Sustainable development concept and creation of innovative business models by retail chains

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Bilińska-Reformat ◽  
Barbara Kucharska ◽  
Malgorzata Twardzik ◽  
Les Dolega
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Retail Chains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to recognise the areas of implementation of the principles of sustainable development (SD) in the model of retail chains activity. In the paper, the assumption was made that nowadays it is necessary to adopt the rules following SD while making strategic decisions by retail chains. Design/methodology/approach The study uses secondary data sources, reports, academic literature and the case study research method. A case study research is a multi-method paradigm based on full range of a scientist’s tool-kit: reviewing literature studies, examining secondary documents and comparing the websites of investigated retail chains. Findings According to that business model, the authors were recognising selected components of this model, that is to say: recourses and competences of retail chains and value proposition for their customers. The greatest chances of development will be enjoyed by those retail chains that will be able to provide real value to customers. Maintaining a competitive advantage will require constant improvements in the quality of service and innovative business models connected with sustainable elements. Research limitations/implications It seems necessary to develop research tools that allow for identification of the level of use of the SD concept in retail chain’s business models in the future. Practical implications The paper is of interest to practitioners and students of retail management. Social implications The concept of the SD model included in the retailer business models serves to build value for the customer through the care of his quality of life. The vast majority of retailers believe that it is the responsibility of the business sector to respond to social and environmental challenges. Originality/value The paper intends to fill the gap in the literature concerning the influence of SD concept on changes in the business models of retail chains. The SD activities can lead to the development of specific capabilities based on intangible recourses that are sources of competitive advantage (SD). That is the main reason of undertaking this subject.

scholarly journals To What Extent Retail Chains’ Relationships with Suppliers Make the Business Trustworthy—An Empirical Study on Fast Fashion in Pandemic Times

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Anna Dewalska-Opitek ◽  
Katarzyna Bilińska-Reformat
Keyword(s):  
Case Study Research ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Fast Fashion ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Retail Chain ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Retail Chains ◽  
Fashion Retail

The current pandemic situation has created many challenges for maintaining positive relationships between fast fashion retailers and their suppliers. In the proposed paper it is assumed that strong and ethical relationships may be beneficial for all supply chain members, especially in the era of global pandemic. Therefore, the aforementioned issues (fast fashion retailers’ ethical behavior towards suppliers) constituted the subject of the paper. Our knowledge about relationships between fast retail chains and their suppliers in the times of global pandemic is relatively week. Trying to fill the gap, this paper discussed relationships between fast fashion retail chains and their suppliers’ customers on the basis of literature review and case study research. Purpose: The aim of the paper was to indicate the scope of activities undertaken by retailers and addressed at suppliers by fast fashion retail chains in pandemic times. The following goals of descriptive and cognitive character were assumed in the paper: (a) Identification of the fast fashion retailers’ common behavior in the era of pandemic, and (b) indication of ethical practices applied by fast fashion retail chains which are beneficial for all retail chain members, based on the Inditex example. Methodology: Based on the theoretic deliberation of retail chain relationships with suppliers in the pandemic times, qualitative research was conducted to supplement the theoretical background. The purpose of this study was to identify how fast fashion retailers maintain relationships with their suppliers in supply chains. The conducted research enabled us to reveal answers to the following research questions: What are good practices of fast fashion retailers in terms of relationships with suppliers? Can socially responsible, trustworthy fast fashion retailers stay profitable in the Covid-19 pandemic? The theoretical deliberation was based on a critical literature review. The empirical part of the paper was based on case study research. The conducted research was descriptive in nature, conducted in order to describe a particular phenomenon within its context, and was not intended to provide conclusive evidence, but to have a better understanding of the problem. A descriptive intrinsic case study was the method applied in the research. Results: On the grounds of literature studies, as well as collected information, we can state that close and ethical cooperation with suppliers, based on socially responsible relationships, are becoming a more and more important part of the strategy for commercial chains. There are companies that use any legal measures to not fulfil their obligations as contractors and avoid paying for orders completed and in production. The descriptive case study research allowed us to observe, analyze, and report good practices of fast fashion retailers in terms of relationships with their suppliers based on the Inditex example. The theoretical contribution: On the grounds of the case study, we can state that during pandemic times fast fashion retail chains have focused on the development of relationships with suppliers, which means changing from transactional to relationship marketing in cooperation strategies. Practical implications (if applicable): The paper provided intellectual input into the managerial problem of how to develop mutual beneficiary relationships between fast retail chains and their suppliers. The study suggests that fast fashion retail chains have to take into consideration growing customer expectations, which regard their cooperation’s strategies toward suppliers.

