Managing production outsourcing risks in China's apparel industry: a case study of two apparel retailers

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 428-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Booi Hon Kam ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Richard Wilding

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how Chinese apparel retailers manage their production outsourcing risks and why they elect to manage those risks in a particular manner.Design/methodology/approachThe investigation used the case study approach to explore factors driving two Chinese apparel retailers operating in different market environments to manage their production outsourcing risks.FindingsThe selection of production outsourcing risk management strategies hinges on what apparel retailers view as the most important value their products provide to customers. Product values were linked to specific product characteristics as well as the market environment in which the apparel retailers operated. The retailer that regarded product quality as a key value driver was found to place emphasis on manufacturer selection and use of a formal contract for process control. The retailer that viewed newness and variety as a value driver opted to cultivate a strong, committed business relationship based on Guanxi to achieve speed‐to‐market.Research limitations/implicationsAs a case study research, the findings of this study have their limitations in generalisability. Given that one of the retailers did not invoke Guanxi to cultivate a long‐term business relationship with its outsourced manufacturers, the role of Guanxi in outsourcing risk management in China deserves further exploration, as businesses in China become more globalised.Practical implications/valueThis study grounds mainstream outsourcing strategy literature on operational practice through case studies. It highlights the influence of both product characteristics and market environment in dictating the choice of outsourcing risk management strategies in apparel manufacturing.Originality/valueThe study views outsourcing risk management from the perspective of minimizing outsourcing failures, rather than achieving outsourcing success. It reveals that risk management behavior of apparel retailers was linked to the notion of value protection, which varied according to what they considered as their principal product value drivers.

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-547
Author(s):  
Ayodele O. Majekodunmi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to explore social risk management strategies amongst Fulani in the subhumid zone of Nigeria; and second, to determine current status and nature of reciprocal exchange networks, risk pooling and social support for pastoral livelihoods in North-Central Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach Surveys of cattle productivity and pastoral livelihoods were carried out amongst Fulani pastoralists on the Jos Plateau: between 2008 and 2013 using participatory epidemiology methods and the sustainable livelihoods framework. Qualitative and quantitative data on livelihood activities, knowledge, attitudes and practices of animal husbandry and disease control, wealth grouping, herd entries and exits was gathered to determine the current state of cattle productivity and pastoral livelihoods in the study area. Findings Results show that reciprocal exchange networks for risk management have mostly disintegrated and patron-client relationships have become an important social risk management strategy. Practical implications This research has significant implications for sustainability of Fulani livelihoods and communities: decreased social risk-management strategies and increased self-reliance means that the most vulnerable households will find it more difficult to withstand shocks and climb out of poverty. Wealthier households may cope better with high incidence/low severity shocks like but are more vulnerable to low incidence/high severity shocks. Likewise, decreased social cohesion reduces the ability of communities to mobilise and act collectively in the face of community-level shocks. This is very important for engagement with the state – a crucial process, given current levels of acrimony and conflict. Originality/value Given the high levels of farmer-herder conflict and civil unrest in this region over the past 15 years this research is valuable in providing insights into economic drivers of conflict, current dynamics of pastoral livelihoods and social cohesion within and between communities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. C. Aye ◽  
M. Jaboyedoff ◽  
M. H. Derron ◽  
C. J. van Westen ◽  
H. Y. Hussin ◽  
...  

Abstract. This paper presents a prototype of an interactive web-GIS tool for risk analysis of natural hazards, in particular for floods and landslides, based on open-source geospatial software and technologies. The aim of the presented tool is to assist the experts (risk managers) in analysing the impacts and consequences of a certain hazard event in a considered region, providing an essential input to the decision-making process in the selection of risk management strategies by responsible authorities and decision makers. This tool is based on the Boundless (OpenGeo Suite) framework and its client-side environment for prototype development, and it is one of the main modules of a web-based collaborative decision support platform in risk management. Within this platform, the users can import necessary maps and information to analyse areas at risk. Based on provided information and parameters, loss scenarios (amount of damages and number of fatalities) of a hazard event are generated on the fly and visualized interactively within the web-GIS interface of the platform. The annualized risk is calculated based on the combination of resultant loss scenarios with different return periods of the hazard event. The application of this developed prototype is demonstrated using a regional data set from one of the case study sites, Fella River of northeastern Italy, of the Marie Curie ITN CHANGES project.


