Purpose – Taking a social network perspective, this paper develops a framework for the assurance of food safety via relational networking. Design/methodology/approach – We consider both informal and formal relational networking, and explore a firm's learning orientation, risk aversion and...

Competitive capabilities have been defined as a plant's actual performance relative to its competitors, with the most commonly investigated capabilities being quality, delivery, flexibility, and cost. However, most research in this realm has investigated capabilities within developed countries,...

This paper revisits and extends the theory of production competence, which has received wide attention in the operations and production management literature. As such, considering the aspects of quality, delivery, flexibility and cost, we develop two novel measures that assess the concept of...

Superior quality continues to be central to a manufacturing company's success, and firms are constantly striving for quality advantage over competition. It is therefore crucial for companies to ensure the sound practice of quality management principles. However, companies must also seek...

Purchasing and supply management (PSM) are crucial for the effective and efficient operation of manufacturing firms, now more than ever. The PSM function has evolved from being routine and mechanical to a function that delivers true competitive advantage. The trend toward increased globalization...

The purpose of the present research is to examine and compare product and logistics competencies in supplier selection decisions, which can serve as a crucial building block for competitive differentiation, in the context of the unique private label (PL) supply chain. This study also...