741 publications from this institution
Trade needs to be evaluated by more comprehensive indicators that complement market-based economic value. The Emergy Accounting (EMA) method proved to be a valuable tool to help address trade complexity by means of environmental quality-oriented indicators. EMA is used in this paper to evaluate the environmental and resource flows involved in China-United States (USA) trade in the years 1993, 2000 and 2008. Results show that China emergy exports (i.e. exports of raw and less processed resources) exceed the imports from USA. Although the money received by China from exports is higher than the money paid for imports, the real imbalance relies in the huge amount of resources that outflow from China, hardly compensated by the value of imports in terms of support to Chinese economy. The conclusion is that trade accounting methods should include holistic valuations beyond the financial costs of traded goods. Policy implications of these results are discussed.
Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) faces greater complexity because it considers additional stakeholder requirements, broader sustainable performance objectives, increased sustainable business practices and technologies, and relationships among those entities. These additional complexities make SSCM more difficult to manage and operate than traditional supply chains. Complex systems require new methods for research especially given reductionist research paradigms of modern science. Rough set theory (RST) can be a valuable tool that will help address complexity in SSCM research and practice. To exemplify RST usefulness and applicability, an illustrative application using sustainable supply chain practices (SSCP), and environmental and economic performance outcomes is introduced. The conceptual case provides nuanced insights for researchers and practitioners in mitigating and evaluating various SSCM complexities. RST limitations and extensions are introduced.
The service industry and the manufacturing industry are interlinked in a supply chain situation. Part of the effectiveness of some manufacturing industry environmental performance based on remanufacturing and recycling is dependent on service industry decisions. In the information technology arena, personal computers (PCs) are the hard equipment of the service industry. The end-of-life decisions made by the service industry, and in this case the banking industry will have implications for the amount of systems within the waste or reverse logistics stream for manufacturers. Looking at some of the issues (and presenting a model for evaluation) related to decision making concerning end-of-life disposition for PCs is something this paper investigates. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is applied in this circumstance. The development of the model, its application, and results, provide the basis for much of the discussion in this paper.
Research on internal auditor selection has had limited exposure in the auditing literature. Recently Seol & Sarkis introduced a multi‐attribute decision model, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP), for the process of internal auditor selection. The purpose of this paper is to extend and validate the proposed model by Seol & Sarkis in an actual internal auditor selection process. Real case information from a trading company in Hong Kong that has gone through a recent experience in hiring entry level internal auditors was used for the study. Data were collected using an intensive survey of the importance of each attribute/skill provided by the Competency Framework for Internal Auditing (CFIA) and followed by an actual application of such skills in a recent hiring experience. Results show the effectiveness of AHP and the comprehensive characteristics of the factors involved in the decision. Further implications of the method are also discussed in the paper.
Under circumstances of increasing environmental pressures from markets and regulators, focal companies in supply chains have recognized the importance of greening their supply chain through green supplier development programs. Various studies have started to explore the inter-relationships between green supply chain management and supplier performance. Much of this performance can be achieved only with suppliers’ involvement in green supplier development programs. But, the literature focusing on green supplier development programs and supplier involvement propensity is very limited. In addition, formal tools and models for focal companies to evaluate these inter-relationships, especially considering propensity of suppliers’ involvement, are even rarer. To help address this gap in the literature, we introduce a grey analytical network process-based (grey ANP-based) model to identify green supplier development programs that will effectively improve suppliers’ performance. We further comprehensively evaluate green supplier development programs with explicit consideration of suppliers’ involvement propensity levels. A real world example is introduced to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. We end with a discussion of managerial implications and present some directions for further research.