MAPPING QUALITY OF PAUD AND PNF ACCREDITATION IN KULONPROGO DISTRICT, YOGYAKARTA

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 954-969
Author(s):  
Royati
Keyword(s):  
Case Study Research ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Accreditation Program ◽  
Mapping Analysis ◽  
The Government

AbstractAccreditation is one of the governments to improve the quality of education. Likewise, to ensure the quality of education at the PAUD and PNF levels, the government held an accreditation program. However, it still has issues that need to be resolved. This study aims to identify and describe the problems of accreditation and quality mapping in the Education Office of Kulonprogo Regency. This research uses a qualitative approach and type of case study research. Based on the results of this research, in mapping the quality of accreditation in PAUD and PNF in Kulonprogo Regency, the first activity carried out was to conduct a quality mapping analysis of each institution. And the results show that the average standard kindergarten, KB, Pos PAUD, LPK and PKBM institutions that must be supervised strictly is the standard of financing. After conducting the analysis, a workshop was conducted with the Dikpora and all PAUD and PNF heads. Keywords: Quality mapping, accreditation, PAUD, PNF.

Alternatives to solve SDG trade-offs and to enforce SDG synergies: a systematic literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Boar ◽  
Erola Palau Pinyana ◽  
Marc Oliveras-Villanueva
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Economic Models ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs

PurposeThis paper takes a critical view of synergies and trade-offs and discloses the practices that countries and companies should apply to achieve sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper offers a systematic literature review of 408 papers to find models of sustainable development goals (SDGs) interaction with the aim of shedding light on the existing synergies and trade-offs and finding solutions to enhance these synergies and minimize the trade-offs.FindingsBoth rich and developing countries should follow multiple strategies to improve the quality of life of their citizens. Developing countries should focus on eradicating poverty. Rich countries should apply new economic models that are more likely to be environmental-friendly. Finally, the topic of SDGs should be revisited by the United Nations.Practical implicationsBoosting the quality of education and providing clean energy are two of the most relevant actions that should to be taken by countries, as they will accelerate the fulfilment of all the other SDGs. The use of circular economic models or new business models, such as the sharing economy, is essential to the achievement of sustained economic growth without negative environmental impact.Originality/valueThe paper analyzes SDG interactions and offers a critical vision of practices that countries and companies should adhere to for achieving sustainable development.

scholarly journals Co-design as a strategy to improve ecological awareness of communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 905 (1) ◽  
pp. 012015
Author(s):  
A Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Ideal Model ◽  
Ecological Awareness ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Important Object

Abstract One strategy of communities to easily embrace ecological awareness is by involving directly in the improvement of their environmental quality. This paper discusses the case study research of the co-design process of the neighborhood regeneration project in Kampung Tongkol at the Ciliwung riverbank, Jakarta. This project is carried out collaboratively involving residents of the area and facilitated by ASF (Architecture Sans Frontières) Indonesia. The main important object of this regeneration project is the construction of a self-supporting sample house. This house aims as an ideal model which another neighborhood can replicate. Residents are directly involved in the organizing, the design process, to the construction stage. The primary purpose of regeneration is to improve the quality of the residential environment. The principles of sustainable design are employed as the main guidance from the beginning of the process. This study concludes that the final achievement of this project not only results in a higher quality environment but also raises the ecological awareness of the residents of the neighborhood.

scholarly journals Sustaining Suburbia through New Urbanism: Toward Growing, Green, and Just Suburbs?

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 50-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Trudeau
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
New Urbanism ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Relative Power ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Suburban Sprawl ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Original Case

This article examines the governance dynamics surrounding the development of sustainable neighborhoods in United States metropolitan contexts characterized as suburban sprawl. Drawing on original case study research of three distinct applications of New Urbanism design principles, the article argues for understanding the relative power of municipal authorities to incorporate social justice imperatives into the practice of sustainable development in suburban contexts. Moreover, key to prioritizing social imperatives is the way in which development processes respond to the “suburban ideal”, which is a view of suburbs as an exclusive bourgeois utopia that constrains the ability to connect so-called sustainable development with social justice. Case study research shows how deference to the suburban ideal limits sustainable development to embracing growth and greening interests only and peripheralizing or denying social justice. The article discusses how sustainable development endeavors can address such constraints in the effort to create alternatives to suburban sprawl that integrate the pursuit of social justice with environmental protection and economic growth.

