Evaluation of the Quality of Safety and Risk Analysis in the Chemical Industry

Safety and risk analyses have often been criticized as incomplete and inaccurate. This criticism, however, lacks a sound basis, since there has been little scientific evaluation of the methods developed for safety and risk analysis. The aim of this paper is to present a proposal for establishing measures—reliability, validity, and coverage—to be used in the evaluation of the scientific quality of the hazard identification and accident modeling phases in safety and risk analysis. The paper also presents four main principles for the evaluation of the scientific quality, and a theoretical framework to be used in evaluation. The framework is illustrated with practical examples taken from the chemical industry.     

Domestic market competitiveness of Indian drug and pharmaceutical industry

Review of Managerial Science - This paper attempts to analyse the competitiveness of Indian drug and pharmaceutical industry in the domestic market where multinational pharma companies are entering...     

Critical success factors of green supply chain management for achieving sustainability in Indian automobile industry

The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the key success factors behind successful achievement of environment sustainability in Indian automobile industry supply chains. Here, critical success factors (CSFs) and performance measures of green supply chain management (GSCM) have been identified through extensive literature review and discussions with experts from Indian automobile industry. Based on the literature review, a questionnaire was designed and 123 final responses were considered. Six CSFs to implement GSCM for achieving sustainability and four expected performance measures of GSCM practices implementation were extracted using factor analysis. interpretive ranking process (IRP) modelling approach is employed to examine the contextual relationships among CSFs and to rank them with respect to performance measures. The developed IRP model shows that the CSF ‘Competitiveness’ is the most important CSF for achieving sustainability in Indian automobile industry through GSCM practices. This study is one of the few that have considered the environmental sustainability practices in the automobile industry in India and their implications on sectoral economy. The results of this study may help the mangers/SC practitioners/Governments/Customers in making strategic and tactical decisions regarding successful implementation of GSCM practices in Indian automobile industry with a sustainability focus. The developed framework provides a comprehensive perspective for assessing the synergistic impact of CSFs on GSCM performances and can act as ready reckoner for the practitioners. As there is very limited work presented in literature using IRP, this piece of work would provide a better understanding of this relatively new ranking methodology.     

Engineer-to-order (ETO) production planning and control: an empirical framework for machinery-building companies

This paper illustrates the results of an empirical study involving 21 engineer-to-order (ETO) companies, operating in the machinery-building industry. The study investigates the needs and requirements of such companies in terms of software support for governing the businesses, with particular emphasis on production planning and control (PPC) processes. An empirical analysis investigated two main aspects: (i) the set of business activities performed by the companies in the analysed industry and (ii) the relevant, high-level software functionalities required for the execution of such activities. As an answer to the observed compelling need for reviewing the general approaches to PPC in machinery-building companies, we develop an empirical, high-level production planning and scheduling reference framework, encompassing all the activities involved in the order fulfilment process.     

Risk assessment of outsourcing e-procurement services: integrating SWOT analysis with a modified ANP-based fuzzy inference system

With electronic procurement solutions becoming increasingly sophisticated, many firms opt to source these services from third-party providers, effectively transferring (outsourcing) significant responsibility to these services companies. This action, however, entails certain risks, which are oftentimes difficult to assess. To guide managerial practice and to advance academic inquiry in this domain, we identify e-procurement risk factors through a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats analysis, grounded in transaction cost economics (TCE), and propose a risk assessment framework based on the opinions of a group of experts. The approach taken is that of a modified analytic network process methodology, combined with a fuzzy inference system, which is versatile enough to accept the expert opinions in different input formats (such as linguistic variables and ranges). The proposed framework has the capability to aggregate expert judgements’ to estimate risk likelihoods, risk severities and risk factor indices, and derive overall risk magnitudes. The multi-method approach was motivated and is illustrated by a real-life case study of an Indian manufacturing company currently in the process of contract renewal with its existing e-procurement service provider.     

The sweet spot in sustainability: a framework for corporate assessment in sugar manufacturing

The assessment of corporate sustainability has become an increasingly important topic, both within academia and in industry. For manufacturing companies to conform to their commitments to sustainable development, a standard and reliable measurement framework is required. There is, however, a lack of sector-specific and empirical research in many areas, including the sugar industry. This paper presents an empirically developed framework for the assessment of corporate sustainability within the Thai sugar industry. Multiple case studies were conducted, and a survey using questionnaires was also employed to enhance the power of generalisation. The developed framework is an accurate and reliable measurement instrument of corporate sustainability, and guidelines to assess qualitative criteria are put forward. The proposed framework can be used for a company’s self-assessment and for guiding practitioners in performance improvement and policy decision-making.     

Sustainable supply chain management in the fast fashion industry: An analysis of corporate reports

In recent decades, the fast fashion industry has been characterized by widespread operations across both developing and developed countries. Due to the economic, social and environmental problems in developing countries, companies increasingly focus on sustainability and try to ensure the same quality and standards in working and production conditions throughout their supply chains. Although the tension in the exchange of resources between developing and developed countries lies at the heart of current sustainability activities, what these companies are actually doing to manage their supply chain has not yet been explored in depth in the literature. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Seuring and Müller (2008), the current study attempts to fill this void by conceptually mapping the current situation of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the fast fashion industry by analysing reports from 9 companies that use the same reporting guidelines. The results of the study reveal that these companies focus significantly on supplier compliance with their code of conduct, employing further monitoring and auditing activities to prevent production problems in developing countries, improve overall supply chain performance and set sustainability criteria for their suppliers.     