Supplier selection is one of the most important activities of organisations, where the short- and long term success of a buyer's organisation depends upon proper selection of its suppliers. The current competitive environment has placed increasing competitive pressures on suppliers to match the needs of buyer(s) in terms of quantity, quality, product mix, cost, time and place of delivery, to name a few performance measures. The focus on competitive supply chains and extended enterprises requires the adoption of agile manufacturing practices requiring their suppliers to have agile attributes. This study designs and implements a procedure for judging the suitability of suppliers for an organisation competing on agile manufacturing characteristics. Quantitative and qualitative factors are used to appraise and select appropriate suppliers to fit within an organisation's agility practices. In seeking to achieve this task, the synergistic integration of two techniques, the Analytical Network Process (ANP) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is applied in a multi-phased supplier selection approach. Initially, ANP is executed to appraise suppliers on their qualitative benefits, generating quantitative data from these qualitative dimensions. Secondly, DEA is used to synthesise the data to arrive at a ranking of the suppliers. The technique is validated in a small company case study.
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The mining and extractive industry’s operations have significant harmful environmental consequences. Mining companies have started adopting green supply chain management (GSCM) practices which include green information technology systems (GITS) to help provide economic benefits while seeking minimal environmental damage. These mining organizations face significant hurdles related to introducing and implementing various GSCM practices which can address some of the environmental burdens. This study addresses this issue by adopting a GSCM practices framework and applying a novel decision support method that integrates grey numbers with DEMATEL and the NK model for evaluating and developing an implementation path model. Using a multiple case field study with input from managers of the Ghanaian gold mining industry, the adopted GSCM practices framework and methodology is applied. The results provide an evaluation and development path model to guide these organizations and managers for GSCM planning and investment decisions. The path results show that these organizations should first develop SSP (Strategic Supplier Partnership) with their suppliers for implementing GITS (Green Information Technology and Systems) and other GSCM practices. These results provide some exploratory insight and guidelines for managers and policy-makers who seek to integrate green initiatives. This study also sets the stage for further investigation of organizational greening in developing countries and the mining industry.
Purpose Managing the green (environmentally sustainable) supply chain is an important issue for industry. This paper aims to provide a framework to understand and appreciate the relationships of various research streams and topics in this field. Utilizing this framework, emergent research directions to advance the field are also presented. Design/methodology/approach Published research in peer‐reviewed journals is evaluated using a new framework of nine non‐exclusive, interrelated boundaries and five flows of resources related to green supply chains and supply chain management. Findings The research literature can be integrated into these comprehensive multidimensional frameworks, which also provide opportunities as vehicles for future research. Research directions are described utilizing the framework presented in this paper. Research limitations/implications This work presents one potential set of frameworks. Insights relating to other potential frameworks are additional areas of investigation and not presented in this study. The literature reviewed in this paper focuses almost exclusively on peer reviewed journals. Emergent research in this area may also appear in books and conference papers. The frameworks provide guidance for various research streams. Practical implications The frameworks and review also provide opportunity for managers and organizations to more comprehensively understand issues underlying green supply chain management. Social implications Greening supply chains has become a necessity as environmental concerns have remained at the forefront of the debate of global and local social interests. Originality/value The comprehensive boundaries and flows framework can be valuable for identifying barriers to study and implementation of the interdisciplinary green supply chain management topic based on recent published literature. They also provide insights into research streams and practice. The research questions provide some further direction for those wishing to investigate this field.
Relief supply chain (SC) management is a relatively unexplored field. In this field, practitioners have shown some interest in greening practices, but little practical or academic literature exists to help provide insights into combining the two fields. Adoption of green SC principles in the relief SC requires a systematic study of existing barriers in order to remove these barriers and allow introduction of green practices. The aim of this chapter is to explore barriers to implementation of green practices in the relief SC. Expert opinions and literature from humanitarian logistics and green supply chain management are used to establish a list of barriers and to propose a categorization of barriers. Further research to evaluate the relationships and importance of these barrier factors is identified.
Supply chain flexibility is widely recognized as an approach to manage uncertainty. Uncertainty in the supply chain may arise from a number of sources such
We introduce a comprehensive framework for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) implementation in the mining industry. The framework includes six constructs, green information technology and systems, strategic supplier partnership, operations and logistics integration, internal environmental management, eco-innovative and end-of-life. Environmentally sustainable supply chain management practices in Ghana's gold mining industry are examined using DEMATEL and the analytical hierarchy process. The evaluation models found that strategic supplier partnership and end-of-life practices are the two most prominent and influential factors whereas lean and green operations, substituting toxic inputs with environmentally friendly ones and resale of used parts or components are prominent sub-factors. This study and resulting framework allows practicing managers in the mining industry to make thoughtful decisions on SSCM.
