Supply chain practices and working capital theory : a goal-interdependence perspective
University of Liverpool, 2022
Online
Hochschulschrift
Zugriff:
Organizational functions and processes have been historically separated into specializations requiring specialized knowledge, skills, and responsibilities. However, very rarely is a process performed entirely by one person or department in the organization. Highly likely, a process is conducted, or requires the assistance of another person or group of persons, or even another department, and whose members may have their own structures, schedules, and schemes of pursuing a particular task. While this configuration has lasted for a long time, and may have its advantages, it has been argued that it leads to inefficiencies, and creates an environment in which individuals feel constrained and believe that their primary goals are to complete their stated responsibilities (Bennis and O'Toole, 2005). But, as modern supply chains become exposed to various interruptions, managers believe that a cross-functional orientation could help companies to discern and mitigate such interruptions. This study utilizes the features of goal interdependence to investigate the cross-functional relationships between two of the primary business functions, namely operations, and financial management, with particular reference to supply chain management and working capital policy, in a metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services firm in the United States. The study uses an explanatory sequential mixed methods design (Creswell, 2017), grounded in the action research methodology. Quantitative data were collected through closedended questionnaire, and analyzed using correlation analysis. Subsequently, qualitative data were collected through observations and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using thematic analysis and Cronbach's Alpha. The findings of the study indicate that despite an understanding that supply chain and working capital management are essential functions for company success, human attitudes seemed to impede the coordination of the processes between the two functions, and were influenced by a lack of knowledge sharing and unwillingness to collaborate. The intervention revealed that individuals were more willing to work together if they knew the practical complementarity between the functions.
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Supply chain practices and working capital theory : a goal-interdependence perspective
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Autor/in / Beteiligte Person: | Adams, Michael |
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Veröffentlichung: | University of Liverpool, 2022 |
Medientyp: | Hochschulschrift |
DOI: | 10.17638/03159209 |
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