Browsing by Author "Jia, Fu"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Adaptation of supply management towards a hybrid culture: the case of a Japanese automaker
    (Emerald, 2016-01-11) Jia, Fu; Gao, Ruihong; Lamming, Richard; Wilding, Richard D.
    Purpose – This paper aims to identify problems caused by cultural differences between Japan and China that face supply chain managers by applying Japanese-style supply management practices within supply networks in China and present solutions to this problem. Design/methodology/approach – A single, longitudinal case study conducting two waves of data collection (i.e. interviews and observation) plus the collection of much archival data was performed. It goes beyond the dyad by examining supply management of a Japanese company’s supply chain up to three tiers in China. Findings – The four supply cultural differences between Japan and China, which caused the cultural clashes between JVCo and some of its suppliers were revealed and a model of adaptation of Japanese supply management to the Chinese business system was developed. Adaptation involves creating new supply management practices out of selective adaptation, innovation and change of existing Japanese and Chinese supply management practices rooted in different Japanese, Chinese and Western cultures. A list of organisational factors affecting the adaptation has also been provided. Research limitations/implications – Due to the adoption of a single case study method, caution should be given to generalising the findings to all Japanese firms. Practical implications – The Japanese, Chinese and Western managers were provided with insights on how to mitigate the problems caused by cultural differences within supply relationships in China and some innovative ideas on how managers from all three cultures could blend the elements of the three cultures to form a hybrid culture and reduce cultural clashes. Originality/value – This is one of the few attempts to study the transfer of Japanese supply management practice to China. Organizational theory (i.e. transfer of organizational practice and hybridization) is applied and provides a robust framework to explain the supply management practice. This study also answers the call for a global supplier relationship management paradigm.
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    Cultural adaptation between western buyers and chinese suppliers
    (Cranfield University, 2009-12) Jia, Fu; Rutherford, Christine
    There are undoubtedly multiple factors that may contribute to the failure of a relationship, such as product quality or supplier reliability; however, when Western buyers source from China and attempt to build partnerships with Chinese suppliers, it is highly likely that they and their Chinese partners will encounter relational difficulties rooted in cultural differences between China and the West. Cultural adaptation is proposed as a solution to this problem; however the process of how each partner in a China-West partnership adapts to each other over time is not clear. Furthermore, the causal relationship between cultural adaptation and the mutual benefits of partnership has not previously been tested, nor have the contextual factors influencing the cultural adaptation process been identified. A multiple case study method was selected to answer three research questions developed from the three gaps identified above. Four China-US/UK cross cultural partnerships were selected for case analysis, which involved the retrospective evaluation of how both parties in each partnership adapt. The main instrument of data collection was the semi-structured interview supplemented with questionnaires and observations. The research concludes that as a result of cultural adaptation by both parties, a hybrid culture forms at the interface between Western buyers and their Chinese suppliers and is a combination of Guanxi and Western rules and procedures. Organizations as a whole do not adapt culturally, but rather those individuals working closely with each other at the interface of the two organizations including those working for Western buyer IPOs (International Purchasing Offices) in China and those who are top or middle level management in the Chinese suppliers. Two emerging contextual variables including the ownership of Chinese suppliers and the structure of IPOs have been identified from cross case analysis. The research also concludes that the higher the level of cultural adaptation the greater the mutual benefits perceived by both parties of the relationship.
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    Guanxi as a supply relational risk source in China: a systematic review of western forms of relational governance and Guanxi
    (2006-08) Jia, Fu; Christopher, Martin; Rutherford, Christine
    It is well known that China has become the world’s manufacturing centre in the past two decades. More and more Western firms outsource their products, semi-finished products, materials and services to China. In this process, some are successful while others fail. It is true that there are various reasons for failure but one of the most important ones is the cultural differences between the West and China. The question is: what is the rationale behind the success or failure of dealing with the cultural differences? Guanxi is one of the major dynamics in the Chinese society where business behaviour revolves around it. The objective of this paper is to review Western forms of supply relational risk management and compare them with Guanxi. First of all, a synthesized concept of supply relational risk is coined. Secondly, synthesized models of both Western forms of supply relational risk management and Guanxi are proposed. Ten sources of risk are identified based on the comparison; these are presented as assumptions to be tested through field research. The main differences between the Western and Chinese forms of relationship management are: 1) Affection is an element of Guanxi which is missed by the Western business relationship management; 2) Chinese are responsible for family, while Westerners are responsible for society. 3) There are no such concepts as face and renqing in the West, which originated from hierarchically ancient China and are the key elements of Guanxi. Risk implications derived from these differences are presented. Finally, the outcome of the review is the identification of two PhD research questions and limitations and learning points of this review.
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    Logistics innovation in China: the lens of Chinese Daoism
    (MDPI, 2019-01-21) Gong, Yu; Chen, Lujie; Jia, Fu
    Innovation is vital for the logistics industry. This paper develops a Daoism-based conceptual model for logistics innovation in China. It identifies research gaps in this area and provides directions for future research. Following a content-based literature review methodology, 45 studies were selected. We identified five research themes: interpretation of logistics innovation; Chinese institutional environment for logistics innovation; innovation generation; innovation adoption; and innovation capability. We integrate the process view and outcome view of logistics innovation and propose that logistics capability, as an innovation outcome, is reflected and measured by innovation generation and adoption. This study is probably one of the first conceptual development papers on logistics innovation in China, providing a model for innovation within this context. It provides new avenues of research in this emerging, albeit important, area of research. Our conceptual framework utilizes Chinese Daoism philosophical thinking to provide a new lens for logistics innovation that is sensitive to the cultural environment.
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    Promoting resilient and sustainable food systems: a systematic literature review on short food supply chains
    (Elsevier, 2024-01-05) Jia, Fu; Shahzadi, Gulnaz; Bourlakis, Michael; John, Albert
    Purpose This review aims to comprehensively analyze the Short Food Supply Chain (SFSC) model, which connects local food producers directly with consumers. By exploring participation factors, sustainable practices, challenges, economic impacts, and social benefits, this study seeks to provide a thorough understanding of SFSCs. Addressing gaps in existing research, the review aims to guide policymakers and practitioners in fostering sustainable, resilient, and inclusive local food systems. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of 92 research articles was conducted following a well-defined research protocol. Findings The review revealed that factors driving the adoption of SFSCs include increasing consumer demand for local and sustainable products, resilience-building in the food system, and environmental concerns. The SFSC supply chain was categorized into four critical stages: food sourcing and production, processing, aggregation, and distribution and review examined the sustainable practices at each stage. However, challenges such as information asymmetry, lack of infrastructure, regulatory barriers, and market dynamics hinder the full potential of SFSCs. Economically, SFSCs contribute to local economic development and empowerment of small-scale producers, while also showing promise in reducing environmental footprints and fostering community engagement. Research implications The study identifies several research avenues to further advance the understanding of SFSCs. Future research should delve into consumer behavior and attitudes towards SFSCs, analyze the full sustainability impacts of SFSCs using integrated assessment methodologies, and extend the study to different regional contexts. Additionally, investigating policy interventions and governance mechanisms that can support the growth and resilience of SFSCs will be crucial for promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Originality/value This review contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive and systematic overview of SFSCs, addressing gaps left by previous review studies. The study's findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders seeking to enhance the adoption and support of SFSCs in contemporary food systems.