scholarly journals An integrated fuzzy intuitionistic sustainability assessment framework for manufacturing supply chain: a study of UK based firms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alok Choudhary ◽  
Arijit De ◽  
Karim Ahmed ◽  
Ravi Shankar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Mixed Method Approach ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Intuitionistic Fuzzy ◽  
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Topsis ◽  
Method Approach

AbstractThe increasing importance of sustainability has put pressure on organisations to assess their supply chain sustainability performance, which requires a holistic set of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to strategic, tactical and operational decision making of firms. This paper presents a comprehensive set of KPIs for sustainable supply chain management using a mixed method approach including analysing data from the literature survey, content analysis of sustainability reports of manufacturing firms and expert interviews. A 3-level hierarchical model is developed by classifying the identified KPIs into key sustainability dimensions as well as key supply chain decision-making areas including strategic, tactical and operational. A novel multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) based sustainability assessment framework is proposed. The proposed framework integrates value focussed thinking (VFT), intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and IF Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. The novelty of the research lies in (1) using a rigorous mixed method approach for KPIs identification and industrial validation (2) the development of a novel integrated intuitionistic sustainability assessment framework for decision making and (3) the innovative application of the proposed framework and associated methodologies in the context not explored before. The practical data on the performance ratings of various KPIs were obtained from the experts and a novel intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS was applied to benchmark the organisations for their sustainability performance. Furthermore, the case study shows the applicability of the proposed framework to evaluate and identify the problem areas of the organisations and yield guidance on KPIs by recognising the most significant areas requiring improvement. This research contributes to the practical implication by providing an innovative sustainability assessment framework for supply chain managers to evaluate and manage sustainability performance by making informed decisions related to KPIs.

scholarly journals Recognizing the Key Drivers and Industry Implications of Sustainable Packaging Design: A Mixed-Method Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5299
Author(s):  
Giovanni Mattia ◽  
Alessio Di Leo ◽  
Carlo Alberto Pratesi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Packaging Design ◽  
Mixed Method Approach ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Italian Market ◽  
Sustainable Packaging ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
Method Approach

Sustainable packaging design plays a strategic role across several industries. Using the Italian market as the perimeter of the analysis, this paper aims to broaden the knowledge of corporate attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors toward sustainable packaging along the entire supply chain. A mixed-method approach was used, integrating qualitative and quantitative data collected from 33 in-depth interviews and a survey on a sample of 462 companies. The results revealed that a challenging goal will consist of reconciling technological advances and marketing instances, and that the entire supply chain should be synergistically involved in packaging sustainability. It was also found that larger companies consider sustainability as part of a broader business strategy, whereas smaller ones possess a tactical vision. The study provides valuable insights to better comprehend and manage a complex ecosystem such as that of sustainable packaging.

scholarly journals Exploring future cityscapes through urban logistics prototyping: a technical viewpoint

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Graham ◽  
Rashid Mehmood ◽  
Eve Coles
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Supply Chain Design ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Method Approach ◽  
Unique Individual

