Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

IT impact on talent management and operational environmental sustainability

  • Published:
Information Technology and Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We examine the impact of information technology (IT) on talent management and operational environmental sustainability and propose a model in which IT infrastructure capability enables the firm’s operational environmental sustainability through talent management. We test the proposed model using the structural equation modeling technique with an innovative secondary data set collected for a sample of 63 large Spanish firms. We find that a firm’s proficiency in leveraging IT infrastructure improves the management of talent, which in turn enables execution of a more environmentally sustainable operations strategy to increase firm performance. This paper has three key contributions. First, as the first study of talent management in the context of IT and environmental sustainability, it provides a better understanding of the concept of talent management. We explain theoretically and test empirically how IT infrastructure capability influences operational environmental sustainability through talent management. Second, since we find that IT infrastructure capability increases firm performance through talent management and operational environmental sustainability, our research also improves knowledge of how IT infrastructure capability influences firm performance. Finally, this study advances theoretical conceptualization of operational capabilities, and the relationships between IT infrastructure capability and dynamic and operational capabilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ahmad S, Schroeder RG (2003) The impact of human resource management practices on operational performance: recognizing country and industry differences. J Oper Manag 21(1):19–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Angell LC, Klassen RD (1999) Integrating environmental issues into the mainstream: an agenda for research in operations management. J Oper Manag 17(5):575–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Aral S, Weill P (2007) IT assets, organizational capabilities, and firm performance: how resource allocations and organizational differences explain performance variation. Organ Sci 18(5):763–780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Aral S, Brynjolfsson E, Wu L (2012) Three-way complementarities: performance pay, human resource analytics, and information technology. Manag Sci 58(5):913–931

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Baird K, Hu KJ, Reeve R (2011) The relationships between organizational culture, total quality management practices and operational performance. Int J Oper Prod Manag 31(7):789–814

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bansal P, Clelland I (2004) Talking trash: legitimacy, impression management, and unsystematic risk in the context of the natural environment. Acad Manag J 47(1):93–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bardhan IR, Demirkan H, Kannan PK, Kauffman RJ, Sougstad R (2010) An interdisciplinary perspective on IT services management and service science. J Manag Inf Syst 26(4):13–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Barroso C, Cepeda-Carrion G, Roldan JL (2010) Applying maximum likelihood and PLS on different sample sizes: studies on SERVQUAL model and employee behavior model. In: Esposito-Vinzi V, Chin WW, Henseler J, Wang H (eds) Handbook of partial least squares: concepts, methods and applications. Springer, Berlin, pp 427–447

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. Beltran-Martin I, Roca-Puig V, Escrig-Tena A, Bou-Llusar JC (2008) Human resource flexibility as a mediating variable between high performance work systems and performance. J Manag 34(5):1009–1044

    Google Scholar 

  10. Benitez-Amado J, Ray G (2012) Introducing IT-enabled business flexibility and IT integration in the acquirer’s M&A performance equation. In: Proceedings of the 33rd international conference on information systems, Orlando, pp 1–21

  11. Benitez-Amado J, Walczuch RM (2012) Information technology, the organizational capability of proactive corporate environmental strategy and firm performance: a resource-based analysis. Eur J Inf Syst 21(6):664–679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Benitez-Amado J, Llorens-Montes FJ, Fernandez-Perez V (2013) The relationship between IT infrastructure leveraging, talent management and operational sustainability, and their effects on the business value of the operations strategy. In: Proceedings of the 19th Americas conference on information systems, Chicago, pp 1–8

  13. Bharadwaj AS (2000) A resource-based perspective on information technology capability and firm performance: an empirical investigation. MIS Q 24(1):169–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Bhatt GD, Grover V (2005) Types of information technology capabilities and their role in competitive advantage: an empirical study. J Manag Inf Syst 22(2):253–277

    Google Scholar 

  15. Byrd TA, Turner DE (2001) An exploratory analysis of the value of the skills of IT personnel: their relationship to IS infrastructure and competitive advantage. Decis Sci 32(1):21–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Cenfetelli RT, Bassellier G (2009) Interpretation of formative measurement in information systems research. MIS Q 33(4):689–707

