A two-phase approach to efficiently support product recovery systems in a circular economy context

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish Dwivedi ◽  
Jitender Madaan ◽  
Ernesto D.R. Santibanez Gonzalez ◽  
Md. Abdul Moktadir
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Product Recovery ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Company Directors ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeThe execution of product recovery strategies and the definition of an adequate system to manage its performance are crucial to move toward the employment of a successful circular economy (CE) concept. Defining strategies for the efficient management of product recovery requires product data that is difficult to obtain, making it harder to handle. However, efficient product recovery management can play a key role in shifting companies from a linear economy model to a more sustainable CE model, providing economic benefits and increasing customer satisfaction by recovering and adding value to the discarded product. Therefore, this study aims to provide better models to support decision-making and to evaluate product recovery performance.Design/methodology/approachThe present study highlights a comprehensive two-stage decision approach to identify and examine the relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) for performance improvement of an information facilitated product recovery system (IFPRS) in a CE context. In the first phase, a structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology is adopted to categorize the KPIs by employing exploratory factor analysis and measurement of the model fit is obtained using the confirmatory factor analysis. Further, in the second phase, the KPIs are ranked and prioritized on the basis of expert’s recommendations adopting fuzzy-technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS).FindingsEmpirical investigation is conducted by compiling data from an association of six decision-makers (DMs) and two DMs from a respective prospect. The results highlight that “Technology Capacity” is ranked as the highest and is the most prominent KPI for successful employment of IFPRS practices. The results of the study would benefit policy makers and company directors in the selection of KPIs based on their importance in a context of high competition and greater pressure to adopt sustainable practices in the management of their companies.Originality/valueAs far as the authors know, no study has been performed till date to identify and construct a structural KPIs model for IFPRS performance improvement in the context of CE. The paper, therefore, proposes a two-phase SEM-TOPSIS technique to measure the impact of KPIs which is a new integration in the existing literature. The results of the study would benefit policy makers and company directors in the selection of KPIs based on their importance in a context of high competition and greater pressure to adopt sustainable practices in managing their organizations.

Reflections on the theme issue outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-510
Author(s):  
Gunjan M. Sanjeev ◽  
Richard Teare
Keyword(s):  
Customer Service ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Cost Competitiveness ◽  
Hotel Sector ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The paper aims to profile the theme issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes titled “How is the need for innovation being addressed by the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor, contributors from the industry and academia and the theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for their theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings It highlights recent innovations that have taken place in the Indian hospitality industry especially in the areas of customer service, cost competitiveness, culinary management, revenue management and technology. Practical implications As hotel sector investment in India intensifies, this theme issue will be of interest to hoteliers, policy makers, analysts and others interested in the role that innovation can play in helping to facilitate differentiation between competing hotel products and services. Originality/value There is limited literature available on industry innovations in the Indian context. All the papers in this theme issue were written after several cycles of interaction between academics and practitioners and so they incorporate real–time, relevant and contemporary data.

Sustainable circular supplier selection and evaluation in the manufacturing sector using Pythagorean fuzzy EDAS approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Pratibha Rani ◽  
Khushboo Pachori
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Uncertain Information ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Supplier Selection ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeDue to stern management policies and increased community attentiveness, sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) performs a vast component in endeavor operation and production management. Sustainable circular supplier selection (SCSS) and evaluation presented the environmental and social concerns in the fields of circular economy and sustainable supplier selection. Choosing the optimal SCSS is vital for organizations to persuade SSCM, as specified in various researches. Based on the subjectivity of human behavior, the selection of ideal SCSS often involves uncertain information, and the Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs) have a huge capability to tackle strong vagueness, uncertainty and inaccuracy in the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) procedure. Here, a framework is developed to assess and establish suitable suppliers in the SSCM and the circular economy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduced an extended framework using the evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) with PFSs and implemented it to solve the SCSS in the manufacturing sector. Firstly, the PFSs to handle the uncertain information of decision experts (DEs) is employed. Secondly, a novel divergence measure and parametric score function for calculating the criteria weights are proposed. Thirdly, an extended decision-making approach, known as PF-EDAS, is introduced.FindingsThe outcomes and comparative discussion show that the developed method is efficient and capable of facilitating the DEs to choose desirable SCSS. Therefore, the proposed framework can be used by organizations to assess and establish suitable suppliers in the SCSS process in the circular economy.Originality/valueSelecting the optimal sustainable circular supplier (SCS) in the manufacturing sector is important for organizations to persuade SSCM, as specified in various research. However, corresponding to the subjectivity of human behavior, the selection of the best SCS often involves uncertain information, and the PFSs have a huge capability to tackle strong vagueness, uncertainty and inaccuracy in the MCDM procedure. Hence, manufacturing companies' administrators can implement the developed method to assess and establish suitable suppliers in the SCSS process in the circular economy.

