherently to what the overall sample does.
Research limitations/implications
– This paper is focused on the assembly industry and only part of the sample is strictly longitudinal. Further research is needed to relate e‐business strategy with performance and to distinguish among the various tools available.
Practical implications
– This paper also shows that the adoption of e‐business is increasing among small and medium firms, even if the practices adopted by any individual company remain limited. Results show that a cautious adoption is preferable to more radical implementation, since some firms have actually reduced their initial efforts to adopt e‐business.
Originality/value
– The literature currently lacks extensive, longitudinal studies on e‐business strategies in SCM. The paper shows how the concept has rapidly evolved recently, and it modifies models that are proposed only a few years ago in the face of new data.