Performance measures and metrics for e-supply chains

Research design

The researchers used mixed research design. They used both Qualitative and quantitative
research design

i. Qualitative research design

The researchers employed focus group discussion in this research design. To develop an
initial list of measures and metrics for e-supply chains, a focus group discussion was used. A
focus group is a 90–120-minute meeting with a panel of experts. A facilitator or moderator
leads the group in a discussion of ideas, thoughts, and experiences around a particular topic
(Cooper and Schindler, 2000). During the first two hours of the two-hour conversation,
members developed a list of indicators and metrics concentrating on the benefits and for e-
supply chains. The members evaluated the list in the second part of the conversation, which
lasted 30 minutes, and came up with six metrics and 22 measurements under these metrics.

ii. Quantitative research design

Following the consolidation of the focus group discussion's findings, a questionnaire

including these six metrics and 22 measures was created. The main goal of the survey was to
gather opinions from a large number of industry practitioners regarding the importance and
use of metrics and measures related to e-supply chains.

Data cleaning

Cleaning data is an important step in research as it ensures that the data is accurate, complete,
and consistent, which are crucial for obtaining reliable and valid results. Here are the steps
that the researchers in the article titled “Performance measures and metrics for e-supply
chains” used to clean

the data.

i. Initial literature review on the measures and metrics for e-businesses

ii. Focus group discussion with experts to identify the metrics and the measures for
e-businesses. Obtained 6 metrics and 22 measures
iii. Final compilation of the list after obtaining a consensus from the experts
iv. Designing a questionnaire based on the proposed metrics and measures to validate
 v. Selecting the sampling frame (electronics industry) and approaching all the
companies to obtain their consent to participate
vi. Mailing the questionnaire to companies that agree to participate. A total of 300
questionnaires were sent to electronic component manufacturing companies in
Malaysia
vii. Obtaining responses and follow-up for more responses. Only 150 companies filled
and returned the questionnaire and out of these, only 120 questionnaires were
usable.
viii. Statistical validation of the measures and metrics through reliability and validity
tests. The metrics' internal consistency was examined, and reliability and validity
analysis were used to confirm their validity. The "importance" of the measures
and the metrics were used in the reliability and validation methods. Values of
Cronbach's alpha were used to measure reliability. Then, using LISREL 8.52,
CFA was carried out on each of the metrics.

Findings

The focus group discussions in this study resulted in the identification of six metrics and 21
measurements. Additional confirmation from industry practitioners demonstrates the
significance of these measurements and the fact that some are used by the industries. Web-
enabled service, data dependability, time and cost, e-response, invoice presentation and
payment, and e-document management metrics are the six metrics.
 Examining the impact of E-supply chain on service quality and customer
satisfaction: a case study

Research Design

The researchers used quantitative research design. Data for this study was collected using
survey results from customers who made most of their purchases from this online site.
data collected through a survey of 150 respondents to identify CS, including that of
customers of online websites in Iran.

Steps of Cleaning the data

i. Initial literature review

ii. Developing questionnaire for survey. Questionnaire was used to collect the data
and information for analysis. To design these questions, a five-point Likert scale,
which is one of the most common measurement scales, was used by the authors.
At the five-point Likert scale, each response was assigned from 1 to 5.
iii. The items in this study were reviewed by five experts with an average of 15 years
of experience in SCM. The experts evaluated the validity and reviewed the
questions for readability, ambiguity and completeness, and asked to state if there
are other criteria in addition to the research criteria. At this step, some adjustments
were done to the questionnaire.
iv. After obtaining the necessary permits, the authors provided the questionnaires as
an internet-based survey questionnaire on Qualtrics.
v. Removing the outlier for responders’ information like age, the value is replaced
by mean
vi. Removing the missing data of the Likert scale, the value was replaced by the
median of the whole variable column and for continuous variables like age and
income, the mean value of the column was used.

Data analysis

Partial least squares structural equation modelling PLS SEM was employed to evaluate the
measurement and structural model as well as to determine the impact of independent
variables on the dependent variable. Multiple regression analysis was used with PLS software
to examine the set of cause-and-effect interactions between the components and to look into
the study hypotheses. SPSS 21 statistical software was employed to analyse the data at the
level of descriptive and inferential statistics. Additionally, structural equations were modelled
using Smart PLS software.

Findings

According to the findings, Customer Service (CS) is directly impacted by E-supply chain (E-
SCM). Additionally, Service Quality (SQ)'s impact was verified. The relationships between
E-SCM and CS, E-SCM and SQ, and SQ and CS were all found to be significant and
positively correlated.