企业网络能力的结构测度与实证研究

针对目前企业网络能力实证研究的不足,提出了网络能力构成的4个层次:网络愿景、网络构建、关系管理和关系组合,以及细分的13个能力要素;在此基础上开发了企业网络能力的测度量表,运用346个中国企业的样本数据进行了统计检验。研究结果表明,网络能力的测度量表具有较好的信度和效度,最后,提出了未来研究的方向。     

Sustainable planning strategies in supply chain systems: proposal and applications with a real case study in fashion

Abstract

Pollution generated by the fashion industry drives people to pay attention to fashion companies’ sustainability practice. This increase in attention has induced vast literature studying the related area. Since the fashion apparel supply chain is complicated which involves a lot of interrelated steps and decisions, how fashion companies can identify the demand in sustainable fashion and make the right decision in resource allocation throughout the supply chain becomes a critical issue. As a result, this paper examines how a fashion company can develop a successful sustainable planning strategy throughout the sustainable fashion supply chain. The sustainability attributes and the sustainable planning strategy mechanism are also discussed. Based on the institutional theory and resource-based theory, we first analyse the external pressure and internal motivations for companies to adopt a sustainable planning strategy in the fashion supply chain. We then identify the core stakeholders related to the sustainable planning strategy and propose how the decision-making theory can help develop the sustainable supply chain management mechanism. Next, we establish a sustainable planning strategy framework. Finally, via a case study with public data on the fashion giant brand Nike, we explore the application of our proposed sustainable planning strategy framework. The finding suggests that the strategic planning of fashion companies on sustainability can improve the performance of the stakeholders throughout the whole sustainable fashion supply chain.     

基于SERVQUAL的供电服务质量测量标尺研究

服务质量的测量是近年来服务管理的热点问题。本文基于PZB提出的SERVQUAL标尺,采用实证方法,发展了测量供电服务质量的标尺。研究结果表明,新的标尺更为适合供电服务的特征,并且具有更合理的维度结构、信度、结构效度和预测效度,对于其它行业服务质量的测量也具有相当的借鉴意义。     

To be or not to be corporate heritage oriented? A study of managers’ corporate heritage mindsets

Corporate heritage is a research topic in branding with managerial relevance to achieve competitive advantages. Research has mainly focussed on companies with a formal corporate heritage orientation, neglecting other companies. In this study, a novel framework has been developed for analysing managers' corporate heritage mindsets as a precondition for a corporate heritage orientation in a non-heritage-oriented company. Individual managers’ corporate image heritage depicts how managers perceive their company over time, hence revealing their corporate heritage mindset. This article proposes that two managerial mindset dimensions matter – corporate heritage recognition and stance. This abductive study combines theory and empirical findings from an industrial company with a long history, but no corporate heritage orientation. The proposed framework offers companies with a history a way to analyse whether corporate heritage could be recognised and employed. This article contributes to corporate heritage research by broadening the applicability of corporate heritage issues.     

Application of hybrid framework to facilitate lean six sigma implementation: a manufacturing company case experience

This study aims to propose a hybrid framework for lean six sigma (LSS) based on the prioritisation of barriers and solution approaches, to facilitate hassles free applications for handling the challenges of wastes reduction and quality improvement. The study identifies 27 LSS barriers and 22 solution approaches through literature review and utilises feedback from industry experts. For framework, study uses fuzzy AHP-PROMETHEE to prioritise LSS barriers and solution approaches. Incorporating fuzzy sets in analytical hierarchy process (AHP) ensures the optimality of barrier weights. Whereas, preference ranking organisation method for enrichment of evaluations (PROMETHEE) helps in pairwise comparisons of solution approaches with respect to each LSS barrier, facilitating fair judgements. This research guides regarding the development of framework and checks its suitability and robustness through case application of an Indian manufacturing organisation. Authors expect that researchers and practitioners will find study useful for LSS and multi criteria decision making(MCDM) domains.     

基于关系互动的品牌资产概念、维度与量表开发

基于消费者－品牌关系视角的品牌资产研究代表了品牌资产研究的新阶段,但目前还缺乏具有良好理论基础的测量模型和量表。以社会心理学人际关系发展理论为基础,界定基于关系互动的品牌资产概念和维度,建立测量模型;在系统分析已有研究的基础上,结合焦点小组访谈,开展大规模问卷调研,开发基于关系互动的品牌资产测量量表,利用信度分析、探索性因子分析和验证性因子分析方法对量表信度和效度进行检验。研究结果表明,基于关系互动的品牌资产量表具有良好的信度、内容效度、收敛效度和判别效度,该量表包含品牌个性、品牌互惠、品牌礼遇、关系地位和关系能量5个维度。研究结果为后续的实证研究提供了测量基础,同时也为品牌管理者提供了品牌资产评估工具。     

Measuring agri-food supply chain performance and risk through a new analytical framework: a case study of New Zealand dairy

Abstract

Many researchers and practitioners have long recognized the significance of measuring performance. Although general guidelines for measuring business performance are widely available, no appropriate measurement frameworks have been developed for measuring agri-food supply chain performance. Particularly, food quality and risk-related indicators have not been well integrated into existing performance measurement systems. Our research, therefore, addresses this knowledge gap by first providing an in-depth review of extant performance measurement systems and frameworks. It then develops an analytical framework by extending the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model which has been extensively implemented across non-food industries. The analytical framework is further validated by utilizing a case study of 50 farmers and 10 dairy companies, operating in the New Zealand dairy industry.

