Analysing drivers of efficiency in the leather industry: a two-stage double bootstrap DEA approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparajita Singh ◽  
Haripriya Gundimeda
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Environmental Cost ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Leather Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Dea Efficiency ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Dea Approach ◽  
Rural Firms

PurposeThe Indian leather industry contributes to economic growth at a significant environmental cost. Due to the rising global demand for sustainable leather products, promoting efficient input utilisation has become vital. This study measures input efficiency and its determinants for leather industry in order for it to improve its future performance.Design/methodology/approachIn the first stage, bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach is used for measuring efficiency and analysing firms' differences based on their geographical location, organisational structures, urban-rural location and sub-industrial groups. A second stage regression examines efficiency determinants using size, age, skill and capital-labour intensity as the explanatory variables.FindingsEfficiency result shows a significant potential of minimising inputs by 47% provided the firms adopt best practices. West Bengal firms, urban located firms, individual and proprietorship owned firms and leather consumer goods firms are found to be relatively efficient to their counterparts. Size, skilled managerial staff and labour-intensive firms positively affect efficiency.Practical implicationsConstruction of well-connected roads for accessing urban retail markets and provision of reliable electricity would improve efficiency of rural firms. Small-scale enterprises have a larger share in Indian leather industry; therefore, policy should focus on enhancing the firms' scale and investing in training facilities to skill employed labour for ensuring optimal use of inputs.Originality/valuePrevious studies on the leather industry have used the conventional DEA efficiency measurement approach. This study uses DEA bootstrapping model for robust efficiency estimates and provides consistent inferences about the determinants.

Challenges of agri-food supply in city region food systems: an emerging economy perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samanthi Kumari Weerabahu ◽  
Premaratne Samaranayake ◽  
S.W. Sarath Dasanayaka ◽  
Chaminda Nalaka Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
City Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Food Value

PurposeThis paper explores the challenges of food security from source to consumption of agri-food value chain by considering urban–rural linkages in city region food systems (CRFSs) and proposes a strategic framework for CRFS identifying strategies to promote urban–rural linkages among multiple stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study approach to a fruit and vegetable value chain from rural source to consumption in the Colombo City region identifies the challenges of food security. A snowballing sampling method was used to gather information from retailers, wholesalers, commission agent, farmers and consumers. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews, observations and secondary data sources. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsChallenges in food security in the value chain related to five areas: input and production, infrastructure, public institutional support and policy, finance, and food market. Colombo city is heavily dependent on food sourced from other cities due to limited land and lack of locally situated commercially oriented farmers.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to a selected number of fruits and vegetables in the Colombo city region and leaves out other food items.Originality/valueThis study contributes to informing policy and decision-making processes to promote a more balanced rural to city food value chain in Colombo City that could benefit all stakeholders from rural small-scale producers to urban consumers.

Bringing innovation back in–strategies and driving forces behind entrepreneurial responses in small-scale rural industries in Sweden

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Ines Rytkönen ◽  
Pejvak Oghazi
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Rural Entrepreneurship ◽  
Innovative Behaviour ◽  
Rural Firms ◽  
Innovative Capacity

