Walmart helps women to take control of their lives

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-18

Purpose – This paper aims to describe numerous ways in which supermarket Walmart is seeking to improve the lives of women across the world. Design/methodology/approach – It looks in particular at the Women in Factories program, which is helping to train more than 60,000 women working in factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America that supply products to the supermarket giant and other retailers. Findings – It charts how the program, launched in Bangladesh and India in 2012, will reach 150 factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America by 2017. Practical implications – It explains that by educating and empowering women in factories and creating a stronger supply chain, suppliers realize greater efficiencies in their factories, which should result in higher-quality products, lower prices and more reliable product availability for customers. Social implications – It reveals that Walmart is sharing the Women in Factories curriculum with other retailers who can choose to implement it in their own supply chains. Originality/value – It details various ways in which Walmart seeks to improve economic and social conditions for women around the world.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings COVID-19 has had a dramatic and damaging effect on supply chains and distributors. This briefing considers why, and what strategies there may be to cope. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-390
Author(s):  
Nikhilesh Dholakia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to trace the personal and intellectual evolution of the author via an autobiographic approach. Design/methodology/approach Personal, reflective, interpretive, historical narrative. Findings For the author, the writing of this paper opened new and reflective windows on personal and intellectual evolution, and similar effects may happen with some of the readers. Research limitations/implications Some of the critical directions suggested herein could possibly inspire innovative critical marketing work. Practical implications There may be some insights on how to blend observations of the world at large with critical theories gleaned from the literature. Social implications The paper offers reflections of the unequal, unjust state of the world, and this could inspire others to seek innovative ameliorative pathways. Originality/value As an autobiographical narrative, this paper – by definition – is original and unique.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Talib ◽  
Saheim K Josaiman ◽  
Mohd. Nishat Faisal

PurposeTypically, adoption of sustainability in organizations are often done in an unstructured way without the consideration of other partners in the supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a coherent plan to improve sustainability in the supply chains utilizing ISO standards for environment and social responsibility.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on literature on ISO14000 and ISO26000 to derive a set of variables applicable to supply chains, which are then prioritized for real organizations utilizing analytic hierarchy process.FindingsThe findings highlight that not all the variables of environmental, social and economic responsibility are equally important. Besides, the work reported in this paper justifies the application of multi-criteria decision-making (AHP) to prioritize elements of sustainability in context supply chains. The suggested method is illustrated using inputs from large manufacturing companies in Qatar.Practical implicationsISO14000 and ISO26000 are well known standards; however, there was no effort to integrate these standards to improve sustainability in supply chains. The suggested methodology provides invaluable help to the managers to implement sustainability in a coherent manner across the supply chain.Originality/valueThe research contributes to the extant literature by proposing a new methodology based on the integration of three-approaches: Analytic Hierarchy Process, ISO14000 and ISO26000 systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-86
Author(s):  
Jonathan Edward Leightner

Purpose This paper aims to argue that markets need a foundation of morality to promote the long-run success of an economy. Design/methodology/approach Three types of ethical theories are discussed and compared with what the sacred scriptures of Islam and Christianity say and with what economic theory says. Examples from China are provided. Findings Markets need morality. Research limitations/implications There are more religions in the world than just Islam and Christianity; however, space limitations force me to only consider those two religions. Furthermore, there are more countries in the world than just China. However, space limitations force me to only pull examples from China. Practical implications Economists should recognize that markets need morality, and they should start teaching that to their students. Social implications If markets are built on a foundation of ethics, then society prospers. In the absence of that foundation, societies falter. When a government, business and religious institutions see each other as complementary forces, then ethics can evolve. Originality/value The author knows of no other studies that explain the three types of ethical theories, compares those theories to what the sacred scriptures of Islam and Christianity say and to what economic theory says, and then uses examples from China to illustrate the need for morality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-627
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Fogarty

Purpose The purpose of this paper is a reflective account in which one person who has been around long enough to see a good bit considers how COVID-19 might change the general contours of the world. Design/methodology/approach This paper follows a broadly based and relatively unstructured approach, based on personal understandings and whatever rigor might have been gained by a life spent thinking about research design and the limits of methodology. Findings The opposite of what many others believe will happen is argued for. Things will change more than we wish. Most will change for the worse. Research limitations/implications Accounting research will have a role to play, but to have impact, this study will require that researchers adopt a much more critical perspective about capitalism and its consequences than before. Practical implications Everyone must do the best they can. Everyone must learn to accept the new and not rage to restore that which existed in before times. Social implications Harsher climate of interpersonal relations will be realized. Originality/value This paper is more about change than about accounting. A 30,000-foot level analysis that does not try to provide many examples. An effort to rise above the specifics that vary across the world.


Author(s):  
Amulya Gurtu ◽  
Jestin Johny

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on blockchain technology, present some trends and consider its potential value in supply chain management (SCM). Design/methodology/approach Papers that contained the word “blockchain” in their titles, keywords or abstracts were selected for conducting trend analyses. Findings The blockchain technology is rapidly making inroads in many industries and there is tremendous potential to eliminate intermediaries and to make SCM more efficient. Research limitations/implications This analysis is limited to 299 papers from the EBSCO database through December 2018. Practical implications This paper highlights the imperative role of blockchain technology that has created a discourse in the world of innovation and technology. This work will help academics to further the understanding of blockchain technology. Social implications Blockchain technology will provide transparency to consumers. Originality/value This paper presents the first review of blockchain technology and delves into its value in SCM. This work will help researchers in identifying the areas where blockchain is the most desirable and can be implemented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-466
Author(s):  
Annemarie Groot-Kormelinck ◽  
Jacques Trienekens ◽  
Jos Bijman

Purpose The aim of this paper is to study the influence of quality standards on contract arrangements in food supply chains. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative double case study was conducted on the dairy and citrus sectors in Uruguay. A transaction cost theoretical framework was used. All current public and private quality standards applied by processors were studied in relation to contract arrangements between processors and upstream producers as well as downstream buyers for each sector. Findings Quality standards complement contract arrangements for upstream transactions, leading to hierarchy-type contract arrangements. Quality standards substitute contract arrangements for downstream transactions, leading to market- or hybrid-type contract arrangements. Research limitations/implications Longitudinal studies that measure changes in contract arrangements over time are recommended. Practical implications Supply chain actors can reduce transaction costs by aligning quality standards with appropriate contract arrangements – further supported by public instruments. Originality/value Quality standards have differential influence on underlying transaction characteristics, and therefore on contract arrangements, depending on the location of the transaction in the supply chain.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Cambra‐Fierro ◽  
Rocío Ruiz‐Benítez

PurposeThis paper proposes a framework that considers some key concepts to design and manage supply chains in both national and international contexts. For a better understanding, it is intended to illustrate this framework with the case of Carrefour in both Spain and China.Design/methodology/approachIn the form of a case study the paper explains global strategies in both countries. The paper also discusses similarities and differences in the supply chain management in both contexts.FindingsThe paper found application of core SCM concepts to a leader distribution firm. “Thinking global and acting local” is also pertinent to application in the management of supply chains.Practical implicationsManagers may identify key processes and consider the possible contributions of each to the efficiency of their own chains. This case study could be also used as an example of the successful management of the supply chain of a company leader in its sector.Originality/valueThe present paper illustrates a leader company based on real data.


Author(s):  
Dagne Birhanu ◽  
L. Krishnanand ◽  
A. Neelakanteswara Rao

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the supply chain (SC) strategies and the linking of SCs to SC strategies in line with Lee’s (2002) model. Design/methodology/approach The paper used an empirical survey of 134 large industries to test the hypothesis suggested and strengthens the existing theories. Findings Companies and SC measures are matched distinctively to their respective SC strategies. Research limitations/implications Even though the research is only one of the few on case considered, it is not without limitations. The benefits from matching SC measures to the SC strategies are not quantified. Besides, continental wise survey is needed to come with further improved theory. Practical implications Different SC types require typical SC measures in order to increase competitiveness. Linking SC performance to the respective SC strategy is compulsory. Originality/value The research can be considered the only one of the few in the continent in general and a case country in particular. It is also the first of the type in the world in testing Lee’s model as far as the authors’ knowledge concerns.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Schaltegger

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify sustainability learnings from origins of epidemics such as COVID-19 and deduct conclusions for businesses to create sustainable futures in three industries, which are strongly affected by Covid-19. Two main questions guide the discussion: How can we break the paths of viral epidemics through accounting for sustainability issues in the supply chain? How can we learn from sustainable supply chain failures to transform industries for sustainable futures? Design/methodology/approach This viewpoint provides a conceptual discussion of opportunities and the necessity to develop resilient businesses for three indsutries, which have been particularly affected by the Covid-19 crises. Findings To defeat future pandemics, three paths how epidemics develop need to be broken in order to create sustainable development structural transitions beyond degrowth are needed. Practical implications The practical implications for this paper are the learnings for management to develop more resilient businesses. Social implications By breaking the three paths of pandemic development and by contributing to sustainable futures of sectors, the likelihood of future pandemics can be reduced. Originality/value By considering origins and the past of pandemics and with sustainability transformations of businesses, contributions can be made for more sustainable futures of industries.


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