scholarly journals The correlates of energy management practices and sales performance of small family food firms in Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adah-Kole Emmanuel Onjewu ◽  
Elmar Puntaier ◽  
Sundas Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sales Performance ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Family

PurposeWhile pursuing energy management, firms simultaneously strive to boost sales as a path towards economic performance. Also, the literature suggests that family firms exhibit greater environmental commitment than their non-family counterparts. To examine these contentions, this review espouses contingency theory to interrogate the correlations of (1) energy consumption targets, (2) energy efficiency enhancing measures, (3) energy consumption monitoring and (4) the domestic sales performance of small family firms in Turkey's food sector.Design/methodology/approachData were sourced from the World Bank Enterprise Survey. A sample of 137 family firms in food production, processing and retail was analysed using non-linear structural equation modelling. Path coefficients were determined to estimate the extent to which energy management practices predict domestic sales.FindingsThe path analysis revealed that although energy consumption targets do not directly increase sales performance, they stimulate firms' energy efficiency enhancement measures and energy consumption monitoring to produce this effect by 21%.Research limitations/implicationsThe contingency lens espoused leaves room to capture further antecedents in small family food firms' technical, managerial, ownership, operational and architectural configuration that may also interact with or predict the propensity for energy management.Practical implicationsFor practitioners, the inherent findings demonstrate that there are firm-specific material benefits arising from adopting energy management practices. And, although small firms such as family food businesses may have low energy intensities, they can improve their sales performance by setting energy targets, installing energy efficiency enhancing measures and embarking on energy consumption monitoring.Social implicationsPublic stakeholders in Turkey such as the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the General Directorate of Energy Affairs and affiliate institutions can reflect on these findings to develop a coherent national energy management policy for small firms. Such initiatives are especially relevant to Turkey and its ambitions to join the EU which requires member states to set up a national energy efficiency action plan.Originality/valueThis inquiry is one of the first to examine energy management in the food sector at the family firm level through the contingency lens. Theoretically, the results draw attention and shed new light on disparate energy management practices and their discrete yet substantial contribution to sales performance.

Sensor-based ambient intelligence for optimal energy efficiency

Sensor Review ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Robinson ◽  
David Adrian Sanders ◽  
Ebrahim Mazharsolook
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Management Systems

Purpose – This paper aims to describe research work to create an innovative, and intelligent solution for energy efficiency optimisation. Design/methodology/approach – A novel approach is taken to energy consumption monitoring by using ambient intelligence (AmI), extended data sets and knowledge management (KM) technologies. These are combined to create a decision support system as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems. Standard energy consumption data are complemented by information from AmI systems from both environment-ambient and process ambient sources and processed within a service-oriented-architecture-based platform. The new platform allows for building of different energy efficiency software services using measured and processed data. Four were selected for the system prototypes: condition-based energy consumption warning, online diagnostics of energy-related problems, support to manufacturing process lines installation and ramp-up phase, and continuous improvement/optimisation of energy efficiency. Findings – An innovative and intelligent solution for energy efficiency optimisation is demonstrated in two typical manufacturing companies, within one case study. Energy efficiency is improved and the novel approach using AmI with KM technologies is shown to work well as an add-on to currently used energy management systems. Research limitations/implications – The decision support systems are only at the prototype stage. These systems improved on existing energy management systems. The system functionalities have only been trialled in two manufacturing companies (the one case study is described). Practical implications – A decision support system has been created as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems and energy efficiency software services are developed as the front end of the system. Energy efficiency is improved. Originality/value – For the first time, research work has moved into industry to optimise energy efficiency using AmI, extended data sets and KM technologies. An AmI monitoring system for energy consumption is presented that is intended for use in manufacturing companies to provide comprehensive information about energy use, and knowledge-based support for improvements in energy efficiency. The services interactively provide suggestions for appropriate actions for energy problem elimination and energy efficiency increase. The system functionalities were trialled in two typical manufacturing companies, within one case study described in the paper.