PurposeThe paper contributes to the debate about local food and conceptualization of rural entrepreneurship by analysing the performance of small-scale dairies departing from their relation to innovations, innovative activities and risk.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use phenomenography to identify representative categories, and to draw conclusions about how these are consistent or different from dominant definitions of rural entrepreneurship and self-employment. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews, participatory workshops and compiled a database of all small-scale dairies established between 1968 and 2020.FindingsA focus on innovations contributes to differentiate between rural entrepreneurship and self-employment and how these interact in the process of economic growth. Innovations are seldom disruptive. Instead, innovative behaviour is strongly related to business models and to imitation. Social capital and collective action play a key role for the innovative capacity of small businesses, especially to realize disruptive innovations, such as the establishment of a new market.Research limitations/implicationsThe innovative capacity of rural businesses can be understood through their ability to break patterns, alter institutions and turn embededdness into assets. Rural entrepreneurship and self-employment are intertwined in the economic growth process.Practical implicationsInnovative behaviour is a significant aspect for firm survival over time, and it is also strongly related to new business models. Most rural firms can be characterized as self-employment, the latter are essential because they provide rural livelihoods and help bring maturity to newly established markets.Social implicationsThe right type of support, e.g. adopting enabling industrial regulations and granting access to constructive experiences of others, contributes to the innovative behaviour of small-scale rural firms.Originality/valueThis study differentiates rural entrepreneurship from rural self-employment by analysing the role of innovation. The authors show how innovations and innovative behaviour work their way through the process of economic growth and how innovation can break patterns by turning rural embeddedness into assets; and how innovative behaviour related to self-employments contributes to the creation of value and interacts with entrepreneurship in the process of economic growth.

Firm’s survival, rating and efficiency: new empirical evidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 1185-1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Manello ◽  
Giuseppe Giulio Calabrese
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Financial Ratings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of firms’ survival during crisis in the Italian automotive value chain. Design/methodology/approach The authors propose a survival analysis, based on a dichotomic model, in which supply chain features, technical efficiency (TE) and ratings are included as explanatory variables with other controls. Findings TE and financial health positively influence survival. Some supply chain variables are significant such as direct supply, geographical location and outsourcing level, whereas the proximity to the national carmaker is insignificant. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the study is the lack of qualitative data related to supply management practice in the automotive industry. Originality/value The study combine supply chain aspects with firms’ survival, TE and financial ratings.

Making of an entrepreneur: a journey with leather – MVR Leathers

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Venkatesh Murthy ◽  
Jaganth G.
Keyword(s):  
Small Scale ◽  
Processing Unit ◽  
Leather Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Firm Strategies ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Leather Processing ◽  
Academic Courses ◽  
To Come

Learning outcomes The case discussion will help the participants figure out ways the entrepreneur could handle problems such as labour shortage, demonetisation and customer retention and find possible strategies to overcome them. Case overview/synopsis MVR Leathers is a small-scale leather-processing unit located in Chennai. MVR was the brainchild of Venkat Raj, who started his career in 1982 as a casual labourer in an unrelated domain. His unwavering persistence helped him to become an independent entrepreneur by 2008. In achieving his dream to become an entrepreneur, Raj encountered many challenges and an equal number of new opportunities. Each time he faced a challenge, he met a new set of people who helped him. However, at times, the same people who had helped him once might throw him out of the scene. In brief, his struggle is never-ending. He keeps fighting to come back and find new avenues to success. A different set of challenges surfaced as he took charge of his firm as a sole owner. Once again, he countered those challenges with courage and grit. In doing so, he made full use of his experience. Complexity academic level The case can be used for discussions at the executive, postgraduate and undergraduate levels. Academic courses that address topics such as entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs, small-firm strategies, business environments, leather industry, leadership, human resource management and entrepreneurial journeys can use the case for classroom learning. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Performance Evaluation of Vietnamese Apparel Enterprises: An Application of DEA Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Tran Van Trang ◽  
Quang Hung Do ◽  
Minh Huan Luong
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Cost Management ◽  
Apparel Industry ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Efficiency Analysis ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Dea Efficiency ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Dea Approach ◽  
National Industry

A continued robust growth of Vietnamese apparel enterprises has showed that they do notplay the auxiliary but the main role in the national industry. However, in general, the apparel industryin Vietnam has not met the practical requirements. In order to provide overall performance evaluationand how to achieve efficiency systematically, this study utilizes DEA approach to determine theperformance levels of 15 Vietnamese apparel industry enterprises and assess their efficiency.Specifically, we have applied output oriented model, which aims to maximize outputs while the inputsproportions remain unchanged to realize DEA efficiency analysis. CCR-based and BCC-based modelsare utilized to get overall technical and pure technical efficiencies. The findings show that havingbusiness transactions with foreign partners, good labor cost management and effective inventorymanagement are the most prominent factors in distinguishing between efficient and inefficiententerprises in Vietnam's apparel industry. The study may be a useful tool for managers to improvetheir performances and effectively allocate resources.

