Supporting partner identification for virtual organisations in manufacturing

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Hans

PurposeVirtual organisations (VOs) in manufacturing represent a promising approach for dealing with today's difficult markets. The selection of the right partners during the creation phase is a prerequisite for their success. Owing to the complexity of the underlying networks as well as the need to react immediately to market opportunities, tool support is necessary for finding a suitable consortia for a given business purpose while reducing the immanent risk of failure. The purpose of this paper is to exemplify the conception and realisation of such a tool.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken in this work consists of four steps: first of all, the requirements to be fulfilled by the tool are derived from the main characteristics of VOs. Subsequently, existing approaches which could serve as a technical basis for the tool are presented and ranked. To conclude, a tool design is introduced and applied to a brief case study.FindingsIt is shown that simulation appears as very suitable within the considered problem domain. It is further pointed out that simulation requires user‐friendly components addressing modelling, simulation execution and analysis in order to be applicable and accepted by domain experts as end‐users.Originality/valueThe paper presents an overview of technical approaches supporting partner identification during the establishment phase of VOs. It describes a concept for a simulation environment addressing the needs of practitioners from industry. Finally, it depicts necessary extensions for model verification and solution finding.

Author(s):  
Renata Maria de Almeida Bastos Gomes ◽  
Fabio de Oliveira Paula ◽  
T. Diana L. van Aduard de Macedo-Soares

Purpose The shopping center (SC) industry in emerging countries has grown fast over the past decade; however, recently, it is showing signs of slowing down. Nevertheless, some SC-companies perform well. As those firms operate in alliance networks, relational opportunities and risks should be considered in their strategic analyses. Although there is a significant amount of research on SC from a marketing perspective, there is a dearth of research on strategic alliances from an SC management perspective. This paper aims at answering the following question: How do characteristics of the alliance networks of leading SC-companies contribute to their success by mitigating the structural threats the SC-industry in Brazil is facing? Design The case study method was adopted for analyzing two leading Brazilian SC-companies. Several data sources were used to allow for data triangulation. The lack of literature on strategic alliances and the SC-industry, as well as the research’s exploratory nature, justified this choice. Findings The research made evident that the SC-companies’ alliance network characteristics not only mitigate some of the structural industry threats but also enhance opportunities. It illustrated how firms can conduct a strategic analysis from a network perspective with the right tools. It also made evident how much more accurate the results of a comprehensive relational analysis are compared with traditional analyses that do not consider the strategic implications of relational factors. Practical implications The research contributed to SC management by highlighting the importance of taking into account the network characteristics of their relationships with key partners and of considering these as alliances and not merely contractual arrangements. Originality/value There is a dearth of research on the strategic implications of alliances of firms that own and manage a portfolio of SCs, as well as of their relationships with other actors in the industry, such as retailers and real estate owners, from a network perspective.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohita Gangwar Sharma

PurposeMany commodity supply chains suffer from an unfair value distribution across the supply chain like “Coffee Paradox.” This study explores the coffee supply chain to determine how the country of origin–geographical indicator can be used as a method of fair distribution of value and provenance across the supply chain effectuated by the blockchain technology. By looking at an exemplar case study for India, this study provides insights into diverse research streams and practice.Design/methodology/approachBased on the case method, analyzing the implementation of blockchain in the coffee industry by a leading Indian software implementation of the logic, dynamics and forces for a provenance model has been devised. It further adopts a stakeholder cum institutional theory framework to understand the logical implementation of a blockchain project embedded in a territorial logic for a commodity supply chain.FindingsThis study specifically looks at coffee which is representative of a commodity supply chain. It also explores how the malaise of unfair value distribution gets addressed by bringing farmers and the consumers on a common platform facilitated by blockchain technology. This study contributes to the literature on blockchain, territory, commodity and supply chain. Using stakeholder cum institutional theory, this study helps to explore how the implementation is successful by different actors in the supply chain through collaboration.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides a new stream of multi-disciplinary study at the interface of supply chain, technology, international trade and geography.Practical implicationsBlockchains are embedded in the supply chain, and supply chains are embedded in territories. This linkage is paramount and the ability to make these blockchain projects successful requires the deep study of the interaction of territory, technology and actors from the provenance angle. De-commodification of coffee can be actualized through blockchain.Social implicationsThe coffee paradox and skewed value distribution is also a social problem wherein the farmers do not get the right price of their produce and are exploited. This case also highlights how this social malaise can be addressed and rightful and equitable distribution of value happens across the value chain.Originality/valueThis linkage between territory, blockchain, commodity supply chain and institutions has not been discussed in the literature. Adopting the territorial design approach, this study is an attempt to stimulate inter-disciplinary conversations and thereby create a provenance framework for commodity and research questions for scholars from different disciplines and divergent disciplinary perspectives.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Edson P. Yarcia ◽  
Jan Michael Alexandre C. Bernadas

