Methodological Challenges in the Business of Forced Labour

2018 ◽  
pp. 25-43
Author(s):  
Genevieve LeBaron ◽  
Andrew Crane
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
Business Dynamics ◽  
Forced Labour ◽  
Organisational Dynamics ◽  
Business And Management ◽  
Specific Expertise

Most forced labour takes place in business contexts, yet the business logics of exploitation are rarely explored empirically. This gap relates to the lack of researchers in the field with specific expertise in business and management, as well as the methodological and logistical challenges with researching the business dynamics of forced labour. This Chapter will argue that we need to take the business of forced labour seriously if we are to understand and address it in a meaningful way. We propose an analytical framework that can be used to understand the business and organisational dynamics of forced labour. Drawing on our own research on forced labour’s business models and supply chains, we reflect on how business methodologies can be strengthened to overcome the substantive gaps that exist in our knowledge about how forced labour works as a business.

scholarly journals Forced labour in supply chains: Rolling back the debate on gender, migration and sexual commerce

2021 ◽  
pp. 135050682110207
Author(s):  
Rutvica Andrijasevic
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Social Reproduction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Law And Policy ◽  
Labour Exploitation ◽  
Separate Treatment ◽  
Forced Labour ◽  
Sexual Commerce

This article makes a conceptual contribution to the broader literature on unfree labour by challenging the separate treatment of sexual and industrial labour exploitation both by researchers and in law and policy. This article argues that the prevailing focus of the supply chain literature on industrial labour has inadvertently posited sexual labour as the ‘other’ of industrial labour thus obfuscating how the legal blurring of boundaries between industrial and service labour is engendering new modalities of the erosion of workers’ rights that are increasingly resembling those typical of sex work. This article advances the debate on unfree labour both conceptually and empirically. Conceptually, it highlights the relevance of social reproduction in understanding forms of labour unfreedom. Empirically, it demonstrates the similarities in forms of control and exploitation between sex work and industrial work by illustrating how debt and housing operate in both settings.

scholarly journals Supply Chain Management Open Innovation: Virtual Integration in the Network Logistics System

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Vladimir Shcherbakov ◽  
Galina Silkina
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
System Integration ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Logistics System ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Economic Relations

The customer-oriented approach is actively developing within the global trend of the modern industrial revolution that is Industry 4.0. The focus on customer interests has led to cooperation and integration in supply chains, improving their efficiency and increasing transparency, awareness, and trust. However, an issue emerging in this scenario is that conventional supply chain management (SCM) procedures are unable to identify the potential proposal for a particular user. Modern businesses need to build integrated supply chains, which require well-developed infrastructure and easily available complementary services, relying on logistics as a networking technology. Supply chains of this generation grow from traditional individual desynchronized economic relations (linear models with some feedback and the simplest network configurations) to scalable, adaptable, harmonized partner networks. The logistics potential allows additional income by reducing the total costs of participants in the network, thus increasing the competitiveness of companies; this can be implemented based on new models of interaction in the current digital environment through, firstly, system integration. Our goal consists of identifying the essential characteristics of system integration and substantiating the methods for its implementation in the digital economy. The study is based on the analysis of global best practices, considering the reports from leading consulting companies and competent analytical agencies. We have confirmed that the role of a virtual system integrator of supply chains belongs to logistics platforms; the effects of a transition to platform business models are discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Chain Reaction

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (10) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Industrial Equipment ◽  
Special Report ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
The U.S

For 30 years, additive manufacturing has made all sorts of promises. Yet machines remained slow, materials expensive, and printers too inconsistent for critical parts. And additive was costly. Today, however, the technology is turning that past on its head. While additive manufacturing is usually the most expensive way to make any part, it makes economic sense for supply chains. Which is why manufacturers of everything from aircraft and rolling stock to appliances, industrial equipment, and medical devices are looking at 3-D supply chain solutions—as are the U.S. Marines and UPS. This special report looks at how additive manufacturing is disrupting business models and transforming supply chains.