scholarly journals The experiences of work-life balance, stress, and coping lifestyles of female professionals: insights from a developing country

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 999-1015
Author(s):  
Babatunde Akanji ◽  
Chima Mordi ◽  
Hakeem Adeniyi Ajonbadi
Keyword(s):  
Health Sector ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Family ◽  
And Coping

PurposeGiven the limiting conditions of the gender roles confronting professional working women and drawing on spillover theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of work-life balance with an emphasis on the causes of the imbalances, perceived stress, and coping techniques experienced by female medical doctors in an African context – Nigeria, a geographical location that is considered under-researched.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative data is based on one-to-one in-depth interviews with 52 Nigerian female medical doctors.FindingsBased on the findings of the thematic analysis, it is clear that time squeeze, as a well-known factor in the medical profession, exacerbates negative work-home interference. However, other themes, such as patriarchal proclivities and task-pay disparity, that affect female doctors but are rarely considered in studies on work-life balance also emerged as sources of stress and work-family conflicts, leaving these doctors to devise individual coping methods as mitigating strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe study relies on a limited qualitative sample size, which makes the generalisation of findings difficult. However, the study contributes to the limited literature on the implications of stress and work-family incompatibilities facing women in a society that is not particularly egalitarian, with an extremely pronounced culture of masculine hegemony that is contrary to western cultures. The article unveils the socio-cultural difficulties of the work-life demands facing women specific to the Nigerian society and experienced with a different level of intensity.Originality/valueThe majority of the research on work-life balance has been undertaken in western countries and has focused on various professional groups and organisations, including the health sector. Nevertheless, work-life balance is a novel concept within the Nigerian work environment, where female medical doctors, as a professional group, are rarely studied. The article also provides valuable insights into the macro-contextual features influencing the work-life balance of Nigerian professional women.

scholarly journals Impact of the Human Microbiome in Forensic Sciences: a Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel G. García ◽  
María D. Pérez-Cárceles ◽  
Eduardo Osuna ◽  
Isabel Legaz
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Forensic Science ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Postmortem Interval ◽  
Forensic Sciences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microbiome Analysis ◽  
Location Of Death ◽  
Microbiome Research

ABSTRACT Numerous studies relate differences in microbial communities to human health and disease; however, little is known about microbial changes that occur postmortem or the possible applications of microbiome analysis in the field of forensic science. The aim of this review was to study the microbiome and its applications in forensic sciences and to determine the main lines of investigation that are emerging, as well as its possible contributions to the forensic field. A systematic review of the human microbiome in relation to forensic science was carried out by following PRISMA guidelines. This study sheds light on the role of microbiome research in the postmortem interval during the process of decomposition, identifying death caused by drowning or sudden death, locating the geographical location of death, establishing a connection between the human microbiome and personal items, sexual contact, and the identification of individuals. Actinomycetaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Alcaligenaceae, and Bacilli play an important role in determining the postmortem interval. Aeromonas can be used to determine the cause of death, and Corynebacterium or Helicobacter pylori can be used to ascertain personal identity or geographical location. Several studies point to a promising future for microbiome analysis in the different fields of forensic science, opening up an important new area of research.