Analysing the 3PL service provider’s evaluation criteria through a sustainable approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 958-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskar B. Gardas ◽  
Rakesh D. Raut ◽  
Balkrishna E. Narkhede
Keyword(s):  
Structural Model ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Quality Certification ◽  
Efficient Selection ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and model the evaluation criteria for the selection of third-party logistics service provider (3PLSP) by an interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach in the pharmaceutical sector. Design/methodology/approach Delphi technique was used for identifying the most significant criteria, and the ISM method was employed for developing the interrelationship among the criteria. Also, the critical criteria for having high influential power were identified by using the Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement analysis. Findings The most significant factors, namely, capability of robust supply network/distribution network, quality certification and health safety, service quality and environmental quality certifications, were found to have a high driving power, and these factors demand the maximum attention of the decision makers. Research limitations/implications As the ISM approach is a qualitative tool, the expert opinions were used for developing the structural model, and the judgments of the experts could be biased influencing the reliability of the model. The developed hierarchical concept is proposed to help the executives, decision and policy makers in formulating the strategies and the evaluation of sustainable 3PLSP. Originality/value It is an original research highlighting the association between the sustainable 3PLSP evaluation criteria by employing ISM tool in the pharmaceutical industry. This paper will guide the managers in understanding the importance of the evaluation criteria for the efficient selection of 3PLSP.

An examination of ecopreneurs’ incentives through a combination between institutional and resource-based approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis E. Nikolaou ◽  
Konstantinos P. Tsagarakis ◽  
Kyriaki Tasopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address two research questions: which are the key factors that stimulate entrepreneurs to invest in ecopreneurship, and how ecopreneurhsip contributes to environmental sustainability. Design/methodology/approach To answer these questions, a framework has been developed to identify the incentives that lead entrepreneurs to invest in firms in the ecopreneurship through institutional and resource-based thinking. Findings From a survey of 91 Greek firms from the green service sector, it is shown that some specific institutional and resource-based view factors play a critical role in green entrepreneurs’ decisions, as well as some certain environmental practices that are frequently used by entrepreneurs to address environmental issues. Research limitations/implications First, the answer of the second research question through data collected by a questionnaire survey may be faced with skepticism by some authors, as it could be seen that entrepreneurs and managers of firms could have overstated their company's environmental activities. Second, although the sample selection of 91 firms is a representative sample (response rate 12.35 percent) of the total population of Greek green firms (761) and equal to other relative studies, a higher number of firms and a wider variety of green entrepreneurship ventures is necessary in future research. Practical implications The findings are useful for scholars, practitioners and policy makers since it provide information regarding the behavior of green entrepreneurs. Originality/value The paper analyze the types of green entrepreneurs in relation to the different features and strategies which are emerged from two theories, such as institutional and resource-based theory.

scholarly journals Placing products in humorous scenes: its impact on brand perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny Fong Yee Chan ◽  
Ben Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Brand Attitudes ◽  
Television Programs ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Trait ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Relative Prevalence ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose This study aims to extend the literature on marketing communications by exploring the effect of placing products in humorous scenes. It aims to ascertain the prevalence of placement scenes associated with humor in television programs and the effect of humor on brand persuasiveness. Design/methodology/approach The study used a two-phase research process. A content analysis of prime-time television programing was conducted to map the relative prevalence of brands placed in humorous contexts and for the selection of research stimuli. This was followed by a large-scale experimental study of 1,100 television viewers in Hong Kong with real stimuli that had been digitally manipulated. Findings The study found that a humorous context did enhance recall of placed brands but its effect on brand attitudes was mediated by audience involvement in the viewing and moderated by psychological trait reactance. Interestingly, and in contrast to conventional advertising, placing brands in a humorous context led to lower involvement in the viewing, which, in turn, resulted in lower brand attitudes. Individuals with low trait reactance were more positive toward brands placed in a non-humorous context than individuals with high trait reactance while individuals with high trait reactance were more positive toward brands placed in a humorous context, though the difference was less prominent. Research limitations/implications The findings help to illustrate when and how a humorous context contributes to the recall of and attitudes toward placed brands. Practical implications The results also facilitate marketers and program producers to choose the best placement context and design more effective placement strategies. Originality/value This research is the first to empirically examine the effect of a humorous context on the unaided recall of and attitudes toward brands placed in television programs.

scholarly journals Factors influencing tourist’s satisfaction, loyalty and word of mouth in selection of local foods in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 2021-2043
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Chin-Hong Puah ◽  
Norazirah Ayob ◽  
Syed Ali Raza
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Local Foods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose Local foods from the perspective of tourism play a significant role to attract tourists. Surprisingly, empirical evidence on food tourism is quite scarce. The purpose of this paper is to develop and investigate a conceptual framework on tourist satisfaction, loyalty and word of mouth (WOM) to select local foods in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a quantitative approach while convenience (non-probability) sampling is used to collect a sample of 286 final responses using a survey-based questionnaire. The study employed exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to stabilize the factor structure. The conceptual model is then tested under the assumptions of structural equation modeling. Findings The findings indicate that food quality, perceived environmental quality, perceived value and service quality has a significant impact on the tourist’s satisfaction. However, interpersonal interaction quality shows an insignificant influence on satisfaction. Moreover, satisfaction has a significant impact on loyalty while loyalty further shows a significant effect on tourist WOM. Overall, the authors found satisfaction and loyalty are the major contributors to the hypothesized model. Practical implications The conceptual framework and study findings will support practitioners and researchers to understand the factors that influence a tourist’s selection of local foods. Additionally, the study provides a useful policy to gain long-term economic benefits for the tourism sector in Pakistan. Originality/value To the authors’ best knowledge, this study is the first attempt to explore WOM behavior in tourism research focusing on the critical role of satisfaction and loyalty. The authors are certain that the findings will contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge.