Purpose – The purpose of this technical viewpoint is to provide a commentary of how we went about using logistics prototyping as a method to engage citizens, science fiction (SF) writers and small- to medium- sized enterprises (SME’s). Six urban logistic prototypes built on the themes of future cities, community resilience and urban supply chain management (SCM) are summarized, together with details of the data collection procedure and the methodological challenges encountered. Our investigation aimed to explore the potential of logistics prototyping to develop “user-driven” and “SME” approaches to future city design and urban supply chain decision-making. Design/methodology/approach – This Boston field experiment was a case study investigation conducted between May and August 2013. Qualitative data was collected using a “mixed-method” approach combining together focus groups (MIT faculty), scenarios, prototyping workshops, interviews and document analysis. These story-creators could use the prototype method as a way of testing their hypotheses, theories and constrained speculations with regard to specified future city and urban supply chain scenarios. Findings – This viewpoint suggests that the prototyping method allows for unique individual perspectives on future city planning and urban supply chain design. This work also attempts to demonstrate that prototyping can create sufficiently cogent environments for future city and urban SCM theories to be both detected and analysed therein. Although this is an experimental field of the SCM theory building, more conventional theories could also be “tested” in the same manner. Research limitations/implications – By embedding logistics prototyping within a mixed method approach, we might be criticized as constraining its capability to map out the future – that its potential to be flexible and imaginative are held back by the equal weighting given to the more conventional component. In basing our case study within one city then this might be seen as limiting the complexity of the empirical context – however, the situation within different cities is inherently complex. Case studies also attract criticism on the grounds of not being representative; in this situation, they might be criticized as imperfect indicators of what transpires in other situations. However, this technical viewpoint suggests that in spite of its limitations, prototyping facilitates an imaginative and creative approach to theory generation and concept building. Practical implications – The methodology allows everyday citizens and SME’s to develop user-driven foresight and planning scenarios with city strategists’ and urban logistic designers. It facilitates much broader stakeholder involvement in city and urban supply chain policymaking, than current “quantitative” approaches. Social implications – Logistics fiction prototyping provides a democratic approach to future city planning and urban supply chain design. It involves collectively imagining socio-technical futures and second-order sociological effects through the writing of SF narratives or building “design fictions”. Originality/value – Decision-making in future cities and urban SCM is often a notable challenge, balancing the varying needs and claims of multiple stakeholders, while negotiating an acceptable trade-off between their competing claims. Engagement with stakeholders and active encouragement of stakeholder participation in the supply chain aspects of future cities is increasingly a feature of twenty-first century social decision-making. This viewpoint suggests that the prototyping method allows for unique individual perspectives on future city planning and urban supply chain design. This work also attempts to demonstrate that prototyping can create sufficiently cogent environments for future city and the urban SCM theories to be both detected and analysed therein. Although this is an experimental field of SCM theory building, more conventional theories could also be “tested” in the same manner.

A Sustainability and Mass Customization Assessment Framework

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Medini ◽  
Catherine Da Cunha ◽  
Alain Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Mass Customization ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Current Paper ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Product Life ◽  
Sustainability Performance

The paper presents a framework for the assessment of mass customization and sustainability performance of enterprises and supply chains. The assessment includes the product, process, enterprise and supply chain levels while considering the product life cycle phases. This two perspectives approach ensures a quite complete assessment and provides guidance to designers and managers during the decision making process. The framework construction and use methods are depicted in the current paper.

I am more than just a TA!

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Emira
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Teaching Assistants ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leadership And Management ◽  
Mixed Method Approach ◽  
Funded Research ◽  
Method Approach ◽  
Funded Research Project

This article is based on the findings of a funded research project. It examines the perspectives of teaching assistants (TAs) and higher-level teaching assistants (HLTAs) on their responsibilities and their views on leadership and management to see how they might have a role in leadership and management. The sample ( N = 58) was drawn from schools in the English Midlands. The research followed a sequential mixed method approach which involved a survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews respectively. No major differences were found between the views of TAs and HLTAs. They believed leadership is centred on the support they get from their workplace/colleagues and their engagement in decision-making. They have a preference for the collaborative form of leadership. Although the findings show how TAs and HLTAs perceive leadership and management, which might illuminate some ideas about engaging them in this process, schools have to decide how to meet their own needs.

Investigating supplier-induced complexity in supply chains

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 688-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Gerschberger ◽  
Ila Manuj ◽  
Patrick Freinberger
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Equal Weight ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Method Approach ◽  
Abc Analysis ◽  
Method Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand and measure empirically the objective and perceived dimensions of supplier-induced complexity in supply chains. Design/methodology/approach An equal-weight, complementary mixed-method approach is used to investigate supplier-induced complexity and understand its impact on outcomes. Initial qualitative research and extant literature review allowed the identification of supplier characteristics that add complexity to supply chains and development of four research hypotheses. Subsequently, quantitative analysis was used for testing the hypotheses. Findings The results suggest that supplier-induced complexity is related to adverse outcomes, and both perceived and objective dimensions of complexity are valuable in understanding and measuring supplier-induced complexity. Research limitations/implications This study employs a mixed-method approach to establish and test relationships among perceived and objective supplier-induced complexity, and their outcomes. The unit of analysis is the first-tier suppliers of one farm equipment manufacturing firm. This limits the generalizability of the results to similar industrial manufacturing firms. Practical implications This paper presents an approach to identify suppliers that add the highest levels of complexity to a supply chain and, thus, require closer monitoring. Specific supplier characteristics are identified for individual suppliers. Developing specific complexity-related measures helps better identify critical suppliers compared to traditional approaches (e.g. ABC analysis). Originality/value This paper contributes to supply chain management literature by comprehensively exploring supplier-induced complexity, incorporating the often-ignored perceived complexity dimension, and providing a managerially useful framework.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document