Managing adaptive orientation systems for museum visitors from an IoT perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludovico Solima ◽  
Maria Rosaria Della Peruta ◽  
Vincenzo Maggioni
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Museum Visitors ◽  
Scientific Staff ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Potential Demand ◽  
Orientation Systems

Purpose Starting from the premises that IoT applications can be used in museums as an aid to visiting systems, the aim of this research is to see how recommendation systems can be developed to provide advanced services to museum visitors. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology employs a qualitative exploratory multi-case study: the method used has consisted in crossing the information currently known on the most advanced communication technologies (ICT) with the requirements of enhancing museum services, in order to determine the possible trajectories of applying the former to the latter Findings The implementation of recommender system outlines the main implications and effects of an advanced market-driven digital orientation, as the system’s users are the starting point for innovation and the creation of value. For a museum, it will be possible to access to an additional system of knowledge alongside that of its scientific staff. This process has profound implications in the way in which a museum presents itself and how it is perceived by its visitors and, in a wider sense, by the potential demand. Research limitations/implications Our paper consists in an exploratory effort to introduce an analytical framework for an evolved adaptive museum orientation system; the empirical investigation can be structured in the inductive-predictive view of assessing this promising debate further. Originality/value Implementing the IoT blueprint entails introducing a plethora of new products, services and business models, opening new routes to guide and direct cultural events. Now, more than ever, sustainable development involves an intrinsic balancing act between the pluralism of data and that of customer needs, which is achieved through the elaboration of digital data.

Procurement 4.0: factors influencing the digitisation of procurement and supply chains

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 965-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Bienhaus ◽  
Abubaker Haddud
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Procurement Process ◽  
Enabling Technologies ◽  
The Impact

Purpose While digitisation is a key driver of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0); organisations have different approaches to deal with this topic to get a clearer picture of the opportunities and challenges concerning the digital transformation. The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of digitisation on procurement and its role within the area of supply chain management. The research will also explore potential barriers to digitising procurement and supply chains and ways to overcome them. Finally, the significance of potential enabling technologies to the digitisation will also be examined. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approached utilising an online survey was used to collect the primary data for this study. Data were collected from 414 participants directly involved with procurement or related business functions and work for different organisations in different industries. The survey included eight items about the impact of digitisation on organisational performance in the area of procurement and supply chains; ten items related to key barriers to digitisation of organisations and ways to overcome them; and seven items about enabling technologies to leverage procurement procedures and processes digitisation. All of these items utilised the Likert five-point level of agreement scale. Findings The findings indicate that digitisation of procurement process can yield several benefits including: supporting daily business and administrative tasks, supporting complex decision-making processes, procurement will become more focussed on strategic decisions and activities, procurement will become a strategic interface to support organisational efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability, and supporting the creation of new business models, products, and services. The authors were also able to confirm that there are barriers to digitising procurement process and supply chains and such barriers found in existing procedures, processes, capacities, and capabilities. Finally, the significance of a number of enabling technologies to the digitisation process was revealed. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind with participants located world-wide. Industry 4.0 as a topic had been explored within different business areas and functions but very limited research specifically explored potential impact, barriers, and enabling technologies of procurement 4.0. The results can be beneficial for organisations already implemented Industry 4.0 or planning to do so. The study can also benefit academic scholars interested in the researched topic, business professionals, organisations within different sectors, and any other party interested in understanding more the concept of procurement 4.0.

E-Procurement Systems as Tools for the Development of Supply Chains

2012 ◽  
pp. 1703-1723
Author(s):  
Cuauhtémoc Sánchez-Ramírez ◽  
Giner Alor-Hernandez ◽  
Guillermo Cortes-Robles ◽  
Jorge Luis García-Alcaráz ◽  
Alejandro Rodríguez-González
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Customer Requirements ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Customer Services ◽  
Procurement System

The Supply Chain Management is a strategy that has allowed the organizations that have established in their business models a competitive advantage. The supply chain is a network of elements, where different key process such as: procurement, manufacturing, distribution, inventory, customer services, and information should be managed and controlled to meet customer requirements. To achieve this goal, different tools have been developed to help to the key processes of the supply chain; one of these tools is the e-procurement system, which helps an organization to control the interactions with the most crucial suppliers.

