Ilias Vlachos, Apostolos Zisimopoulos, Giannis T. Tsoulfas
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
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.
期刊介绍:
IJPDLM seeks strategically focused, theoretically grounded, empirical and conceptual, quantitative and qualitative, rigorous and relevant, original research studies in logistics, physical distribution and supply chain management operations and associated strategic issues. Quantitatively oriented mathematical and modelling research papers are not suitable for IJPDLM. Desired topics include, but are not limited to: Customer service strategy Omni-channel and multi-channel distribution innovations Order processing and inventory management Implementation of supply chain processes Information and communication technology Sourcing and procurement Risk management and security Personnel recruitment and training Sustainability and environmental Collaboration and integration Global supply chain management and network complexity Information and knowledge management Legal, financial and public policy Retailing, channels and business-to-business management Organizational and human resource development Logistics and SCM education.