The drivers of corporate governance disclosure: the case of Nifty 500 Index

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 681-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Androniki Katarachia ◽  
Electra Pitoska ◽  
Grigoris Giannarakis ◽  
Elpida Poutoglidou
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Leverage ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Size Number ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Board Director ◽  
First Time ◽  
Governance Disclosure

Purpose Based on agency theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants on the dissemination level of corporate governance disclosure (CGD). Design/methodology/approach The sample of the study incorporates listed companies in Nifty 500 Index for the period 2009-2014. The Governance Disclosure Score calculated by Bloomberg is used as a proxy for the dissemination level of corporate governance information. In total, eight explanatory variables are uses, namely, board’s size, number of board meetings, CEO duality, presence of women on the board, company’s size, financial performance, Tobin’s Q ratio and financial leverage. Findings The results of study suggest a need for improvement in CGDs by Indian companies, as they fail to comply the majority of the proposed disclosure items. Furthermore, it is revealed that the number of board director, the value of company, the financial leverage and the presence of women affect negatively the dissemination level of corporate governance information. While, the size of company is the only determinant that positively affects the extent of CGD. Practical implications The results are valuable because they reveal the attributes that determines which companies needs less or extra monitoring by shareholders and investors regarding the applied corporate governance practices. In addition, the study can be valuable to policy makers responsible for the regulation of company’s accountability in relation to corporate governance practices. Originality/value The study extents previous studies by incorporating for the first time Bloomberg’s rating approach regarding the dissemination level of CGD in Indian context.

scholarly journals Explaining participation in undeclared work in France: lessons for policy evaluation

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 203-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Windebank ◽  
Ioana Alexandra Horodnic
Keyword(s):  
Policy Framework ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
French Population ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Social Actor ◽  
Tax Morale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Actor ◽  
Undeclared Work

Purpose France is a model of best practice in the European Union as regards policy to combat undeclared work. The purpose of this paper is to take the country as a case study to evaluate the competing explanations of why people engage in undeclared work which underpin such policy, namely, the dominant rational-economic-actor approach and the more recent social-actor approach. Design/methodology/approach To evaluate these approaches, the results of 1,027 interviews undertaken in 2013 with a representative sample of the French population are analysed. Findings The finding is that higher perceived penalties and risks of detection have no significant impact on the likelihood of conducting undeclared work in France. In contrast, the level of tax morale has a significant impact on engagement in the activity: the higher the tax morale, the lower is the likelihood of participation in the undeclared economy. Higher penalties and risks of detection only decrease the likelihood of participation in undeclared work amongst the small minority of the French population with very low tax morale. Practical implications Current policy in France to counter undeclared work is informed principally by the rational-economic-actor approach based on a highly developed infrastructure for detection and significant penalties alongside incentives to declare small-scale own-account work. The present analysis suggests that this approach needs to be supplemented with measures to improve citizens’ commitment to compliance by enhancing tax morale. Originality/value This case study of a country with a well-developed policy framework to combat undeclared work provides evidence to support the social-actor approach for informing policy change.

Social media: a blessing or a curse? Voice of owners in the beauty and wellness industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kulvinder Kaur ◽  
Pawan Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Marketing Tool ◽  
Use Of Internet

PurposeThe rise in the use of Internet technologies and social media has shifted the marketing practices from offline to online. This study aims to determine the pros and cons of social media marketing in the beauty and wellness industry.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews were conducted with the owners and marketing executives of beauty and wellness centers to understand the use of popular social media platforms in this industry and their pros and cons.FindingsThe researchers identified eight merits and seven demerits of social media in the beauty and wellness industry. Every respondent is happy and satisfied with social media use, particularly Instagram and Facebook. Irrespective of the demerits, they have shown the intention to increase its usage in the future. The merits override demerits; thus, social media is a blessing for this industry from the owners' perspective.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is exploratory and is confined to just one industry. Research implication is that the visual nature of social media makes it a powerful tool for the promotion of the beauty and wellness industry.Practical implicationsThe study's findings will be beneficial for small-scale businesses as it will push them to take advantage of this low-cost marketing tool.Social implicationsSocial media marketing is helpful for communication and marketing purposes for society.Originality/valueThe beauty and wellness industry remained unfocused by researchers because it is highly unorganized, fragmented and not regulated, yet has huge growth potential. This research will provide a closer look at this industry as well as social media marketing.

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