Sustainable Business Transformation in Supply Chains

Web Services ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 204-220
Author(s):  
Fawzy Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Cloud System ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Business Transformation ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

Cloud computing is a usage model that is characterised by five key characteristics, four deployment models and three service models. The drivers and disadvantages of the adoption and implementation of cloud computing are discussed. The topic is further discussed in relation to the impact of cloud computing on supply chains. The cloud technology has become an important invention in modern society. This chapter examines the benefits and risks brought by the cloud system. The chapter explores the possible changes during transformation that might result in the implementation of cloud systems in firms. The business models presented due to the implementation of cloud system are also illustrated in this chapter.

E-procurement Systems as Tools for the Development of Supply Chains

2013 ◽  
pp. 239-260
Author(s):  
Cuauhtémoc Sánchez-Ramírez ◽  
Giner Alor-Hernandez ◽  
Guillermo Cortes-Robles ◽  
Jorge Luis García-Alcaráz ◽  
Alejandro Rodríguez-González
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Customer Requirements ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Customer Services ◽  
Procurement System

The Supply Chain Management is a strategy that has allowed the organizations that have established in their business models a competitive advantage. The supply chain is a network of elements, where different key process such as: procurement, manufacturing, distribution, inventory, customer services, and information should be managed and controlled to meet customer requirements. To achieve this goal, different tools have been developed to help to the key processes of the supply chain; one of these tools is the e-procurement system, which helps an organization to control the interactions with the most crucial suppliers.

New business models in supply chains: a bibliometric study

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1283-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Régis Delafenestre
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Business Models ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Business ◽  
Paper Form ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
Database Clustering ◽  
New Research ◽  
New Business Models

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find and classify the most relevant works in the literature on the latest technologies applied in global supply chains. To help future researchers find the most relevant the authors according to the authors’ research interest quickly and to provide insights into the most promising areas. Design/methodology/approach The authors provide a bibliometric analysis of 292 documents referenced in the Scopus® database clustering by relatedness of works and keywords. Findings The authors present insights and deduce new perspectives in the potential search for new business models. The authors show that in specific fields, some works and authors have a much greater influence than others. Research limitations/implications Some documents published on the web or in paper form may be missing. The analyses largely depend on the choice of keywords. Another selection might have shown different results. Practical implications This paper provides the basis for new research in applications of the latest technologies in supply chains and corresponding new business models. Originality/value This work is a first effort to help researchers make sense of the mass of published scientific results on new technologies and their impact on new supply chain business models.

Accountable algorithms? The ethical implications of data-driven business models

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph F. Breidbach ◽  
Paul Maglio
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cost Models ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify, analyze and explain the ethical implications that can result from the datafication of service.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a midrange theorizing approach to integrate currently disconnected perspectives on technology-enabled service, data-driven business models, data ethics and business ethics to introduce a novel analytical framework centered on data-driven business models as the general metatheoretical unit of analysis. The authors then contextualize the framework using data-intensive insurance services.FindingsThe resulting midrange theory offers new insights into how using machine learning, AI and big data sets can lead to unethical implications. Centered around 13 ethical challenges, this work outlines how data-driven business models redefine the value network, alter the roles of individual actors as cocreators of value, lead to the emergence of new data-driven value propositions, as well as novel revenue and cost models.Practical implicationsFuture research based on the framework can help guide practitioners to implement and use advanced analytics more effectively and ethically.Originality/valueAt a time when future technological developments related to AI, machine learning or other forms of advanced data analytics are unpredictable, this study instigates a critical and timely discourse within the service research community about the ethical implications that can arise from the datafication of service by introducing much-needed theory and terminology.

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