Assessment of the European monitoring frameworks for circular economy: the case of Croatia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jadranka Švarc ◽  
Marina Dabić ◽  
Jasminka Lažnjak
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeThe main purpose of this research is to analyse the efficiency of the main European monitoring frameworks to estimate the transition of the countries within the European Union (EU) towards circular economy (CE) using the example of Croatia.Design/methodology/approachAssessment methods with reliable data and appropriate indicators are essential when it comes to measuring transition and progress towards CE. The methodology employed in this research is a systematic and critical analysis of the seven European measurement frameworks employed to assess Croatia's progress towards CE.FindingsThe analysis revealed how EU's monitoring frameworks have developed over time and how useful they are in evaluating country's progress towards CE. The measurement tools and indicators proved, in the case of Croatia, insufficient for clarifying and understanding its progress towards CE. Selection of indicators within monitoring frameworks is arbitrary while their interpretation is highly contextual, dependent on policy targets and local conditions. These results can be extrapolated to other EU member states.Practical implicationsPolicy recommendations for more efficient CE transitions are provided.Originality/valueThis research sheds light on the CE development in Croatia – an understudied European country in this context – and discusses the country's goals towards sustainability. The limited success of developed CE indicators is discussed.

scholarly journals An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms: an empirical study in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Olusola Babatunde ◽  
Srinath Perera ◽  
Damilola Ekundayo ◽  
Damilola Sarah Adeleke
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Building information modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to examine the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assess the barriers to BIM implementation and examine the ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal–Wallis test and factor analysis. Findings This study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms. The result of the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents’ groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors. Practical implications This study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms, thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment. Originality/value This study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large.

Factors influencing vegetable cooperatives’ selection of marketing channels in Beijing

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (7) ◽  
pp. 1655-1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenchi Zhang ◽  
Jieqiong Wang ◽  
Biao Zhang ◽  
Junqi Ding ◽  
Zetian Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Marketing Channels ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The selection of marketing channels by vegetable producers directly affects the income of producers and is important for the maintenance of a stable supply of vegetables and food control. The purpose of this paper is threefold: to investigate the cooperative selection of vegetable marketing channels; to identify the factors that influence the selection of marketing channels by professional vegetable cooperatives by comparing emerging and traditional circulation modes; and to solve the problems related to vegetable circulation channels in Beijing. Design/methodology/approach A total of 187 valid questionnaires were collected from seven main vegetable production districts in Beijing urban areas from September to December 2017, with a response rate of 89 percent. Binary logistic regression was used for analysis in this study. Findings Results revealed that the cooperatives mainly selected large wholesalers, wholesale markets, supermarkets and electronic commerce as their marketing channels for their vegetables. Estimation results showed that among the 18 influencing factors in the four categories, the educational level of the person in charge and some other factors significantly influence the selection of these four distribution channels by the cooperatives. Research limitations/implications Due to the lack of time and energy, this paper does not analyze the factors influencing a cooperative’s choice of different e-commerce platforms. If this problem can be solved, it will definitely promote the development of e-commerce in rural areas. Originality/value The results obtained in the present study and their implications could help policy makers establish a science-based and reasonable policy to encourage vegetable producers to participate in the new circulation modes of vegetables in Beijing and ensure their income in the vegetable supply chain. This study suggests methods to improve the vegetable sector in other cities facing similar issues.

Intellectual capital based performance improvement, study in insurance firms

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 619-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Zakery ◽  
Abbas Afrazeh
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Insurance Sector ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Efficient Performance ◽  
Insurance Firms ◽  
Using Data

Purpose – Intangible resources are the most distinctive firms’ assets in competitive environments especially in service businesses. Insurance firms seeking more efficient performance than competitors should improve their intellectual capital (IC) strategies in both aspects of IC creation and utilization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and improves IC participation in insurance firms’ efficiency. Design/methodology/approach – A two-phase framework: “explaining IC role in efficiency” and “measuring efficiencies of IC creation and application” is developed in order to find IC strategies increasing firms’ efficiency and though competitiveness. Efficiency is measured using data envelopment analysis and the generalized estimating equations is used as the regression method in order to explain efficiency with IC measures. Findings – Empirical results in Iran insurance sector (during a seven-year period for 17 Iranian insurers) show some IC components influence firms’ efficiency and could be intervention points for performance improvement. Then the firms are categorized into four zones in terms of IC efficiency and strategies are recognized for each category. Research limitations/implications – Although the research is initiated by the need to embed intangible resources in performance improvement in insurance sector, the research framework could be strongly applied in other knowledge-based industries. Originality/value – This paper embeds an innovative link between classic efficiency and IC which aligns resource management with competitiveness strategies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document