Servitization in global business-to-business distribution: The central activities of manufacturers

Manufacturers' servitization development is a prevalent trend in the current business world. Companies then aim to increase customer closeness and complement product offerings with services. However, extant literature on distribution and marketing channels literature remains limited in terms of the implications of servitization for global business-to-business distribution. Therefore, this qualitative multiple case study identifies the central activities of servitizing manufacturers in global distribution. The study concludes with the following research propositions: Servitizing manufacturers develop global service portfolios and customize offerings according to local customer characteristics; build global operation models and adjust local service processes; ensure global brand coherency and design the customer experience according to local customer expectations; and create global value propositions and enhance local value co-creation with business customers. The study outlines managerial implications in terms of organizing global distribution. It also discusses new knowledge sharing and capability needs regarding solution sales, service provision and customer relationship management.     

国外驻厂质量监督的工作特点

从质量控制、技术水平和信息化管理三个方面分析了国外厂家的特点，论述了在国外生产厂家驻厂进行质量监督的必要性。对国外驻厂监督的具体做法和国外驻厂质量监督工作对人员的要求提出了看法。     

The developmental path of networking capability of catch-up players in Korea's semiconductor industry

With respect to technological learning, networking and globalization, and the subsequent development of technological capability, this study examines the developmental path of catch-up players in Korea's semiconductor industry. It in particular deals with the important aspects of local and global networking of catch-up players accumulating technological capability. This paper also argues that networking capability plays a critical role in the development of the technological capability of catch-up players in developing countries, and that their networking patterns are changed along the global technological trajectory that they face. That is, on the basis of the Korean case analysis, this study reveals that global hierarchical networking with global leaders is provoked in the vertical cooperative phase when global mature technologies are involved in international technology transfer. Next, the quasi-global networking with overseas sister companies and their professionals is strengthened in the discordant phase when growing technologies are involved. Reciprocal networking with global players is encouraged in the strategic phase when emerging technologies are involved. In addition, this paper addresses the development path of other aspects of technological capability, i.e., production, investment, and innovation capability, of Korea's semiconductor players. Furthermore, it discusses the relevance of Korea's development path to other countries and firms.     

Emerging production systems in the transnationalisation of German car manufacturers: adaptation,application or innovation?

Based on case studies, this article seeks to determine whether or not German car manufacturers are exporting a 'German production model' to overseas plants and to what extent the overseas operations have a reciprocal effect on production methods in the originating country. It is argued that the most adequate analytical concept is one that emphasises interest-driven organisational learning processes.     

Trying to become a different type of company: dynamic capability at Smith Corona

Smith Corona, formerly one of the world's leading manufacturers of typewriters, was challenged to exercise dynamic capability in the face of the dissipation of its main product category. A study of the last two decades of the life of the company shows how Smith Corona tried to alter its resource base by leveraging existing resources, creating new resources, accessing external resources, and releasing resources. Using the extended case method, this study advances dynamic capability theory by confronting it with an empirical case. The Smith Corona case provides rich insights into the resource alteration processes by which dynamic capability operates, and highlights resource cognition as a missing element in dynamic capability theory. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Network structure and innovation: The leveraging of a dual network as a distinctive relational capability

This paper employs comparative longitudinal case study research to investigate why and how strong dyadic interfirm ties and two alternative network architectures (a ‘strong ties network’ and a ‘dual network’) impact the innovative capability of the lead firm in an alliance network. I answer these intrinsically cross‐level research questions by examining how three design‐intensive furnishings manufacturers managed their networks of joint‐design alliances with consulting industrial design firms over more than 30 years. Initially, in order to explore the sample lead firms' alliance behavior, I advance an operationalization of interorganizational tie strength. Next, I unveil the strengths of strong ties and the weaknesses of a strong ties network. Finally, I show that the ability to integrate a large periphery of heterogeneous weak ties and a core of strong ties is a distinctive lead firm's relational capability, one that provides fertile ground for leading firms in knowledge‐intensive alliance networks to gain competitive advantages whose sustainability is primarily based on the dynamic innovative capability resulting from leveraging a dual network architecture. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Network agility as a trigger for enhancing firm performance: A case study of a high-tech firm implementing the mixed channel strategy

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can reduce labor costs, free up capital investment and enhance firm's agility by full outsourcing of product manufacturing. OEMs can then focus on the most valuable processes, e.g. R&D and marketing. However, contract manufacturers (CMs) may decide to foster their own brand and forge their own relationships with retailers or distribution channels. The conflicts of interest between OEMs and CMs can be reduced by implementing a mixed channel strategy. Label licensing, the most essential component in the implementation, enhances the marketing capability of a CM and allows it to move up the value chain. In this research, a case study involving a supply chain network in the optical storage media industry is used to develop a conceptual model to explain how a mixed channel strategy and superior network agility enhance firm performance. This study argues that information system integration influences firm performance through network agility, and that the mixed channel strategy boosts financial performance. Moreover, the result proposes that network agility is associated with a moderating effect on the relationship between the mixed channel strategy and financial performance.     