Purpose This paper aims to examine key obligations of states to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under the right to health framework in the context of COVID-19. As a case study, it also describes the state of health in places of detention in the Philippines during the pandemic, with an end view of providing granular recommendations for prison policy reforms. Design/methodology/approach Relevant rules under international human rights law related to places of detention were thematically analyzed to articulate the scope of the right to health of PDLs. To describe the state of places of detention in the Philippines, this paper relied on archival research of news from selected local mainstream and specialized media. Findings The right to health framework provides a foundation for the response to COVID-19 in places of detention. Key concerns include increase in the number of infections, vulnerabilities in physical and mental health, and the spread of infection among correctional staff. Long-standing structural constraints and limited health information compound the threat of COVID-19. The Philippines must comply with its human rights obligations to PDLs to effectively address COVID-19-related concerns. Practical implications Policy reforms in Philippine places of detention must include application of community standards on physical and mental health, implementation of emergency release and application of non-custodial measures for long-term prison decongestion. Originality/value This is one of the few papers to analyze human rights in health care in places of detention during a pandemic, as nuanced in the context of the Philippines.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 561-571
Author(s):  
Todor Kolarov

Purpose Using Bulgarian legislation on civil confiscation and analysing the nature of the substantive authority to confiscate unexplained wealth, as well as evaluating research in common and continental law, this paper aims to seek historic parallels for non-punitive civil confiscation of unexplained wealth. Design/methodology/approach The design of this paper is centred on determining whether the substantive authority of the state to confiscate unexplained wealth has a Roman law equivalent. Conducting a review of key elements of the substantive authority for the action in Bulgaria, the research examines the validity of the hypothesis that the right to confiscate has a Roman law equivalent. Findings The research supports the position that the substantive authority to seek civil confiscation relief in Bulgaria has its origin in the overarching principle of unjustified enrichment in Roman law. Considering needed adjustments related to the developed demarcation between public and private law in contemporary law, the action to confiscate unexplained wealth in civil proceedings in the case study jurisdiction has its equivalent in the Roman condictio furtiva. Originality/value This paper sheds light on the theoretical basis for civil asset confiscation of unexplained wealth in one continental law jurisdiction, thus contributing to the on-going debate on the compatibility of civil confiscation of unexplained wealth with the continental law tradition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula Turner

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe how, as part of a national initiative led by NHS England and key partners, it is transforming lives by helping people with a learning disability, autism or both to live more independent and better quality lives in their own home rather than spending many years in hospital unnecessarily. Design/methodology/approach The methodology applied was to capture the real experience of a person with a learning disability, autism or both who successfully moved from long-term hospital care to home. This was achieved through developing a narrative story by capturing their experiences in their own words and the words of the individual’s support team who made this life changing event possible. Findings This story shows how with the right planning and support, people with a learning disability can live in their own homes, gain their independence and be supported to take risks. Originality/value This is an original case study that has not been published previously and has been written for the sole purpose of this journal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-275
Author(s):  
Rabeh Kharzi ◽  
Rachid Chaib ◽  
Ahcene Akni

Purpose This paper aims to clarify how is a project managed and how are its objectives achieved? In this manner, prioritize the points to be treated, the tasks to be performed and the solutions to be applied in a given space of time. From now onward, each stakeholder has its own requirements and expectations. Yet, in the end, you have no choice but to list the priority points. Moreover, note that each company, each service and each team is unique. As well as each individual is equally important. Design/methodology/approach Agile approaches, especially the MoSCoW method, were used. This tool is very practical and very simple to implement to set priorities for the actions to be performed. Selecting a tool that is easy to understand and easy to use has the advantage of helping to build consensus around prioritizing requirements, particularly in health and safety at work or even to establish a culture of safety at the workplace. This positive corporate culture is at the heart of sustainable development and the success of occupational health and safety institutions. Findings Therefore, with 51,500 work accidents recorded in 2016, it seems essential to know how to adapt and give one’s management style to one’s environment. Its the key to success! To reach these objectives, the progress of the manager is to supervise his collaborators. For this, it is necessary to know how to make choices, make decisions, ideally the right ones. It is much less common to list the features that are unwanted to be integrated. Thinking in this manner makes it possible to approach the project from a different perspective; thus, it makes it possible to obtain a much more targeted list of tasks and requirements compared with a more traditional method, i.e., the results of this work. Originality/value Capacity to know how to make choices, make decisions, ideally the right ones, especially in health and safety at work. On the other hand, it is not possible to deal with everything in a project. The manager, with a very simple tool easy to implement, manages to supervise his employees and achieving these goals in the company and obtain a list of tasks and requirements much more targeted compared to a more traditional method.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erick da Luz Scherf ◽  
Marcos Vinicius Viana da Silva ◽  
Janaina S. Fachini

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has been managed in Brazil, especially at the Federal Administrative level, with the focus being on the implications for human rights and public health in the country. Design/methodology/approach The research is built on a qualitative design made up of a case-study and review of the literature and is based on inductive reasoning. Findings Main conclusions were that: by not making sufficient efforts to safeguard the lives of Brazilians or to strengthen public health institutions amid the pandemic, Bolsonaro’s Administration may be violating the rights to life and health, among others, by omission; it was demonstrated that the President has worked unceasingly to bulldoze anti-COVID-19 efforts, which can be better explained through the concepts of necropolitics and neoliberal authoritarianism. Research limitations/implications One of the limitations to this research is that this paper was not able to discuss more thoroughly which other human rights norms and principles (apart from the right to health, life and the duty to protect vulnerable populations) have possibly been violated amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Overall, this research can help expand the literature on human rights in health management during and after emergency times. Originality/value This paper focuses on recent events and on urgent matters that need to be addressed immediately in Brazil. This study provides an innovative health policy/human rights analysis to build an academic account of the ongoing pandemic in the largest country in South America.