The “comply or explain” principle in the Republic of Slovenia

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 839-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danila Djokic ◽  
Mojca Duh
Keyword(s):  
Case Study Research ◽  
Public Companies ◽  
Gradual Improvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Comply Or Explain

Purpose This paper aims to provide an overview of the quality of corporate governance (CG) disclosures in the framework of CGS and the “comply or explain” code principle in Slovenia. It aims to observe the differences among companies of the prime, standard and entry markets in terms of the differences in governance standards and regulatory frameworks. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzes the historical development, legal approach and methods used in the regulation of the “comply or explain” principle in Slovenia. In the 2014 SEECGAN research – Slovenia, we measured the quality of CG by applying the newly created SEECGAN index methodology covering seven segments of CG and assessing 98 attributes. This paper upgrades the results of this research with additional case study research. Findings The analysis from 2011 to 2014 on the “comply or explain” principle showed a gradual improvement of transparency in Slovenian public companies. The 2014 SEECGAN research – Slovenia revealed that the number of specific and high-quality explanations of deviations has increased. The study in this paper showed that the governance practice in some cases is still not in line with code recommendations and does not disclose the deviations from the code. Originality/value Disclosures of the Slovenian public companies are presented for the period 2004-2018. This paper points out the improvements to be realized to change unsatisfactory practices. The measurement of the quality of CG by the 2014 SEECGAN research – Slovenia introduced a methodology, which could be recognized and improved by the EU and/or its member states.

Civics education in Malaysia: a clash between ethics, religion and cultural norms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishalache Balakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Digital Citizenship ◽  
Civics Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Qualitative Approaches

PurposeTo showcase the importance of digital citizenship in the current era. This article compares the nine features of digital citizen provided by Ribble and Bailey (2007) with a case study conducted in a multicultural setting and identifies the tensions between ethics, religion and cultural norms in that environment.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach has been used in this research. Why case study? Because it is unique and provides in-depth, unique and invaluable findings. Case studies researchers have contributed to the development of case study research from diverse disciplines. Historical examples of case studies go back as far as the nineteenth century with the biography of Charles Darwin (Stewart, 2014). The dominance of positivism in science in the late 1940 and 1950s in social science sidelined qualitative approaches such as case studies. Although case study research was often criticized for its inability to support generalizations, and thus, provided limited validity and value as a research design (Merriam, 2009; Stewart, 2014), case study research provides intensive analysis of an issue. A Case study is intrinsic, instrumental and collective (Stake, 1995, 2006). Case study research encourages the detailed enquiry of a unit of analysis within its context.FindingsFindings show that current society needs to be educated on the nine aspects of digital citizenship. In the current era, changes are so rapid that every now and then, there must be collaboration and cooperation between different agencies to ensure that the tension between religiosity, cultural norms and ethics would be able to find some common ground. With more knowledge and wisdom on human rights, sustainability education and project-based learning in Civics Education, teachers, students, parents and community should often meet to decide on controversial issues and find ways to ensure that each one in society has the knowledge, skills and values for digital citizenship to grow and flourish.Originality/valueThe article is original in nature and has much social impact.

Critical Analysis of the Roles of Actors in the Deployment of Software

2015 ◽  
pp. 135-152
Author(s):  
Tefo Sekgweleo
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Heterogeneous Network ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Software Deployment

Many organizations resort to software deployment with the intention to simplify their daily activities, and for competitive advantage. The deployment consists of two main phases, development and implementation. Unfortunately, software doesn't always fulfil the organization's intentions. This is attributed to numerous factors, some of complex nature, which happen among humans, non-humans, and between humans and non-humans actors during development and implementation of software. Case study research was conducted to understand the roles of actors, and how their actions and interactions impact the development and implementation of software in the organization. Actor Network Theory (ANT) was employed in the analysis of the data. The theory focused on activities including the negotiation among actors which happened within heterogeneous network.

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