Social Capital and the Competitiveness of Logistics Enterprises in the Post-pandemic Era of Society 5.0

Authors

  • Marta Brzozowska Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Department of Management https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3072-0562
  • Jadwiga Kaczmarska-Krawczak Military University of Technology, Faculty of Security, Logistics and Management, Institute of Organization and Management https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0471-0873
  • Katarzyna Kolasińska-Morawska Krakow University of Economics, Institute of Management, Department of International Management https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4035-8272
  • Ewa Stroińska Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Organization and Management, Institute of Management https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5378-8060

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15678/krem.2379

Keywords:

social capital, logistic enterprises, competitiveness, Society 5.0

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the article is to identify and determine the importance of social capital markers relevant to logistics companies in the face of ecosystem challenges, as well as to recommend pro-competitive activities of the industry in the context of building a Society 5.0. The authors hypothesised that the identification of a set of social capital markers collected in the form of a model may become an instrument supporting the management of a logistics enterprise in line with the Society 5.0 trend.

Research Design & Methods: In the research process, a nomothetic approach was used based on the mixed research strategy. The qualitative approach included the method of ethnomethodology with the analysis of available publications, reports and netographic sources. The technique of semantic analysis, the coexistence of terms and the publication suitability of sources were used. On the other hand, the quantitative approach was based on the diagnostic survey method with the CAWI online survey technique.

Findings: The conducted research shows the need to ensure the well-being of employees and the development of their competences, especially digital ones in the context of work technologisation, implementation of innovative technological solutions in the logistics industry. Employees of logistics companies notice that digital competences are the element that affects the efficiency of their work, and this again translates into the company’s competitiveness.

Implications / Recommendations: The authors recommend actions by the logistics industry that will be aimed at increasing the share of expenditure on the development of social capital by caring for the well-being of employees, developing their talents, competences and skills. A simplified model of the identification of social capital markers in logistics enterprises may be a helpful management instrument in this respect.

Contribution: Social capital is of significant importance for the competitiveness of logistics companies in the post-pandemic era of Society 5.0. A high level of trust and cooperation among employees, suppliers, and customers can contribute to more efficient functioning of logistics companies. Social capital can be a key factor in enabling logistics companies to quickly adapt to changing market conditions. Building strong relationships with business partners can bring benefits such as better coordination of activities, greater flexibility, and faster responses to market changes. Investing in the development of social capital can contribute to increasing the competitiveness of logistics companies and lead to their success in the post-pandemic era of Society 5.0.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adıgüzel, Z., & Küçükoğlu, İ. (2021). Examining the Effects of Mobbing and Role Uncertainty on the Performance of the Employees: Research in Logistics Companies. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 18(1), 434–455. https://doi.org/10.33437/ksusbd.719717

Al-Omoush, K. S., Simón-Moya, V., & Sendra-García, J. (2020). The Impact of Social Capital and Collaborative Knowledge Creation on E-Business Proactiveness and Organizational Agility in Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 5(4), 279–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2020.10.002

Cao, Y., Lin, J., & Zhou, Z. (2022). Promoting Customer Value Co-creation through Social Capital in Online Brand Communities: The Mediating Role of Member Inspiration. Computers in Human Behavior, 137, 107440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107440

Carli, R., Digiesi, S., Dotoli, M., & Facchini, F. (2020). A Control Strategy for Smart Energy Charging of Warehouse Material Handling Equipment. Procedia Manufacturing, 42, 503–510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2020.02.041

Chinaza Adaobi, C., & Owusuaa-Konadu Snr, C. (2022). Employees Training and Development on Organizational Performance. Scholars Journal of Science and Technology, 3(4), 749–764. https://doi.org/10.53075/Ijmsirq/56653356

Collier, P. (2002). Social Capital and Poverty: A Microeconomic Perspective. In: C. Grootaert, T. van Bastelaer (Eds), The Role of Social Capital in Development. An Empirical Assessment (pp. 19–41). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511492600.003

Czapiński, J. (2015). Stan społeczeństwa obywatelskiego. In: J. Czapiński, T. Panek (Eds), Diagnoza Społeczna 2015. Warunki i jakość życia Polaków. Rada Monitoringu Społecznego.

Dang, V. T., & Wang, J. (2022). Building Competitive Advantage for Hospitality Companies: The Roles of Green Innovation Strategic Orientation and Green Intellectual Capital. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 102, 103161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103161

du Vall, M. (2019). Super inteligentne społeczeństwo skoncentrowane na ludziach, czyli o idei Społeczeństwa 5.0 słów kilka. Państwo i Społeczeństwo, 19(2), 11–31. https://doi.org/10.34697/2451-0858-pis-2019-2-001

Dyduch, W., Chudziński, P., Cyfert, S., & Zastempowski, M. (2021). Dynamic Capabilities, Value Creation and Value Capture: Evidence from SMEs under COVID-19 Lockdown in Poland. PLoS ONE, 16(6), e0252423. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252423

Fine, B. (2001). Social Capital versus Social Theory. Political Economy and Social Science at the Turn of the Millennium. Routledge.

Hanifan, L. J. (1916). The Rural School Community Center. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 67(1), 130–138. https://doi.org/10.1177/000271621606700118

Kidron, A., & Vinarski-Peretz, H. (2024). Linking Psychological and Social Capital to Organizational Performance: A Moderated Mediation of Organizational Trust and Proactive Behavior. European Management Journal, 42(2), 245–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2022.11.008

Knežević, B., Naletina, D., & Damić, M. (2016). The Changing Structure of Retail Industry: Case Studies on Competitive Advantage of Small Companies in Croatia. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 4(4), 171–187. https://doi.org/10.15678/EBER.2016.040411

Kumar, D., Singh, R. K., Mishra, R., & Wamba, S. F. (2022). Applications of the Internet of Things for Optimizing Warehousing and Logistics Operations: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Directions. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 171, 108455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2022.108455

Libertowska, A. (2018). Wartościotwórcza rola kapitału społecznego w przedsiębiorstwie. Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Poznańskiej. Organizacja i Zarządzanie, 78, 103–112. https://doi.org/10.21008/j.0239-9415.2018.078.08

Molyneux, M. (2004). [Review of the book The Role of Social Capital in Development: An Empirical Assessment, by C. Grootaert, T. van Bastelaer (Eds)]. American Journal of Sociology, 109(4), 1000–1002. https://doi.org/10.1086/382974

Mu, W., van Asselt, E. D., & van der Fels-Klerx, H. J. (2021). Towards a Resilient Food Supply Chain in the Context of Food Safety. Food Control, 125, 107953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107953

Mugoni, E., Nyagadza, B., & Kuziva Hove, P. (2023). Green Reverse Logistics Technology Impact on Agricultural Entrepreneurial Marketing Firms’ Operational Efficiency and Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship, 2(2), 100034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stae.2022.100034

Ozanne, L. K., Chowdhury, M., Prayag, G., & Mollenkopf, D. A. (2022). SMEs Navigating COVID-19: The Influence of Social Capital and Dynamic Capabilities on Organizational Resilience. Industrial Marketing Management, 104, 116–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2022.04.009

Ozgun, A. H., Tarim, M., Delen, D., & Zaim, S. (2022). Social Capital and Organizational Performance: The Mediating Role of Innovation Activities and Intellectual Capital. Healthcare Analytics, 2, 100046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.health.2022.100046

Raharisoa, E., & Pezzillo Iacono, M. (2022). Can Information Technologies Affect Social Capital? ITAIS 2022 Proceedings, 19. Retrieved from: https://aisel.aisnet.org/itais2022/19 (accessed: 14.07.2022).

Shashi, Cantobelli, P., Cerchione, R., & Ertz, M. (2020). Managing Supply Chain Resilience to Pursue Business and Environmental Strategies. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(3), 1215–1246. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2428

Shoja, A., Molla-Alizadeh-Zavardehi, S., & Niroomand, S. (2019). Adaptive Meta-heuristic Algorithms for Flexible Supply Chain Network Design Problem with Different Delivery Modes. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 138, 106107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2019.106107

Talaja, A., Miočević, D., Alfirević, N., & Pavičić, J. (2017). Market Orientation, Competitive Advantage and Business Performance: Exploring the Indirect Effects. Društvena istraživanja: časopis za opća društvena pitanja, 26(4), 583–604. https://doi.org/10.5559/di.26.4.07

Udriyah, Tham, J., & Azam, S. M. (2019). The Effects of Market Orientation and Innovation on Competitive Advantage and Business Performance of Textile SMEs. Management Science Letters, 9, 1419–1428. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2019.5.009

Zhang-Zhang, Y. Y., Rohlfer, S., & Varma, A. (2022). Strategic People Management in Contemporary Highly Dynamic VUCA Contexts: A Knowledge Worker Perspective. Journal of Business Research, 144, 587–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.12.069

Downloads

Published

2024-09-26

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Brzozowska, M., Kaczmarska-Krawczak, J., Kolasińska-Morawska, K., & Stroińska, E. (2024). Social Capital and the Competitiveness of Logistics Enterprises in the Post-pandemic Era of Society 5.0. Krakow Review of Economics and Management Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego W Krakowie, 3(1005), 43-61. https://doi.org/10.15678/krem.2379