IOT and Industry 4.0 – Gateway towards improving Energy Efficiency

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Jait Purohit
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Day To Day Operations

Energy efficiency (EE) has become an important benchmark in manufacturing industry due the increasing concerns about climate change and tightening of environmental regulations. However, most manufacturing and production industries today are only able to monitor aggregated energy consumption and lack the real-time visibility of EE on the shop floors. The ability to access energy information and effectively analyse such real-time data to extract key indicators is a crucial factor for successful energy management. While enabling real-time online monitoring of Energy Efficiency, it also applies data gathering analysis to detect abnormal energy consumption patterns and quantify energy efficiency gaps. Through a case study of a microfluidic device manufacturing line, we demonstrate how the application can assist energy managers in embedding best energy management practices in their day-to-day operations and improve Energy Efficiency by eliminating possible energy wastages on manufacturing shop floors.

Risk management in small family firms: insights into a paradox

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Mitter ◽  
Maria Postlmayr ◽  
Michael Kuttner
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Family

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to provide insights into the risk management practices of small family firms (SFFs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a multi-site case study approach among ten SFFs (that employ between 10 and less than 50 employees according to the European Commission's recommendation 2003/361/EC) and draws on the concept of social capital.FindingsThe study demonstrates that the vast majority of sample SFFs lacks a formal risk management system and does not prepare for crises and emergencies. However, they are aware of most of their specific risks and draw on a number of risk-mitigation measures to address them. Social capital emerges as common thread and overarching principle in these risk-reduction initiatives, as the SFFs rely on long-standing, trusting and fair relationships with key stakeholders to cushion their businesses from adverse impacts. This prevalence of informal risk management mechanisms may partially explain the paradox as to why formal risk management tools are rarely applied in SFFs.Practical implicationsAs the study findings suggest that social capital serves SFFs as risk-reduction measure, owner-managers should capitalise on this specific strength. However, they should also invest in more systematic risk management initiatives to better equip their businesses with the tools to fend off adverse scenarios.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to analyse risk management in SFFs.

The energy efficiency of corporate real estate assets

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Surmann ◽  
Wolfgang Andreas Brunauer ◽  
Sven Bienert
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Corporate Environmental Performance ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Characteristics ◽  
Real Estate Assets

Purpose On the basis of corporate wholesale and hypermarket stores, this study aims to investigate the relationship between energy consumption, physical building characteristics and operational sales performance and the impact of energy management on the corporate environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach A very unique dataset of METRO GROUP over 19 European countries is analyzed in a sophisticated econometric approach for the timeframe from January 2011 until December 2014. Multiple regression models are applied for the panel, to explain the electricity consumption of the corporate assets on a monthly basis and the total energy consumption on an annual basis. Using Generalized Additive Models, to model nonlinear covariate effects, the authors decompose the response variables into the implicit contribution of building characteristics, operational sales performance and energy management attributes, under control of the outdoor weather conditions and spatial–temporal effects. Findings METRO GROUP’s wholesale and hypermarket stores prove significant reductions in electricity and total energy consumption over the analyzed timeframe. Due to the implemented energy consumption and carbon emission reduction targets, the influence of the energy management measures, such as the identification of stores associated with the lowest energy performance, was found to contribute toward a more efficient corporate environmental performance. Originality/value In the context of corporate responsibility/sustainability of wholesale, hypermarket and retail corporations, the energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions from corporates’ real estate assets is of emerging interest. Besides the insights about the energy efficiency of corporate real estate assets, the role of the energy management, contributing to a more efficient corporate environmental performance, is not yet investigated for a large European wholesale and hypermarket portfolio.

Remote energy management benefits in retail building portfolios

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-71
Author(s):  
Eeva Määttänen ◽  
Riikka Kyrö ◽  
Anna Aaltonen ◽  
Anna-Liisa Sarasoja ◽  
Seppo Junnila
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The study aims to investigate the effects of a remote energy management service to the energy consumption of retail buildings. The study focuses on analysing the changes in energy consumption after the implementation of a facility service concept where building processes are optimized with a remote energy management system. The paper seeks to demonstrate that remotely operated building management practices, which allow high competence service for all facilities, have a positive impact, beyond traditional facility services, on energy and environmental performance of buildings. Design/methodology/approach – The research analyses the metered energy consumption of two retail building portfolios comprising altogether 44 properties. Additionally, secondary data are collected from archive reviews, observation and interviews. Findings – The research shows that remote energy management service reduced the total energy consumption during the two-year service period by 12 and 6 per cent depending on the portfolio. Electricity consumption was found to decrease by 7 per cent and heating energy by 26 per cent on the average in the first portfolio, and 7 and 4 per cent in the second one, respectively. Research limitations/implications – Variation between buildings was found to be relatively high as the individual characteristics and history of the different buildings inevitably affect the achieved results. Practical implications – The study indicates that remote energy management offers an effective means to reduce the energy consumption and costs, and ultimately climate impacts derived from buildings. Originality/value – The study adds to the knowledge of facilities management in context to energy management and environmental performance of buildings.

