Title

Product recall strategy in the supply chain: utility and culture

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-21-2021

Abstract

Purpose: Product recalls have the potential to damage firm and consumer quality reputation. While globalization has brought about various economic benefits, expanding supply chain networks have also made it more difficult for downstream organizations to manage product recall strategy. This study aims to examine the role of culture on a manufacturer's initiation of a recall and the severity of the remedy chosen for the product recall. Design/methodology/approach: Utilizing the culture-specific argument, this study uses an exploratory approach to assess how cultural variables impact recall strategy utilizing a large-scale data analysis with a cross-sectional time-series panel of 898 firms. Findings: The results provide support for the expected utility hypothesis that the more severe the consequence, the more likely a manufacturer will decide to recall the product. Moreover, the more likely the manufacturer will provide greater returns to the consumer. However, these relationships are impacted to differing degrees by the manufacturer's cultural origin. Originality/value: These results provide evidence to researchers about how culture impacts the expected utility hypothesis in the decision theory. The study examines how deeply embedded cultural variables impact the relationship between the foreseeable consequence of the product recall and the recall facilitator and remedy.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management

Volume

38

Issue

1

COinS