Impact of COVID-19 on financial performance of logistics firms: evidence from G-20 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Fayez Atayah ◽  
Mohamed Mahjoub Dhiaf ◽  
Khakan Najaf ◽  
Guilherme Francisco Frederico
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Analysis ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to contribute to the extant literature on logistics by investigating the interrelationship between the financial performance of listed logistics firms and the COVID-19 and compare the logistics firms’ financial performance of G-20 countries during the pandemic period. Design/methodology/approach To conduct the confirmatory analysis by testing the hypotheses formulated for this study, data have been collected from Bloomberg of all logistics firms from G-20 countries. This paper gathered the first quarter from 2010 until the last quarter of 2020 as the research sample to examine the pandemic impact on financial performance. Findings The results show that the financial performance of logistic firms was significantly higher during 2020. Overall, the country-wise findings corroborated with the main results and the financial performance of 14 countries’ logistic firms out of 20 ones analysed has been significantly elevated, during the pandemic period. However, this paper has found out a negative financial performance of the logistics firms during the COVID-19 period in six countries (Germany, Korea, Russia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the UK), which support the second proposition. Research limitations/implications The study’s results were important as they highlighted the role of logistics firms in offering insights to academics, practitioners, policymakers and logistic firms’ stakeholders. For future research, this paper suggests including some other variables that might influence firm performance and that have not been considered in this study, which is a limitation, and going more deeply into the logistics sector by comparing the financial performance of the sub-sectors. Practical implications As the importance of logistics services during the pandemic period is relevant, this study may provide significant insights because the logistics firms play a crucial role by anticipating to ensure the supply of essential items such as food, medicine, then supporting for the continuity of supply chains. The view of finance impacts during the pandemic may provide insightful perspectives for logistics companies, allowing them to understand those impacts and better prepare for likely disruption events such COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value This paper is novel considering that it is unique in evaluating logistics firms’ financial performance from a global perspective, considering the context of this historical pandemic.

“Give it a Try”: experiences of black, Asian and minority ethnic young men in a prison-based offender personality disorder service

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-26
Author(s):  
Stephanie Hunter ◽  
Eleanor Craig ◽  
Jake Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Minority Ethnic ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Within the current offender personality disorder (OPD) pathway in the UK, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) populations are underrepresented. Fewer BAME offenders are engaging with services despite being proportionately identified for inclusion and referred on to the pathway. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study explored the experiences of 11 BAME men engaged in a prison-based OPD service for young offenders to identify the highlights and challenges of engagement within the service and to what extent they experienced a sense of inclusion/belonging. Findings Thematic analysis was used to identify three overarching themes and sub-themes. Why am I going to be an Outcast? describes the barriers to engagement encountered by the participants; and Give it a Try and Nothing but Respect describe the process of overcoming these barriers. Barriers revolved around the experiences of judgement, alienation and hopelessness. These were overcome through peer encouragement, developing relationships with staff and freedom to regulate levels of engagement. Practical implications Practice and policy implications are considered to support similar services in addressing the barriers to engagement faced by BAME individuals. Areas for future research are also recommended. Originality/value Currently, no research has directly explored the under-representation of young BAME offenders with emerging personality disorder in the OPD pathway. The findings provided an insight into some of the difficulties these young BAME offenders faced when accessing this service, alongside aspects which maintained their engagement.

Customer dominant value formation in service

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Heinonen ◽  
Tore Strandvik ◽  
Päivi Voima
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Contextual Reality

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend current discussions of value creation and propose a customer dominant value perspective. The point of origin in a customer‐dominant marketing logic (C‐D logic) is the customer, rather than the service provider, interaction or the system. The focus is shifted from the company's service processes involving the customer, to the customer's multi‐contextual value formation, involving the company.Design/methodology/approachValue formation is contrasted to earlier views on the company's role in value creation in a conceptual analysis focusing on five central aspects. Implications of the proposed characteristics of value formation compared to earlier approaches are put forward.FindingsThe paper highlights earlier hidden aspects on the role of a service for the customer. It is proposed that value is not always an active process of creation; instead, value is embedded and formed in the highly dynamic and multi‐contextual reality and life of the customer. This leads to a need to look beyond the line of visibility focused on visible customer‐company interactions, to the invisible and mental life of the customer. From this follows a need to extend the temporal scope, from exchange and use even further to accumulated experiences in the customer's life and ecosystem.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is conceptual. It discusses and presents a customer‐dominant value perspective and suggests implications for empirical research and practice.Practical implicationsAwareness of the mechanism of the customer value formation process provides companies with new insight on the service strategy, service design and new service innovations.Originality/valueThe paper contributes by extending the value construct through a new customer dominant value perspective, recognizing value as multi‐contextual and dynamic based on customers' life and ecosystem. The findings mark out new avenues for future research.

