Abstract Empirical research in Supply Chain Management is increasingly interested in complex models involving mediation effects. We support these endeavors by directing attention to the practices for the theorizing of, the testing for, and the drawing of conclusions about mediation effects. Our paper synthesizes diverse literature in other disciplines to provide an accessible tutorial as to the mathematical foundation of mediation effects and the various methods available to test for these effects. We also provide guidance to SCM scholars in the form of eight recommendations aimed at improving the theorizing of, the testing for, and the drawing of conclusions about mediation effects. Recommendations pertaining to how mediation effects are hypothesized and stated and how to select among methods to test for mediation effects are novel contributions for and beyond the Supply Chain Management discipline.
This paper summarizes evaluations performed to characterize and determine the moisture sensitivity of fine pitch (0.8 mm and 1 mm pitch) mold array process (MAP) BGA packages. The advantages of the MAP BGA over standard PBGA and glob top BGA in terms of cost and package design to meet cellular phone market demand for thinner, smaller and lighter packaging are also discussed. There are multiple issues for both thin (1.3 mm) and thick (1.7 mm) MAP BGAs. The paper addresses the assembly impact of warpage due to thinner substrates, low loop wire bonding and thin molding, and covers the materials used and their advantages, e.g. nonconductive die attach epoxies and molding compounds that decrease strip warpage and wire sweep at mold. Results using an optimized flag design are reported. Solder ball adhesion and joint reliability obtained in 1 mm pitch BGA characterization are discussed. Various studies were made to find the moisture sensitivity level of this new package family, which range in body size from 7/spl times/7 mm to 17/spl times/17 mm for both thick and thin profiles. The reliability test used C-SAM to inspect for package interface delamination after moisture sensitivity level 1, 2 and 3 preconditioning. Studies were also conducted to improve package moisture performance using special flag coatings and pre-bakes on the BT resin substrates. Thermal and electrical characterization data are included to give a baseline comparison between this package and a standard LQFP. Future work and recommendations are provided on package performance improvement and the demand for even lower ball pitch (0.65 or 0.5 mm) and profile BGAs (1 mm) on future products.
We illustrate developing techniques for empirical game-theoretic analysis by application to two challenging market games employed in an annual Trading Agent Competition. These games exemplify relevant environments beyond analytic tractability, yet which can be investigated experimentally through simulation and careful measurement. Our analysis of agents from the 2005 TAC Supply Chain Management game reveals interesting interactions not seen in the tournament, and demonstrates the value of a post-competition agent repository. Our ongoing analysis of the TAC Travel game illustrates methods for scaling up the strategy and profile space, and demonstrates the value of empirical game-theoretic analysis for strategy selection. Interesting open issues remain, particularly in regard to controlling the experimental search process.
Formal controls are an essential part of organizational design, and are theorized to positively influence organizational performance. Mello and Hunt ([2009] Transportation Journal , 48:20–39) were the first to suggest using formal controls to influence truck drivers' behavior. Extending the salesperson control literature, they documented an underresearched method of formal control that we term technology control, whereby firms use on‐board and communications technology to influence drivers. We build on their work by investigating the contingent effects of formal controls that influence the behavior of truck drivers and thereby influence the operational performance of firms in the U.S. motor carrier industry. Our work integrates the monitoring aspect of agency theory with the theory of operant conditioning and the theory of psychological reactance to develop a rationale for hypothesized contingent effects of formal controls on motor carriers' operational performance. We collected primary data pertaining to the controls used to influence truck drivers' behavior from a large sample of U.S. motor carrier firms. The results of our analyses using nonlinear structural equation modeling suggest a complex set of relationships between formal controls and operational performance. Our results shed light on scenarios where using technology to monitor driver behavior can result in positive and/or negative organizational outcomes.
Abstract Business organizations are increasingly competing to secure key resources such as scarce raw materials, patentable technologies, transportation capacity, channels of distribution, and preferential customer status. This competition, termed factor market rivalry (FMR), has implications for supply chain theory and managerial practice, especially in the transportation sector. In this article, we adopt a conceptual theory-building approach in order to influence future discourse on FMR. Specifically, we integrate existing literature to develop a typology of the mechanisms through which FMR can affect firm performance and introduce a framework illustrating the different types of actions firms can take in response to FMR and to utilize FMR to complement existing competitive repertoires. We describe theoretical and managerial implications and suggest several directions for future research.
Abstract Recent advances in supply chain research point to the vital but often overlooked role of financial institutions, such as banks and financial markets, in the execution of supply chain activities. We extend this incipient research stream by drawing on information economics and Penrose's resource‐based view of the firm to theorize about how financial markets act as a source of information and influence exchange activities in the agricultural commodity supply chain. We test our hypotheses in the U.S. agricultural commodities context, specifically the U.S. rice industry, using a novel data set that combines financial market data with proprietary data on exchanges between farmers and customers. Time series econometric analyses reveal that information from financial markets influences exchanges between farmers and customers, but it has asymmetric effects depending on exchange dynamics and local market conditions. Overall, our analyses support our hypotheses and advance supply chain research by building theory about market‐based exchange dynamics and by broadening the scope of mechanisms through which financial institutions impact exchange activities. For practice, we offer quantitative insights that can be leveraged by farmers and purchasing managers. For policymakers, we offer timely guidance related to the provision of information and the ‘real’ implications of financial markets.
Abstract The increase in stakeholder pressure for responsible business draws closer public scrutiny when buyers use their power advantage illegitimately to exploit weaker suppliers. In this study, we develop the novel concept of buyer abusive behavior (BAB) and examine BABs exerted by buyers of trucking services against truck owner–operators as their suppliers. This focus is timely given the recent emergence of online platform businesses where precarious work and associated worker abuse are prevalent. Building on the theory of power imbalance and risk‐taking behavior, we elaborate on how BAB can jeopardize supplier welfare that comprises performance and safety. The analysis of the data pertaining to 260 owner–operators in South Korea shows that contract‐unrelated BAB (e.g., buyer's request for money and valuables) harms supplier performance and supplier safety while contract‐related BAB (e.g., buyer's unfair subcontract price decision) does not. Furthermore, the positive relationship between supplier performance and supplier safety is attenuated by contract‐related BAB but reinforced by contract‐unrelated BAB. We contribute to the growing body of the literature on decent work by exposing BAB as a major detriment to supplier worker welfare and laying the groundwork for the development of theories on power abuse and working conditions in multi‐tiered subcontracting work environments.
