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The effects of employee competencies and IT applications on operations strategy: An empirical study of retail firms in China

Yu, W., Ramanathan, R. (2012) The effects of employee competencies and IT applications on operations strategy: An empirical study of retail firms in China. Measuring Business Excellence, 16 (1). pp. 3-20. ISSN 1368=3047. (doi:10.1108/13683041211204635) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:50430)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13683041211204635

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between employee competencies, information technology (IT) applications, operations strategy, and business performance. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing upon the resource-based theory, this study employs a path analytic framework to investigate how employee competencies and IT applications influence the development of competitive operations strategies and business performance for a sample of retail firms in China. Findings: The findings indicate significant and positive relationships between employee competencies and operations strategy (e.g. low cost, quality and flexibility). IT applications also play a vital role in helping retailers pursue a flexibility strategy. The operations strategies of low cost and flexibility in turn influence business performance. Originality/value: This study seems to be the first in investigating the impacts of employee competencies and IT applications on operations strategy and performance in the service sector, especially in the Chinese context. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1108/13683041211204635
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: LA - English [Field not mapped to EPrints] J2 - Measuring Bus. Excellence [Field not mapped to EPrints] AD - Operations Management, School of Applied Management and Law, Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe, United Kingdom [Field not mapped to EPrints] AD - Nottingham University Business School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom [Field not mapped to EPrints] DB - Scopus [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Uncontrolled keywords: China, Competences, Employee competencies, Employees, Information technology, IT applications, Operations management, Operations strategy, Retail service industries
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5351 Business
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Wantao Yu
Date Deposited: 09 Sep 2015 13:55 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:21 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/50430 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Yu, W..

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