Negotiating liminality following life transitions: reflexive bricolage and liminal hotspots

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Kerrane ◽  
Andrew Lindridge ◽  
Sally Dibb
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Life Transitions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Asian Mothers ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how consumption linked with life transitions can differ in its potential to bring about ongoing liminality. By examining how consumers can draw on overlapping systems of resources, different ways in which consumers negotiate ongoing liminality following the transition to motherhood are identified. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted an interpretive, exploratory study using in-depth phenomenological interviews with 23 South Asian mothers living in the UK. The sample consisted of mothers at different stages of motherhood. Findings Following life transitions, consumers may encounter liminal hotspots at the intersection of overlapping systems of resources. The findings examine two liminal hotspots with differing potential to produce ongoing liminality. The study shows how consumers navigate these liminal hotspots in different ways, by accepting, rejecting and amalgamating the resources at hand. Research limitations/implications The research sample could have been more diverse; future research could examine liminal hotspots relating to different minority groups and life transitions. Practical implications Marketers need to examine the different ways in which consumers draw on different systems of resources following life transitions. The paper includes implications for how marketers segment, target and market to ethnic minority consumers. Originality/value Due to increasingly fluid social conditions, there are likely to be growing numbers of consumers who experience ongoing liminality following life transitions. A preliminary framework is presented outlining different ways that consumers negotiate ongoing liminality by drawing on overlapping systems of resources, broadening the understanding of the role that marketplace resources play beyond life transitions.

Apprenticeships: silver bullet or hard slog?

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-123
Author(s):  
Martyn Sloman
Keyword(s):  
Government Policy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Training Initiative ◽  
Realistic Assessment ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Silver Bullet

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review apprenticeship policy in the UK and to present examples of good practice. Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of a review of three cases. Findings – Apprenticeships are not an easy option. An apprenticeship scheme, and indeed any training initiative, will not command support within an organisation unless it can be seen to assist the business in economic terms. Context is critical. Practical implications – The paper argues for a more realistic assessment of the role of apprenticeship at the level of government policy and in the organisation. Originality/value – The paper offers a different and more measured perspective on apprenticeships, which contrast with current uncritical hype and over-selling.

scholarly journals Whistleblowing over patient safety and care quality: a review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 737-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Blenkinsopp ◽  
Nick Snowden ◽  
Russell Mannion ◽  
Martin Powell ◽  
Huw Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review existing research on whistleblowing in healthcare in order to develop an evidence base for policy and research. Design/methodology/approach A narrative review, based on systematic literature protocols developed within the management field. Findings The authors identify valuable insights on the factors that influence healthcare whistleblowing, and how organizations respond, but also substantial gaps in the coverage of the literature, which is overly focused on nursing, has been largely carried out in the UK and Australia, and concentrates on the earlier stages of the whistleblowing process. Research limitations/implications The review identifies gaps in the literature on whistleblowing in healthcare, but also draws attention to an unhelpful lack of connection with the much larger mainstream literature on whistleblowing. Practical implications Despite the limitations to the existing literature important implications for practice can be identified, including enhancing employees’ sense of security and providing ethics training. Originality/value This paper provides a platform for future research on whistleblowing in healthcare, at a time when policymakers are increasingly aware of its role in ensuring patient safety and care quality.

scholarly journals A framework for Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR)

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 838-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Panahifar ◽  
Cathal Heavey ◽  
PJ Byrne ◽  
Hamed Fazlollahtabar
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Collaborative Planning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Although many papers purport the significant value attributable to supply chain performance from the use of Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR), the question of “what are the main constructs and efficient framework for successful implementation of CPFR?” remains largely unanswered. This question will be addressed by identifying and analysing the main constructs for successful implementation of CPFR. The purpose of this paper is to attempt first to seek answers to this question. Second, to review the scope and value of CPFR using a devised state-of-the-art taxonomy for the classification of selected bibliographical references and third, to develop a conceptual framework by identifying areas which need more research. Design/methodology/approach – The method underlying this paper followed the steps of a systematic literature review process outlined by Soni and Kodali (2011). The review is based on a total of 93 papers published from 1998 to 2013 on CPFR. Findings – Four main constructs for successful implementation of CPFR have been identified: CPFR enablers, CPFR barriers, trading partner selection and IA. The findings indicate that there is a need for better understanding of the amount and level of information sharing as an important function of CPFR implementation. The paper also illustrates a number of shortcomings in the current literature and provides suggestions to guide future research on implementing CPFR in different industries. Practical implications – This paper is of interest to both academicians and practitioners as it helps to better understand the concept and role of CPFR in supply chain integration and its implementation results, enablers and inhibitors. The proposed framework in this paper can be used to give insight for future research and practice. Originality/value – The paper offers a framework for the review of previous research on CPFR and identifies the most important shortcomings that need to be addressed in future research. In addition, this review is both greater in scope than previous reviews and is broader in its subject focus.