Currently, the concept of the ‘circular economy’ (CE) is widely regarded as a key enabler for reducing environmental pollution while enhancing competitiveness in manufacturing companies. However, empirical evidence on the effectiveness of specific CE practices remains limited. This study examines the relationship between common CE practices and environmental impact using data from 447 global manufacturing companies. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and the natural-resource-based view (NRBV), multiple linear regression analysis is applied. The results show that recycling measures are associated with higher recycling ratios and lower energy consumption, while redesign measures significantly reduce waste generation and CO₂ emissions and improve recycling ratios. No significant effects are found for water usage practices. Overall, prevention-oriented strategies such as redesign yield broader sustainability benefits, whereas recycling remains crucial for resource and energy efficiency. The study provides robust, theory-based empirical evidence to support managerial and policy decisions promoting sustainable production and consumption.
We develop a framework outlining key capabilities for an institutional entrepreneur that seeks successful implementation (institutionalization) of a new institution across its supply chain. We focus on the institution of corporate sustainability standards. To achieve this objective, we complete an exploratory research study based on six comparative case studies within the retail, paper, medical textile, and information technology industry. The research integrates institutional entrepreneurship and the resource-based view theories to help explain the phenomenon exhibited by the case studies. While the first theory explains how organizations can drive institutional change, the latter outlines criteria for organizational capabilities enabling the focal firm, i.e. the institutional entrepreneur, to achieve the targeted institutional change. Our analysis suggests five key capabilities enabling the focal firm to effectively implement the CSS in its supply chain that is reflected by both suppliers’ and also sub-suppliers’ compliance with the previously defined CSS: (1) inter-firm dialogue, (2) risk management, (3) external stakeholder collaboration, (4) cross-functional integration, and (5) continuous improvement. The organizational key capabilities identified help to extend the theory of institutional entrepreneurship with concepts that facilitate the institutional change in supply chains with respect to corporate sustainability. This exploratory work opens up significant avenues of additional research in general and supply chain theory development.
Despite the importance of employees' proenvironmental behaviors (PEBs) for the success of corporate sustainability initiatives, there is limited evidence on the mechanisms that facilitate such behaviors. We address this research gap by exploring the factors that underlie employees' PEBs. Drawing on leadership and motivation theories, we develop and test a model of the factors that facilitate employees' PEBs. We focus on employees' 1) perceptions of their immediate managers' environmental transformational leadership, 2) environmental values and 3) internal and external motivation to perform PEBs. Structural equation modeling (SEM) of self-report survey data from 251 manufacturing employees found that employees who saw their managers as engaging in greater environmental transformational leadership reported higher internal and external motivation. Employees' environmental values were also positively associated with their internal and external motivation. Moreover, employees' values moderated the link between leadership and motivation; leadership perceptions were most positively related to internal motivation when employees possessed strong environmental values. Thus, environmental transformational leadership may be most effective in boosting internal motivation among employees who possess strong environmental values. Employees' internal, but not external, motivation was positively related to their self-reported PEBs, suggesting that increasing internal motivation may be particularly important to facilitating PEBs. Employees' leadership perceptions had a direct positive relationship with their self-reported PEBs. Overall, our findings reinforce the importance of immediate managers' leadership, and provide new evidence suggesting that employees' values influence their responses to that leadership. Further, internal motivation may be a key mechanism by which employees' leadership perceptions and values are linked to PEBs.
Industrial ecosystems are an integral component of ecocentric and environmentally sustainable management (Shrivastava 1995).1 For industrial ecosystems to exist sustainably, a “green” supply chain is a prerequisite—including both forward and reverse...
This authoritative Handbook comprehensively examines the current status and future directions of model-based systems in decision support and their application to sustainable development planning.