Can systems integration lead to improved performance? The role of strategic alliances

Despite growing research attention to systemic products and systems integration, there is still a dearth of research on the performance benefits that firms can attain from increased systems integration capabilities. We address this research gap using a longitudinal sample of 245 first-tier automotive suppliers and find that an increased systems integration capability positively affects financial performance. By considering the crucial role of manufacturing alliances, we also find evidence that vertical alliances with buyers positively moderate the relationship between systems integration capabilities and performance, while horizontal alliances have a negative moderating effect. These results contribute to the dynamic capabilities literature by providing empirical evidence that systems integration capability is a relevant predictor of firm performance, and expands the current understanding of how system manufacturers should manage their business-to-business (B2B) relationships.     

谁从谁获益:中国制造业中的外商直接投资

本文利用中国制造业1995年和2003年的行业数据，实证研究了不同国别外资企业与不同所有制内资企业组合产生的溢出效应模式。结果发现．外资存在与内资企业绩效间的关系并不是普遍而一致的．而是与外资企业的国别和内资企业的所有制类型密切相关。我们研究的主要结果表明，西方国家的投资较港、澳、台和海外华人投资对内资企业的影响相对更大。进一步发现西方企业对国有企业具有正向的溢出效应。而港、澳、台和海外华人企业则改进了内资非国有企业而不是国有企业的绩效。本文所发现的外资在中国制造业中溢出效应的有趣模式建议外资政策设计应着力促进不同类型外资与内资企业之间的特定组合，特别是西方跨国公司与本土国有企业及港、澳、台和海外华人企业与本土非国有企业之间的合作和良性互动．从而最大化外资溢出带来的溢出好处。     

组织学习与连锁物流能力的关系研究

文章在回顾国内外有关文献的基础上,针对我国连锁物流的现状及存在的问题,提出了连锁物流能力、物流学习能力和组织学习的概念及构成要素、组织学习和连锁物流能力的作用关系概念模型,为连锁物流能力及物流服务质量的提升指明了方向,同时也为进一步在中国的实证研究奠定了基础。     

Boosting servitization through digitization: Pathways and dynamic resource configurations for manufacturers

The importance of digital technologies for services in manufacturing has often been posited, but current literature has neglected to explain how companies can leverage digital methods to increase their service offering. In this article we contribute to current theory by examining how digitization can enable servitization for manufacturers. By performing a multiple-case study at four manufacturing SMEs, we provide evidence for a priming and a capability effect. In terms of priming, we find that specific digitization options lead to three servitization pathways: industrial, commercial and value servitization. Through a dynamic resource-based lens, the barriers, dynamic resource configurations and competitive benefits specific to each pathway are discussed. Finally, this paper offers managers insight on successfully reaching higher service levels through development of digital assets, and on the skills necessary to further integrate into customers' processes.     

Transaction Cost, Social Capital and Firms' Synergy Creation in Chinese Business Networks: An Integrative Approach

Overseas Chinese business networks have been a powerful growth engine propelling local economies in Southeast Asia and the Greater China region. However, relatively little research has been conducted on the relationship between social capital and a firm's synergy creation in overseas Chinese business networks. To narrow this knowledge gap, this study adopts an integrative approach drawing on two complementary theories of transaction cost economics (TCE) and social capital to investigate how a firm creates synergy in overseas Chinese business networks. A multiple regression method was used to test hypotheses. The results indicate that repeat transactions and close ties with government offices and financial institutions contributed positively towards a firm's synergy creation while other variables such as trust, transaction uncertainty and information sharing did not show any significant relationship with synergy creation. Data from 108 Hong Kong-based Chinese manufacturing firms provide evidence that the integrative approach is rather effective in studying a firm's synergy creation in the context of interorganisational relationships.     

