Rennes School of Business - Academic year 2023/2024 - Semester 1

COURSE : RM511E_ALT PAR – Research Methodologies in SCM

INSTRUCTOR(S) : Maher AGI
Date: 8/11/ 2023

Student
Family name First name Number
LE SENECHAL AYMERIC

Grade out of 50

FINAL EXAM
Allocated time: 1h
Please download and read the paper Gunasekaran, A., Papadopoulos, T., Dubey, R., Wamba, S. F.,
Childe, S. J., Hazen, B., & Akter, S. (2017). Big data and predictive analytics for supply chain and
organizational performance. Journal of Business Research, 70, 308-317 and answer the questions
below:

QUESTION 1 (10 POINTS)

Briefly state the purpose of the study.

Answer (Please provide a response below, with less than 50 words)

The study aims to explore how the assimilation of big data and predictive analytics (BDPA)
impacts supply chain and organizational performance. It focuses on the role of resources
like connectivity, information sharing, and top management commitment in facilitating
BDPA adoption, addressing a gap in understanding the relationships and implications for
businesses.

QUESTION 2 (10 POINTS)

What is the research approach used in the study? Write a brief description of this approach.

Answer (Please provide a response below, with less than 30 words)

The study follows a deductive approach by formulating hypotheses based on existing theories
and testing them with collected data, moving from general theories to specific observations.

QUESTION 3 (15 POINTS)

What are the types (categories) of variables used in the study? What are the variables in
each category?

Answer (please write your response below)

This study uses a set of variables classified as exogenous and endogenous to examine the
impact of big data and predictive analytics (BDPA) assimilation on supply chain and
business performance. Exogenous variables include the organization's size and sales.
Endogenous variables include connectivity (C) and information exchange resources (IS),
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 top management commitment (TMC), BDPA adoption (BDPAACP), BDPA routinization
(BDPARO), BDPA assimilation (BDPAASM), supply chain performance (SCP) and
organizational performance (OP). These variables measure aspects such as communication
system satisfaction, information sharing, managerial commitment, BDPA adoption,
routinization, assimilation, supply chain efficiency, and organizational success, and
together form the basis for hypothesis testing and insight into the impact of BDPA on firms.

QUESTION 4 (15 POINTS)

Please mention one result of the study and comment on its managerial implications.

Answer (Please provide a response below, with less than 80 words)

One of the result from the study was the positive relationship between BDPA assimilation
(BDPAASM) and supply chain performance (SCP). This implies that as organizations
successfully integrate BDPA into their processes and operations, they experience improvements
in their supply chain performance. The managerial implication here is that organizations should
invest in BDPA assimilation efforts, as it can lead to enhanced supply chain efficiency, cost
reduction, better risk management, and improved customer service. BDPA can provide valuable
insights and real-time information that can be leveraged to optimize supply chain processes,
leading to competitive advantages in the market.

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