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cheng JH, Chen SW, Chen FY (2013) Exploring how inter-organizational relational benefits affect information sharing in supply chains. Inf Technol Manag 14(4):283–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Chen Y, Wang Y, Nevo S, Jin J, Wang L, Chow WS (2014) IT capability and organizational performance: the roles of business process agility and environmental factors. Eur J Inf Syst 23(3):326–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Chin WW (1998) Issues and opinion on structural equation modelling. MIS Q 22(1):vii–xv

    Google Scholar 

  20. Chin WW (2010) How to write up and report PLS analyses. In: Esposito-Vinzi V, Chin WW, Henseler J, Wang H (eds) Handbook of partial least squares: concepts, methods and applications. Springer, Berlin, pp 655–690

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  21. Chinchilla-Albiol N, Elvira-Rojo M, Prats M (2011) Microsoft Spain: la nueva direccion del talento en recursos humanos. IESE Business School Case (DPO-195), pp 1–23

  22. Chuang SH, Liao C, Lin S (2013) Determinants of knowledge management with information technology support impact on firm performance. Inf Technol Manag 14(3):217–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chuang SH, Lin HN (2013) The roles of infrastructure capability and customer orientation in enhancing customer-information quality in CRM systems: empirical evidence from Taiwan. Int J Inf Manag 33(2):271–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. CRF Institute Spain (2007) Empresas top para trabajar en España: Lideres en el desarrollo del talento. LID Editorial Empresarial, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  25. CRF Institute (2012) International HR best practice report 2012: talent management. CRF Institute, pp 1–15

  26. Daily BF, Bishop JW, Massoud JA (2012) The role of training and empowerment in environmental performance: a study of the Mexican maquiladora industry. Int J Oper Prod Manag 32(5):631–647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Daily BF, Huang S (2001) Achieving sustainability through attention to human resource factors in environmental management. Int J Oper Prod Manag 21(12):1539–1552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Dao V, Langella I, Carbo J (2011) From green to sustainability: information technology and an integrated sustainability framework. J Strateg Inf Syst 20(1):63–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. DeGroote SE, Marx TG (2013) The impact of IT on supply chain agility and firm performance: an empirical investigation. Int J Inf Manag 33(6):909–916

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. De Menezes LM, Wood S, Gelade G (2010) The integration of human resource and operations management practices and its link with performance: a longitudinal latent class study. J Oper Manag 28(6):455–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Devaraj S, Krajewski L, Wei JC (2007) Impact of ebusiness technologies on operational performance: the role of production information integration in the supply chain. J Oper Manag 25(6):1199–1216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Elliot S (2011) Transdisciplinary perspectives on environmental sustainability: a resource base and framework for IT-enabled business transformation. MIS Q 35(1):197–236

    Google Scholar 

  33. Garcia-De Castro A, Reina-Paniagua R (2010) La organizacion de Nestle (A): la estructura directiva. Instituto Internacional San Telmo Case (DGI-192), pp 1–35

  34. Gefen D, Straub DW, Rigdon RW (2011) An update and extension to SEM guidelines for administrative and social science research. MIS Q 35(2):iii–xiv

    Google Scholar 

  35. Helfat CE, Finkelstein S, Mitchell W, Peteraf MA, Singh H, Teece DJ, Winter SG (2007) Dynamic capabilities: understanding strategic change in organizations. Wiley-Blackwell, London

    Google Scholar 

  36. Hofer C, Cantor DE, Dai J (2012) The competitive determinants of a firm’s environmental activities: evidence from US manufacturing industries. J Oper Manag 30(1–2):69–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Hussain Z, Wallace J, Cornelius NE (2007) The use and impact of human resource information systems on human resource management professionals. Inf Manag 44(1):74–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Jacks T, Palvia P (2014) Measuring value dimensions of IT occupational culture: an exploratory analysis. Inf Technol Manag 15(1):19–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Johnson PF, Klassen RD, Leenders MR, Awayssheh A (2007) Utilizing e-business technologies in supply chains: the impact on firm characteristics and teams. J Oper Manag 25(6):1255–1274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Khazanchi S, Lewis MW, Boyer KK (2007) Innovation-supportive culture: the impact of organizational values on process innovation. J Oper Manag 25(4):871–884