Firm capabilities and technology ladders: sequential foreign direct investments of Japanese electronics firms in East Asia

This paper investigates how investments in capabilities offer platforms for the upgrading or downgrading of overseas subsidiaries' activities along a ‘technology ladder’ in response to macroeconomic changes. By analyzing panel data on Japanese electronic firms in East Asia from 1988 to 1994, the empirical results confirm the importance of capabilities at host country, parent company, and local subsidiary levels in sequential foreign investment decisions. The results show that subsidiary capabilities offset macroeconomic factors influencing location decisions of multinational corporations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

国内外醋酸生产应用及市场分析

对国内外醋酸生产技术发展动向和市场供需作了综述。认为醋酸作为重要有机原料品种之一，在我国发展前景看好。借鉴国外发展策略，应淘汰包括乙烯-乙醛法在内的落后工艺，发展先进的甲醇羰基合成工艺，同时还应重视规模效应，在有条件的地区建300-500kt／a规模的装置是可取的。     

金融危机下中国药企的海外并购

2008年的金融危机席卷全球，关于在金融危机中中国制药企业怎样通过海外并购来进军海外做大做强，已经成为当下迫切需要研究的问题。本文对中国药企海外并购的必要性及可行性进行了深入分析，归纳了中国药企在金融危机下的海外兼并中的关键问题，在此基础上提出相应对策、     

Transaction costs and capability factors in dual or indirect distribution channel selection: An empirical analysis of Japanese manufacturers

This study focuses on manufacturers' selection of dual or indirect channels. Although several previous studies based on transaction cost theory investigate transaction cost factors in choosing dual or indirect channels mainly in the United States, this study examines transaction costs and capability factors for such a choice in Japan. The relationships are tested with survey data from Japanese industrial goods manufacturers (n = 429). Compared to previous studies, this study presents three important findings. First, unlike previous studies, two transaction cost factors—asset specificity and behavioral uncertainty—do not exhibit the relationships predicted by transaction cost theory. Interestingly, asset specificity is negatively related to the use of dual channels. Second, two capability factors not assessed in prior studies—market orientation capabilities and differences in channel members' capabilities—exhibit significant positive relationships with the selection of dual channels. Third, capability factors are found to be more important than transaction cost factors in explaining dual or indirect channels in Japan. This study also discusses the influence of the Japanese channel context on the results.     

The role of functional conflict in international buyer-seller relationships: Implications for industrial exporters

In their attempt to compete successfully in foreign markets, exporting firms must comprehend the decision-making and attitude of their overseas customers. Yet, there is a noticeable lack of research dealing with the import behavior of the firm. Focusing on import distributor firms trading with export manufacturers of industrial products, this study investigates the role of functional conflict in importer-exporter relationships. Results indicate that functional conflict is related positively to exporter cultural sensitivity and asset specificity and negatively to exporter opportunism. More importantly, importers' future purchase intentions are associated negatively with opportunism and positively with asset specificity and functional conflict. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed along with suggestions for future research.     

Analyzing supply chain robustness for OEMs from a life cycle perspective using life cycle simulation

Long-term relationships between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and stakeholders in their supply chain and end-of-life process can be designed, while considering uncertainty in future environmental legislation changes. This study proposes a method to analyze the capability of OEMs to reconfigure their supply chain and end-of-life operations to achieve performance targets, which are defined in terms of environmental impacts and life cycle costs. Using life cycle simulation (LCS), the physical deterioration and the functional obsolescence of individual products are considered as stochastic elements in the analysis. The analyzed reconfiguration capability provides the OEM with robustness against uncertainty from a life cycle perspective.     

Determinants of transnational new product development capability: testing the influence of transferring and deploying tacit overseas knowledge

Based on a survey of 90 transnational product introductions, we find that the transnational product development capabilities of organizations significantly depend upon their ability to transfer and deploy tacit knowledge concerning overseas markets. Specifically, we find that organizations which use cross-national teams, teams with members who have prior overseas experience, or teams whose members communicate frequently with overseas managers in order to acquire information about tacit differences among countries have greater transnational product development capabilities. This study contributes to our understanding of how organizations transfer and deploy knowledge across borders for competitive advantage and makes an important contribution to the literature on global strategy. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Entry mode,organizational learning,and R&D in foreign affiliates: evidence from Japanese firms

This paper develops hypotheses concerning the role of entry mode and experience‐based organizational learning as determinants of the R&D intensity of foreign affiliates and tests these hypotheses on a sample of 420 Japanese manufacturing affiliates abroad. Entry mode has a major impact on R&D activities: the R&D intensities of acquired affiliates substantially exceed those in wholly owned greenfield affiliates, while the R&D intensities of minority owned ventures are higher if Japanese parent firms lack strong R&D capabilities at home. For greenfield operations, support is found for an incremental growth pattern of foreign R&D as a function of organizational learning and affiliate capability building. The results are consistent with the view that part of the explanation for Japanese firms' relative lack of involvement in overseas R&D must be sought in their status as ‘latecomers’ in the establishment of overseas manufacturing networks. At the same time, a number of Japanese firms have actively used foreign acquisitions and joint ventures to gain access to overseas technology and to establish overseas R&D capabilities at a faster pace. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.