Purpose – To outline a core competence model by exploring links between core competence and the associated concepts of competencies, capabilities, and resources, and by proposing refinements to the characteristics of these concepts. Design/methodology/approach – A case study based primarily...

Purpose – This paper seeks to enhance practical applications, by refining the original core competence concept to better fit dynamic environments. Design/methodology/approach – This paper combines theoretical research streams treating core competence and dynamic capability. Findings – The...

Purpose – To date little is known about the actual level of utilisation of digital/web-based interaction technologies in purchasing and supply management (SM) in the UK. This paper seeks to address this gap in the extant knowledge through empirical research in a UK setting. It examines the...

Purpose – Recognizing the heterogeneity of services, this paper aims to clarify the characteristics of forward and the corresponding reverse supply chains of different services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops a two-dimensional typology matrix, representing four main...

Purpose – The authors examine the role of entrepreneurial business models in the reverse supply chain of apparel/fashion retailers. The purpose of this paper is to offer an alternative approach to the “return to the point of origin” prevalent in the reverse chain of manufacturers but less...

Notes a broad agreement that small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) fulfil a critical role in modern economies, and therefore their ability to survive, remain competitive and produce high quality outputs is of utmost importance at both micro and macro levels. Focuses on total quality...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of lean practices in the service sector. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines the impact of lean service on firm operational and financial performance. Exploratory factor analysis...

Purpose – The paper aims to question the post‐rational observations and traditional constructions of strategy in terms of what they achieve and what they fail to achieve, and seeks to reconstruct strategy as a multi‐dimensional, dynamic concept. Design/methodology/approach – For this...

Purpose – Besides applying knowledge in own products and services, firms increasingly exploit their knowledge assets externally, e.g. by means of licensing out technology. The aim of this paper is to help firms achieve strategic fit in the keep‐or‐sell issue, which results from potential...