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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a theoretical model to investigate whether supply chain (SC) innovation positively affects risk management capabilities, such as robustness and resilience in global SC operations, and to examine how these capabilities may improve competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model was developed from extant studies and assessed through the development of a large-scale questionnaire survey conducted with South Korean manufacturers and logistics intermediaries involved in global SC operations. The data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling to validate the suggested model.FindingsIt was found that innovative SCs have a discernible positive influence on all dimensions of risk management capability, which in turn has a significant impact on enhancing competitive advantage. Therefore, this work provides evidence for the importance of SC innovation and risk management capability in supporting competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to providing an empirical understanding of the strategic retention of SC innovation and risk management capabilities in the SC management discipline. Furthermore, it confirms and expands existing theories about innovation and competitive advantage.Practical implicationsThe finding provides firm grounds for managerial decisions on investment in technology innovation and process innovation.Originality/valueThis research is the first of its kind to empirically validate the relationships between SC innovation, risk management capabilities and competitive advantage.

AbstractResearch has shown that implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice represents a considerable challenge for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). This research conceptualises the dimensions and contingencies of CSR in SME supply chains. Drawing on institutional theory and stakeholder theory, we investigated the degree of importance and implementation of CSR practices in SMEs. A large‐scale questionnaire survey with SMEs in manufacturing sectors and panel discussions were conducted in South Korea. The findings indicate that SMEs tend to focus on explicit CSR practices that can be easily identified by their customers. Consistent with this, stakeholder and institutional pressures were valid in the performance of CSR practices, but largely biased to customers, government, and regulatory pressures. Based on institutional theory and stakeholder theory as overarching theoretical lenses, this research contributes to a fuller understanding of the dimensions of CSR practices in the supply chains from an SME perspective. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Research has shown that implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice represents a considerable challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This research conceptualises the dimensions and contingencies of CSR in SMEs' supply chains. Drawing on institutional theory and stakeholder theory, we investigates the degree of importance and implementation of CSR practices in SMEs. A large-scale questionnaire survey with SMEs in manufacturing sectors and panel discussions were conducted in South Korea. The findings indicate that SMEs tend to focus on explicit CSR practices that can be easily identified by their customers. Consistent with this, stakeholder and institutional pressures were valid in the performance of CSR practices, but largely biased to customers, government and regulatory pressures. Based on institutional theory and stakeholder theory as overarching theoretical lenses, this research contributes to offer a fuller understanding of dimensions of CSR practices in the supply chains from a SME perspective.

PurposeInternational supply chains can be severely disrupted by failures in international logistics processes. Therefore, an understanding of international logistics risks, or causes of failure, how these may interact with each other and how they can be mitigated are imperatives for the smooth operation of international supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to specifically investigate the interactions between international logistics risks within the prevailing structures of international supply chains and highlights how these risks may be inter-connected and amplified. A new dynamic supply chain logistics risk analysis model is proposed which is novel as it provides a holistic understanding of the risk event interactivity.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies interpretive structural modelling to data collected from a survey of leading supply chain practitioners, in order to analyse their perspectives of risk elements and interactions. The risk elements and their contextual relationship were derived empirically through the use of focus groups and subsequent Delphi study. The two stages of the research rely on experts' views on risk events and clusters and the level of interactions among those clusters.FindingsA key finding of this research is that supply chain practitioner's perception of risk consists of inter-connected four levels: value streams risks; information and relationship risks; risks in international supply chain activities; and external environment. In particular, since level 2 risk creates feedback loops of risks, risk management at level 2 can dampen the amplification effect and the strength of the interactions.Practical implicationsSeveral managerial implications are drawn. First, the research guides managers in the identification and evaluation of risk events which can impact the performance of their international logistics supply chain operations. Second, evidence is presented that supports the proposition that the relationships with trading partners and LSPs, and the degree of logistics information exchange, are critical to prevent, or at least mitigate, logistics risks which can substantially affect the responsiveness of the international supply chain.Originality/valueThe main contribution to knowledge that this study offers to the literature on supply chain risk management is the development of a supply chain logistics risk analysis model which includes both risk elements and interactions. The research demonstrates the importance of taking into account risk interactions in the process of identification and evaluation of risk events.