Our pilot testing and subsequent findings show that the individual metrics interlocked with the analytical framework are in-line with the key industrial practices adapted by the New Zealand dairy industry. In addition, the framework is flexible and scalable to evaluate and benchmark other agri-food supply chains – ranging from fresh products such as fruits and vegetables to processed foods such as canned fruits. The findings further show that the detailed information required for measuring the level-3 SCOR metrics is not easily available in the industry, as researchers need to access specific company records that may be confidential. Consequently, this study provides how agri-food supply chain managers can employ our new analytical framework in-conjunction with the SCOR model for a deeper understanding of the complicated performance measurement indicators applied in their agri-food production systems and relevant supply chains.     

Strategies for international growth in the automobile industry

This article examines alternative strategy approaches in respect of companies seeking growth in the international automobile industry. The author examines these approaches within a developed framework which could also prove helpful to planning in other industries.     

天津企业市场导向的探索性研究

天津企业表现出两种形式的市场导向:全面市场导向(ComprehensiveMarketOrientation)和竞争与顾客导向(CompetitorandCustomerFocusedOrientation)。这两种导向产生于五个关键的市场导向(MO)因素和一个市场环境(ME)因素。其中市场导向因素包括:“企业各部门协调一致来满足目标市场的需要”、“企业十分重视售后服务工作”、“企业凭借自身的竞争优势招徕顾客”、“‘为顾客创造价值’的信念是企业制定竞争战略的动力”和“达到顾客满意是企业制定各种经营目标的动力”;市场环境因素则为“与企业核心产品/服务相关的技术变化程度”。研究表明,实行全面市场导向的企业在新产品的相对成功率和相对投资回报率(ROI)上都取得了明显高的绩效,但在组织特征上无独特性。     

心理契约对农民工工作绩效影响的实证研究

在正式劳动契约缺失或不完善的现实背景下,基于期望理论和社会交换理论,研究了农民工对雇主责任的履行与过往不履行责任的感知对其工作绩效的影响,同时探讨了期望匹配度的中介作用。研究结果表明,历史心理契约破坏对农民工的心理契约履行具有显著的负相关作用,历史心理契约破坏和心理契约履行均对期望匹配度具有显著的影响,期望匹配度还在心理契约履行与工作绩效的关系之间起着完全中介作用。最后,针对研究假设检验结果的启示和意义进行了探讨。     

团队学习和学习型团队：概念、能力模型、测量及对团队绩效的影响

提出了团队学习和学习型团队的定义,建立了团队学习的9个行为和能力要素,开发了团队学习能力的定义和几种测量模型。采用513个样本数据进行了统计检验,表明所建立的团队学习能力的测量模型具有好的信度和效度,并发现了团队学习能力与团队绩效之间具有显著的正相关关系。     

The role of supplier innovation performance and strategies on the smartphone supply market

The paper analyses the supplier-side of buyer-supplier relationships examining the linkage of innovation performance and strategies with suppliers' market performances. The research has been conducted on the smartphone industry. A patent-based framework allows the investigation at the product level using techniques deriving from content analysis. The methodology is tested on a sample of 100 couples' component supplier gathered from the Nomura report. Results confirm the positive relationship between suppliers’ market shares and innovation elements. First, the market performance of suppliers depends on the performance of R&D activities carried out to develop smartphone-related technologies. Second, when companies adopt specialization strategies, concentrating on the end product the development of component technologies, the market shares are higher. From the methodological point of view, the work suggests how to operationalize patent data to perform analyses at the product level. The suggested framework can be employed by companies as a managerial tool.     

Exploring how complex solution-based capabilities (CSC) are developed and integrated in engineering companies

Abstract

This paper explores how engineering companies develop and integrate solution-based capabilities for complex ‘one-off’ or small-batch production. Although there is extant literature on developing a stand-alone service, product and process capabilities, an integrated solution-based capability for effective execution of complex ‘design-build’ projects is currently underdeveloped. For such firms to be successful in delivering complex solutions, there is the need for organisational structured routines and processes which we conceptualise as complex solution-based capabilities (CSC). The study was based on a multiple case study using in-depth semi-structured interviews with managers and engineers. Primary data collected were complemented by documentary evidence, for triangulation and validity. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to develop a framework of CSC. The findings show that the case study companies have developed and integrated CSC through organisational routines and processes of make-to-concept approach, value creation and strategic coordination. Implications and future research are discussed.