2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collins Ameyaw ◽  
Hans Wilhelm Alfen

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the risks associated with private sector participation (PSP) in power generation (PG) projects, how they were allocated and the strategies used to mitigate their likely adverse effects. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts case study research method and cross-case analyses to unearth the key risks and the contractual instruments used to manage them. Findings The paper identified 30 risk factors associated with four major private sector PG projects in Ghana. The allocation and mitigation strategies of these risks are also reported. Originality/value This is the first study to create a risk register of PSP PG projects. Private investors and government have been provided with a comprehensive list of risks associated with PG infrastructure. Would-be investors have also been armed with some potential risk management strategies for proper project structuring.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyit Hayran

ABSTRACT: In this study, risk perception of wheat producers in Turkey was examined based on a case study conducted in Bitlis Province. The data set used in the study was obtained from 157 farmers randomly. Factor analysis was employed to classify risk sources and management strategies, and then multiple regression was used to investigate the relationship between farmers perceptions and some characteristic. Results of this study have shown that economic-based risks were perceived more strongly by farmers. Farmers’ also used more than one risk management strategy to minimize the impact of the risks they face. So, in order to ensure social and economic sustainability and predictability in wheat production and wheat market, the government should be considered preventive policy instruments and interventions to prevent fluctuations in input and output prices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 692-702
Author(s):  
J. Christopher Hughen ◽  
Peter P. Lung

Purpose Student-managed investment funds typically pursue “plain vanilla” objectives. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the value of adding option strategies to reduce the risk of equity positions around earnings announcements. The collar strategy is one such technique with the advantages of a low net cost and limited potential losses. Design/methodology/approach The authors provide recommendations for utilizing the collar strategy around earnings announcements. The authors also discuss how the value of this strategy is related to the literature on option pricing and earnings announcement returns. Findings Risk management strategies can enhance the pedagogical value of student-managed investment funds. The authors document how students have successfully utilized the collar strategy to immunize risk. Originality/value The collar strategy can enhance the pedagogical value of student-managed investment classes in several ways. First, students learn how to implement risk reduction strategies. Second, the proper implementation of these strategies requires students to learn the complex mechanisms associated with corporate earnings dissemination and analyst coverage. This also provides an opportunity to study earnings drift, which is a persistent and economically significant financial anomaly.


2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 949-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Handan Akcaoz . ◽  
Hatice Kizilay . ◽  
Orhan Ozcatalbas .

Author(s):  
Clare Allender ◽  
Monty Sutrisna ◽  
Atiq Uz Zaman

Purpose This study aims to support the development risk management strategies towards improving the resilience of assets located in the estuary and lower level of the Swan River, Western Australia. The study evaluated the key role of Federal/State policies in adaptation planning and the communication and interface between various stakeholders, including State/Local governments, construction professionals, property developers and landowners. Design/methodology/approach The study applied a mixed research approach through a questionnaire survey followed by an in-depth interview involving local construction experts. Collected data were analysed following the grounded theory methodology style of data analysis. Findings The findings revealed a convoluted understanding of communication networks and responsibility for owning the future risks between relevant stakeholders. As a result, a framework illustrating clear process and roles in mitigating risk and implementing adaptive asset management measures has been formulated and presented in this study. Originality/value Scientific evidence suggested that sea-level rise and increased frequency of major coastal flooding events are inevitable as early as 2100, and having a comprehensive risk management plan of assets to anticipate climate risks and to improve urban resilience is essential. The proposed framework is aimed at local stakeholders in improving current state of communication and adaptation planning as a pathway to develop a robust risk management strategy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linlin Xie ◽  
Ting Han ◽  
Martin Skitmore

Megaprojects usually involve an alarmingly large number of stakeholders that form a complicated social network and lead to significant relationship risks to client/owners. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out megaproject risk management from a sociological point of view. Based on a case study of the Zhuhai Port, which connects Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao, this paper analyzes the relationship risk between stakeholders and corresponding risk management strategies using social network analysis (SNA). The findings show that stakeholders with a lower density and higher centrality in the network have comparatively a lower relationship risk. Different stakeholders should choose appropriate partners to improve their centrality, reduce the network density to increase their ability to access resources, and enhance their influence and independence in the network. For megaproject client/owners, identifying and monitoring key stakeholders is the key to effective relationship risk governance. The findings provide a number of practical implications for relationship risk management and further demonstrate the importance of stakeholder teamwork, particularly for megaprojects.


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