Author(s):  
Namrata Gupta

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the accounting treatment of one of the most popular instruments of financing in Islamic banks, which is Islamic leasing or Ijarah. This research undertakes an empirical investigation of the accounting practices of Ijarah followed by UAE’s Islamic banks. The main objective of this paper is to compare the accounting practices followed by UAE Islamic banks and accounting practices recommended by Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) for the accounting treatment of Ijarah. Design/methodology/approach – This study also aims to examine the justification and explanation behind this practice and clarify the accounting treatment of Ijarah as defined in the regulatory framework and standards. Findings – The author has found that the accounting treatment of Ijarah practiced by four UAE Islamic banks, it is clear that all of them are following IAS-17 and not FAS-8 of AAOIFI. The main difference is: FAS-8 issued by AAOIFI suggests that the accounting treatment for both Ijarah and Ijarah Muntahia Bittamleek be similar to operating lease transactions with certain exceptions. On the other hand, these Islamic banks are accounting for Ijarah as a financing transaction, just like finance lease – in accordance with IAS-17. Research limitations/implications – Taking out the right information from banks officials regarding Ijarah was a big hassle. Practical implications – After considering the above-mentioned points, according to the researcher, Western accounting standards are not appropriate to be applied in Islamic financial institution because of their different nature and treatment of financial instruments. Therefore, Islamic banks and other Islamic finance professionals should consider making the standards of AAOIFI mandatory, and they should stick to these standards for information disclosure, building investors’ confidence, monitoring and surveillance. These standards would also ensure the integration of Islamic financial markets with international markets. Social implications – This study also aims to examine the justification and explanation behind this practice of bankers when the researcher approached these four banks, their officials mentioned that Ijarah contracts are similar to conventional form of financing, and it does not involve the central tenet of Islamic capitalism, i.e. to share risk and profit; therefore, they are justified and convinced to adopt IAS-17 in accounting for Ijarah transactions. Originality/value – It is an original case study based on secondary research data.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Czajkowski

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine existing models for cost of quality. Having identified issues and limitations of historic models, develop and implement a novel, structured hybrid cost of quality model to identify and effectively manage cost of company’s product. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical framework is proposed based on an integration of three existing, historical cost of quality models into a structured hybrid model. Subsequently, an exploratory pilot case study in a manufacturing environment is described that illustrates the value of the model. Findings The paper manages to find how a hybrid model can help identify cost of quality more accurately than the traditional models. Thanks to the new model, the author shows how gaps between product’s theoretical and actual costs can be highlighted. This allows management to drive down cost of quality and improve business performance. Research limitations/implications The model would benefit from a company-wide implementation. The present study provides a starting point for further research in the international manufacturing sector. Practical implications The framework improves the knowledge of cost of quality by providing a new case study with full results and analysis from a UK-based manufacturing company. It provides a critical re-evaluation of available literature, including the most recent publications as far as practically possible within timescale available. The study shows the importance of comprehensive cost collection if companies are to have the right data needed to manage business excellence. Originality/value The paper presents a development of the first structured hybrid model for measuring cost of quality using the strongest points of main three approaches and addresses their limitations. It gives new arguments against allocation of some cost elements within BS 6143-2:1990, resulting in recommendations for further brainstorming of pros and cons of the suggestion.


2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 1505-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Adhikari ◽  
R. Verhoeven ◽  
P. Troch

This paper attempts to find a strategy to provide year-round irrigation for cultivating three crops per year in the southern plains of the country taking a case study of the Babai basin. Despite having enough flows during the summer for growing rice in total 27,000 ha area, the dry season flows of the Babai river can irrigate only 6,300 ha in winter and 4,000 ha in spring limiting the cropping intensity to 138.50%. It is proposed to irrigate the 7,500 ha southern dry area at the right bank bringing water from a large snow-fed river: the Karnali. Water balance study of the three irrigation regions to be irrigated from the Babai source preserving their existing water rights showed that the year-round irrigation at the west with the proposed arrangement will fall short of only 13.9 million m3 water volume. At the east side, the head reach area and the tail portion will fall short of 19.4 and 66.4 million m3 of water to insure a cropping intensity of 250%. The deficits can be fulfilled by means of capturing the excess river water of rainy season in local reservoirs and by making conjunctive use of groundwater. The proposed solution is financially, environmentally and socially viable being a cost effective, user friendly and should be the linchpin towards attaining a sustainable year-round irrigation in the region.


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