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Klassen RD, McLaughlin CP (1996) The impact of environmental management on firm performance. Manag Sci 42(8):1199–1214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Kleindorfer PR, Singhal K, Wassenhove LNV (2005) Sustainable operations management. Prod Oper Manag 14(4):482–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Koriat N, Gelbard R (2014) Knowledge sharing motivation among IT personnel: integrated model and implications of employment contracts. Int J Inf Manag 34(5):577–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Kull TJ, Narasimhan R (2010) Quality management and cooperative values: investigation of multilevel influences on workgroup performance. Decis Sci 41(1):81–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Melnyk SA, Sroufe RP, Calantone R (2003) Assessing the impact of environmental management systems on corporate and environmental performance. J Oper Manag 21(3):329–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Merono-Cerdan AL, Soto-Acosta P (2007) External web content and its influence on organizational performance. Eur J Inf Syst 16(1):66–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Mithas S, Ramasubbu N, Sambamurthy V (2011) How information management capability influences firm performance. MIS Q 35(1):237–256

    Google Scholar 

  48. Montabon F, Sroufe R, Narasimhan R (2007) An examination of corporate reporting, environmental management practices and firm performance. J Oper Manag 25(5):998–1014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Mueller K, Hattrup K, Spiess S, Lin-Hi N (2012) The effects of corporate social responsibility on employees’ affective commitment: a cross-cultural investigation. J Appl Psychol 97(6):1186–1200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Nair A (2006) Meta-analysis of the relationship between quality management practices and firm performance: implications for quality management theory development. J Oper Manag 24(6):948–975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Naor M, Goldstein SM, Linderman KW, Schroeder RG (2008) The role of culture as driver of quality management and performance: infrastructure versus core quality practices. Decis Sci 39(4):671–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Narasimhan R, Schoenherr T (2012) The effects of integrated supply management practices and environmental management practices on relative competitive quality advantage. Int J Prod Res 50(4):1185–1201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Nishant R, Teo TSH, Goh M, Krishnan S (2012) Does environmental performance affect organizational performance? Evidence from green IT organizations. In: Proceedings of the 33rd international conference on information systems, Orlando, pp 1–18

  54. Pavlou PA, El Sawy OA (2006) From IT leveraging competence to competitive advantage in turbulent environments: the case of new product development. Inf Syst Res 17(3):198–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Pavlou PA, El Sawy OA (2011) Understanding the elusive black box of dynamic capabilities. Decis Sci 42(1):239–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Peng DX, Lai F (2012) Using partial least squares in operations management research: a practical guideline and summary of past research. J Oper Manag 30(6):467–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Peng DX, Schroeder RG, Shah R (2008) Linking routines to operations capabilities: a new perspective. J Oper Manag 26(6):730–748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Petter S, Straub DW, Rai A (2007) Specifying formative constructs in information systems research. MIS Q 31(4):623–656

    Google Scholar 

  59. Piccoli G, Lui TW (2014) The competitive impact of information technology: Can commodity IT contribute to competitive performance? Eur J Inf Syst 23(6):616–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Rai A, Patnayakuni R, Seth N (2006) Firm performance impacts of digitally enabled supply chain integration capabilities. MIS Q 30(2):225–246

    Google Scholar 

  61. Sanders NR (2007) An empirical study of the impact of e-business technologies on organizational collaboration and performance. J Oper Manag 25(6):1332–1347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Sarkis J, Gonzalez-Torre P, Adenso-Diaz B (2010) Stakeholder pressure and the adoption of environmental practices: the mediating effect of training. J Oper Manag 28(2):163–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Stahl GK, Bjorkman I, Farndale E, Morris SS, Paauwe J, Stiles P, Trevor J, Wright P (2012) Six principles of effective global talent management. MIT Sloan Manag Rev 53(2):24–32

    Google Scholar 

  64. Subramani M (2004) How do suppliers benefit from information technology use in supply chain relationships? MIS Q 28(1):45–73

