Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers

<i>Background:</i> In the current knowledge age, the performance of logistics firms increasingly depends on knowledge and capabilities they can leverage in value-creation processes. The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between knowledge-based human resource mana...

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Main Authors: Pietro Evangelista, Aino Kianto, Henri Hussinki, Mika Vanhala, Anna-Maija Nisula
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:Logistics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/7/1/12
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author Pietro Evangelista
Aino Kianto
Henri Hussinki
Mika Vanhala
Anna-Maija Nisula
author_facet Pietro Evangelista
Aino Kianto
Henri Hussinki
Mika Vanhala
Anna-Maija Nisula
author_sort Pietro Evangelista
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background:</i> In the current knowledge age, the performance of logistics firms increasingly depends on knowledge and capabilities they can leverage in value-creation processes. The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between knowledge-based human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational performance mediated by logistics capability. <i>Methods:</i> Data from 93 small Finnish logistics service providers was collected by a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling and partial least squares analysis were used to test the hypothesized relationships between HRM practices and the organizational performance of logistics companies, as well as the mediating impact of logistics capability. <i>Results:</i> The results demonstrate that logistics capability fully mediates the relationship between HRM practices and the organizational performance of small logistics companies. Each of the three knowledge-based HRM practices—knowledge-based recruitment, training and development, and motivation—significantly influences logistics capability, which is, in turn, associated with the organizational performance of companies. <i>Conclusions:</i> This paper is one of the few among discussing knowledge-based HRM practices in logistics service research. The paper contributes to the literature on logistics by demonstrating the value of knowledge-based HRM practices in acquiring, developing, and leveraging knowledge to create organizational capabilities and ensure organizational performance. This study provides an improved understanding of the role of HRM and the resulting logistics capability in the performance of small logistics service companies.
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spelling doaj.art-f64f44a302614fe19a0fbac97c6c909e2023-11-17T12:13:53ZengMDPI AGLogistics2305-62902023-02-01711210.3390/logistics7010012Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service ProvidersPietro Evangelista0Aino Kianto1Henri Hussinki2Mika Vanhala3Anna-Maija Nisula4Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed), National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Sanfelice 8, 80134 Naples, ItalyBusiness School, LUT University, Lathi Campus, Mukkulankatu 19, FI-15210 Lahti, FinlandBusiness School, LUT University, Lathi Campus, Mukkulankatu 19, FI-15210 Lahti, FinlandBusiness School, LUT University, Lappeenranta Campus, Yliopistonkatu 34, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, FinlandBusiness School, LUT University, Lathi Campus, Mukkulankatu 19, FI-15210 Lahti, Finland<i>Background:</i> In the current knowledge age, the performance of logistics firms increasingly depends on knowledge and capabilities they can leverage in value-creation processes. The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between knowledge-based human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational performance mediated by logistics capability. <i>Methods:</i> Data from 93 small Finnish logistics service providers was collected by a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling and partial least squares analysis were used to test the hypothesized relationships between HRM practices and the organizational performance of logistics companies, as well as the mediating impact of logistics capability. <i>Results:</i> The results demonstrate that logistics capability fully mediates the relationship between HRM practices and the organizational performance of small logistics companies. Each of the three knowledge-based HRM practices—knowledge-based recruitment, training and development, and motivation—significantly influences logistics capability, which is, in turn, associated with the organizational performance of companies. <i>Conclusions:</i> This paper is one of the few among discussing knowledge-based HRM practices in logistics service research. The paper contributes to the literature on logistics by demonstrating the value of knowledge-based HRM practices in acquiring, developing, and leveraging knowledge to create organizational capabilities and ensure organizational performance. This study provides an improved understanding of the role of HRM and the resulting logistics capability in the performance of small logistics service companies.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/7/1/12logistics capabilitiesHRM practicesknowledge managementperformancesmall logistics service companiesquestionnaire survey
spellingShingle Pietro Evangelista
Aino Kianto
Henri Hussinki
Mika Vanhala
Anna-Maija Nisula
Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers
Logistics
logistics capabilities
HRM practices
knowledge management
performance
small logistics service companies
questionnaire survey
title Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers
title_full Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers
title_fullStr Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers
title_short Knowledge-Based Human Resource Management, Logistics Capability, and Organizational Performance in Small Finnish Logistics Service Providers
title_sort knowledge based human resource management logistics capability and organizational performance in small finnish logistics service providers
topic logistics capabilities
HRM practices
knowledge management
performance
small logistics service companies
questionnaire survey
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/7/1/12
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AT henrihussinki knowledgebasedhumanresourcemanagementlogisticscapabilityandorganizationalperformanceinsmallfinnishlogisticsserviceproviders
AT mikavanhala knowledgebasedhumanresourcemanagementlogisticscapabilityandorganizationalperformanceinsmallfinnishlogisticsserviceproviders
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