scholarly journals Ambient intelligence for optimal manufacturing and energy efficiency

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Charles Robinson ◽  
David Adrian Sanders ◽  
Ebrahim Mazharsolook
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Ambient Intelligence ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Management Systems ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Comprehensive Information

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the creation of innovative and intelligent systems to optimise energy efficiency in manufacturing. The systems monitor energy consumption using ambient intelligence (AmI) and knowledge management (KM) technologies. Together they create a decision support system as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems. Design/methodology/approach – Energy consumption data (ECD) are processed within a service-oriented architecture-based platform. The platform provides condition-based energy consumption warning, online diagnostics of energy-related problems, support to manufacturing process lines installation and ramp-up phase and continuous improvement/optimisation of energy efficiency. The systems monitor energy consumption using AmI and KM technologies. Together they create a decision support system as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems. Findings – The systems produce an improvement in energy efficiency in manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The systems provide more comprehensive information about energy use and some knowledge-based support. Research limitations/implications – Prototype systems were trialled in a manufacturing company that produces mooring chains for the offshore oil and gas industry, an energy intensive manufacturing operation. The paper describes a case study involving energy-intensive processes that addressed different manufacturing concepts and involved the manufacture of mooring chains for offshore platforms. The system was developed to support online detection of energy efficiency problems. Practical implications – Energy efficiency can be optimised in assembly and manufacturing processes. The systems produce an improvement in energy efficiency in manufacturing SMEs. The systems provide more comprehensive information about energy use and some knowledge-based support. Social implications – This research addresses two of the most critical problems in energy management in industrial production technologies: how to efficiently and promptly acquire and provide information online for optimising energy consumption and how to effectively use such knowledge to support decision making. Originality/value – This research was inspired by the need for industry to have effective tools for energy efficiency, and that opportunities for industry to take up energy efficiency measures are mostly not carried out. The research combined AmI and KM technologies and involved new uses of sensors, including wireless intelligent sensor networks, to measure environment parameters and conditions as well as to process performance and behaviour aspects, such as material flow using smart tags in highly flexible manufacturing or temperature distribution over machines. The information obtained could be correlated with standard ECD to monitor energy efficiency and identify problems. The new approach can provide effective ways to collect more information to give a new insight into energy consumption within a manufacturing system.

Cybersecurity and the new firm: surviving online threats

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vallari Chandna ◽  
Praneet Tiwari
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Data Privacy ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Privacy Management ◽  
Privacy Risk ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ventures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Firm ◽  
Established Firms

Purpose Nascent firms and startups are often subject to challenges that their more mature counterparts can avoid. While cybersecurity is an issue that all firms contend with, it is especially challenging for new entrepreneurial ventures who lack the resources and capabilities of established firms. The purpose of this paper is to seek to delve deeper into the cybersecurity and risk management needs of small firms and startups. Design/methodology/approach Extant literature and available tools are explored to develop a usable framework applicable to small firms and new entrepreneurial ventures. Findings The liabilities of newness and smallness make entrepreneurial ventures a unique context in which to study the significance of cybersecurity and data privacy risk management. The authors offer an overview of issues and potential solutions relevant to entrepreneurial ventures. Research limitations/implications While offering practical insights, the work is a theoretical framework. The framework will enable researchers to develop more nuanced theory when it comes to cybersecurity and data privacy risk management. Practical implications The framework illustrates four distinct contexts for cybersecurity and risk management when it comes to the needs of small firms and startups. Adoption levels are explained, and small business operators and entrepreneurs can thus use the framework to determine the most appropriate approach for their enterprise. Originality/value The authors develop a framework illustrating adoption of different security and risk management practices by entrepreneurial ventures based on their specific needs and context. The authors thus offer practical solutions for startups and nascent firms regarding cybersecurity and privacy management.