Can halal certification influence logistics performance?

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Syazwan Ab Talib ◽  
Abu Bakar Abdul Hamid ◽  
Thoo Ai Chin
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the halal certification–logistics performance relationship by means of developing a theoretical model and to suggest areas for future research undertakings. The relationship between various forms of certification and logistics performance has been reported in many logistics literature. However, there is paucity in research concerning the relationship between halal certification and logistics performance. Design/methodology/approach The literature representing the concept of halal, halal logistics, institutional support and logistics performance are synthesised to develop a framework. Two distinguished management theories, namely, the resource-based view (RBV) and institutional theory, set the foundation of the proposed theoretical framework. Findings The paper suggests that proper application of resources, in this case halal certification, could positively influence logistics performance. The paper asserts that governmental factors act as the moderator between the halal certification–logistics performance relationship, or could directly influence logistics performance. Research limitations/implications The paper presents a synthesis of previously unconnected variables of halal certification and logistics performance, and integrates the RBV and institutional theories as the basis for a theoretical framework. However, the proposed theoretical framework requires further validation through the supports of additional empirical research. Practical implications Apart from implementing halal certification as a tool to gain business legitimacy, the paper offers insights to logistics service provider as to how halal certification can be used as a mechanism to improve organisational performance, particularly logistics performance. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to establish the relation between halal certification and logistics performance and highlights the prominent role of government support as an independent and moderating factor. It constitutes a preliminary argument that entices research within the halal certification and halal logistics spectrum.

scholarly journals The karma of consumption: role of materialism in the pursuit of life satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajat Roy ◽  
Fazlul K. Rabbanee ◽  
Himadri Roy Chaudhuri ◽  
Preetha Menon
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Indian Consumers ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine how social comparison (SC) and belief in karma (KA) encourage materialism (MAT) and promote consumers’ life satisfaction (LS). Design/methodology/approach Two studies were conducted with Indian middle class consumers to test the basic premises of the current research. The first one used a survey (N = 247), while the second one used an experimental design (N = 206). Findings The survey results showed that SC and belief in KA promoted MAT amongst Indian consumers and further enhanced their LS. Findings from the experiment revealed a novel two-way interaction, in that the KA–MAT relationship was moderated by the underlying motivation for MAT. Research limitations/implications Future research may validate and extend our findings using different samples to increase external validity. Practical implications By explaining the interactive effects of MAT, its underlying motivation and belief in KA, managers will gain a better understanding of why consumers in an emerging market like India purchase conspicuous products. Originality/value This is the first paper to study how the KA–MAT relationship influences LS amongst consumers in the world’s fastest-rising economy. Furthermore, no prior research has reported a boundary condition for the KA–MAT relationship studied here. The findings contribute to an extremely limited body of literature on KA and consumption.

The role of facilities managers in sustainable practice in the UK and Ireland

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianhai Meng
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Sustainable Practice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of facilities managers in sustainable practice. It also analyzes the change in facilities management (FM) in terms of sustainability. Design/methodology/approach – This research adopted a combination of literature review and expert interviews. Empirical data were collected through in-depth interviews with 40 industrial experts in the UK and Ireland. Findings – The analysis of interview results shows a sustainable movement in the context of FM. Facilities managers play important roles in sustainable practice, including integrating all sustainability considerations, linking strategic level with operational level, incorporating FM knowledge and experience into design, disseminating sustainable knowledge and educating people and encouraging sustainability through innovation. Research limitations/implications – This research goes beyond the limitations of existing studies that are characterized by a lack of positioning facilities managers in sustainability. Practical implications – Sustainable delivery represents a direction of FM development. This research describes what facilities managers can do and how they should do for sustainable delivery of FM, based on which improvements are made and benefits are maximized. Originality/value – This research provides a deeper insight into the FM role in the sustainable agenda. The findings of this research help industrial practitioners and academic researchers to better understand sustainable FM.

scholarly journals Course leadership in small specialist UK higher education – a review

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1174-1183
Author(s):  
Nieky van Veggel ◽  
Philip Howlett
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Course Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Uk Higher Education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the literature with regard to the course leader in small and specialist higher education in the UK. Design/methodology/approach First, the role of the course leader is explored, followed by an evaluation of the barriers to effective course management. This is then followed by a discussion of mitigating solutions to the barriers identified. Course leadership is then reviewed in the context of small and specialist higher education. Finally, areas for future research are suggested. Findings Course leadership in the UK is a role with wide ranging responsibilities, but is under-appreciated by the higher education sector. Various barriers have been identified, and some solutions proposed, in the literature, but problems remain. Originality/value Course leadership is an underappreciated area with little academic literature available, even though issues have been reported since the 1990s. This paper critically evaluates and summarises the issues, and shows that they are still current. It also proposes solutions and areas of further research so that issues can be resolved for betterment of the higher education sector.

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