    Google Scholar 

  65. Tallon PP (2007) A process-oriented perspective on the alignment of information technology and business strategy. J Manag Inf Syst 24(3):227–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Tallon PP (2008) Inside the adaptive enterprise: an information technology capabilities perspective on business process agility. Inf Technol Manag 9(1):21–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Teece DJ (2007) Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strateg Manag J 28(13):1319–1350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Ton Z, Harrow S (2010) Mercadona. Harvard Business School Case (9-610-089), pp 1–25

  69. Turel O, Bart C (2014) Board-level IT governance and organizational performance. Eur J Inf Syst 23(2):223–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Uriondo MA (2012) Recursos sociales: los departamentos de RRHH utilizan cada vez mas tecnologia. Actualidad Economica (2722 August Dossier), pp 23–24

  71. Uwizeyemungu S, Raymond L (2012) Impact of an ERP system’s capabilities upon the realisation of its business value: a resource-based perspective. Inf Technol Manag 13(2):69–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Wang Y, Chen Y, Benitez-Amado J (2015) How information technology influences environmental performance: empirical evidence from China. Int J Inf Manag 35(2):160–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Watson RT, Boudreau MC, Chen AJ (2010) Information systems and environmentally sustainable development: energy informatics and new directions for the IS community. MIS Q 34(1):23–38

    Google Scholar 

  74. Weill P, Subramani M, Broadbent M (2002) Building IT infrastructure for strategic agility. MIT Sloan Manag Rev 44(1):57–65

    Google Scholar 

  75. Wu SJ, Melnyk SA, Flynn BB (2010) Operational capabilities: the secret ingredient. Decis Sci 41(4):721–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Yang Y, Stafford TF, Gillenson M (2011) Satisfaction with employee relationship management systems: the impact of usefulness on systems quality perceptions. Eur J Inf Syst 20(2):221–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Youn SH, Yang MG, Kim JH, Hong P (2014) Supply chain information capabilities and performance outcomes: an empirical study of Korean steel suppliers. Int J Inf Manag 34(3):369–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Youndt MA, Snell SA, Dean JW Jr, Lepak DP (1996) Human resource management, manufacturing strategy, and firm performance. Acad Manag J 39(4):836–866

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Zhu Q, Sarkis J (2004) Relationships between operational practices and performance among early adopters of green supply chain management practices in Chinese manufacturing enterprises. J Oper Manag 22(3):265–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Zhu Q, Sarkis J, Lai K (2012) Examining the effects of green supply chain management practices and their mediations of their performance improvements. Int J Prod Res 50(5):1377–1394

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was sponsored by the European Regional Development Fund (European Union) and the Government of Spain (Research Projects ECO2010-15885 and ECO2013-47027-P), the Regional Government of Andalusia (Research Project P11-SEJ-7294), the Campus of International Excellence BioTic of the University of Granada (Research Project CEI2014-MPTIC1), and the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations of the University of Granada (Research Project SHRLR2015-11). This manuscript has benefited from the comments of Rita M. Walczuch, the support of Jessica Braojos-Gomez and the attendees of the Research Seminars at the Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve (Faro, Portugal) and the Department of Economics, Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Aveiro (Aveiro, Portugal).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, School of Business and Economics, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Jose Benitez-Amado & F. Javier Llorens-Montes

  2. Department of Management, School of Business and Economics, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Virginia Fernandez-Perez

Authors
  1. Jose Benitez-Amado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Javier Llorens-Montes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Virginia Fernandez-Perez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jose Benitez-Amado.

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 2, 3 and Figs. 4, 5.

Table 2 Research variables and measures
Full size table
Table 3 VIF, weights and loading analysis
Full size table
Fig. 4
figure 4

PLS estimation of the first alternative model (GOF = 0.495)

Full size image
Fig. 5
figure 5

PLS estimation of the second alternative model (GOF = 0.492)

Full size image

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Benitez-Amado, J., Llorens-Montes, F.J. & Fernandez-Perez, V. IT impact on talent management and operational environmental sustainability. Inf Technol Manag 16, 207–220 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10799-015-0226-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10799-015-0226-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation