Sustainable service supply chain practices (SSSCPs): a framework development

Author(s):  
Fahimeh Aliakbari Nouri ◽  
Mohsen Shafiei Nikabadi ◽  
Laya Olfat

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework of sustainable service supply chain management (SCM) processes and practices in the multi-dimensional construct. It tries to provide a template for those sustainability general key practices that can be scheduled and budgeted in different service sectors. Design/methodology/approach To provide an applicable framework, its adaptability to most service settings should be ensured. In this regard, at first, the related literature on service SCM processes and sustainability practices of SCM are reviewed. To modify and confirm the extracted list, it is distributed to experts. After summarizing experts’ opinions, an initial list of the sustainable service supply chain practices (SSSCPs) is provided. Finally, the Fuzzy Delphi Method is applied to construct the framework for hospital supply chain (SC). Findings It suggests that the SSSCPs can be constructed in terms of seven major processes: managing the sustainable supplier, sustainable employee, sustainable customer, sustainable service performance, sustainable service operations, sustainable external relations, and sustainable knowledge, information and technology. Practical implications The framework can be employed as a template of sustainability practices for individual member firms of service SCs to identify and implement the key practices toward sustainability. Originality/value Reviewing the literature indicates that determining what is unique about the sustainable SCM in the service sector is immature. The paper is a preliminary effort to identify the general sustainability practices, in incorporating all sustainability dimensions in service SC processes.

2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
MingLang Tseng ◽  
Ming Lim ◽  
Wai Peng Wong

Purpose – Assessing a measure of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) performance is currently a key challenge. The literature on SSCM is very limited and performance measures need to have a systematic framework. The recently developed balanced scorecard (BSC) is a measurement system that requires a balanced set of financial and non-financial measures. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the SSCM performance based on four aspects i.e. sustainability, internal operations, learning and growth, and stakeholder. Design/methodology/approach – This paper developed a BSC hierarchical network for SSCM in a close-loop hierarchical structure. A generalized quantitative evaluation model based on the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and Analytical Network Process (ANP) were then used to consider both the interdependence among measures and the fuzziness of subjective measures in SSCM. Findings – The results of this study indicate that the top-ranking aspect to consider is that of stakeholders, and the top five criteria are green design, corporate sustainability, strategic planning for environmental management, supplier cost-saving initiatives and market share. Originality/value – The main contributions of this study are twofold. First, this paper provides valuable support for supply chain stakeholders regarding the nature of network hierarchical relations with qualitative and quantitative scales. Second, this paper improves practical performance and enhances management effectiveness for SSCM.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 611-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Song ◽  
Kangkang Yu ◽  
Samir Ranjan Chatterjee ◽  
Jingzi Jia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the linkages between strategic interaction and relationship value, with a variety of co-creating value strategies as conceptual mediators. Design/methodology/approach This study reports on a field survey conducted in the Chinese manufacturing industry. A total of 180 questionnaires were sent to customers of service providers, and 120 valid responses were received, representing a response rate of 66.7 per cent. The data were then analyzed by using a number of statistical tools. Findings The results suggest that strategic interaction leads to a positive effect on the relationship value without any regard to the size of the customer. However, the mediating effect of product-based service is more significant for large-size customers, whereas the mediating effect of integrated managerial service is more significant for medium- and small-size customers. Originality/value This study explores how value might be created in a business-to-business context in a service supply chain from a relationship marketing perspective. It distinguishes product-based service and integrated managerial service as co-creating value strategies and further clarifies the different mechanisms underlying their relationships with strategic interaction between service supplier and customer. In particular, this study suggests that although strategic interaction may yield superior relationship value, the size of the customers will determine what kind of co-creating strategies would be preferred.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Lang Tseng ◽  
Thi Phuong Thuy Tran ◽  
Kuo-Jui Wu ◽  
Bing Xue ◽  
Xiaobo Chen

PurposeThis study establishes a set of seafood processing circular supply chain capabilities (CSCCs) in Vietnam using qualitative data analytics. This study specifies the interrelationships and hierarchical structure comprising six aspects and 24 criteria for the seafood processing circular supply chain in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachFuzzy Delphi method is used to confirm the validity. Fuzzy set theory is used to deal with the complexity and uncertainties from the qualitative information. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method is used to examine the interrelationships among attributes. The analytical network process segregates (or displays) the capabilities in a hierarchical structure.FindingsThe results show that management control and technological capability dominate in circular design, circular sourcing, circular production and resource recovery. In practices, the strategic planning, action planning, information technology and technological facilities are important to seafood processing industry.Originality/valueThe CSCCs are pivotal in establishing a concrete foundation for the execution of circular supply chain management, with the aim of optimizing resource utilization and eliminating waste; however, prior studies have lacked a focus on the capability associated interrelationships and hierarchical structure in qualitative data analytics.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatao Wang ◽  
Di Wu ◽  
Hongxin Yu ◽  
Huaxia Shen ◽  
Yuanjun Zhao

PurposeBased on the typical service supply chain (SSC) structure, the authors construct the model of e-tailing SSC to explore the coordination relationship in the supply chain, and big data analysis provides realistic possibilities for the creation of coordination mechanisms.Design/methodology/approachAt the present stage, the e-commerce companies have not yet established a mature SSC system and have not achieved good synergy with other members of the supply chain, the shortage of goods and the greater pressure of express logistics companies coexist. In the case of uncertain online shopping market demand, the authors employ newsboy model, applied in the operations research, to analyze the synergistic mechanism of SSC model.FindingsBy analyzing the e-tailing SSC coordination mechanism and adjusting relevant parameters, the authors find that the synergy mechanism can be implemented and optimized. Through numerical example analysis, the authors confirmed the feasibility of the above analysis.Originality/valueBig data analysis provides a kind of reality for the establishment of online SSC coordination mechanism. The establishment of an online supply chain coordination mechanism can effectively promote the efficient allocation of supplies and better meet consumers' needs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 590-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Upadhyay ◽  
Shaheda Akter ◽  
Lindsay Adams ◽  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Nikhil Varma

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the different circular business models (CBMs) in the manufacturing and service sector and apply this in the context of the food industry (FI), through a systematic literature review of related published journals and articles. The research study is designed to illustrate the impact of CBMs in the manufacturing and service sectors through a combination of real-life examples and direct references to existing literature.Design/methodology/approachThe underlying research study follows a systematic literature review approach where the relevant CBMs are explored in the context of the manufacturing and service sector (FI.) The journals most cited in the context of CBMs and their implication in the manufacturing and service sector were chosen for this study. There was no fixed timeframe applied to complete the research. A total of 54 articles were selected which referenced: discussion in the context of the concept of CBMs; different types of CBM; definition of the manufacturing sector; definition of the service sector (FI); application of different CBMs in these two sectors; and included a comparison of the application of CBMs. In total, 40 of the 54 articles were shortlisted for best relevance and used in the research study.FindingsThe underlying research study was limited to 40 articles and the data contained within them. The article search was limited to the keywords of the CBM; the implication of CBM; the CBM in manufacturing (textiles); circular business in service (FI); and comparison and application of the CBM.Practical implicationsThe final analysis demonstrates that circular business promotes sustainability by allowing companies to generate maximum return from given resources and reach zero waste targets. Greater customer satisfaction is also achieved through service innovation that cuts down negative impact on the environment. These findings are relevant and applicable to the FI.Originality/valueA review of existing literature showed that whilst there is significant research on the implications of the CBM in general, there has been little focus on the use of different CBMs specifically in the manufacturing and service industry (FI). This research study is designed to tease out the specific benefits of CBMs in this context, highlighting the contribution they can make to efficiency in both the manufacturing and service sectors (FI) through useful comparison.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1589-1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishnu Nath ◽  
Rajat Agrawal

PurposeThe present study aims to empirically investigate whether supply chain agility and lean management practices are antecedents of supply chain social sustainability.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 311 supply chain practitioners from the Indian manufacturing sector. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the validity and reliability of the measures used, and a structural model was analyzed to test the hypotheses of the current study.FindingsThe results indicate that agility and lean practices are significant antecedents of social sustainability orientation as well as social sustainability performance. The results also suggest that agility has a significant indirect effect on operational performance via social sustainability orientation, basic social sustainability practices as well as agility is indirectly affecting social sustainability performance via social sustainability orientation and basic social sustainability practices.Practical implicationsThe results of the present study have implications for managers that want to make their supply chain more socially sustainable.Originality/valueThe study is unique in the sense that it empirically links agility and lean practices with social sustainability orientation, social substantiality performance and operational performance in supply chains.


2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 872-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Jalilvand ◽  
Javad Khazaei Pool ◽  
Masood Khodadadi ◽  
Mehdi Sharifi

Purpose This study aims to provide a better understanding of how information technology (IT) competency and knowledge management (KM) contribute to service supply chain (SSC) (coordination, collaboration and efficiency) practices in the hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on tourism businesses, this study tests the structural relationships of IT competency, KM and SSC. Structural equation modeling is performed to test the hypotheses. A survey of 494 hotels in Iran provided empirical evidence for the existence of interrelationships between multiple constructs. Findings The analysis demonstrated that IT competency is significantly associated with KM. Furthermore, SSC practices are found to be directly impacted by KM and IT competency. Originality/value This study unpacks the mechanism that operates between IT competency, KM and SSC and contributes to the academic research on SSC in the context of the hospitality industry.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahbaz Khan ◽  
Abid Haleem ◽  
Mohd Imran Khan

Purpose In a globalised environment, market volatility makes risk management an essential component of the supply chain. Similar to conventional supply chains, a Halal supply chain (HSC) is also affected by several factors making it vulnerable to risks. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the elements of Halal supply chain management (HSCM) and their significant risk dimensions. Design/methodology/approach In total, 72 risk elements of HSCM are identified through a review of contemporary scientific literature along with news items and official websites related to risk management of conventional supply chain management, HSC and sustainable supply chain. Further, 42 risk elements are finalised using fuzzy Delphi and then these risk elements are categorised into 7 dimensions. The interrelationships among the risk dimensions as well as risk elements are developed using fuzzy DEMATEL. Findings Results suggest that production, planning, logistic & outsourcing and information technology-related risk are prominent risk dimensions. The causal relationships among the significant risk dimensions and elements related to the HSCM may help managers and policy planners. Research limitations/implications This study faces a challenge due to inadequate availability of the literature related to risk management in the area of HSCM. Further, this study has used inputs from experts, which can be biased. Originality/value To the best of the author's knowledge, it is the first comprehensive study towards investigating the interrelationships among the risks in the context of the HSCM.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrita Roy

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the relationship between the industrial and the service sector outputs at the aggregate level and for different sub-services in India and also tries to find out whether the relationship is changing over time. Design/methodology/approach – This paper studies a panel of 16 major Indian states in India over the period 1980-2011. Using an econometric analysis, it proceeds to estimate the increase in inter-linkage between the output of the service sector and the output of the industrial sector. This study considers a variable coefficient model where the output elasticity of the service sector with respect to the output of the industrial sector changes with time. The changing element here is considered to be the result of the changing structure of production within these industries. Findings – It has been observed that the output of the services sector at the aggregate level and the output of the industrial sector are highly correlated, and demand generated for services output from the industrial sector over the period 1993-2011 is mostly due to the changing structure of production within these sectors. Originality/value – This paper takes the initiative to estimate the increase in inter-linkage between the output of the service sector and the output of the industrial sector resulting from the changing structure of production within the industrial and the service sectors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Milner ◽  
Barbara M. Savage

Purpose This paper aims to make a contribution to existing knowledge regarding how service-based organisations establish and sustain incremental performance improvement. Alongside a review of existing continuous improvement (CI) evolution theory, the longitudinal study draws a comparison between two units of analysis within a leading UK financial service provider. Design/methodology/approach Adopting an interpretive philosophy and inductive nature, the study uses a multi-qualitative methodological design. The multi-embedded case study, conducted over a three-year period, allows for an intensive review and in-depth exploration. The longitudinal time horizon makes use of a narrative enquiry, reflecting upon behaviour and allowing the researcher to gain access to deeper organisational realities. A thematic analysis of empirical data offers insight into the evolution of CI over almost a decade of activity. Findings The findings establish that there are numerous obstacles faced and a wide variety of methods, tools and techniques that may be blended together under the auspices of a formalised CI programme. The challenge is in sustaining, embedding and associating value from CI within the everyday life of the infinitely complex structures and prevailing cultures of organisations; ideally involving all staff, emphasising on CI in all things, at all levels, all the time, forever. Originality/value Evidenced through a thematic narrative, the paper answers the call for existing frameworks of CI evolution to be tested within the private and service sectors. The research offers an application and reflection upon the Bessant et al.’s (2001) maturity model against the CI evolution in a real world scenario.


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