People or Systems: Does Productivity Enhancement Matter More than Energy Management in LEED Certified Buildings?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13863
Author(s):  
Yana Akhtyrska ◽  
Franz Fuerst
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Occupant Comfort ◽  
Energy Use Intensity ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Advanced Metering ◽  
The Impact

This study examines the impact of energy management and productivity-enhancing measures, implemented as part of LEED Existing Buildings Operations and Management (EBOM) certification, on source energy use intensity and rental premiums of office spaces using data on four major US markets. Energy management practices, comprised of commissioning and advanced metering, may reduce energy usage. Conversely, improving air quality and occupant comfort in an effort to increase worker productivity may in turn lead to higher overall energy consumption. The willingness to pay for these features in rental office buildings is hypothesised to depend not only on the extent to which productivity gains enhance the profits of a commercial tenant but also on the lease arrangements for passing any energy savings to the tenant. We apply a difference-in-differences method at a LEED EBOM certification group level and a multi-level modelling approach with a panel data structure. The results indicate that energy management and indoor environment practices have the expected effect on energy consumption as described above. However, the magnitude of the achieved rental premiums appears to be independent of the lease type.

Inside an African family business estate: the founder’s legacy and the successor’s dilemma

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zubaida Muhumed ◽  
Virginia Bodolica ◽  
Martin Spraggon
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Ripple Effect ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family

Subject area Family business. Study level/applicability Specialized undergraduate courses, Elective MBA courses. Case overview This case study uncovers the remarkable story of the relentless growth and sporadic weakening of Nurul Ain (NA) Limited, a family business conglomerate with major operations in the Eastern region of Africa. The case provides an opportunity to follow the different stages of development of this family-owned organization through a sequence of strategic events and family dynamics that led to its recurrent success, decline and rejuvenation. Despite the numerous successes of NA Limited since its establishment in the early 1990s, the ambiguous relationship between family, ownership and management systems has caused a ripple effect of strategic, structural and governance challenges that threaten the sustainability of the family business. Nowadays, the founder faces the pressing challenge of ensuring his legacy remains intact and is passed over to his chosen successor, who, in turn, is confronted with the dilemma of joining the family business or pursing an independent career outside NA Limited. Shedding light on the complexity of today’s family-run organizations, the case allows examining the effectiveness of strategic decision-making in an emerging market context by applying a variety of family business principles, theories and frameworks. Expected learning outcomes Discuss the sources of competitive advantage and the typical challenges that family firms face in the context of emerging markets. Perform a comprehensive corporate diagnosis and examine the specificities of strategic management process in family businesses. Assess the succession management practices in family-run organizations and design a profile of successful successor. Discuss the effectiveness of various corporate governance mechanisms in the context of family-owned enterprises. Evaluate the strategic choices of the top management team and offer recommendations for securing the family business longevity. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

scholarly journals The methodical issues of industrial energy monitoring systems implementation

2020 ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
V. Nakhodov ◽  
O. Borychenko ◽  
A. Cherniavskyi
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Specific Energy ◽  
Management System ◽  
Specific Energy Consumption ◽  
Monitoring Systems ◽  
Energy Management System ◽  
Energy Monitoring

Statistics show that energy is one of the highest operating costs in a manufacturing enterprise. So, improving energy efficiency can lead to a significant increase in profits and reduce the impact of the enterprise on the environment. To increase the performance of energy efficiency activities, it is necessary to implement an energy management system. One of the components of this system is energy monitoring, which, in turn, is based on the periodic collection and analysis of data to assess the state of the monitoring objects in terms of energy efficiency. In this paper, the role and place of energy monitoring in the energy management system of an industrial enterprise are noted. The paper proposes the concept of creating energy monitoring system in industrial companies, which is based on the combination of a monitoring system based on specific energy consumption, and usage of group energy characteristics of production facilities. Implementing such energy monitoring systems will allow to conduct operational control of energy efficiency of production facilities by creating individual systems for monitoring energy efficiency, as well as successfully carry out such monitoring at the enterprise and its subdivisions over longer periods of time using specific energy consumption indicators. It also provides general guidelines for conducting energy monitoring. These guidelines were formed based on the results of studying various methods and scientific publications in the field of energy monitoring, as well as on the basis of practical experience in the development and implementation of energy management systems. Particular attention is paid to the issues of processing and analysis of information about the objects of energy monitoring of industrial enterprises. The practical application of the concept of creating energy monitoring systems envisages gradual improvement of the existing monitoring system based on the specific energy consumption, which will be further completely replaced with individual energy efficiency monitoring systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document