741 publications from this institution
Research joint ventures (RJVs) are project environments that typically focus on the development of innovations and ideas. The development and management of knowledge is the primary objective for these RJVs. To help understand the practices and characteristics of RJV knowledge management and learning processes we introduce a taxonomy for these types of project environments. Using existing literature and supporting case study examples, a four-cell grid is developed to categorize RJVs. The grid is based on two dimensions, namely, the locus of the RJV research, which is concerned with the ‘newness’ of the knowledge, and the knowledge management approach, which is concerned with the learning and knowledge integration processes.
Empirical research in the area of corporate sustainability highlights potential conflicts between corporate financial performance and environmental performance. In such a situation, agency theory arguments applied to the corporate environmental context predict that top management compensation should be explicitly linked to environmental performance in order to bring about proper alignment of organizational environmental goals and management incentives. We test this proposition for a sample of 207 Standard & Poor 500 firms in the US in 1996 who explicitly report in Investor Responsibility Research Council (IRRC) surveys the presence or absence of a contractual link between environmental performance and executive compensation. We find that only in firms with an explicit linkage between environmental performance and executive contracts is there is any evidence of a significant impact of firm‐level environmental performance on CEO compensation levels. However, even this impact is not very impressive since (a) it holds only for IRRC compliance and spill indices and does not hold for IRRC toxic emission indices, and (b) even the effects for compliance and spill indices do not hold relative to industry levels of these indices. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Reverse logistics has emerged as an important dimension for organizations to build their strategic advantage. Part of this effort relies on potentially out
Sustainability, the consideration of environmental factors and social aspects, in supply chain management (SCM) has become a highly relevant topic for researchers and practitioners. The application of operations research methods and related models, i.e. formal modeling, for closed-loop SCM and reverse logistics has been effectively reviewed in previously published research. This situation is in contrast to the understanding and review of mathematical models that focus on environmental or social factors in forward supply chains (SC), which has seen less investigation. To evaluate developments and directions of this research area, this paper provides a content analysis of 134 carefully identified papers on quantitative, formal models that address sustainability aspects in the forward SC. It was found that a preponderance of the publications and models appeared in a limited set of six journals, and most were analytically based with a focus on multiple criteria decision making. The tools most often used comprise the analytical hierarchy process or its close relative, the analytical network process, as well as life cycle analysis. Conclusions are drawn showing that numerous possibilities and insights can be gained from expanding the types of tools and factors considered in formal modeling efforts.
In a recent paper on measuring efficiency of hospitals by Al‐Shammari a set of 15 hospitals were compared across three years with respect to multiple inputs and outputs. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was utilized in the evaluation process. The results of this study provide some very useful managerial insights into evaluation and improvement of hospital performance. In this paper, we address certain issues that have not be considered in Al‐Shammari’s work, and provide extensions to the proposed methodology in deriving additional findings and conclusions for efficiency measurement of hospitals. These results are valuable contributions for both managers and researchers.
No abstract is provided for this article.
When and how to achieve a carbon peak is a concern for provincial regions within China under the context of achieving carbon neutrality in 2060. This study investigates the overall carbon peak environmental and resource impacts under current national targets and Shanghai's latest more aggressive carbon peak policy by using a dynamic multiple-region computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for the year 2030. Results show that (1) the national carbon peak and the more aggressive regional policy in Shanghai will result in energy consumption and carbon emissions decreases when compared to the business-as-usual scenario in most provinces; (2) although some cobenefits in water use reduction may occur in most provinces under the carbon policy scenarios, the results show positive and negative variations; (3) provincial level environmental and resources in transport, electricity, metal smelting and pressing, and agricultural production sectors are most influenced by Shanghai's aggressive carbon peak policy; and (4) the outsourced environmental and resource impacts from Shanghai to other provinces are very significant under Shanghai's aggressive carbon policy. These relevant results provide insights to facilitate broader governance decision-making for environmental resource nexuses while seeking an improved understanding of global sustainable development and climate governance.
Companies manage their product portfolios to create value. Products and associated materials are important flows that link supply chains entities from upstream to downstream. Product deletion is a critical decision in product portfolio management. Current product management literature has predominantly targeted product proliferation, growth, and extension. Product deletion research is relatively and severely limited. Product deletion decisions are less appealing to managers; often due to significant operational changes and disruptions deletion creates within the firm and along the supply chain. Quality information and data can support sound product deletion decision making. Blockchain technology is a valuable tool that can effectively address information governance challenges in supply chains. To this end, we theoretically position blockchain technology as a governance mechanism supporting supply chain relational governance using relational view theory. This paper provides insights into the practice of blockchain and product deletion within a supply chain context. Theoretical and managerial implications are provided as we seek to link supply chain-related product deletion decision processes within blockchain technology supported information governance. There are promising potentials in both fields, Additional research development is needed to effectively manage in this environment and has broader implications for product portfolio management in the supply chain.
No abstract is provided for this article.
The circular economy (CE) is an evolving economic and sustainable development model. In this new environment, companies face a more dynamic, uncertain, and complex market environment. These challenges arise from material closed-loop flows necessary for a functioning CE. It is important to build flexibility capabilities into sustainable supply chains to address CE operational challenges. Building this operational capability needs to occur without incurring performance degradation, increasing costs, or compromising product quality. Supply chain designers have recognised the importance of sustainable supply chain flexibility (SSCF) efforts for meeting CE-targeted performance. CE-targeted performance includes reuse of materials and energy, closed flow of materials, and pollution reduction. Exploration of relationships between SSCF efforts and CE-targeted performance is limited. An objective-DEMATEL method is used to evaluate the relationship between a new SSCF measures framework and CE-targeted performance. A field study helps to identify and refine significant SSCF measures (efforts) to effectively improve CE-targeted performance. Managerial implications and future research directions for sustainable supply chain flexibility within the CE environment are presented.
Despite the possibility of short-term financial losses and concerns by executive management of potential failure, enterprise information technologies (EITs) are being implemented by a growing number of Fortune 100 and midsize corporations in the hope of acquiring long-term benefits. EITs, expensive and risky information technology assets, must be evaluated on the basis of both their productivity gains and their support for corporate reengineering through integration of business processes. In this paper, we propose a two-stage methodology (involving a combination of the analytical network process and integer programming) to conduct a high-level evaluation of an interdependent set of tangible, intangible, strategic and operational factors that should be considered in EIT evaluation. We perform sensitivity analyses and conduct tests with real-world data to show the robustness of our methodology and the resulting managerial implications.
This paper aims to explore the green supply chain management (GSCM) initiatives (implementation) of various manufacturing industrial sectors in China and examine the links between GSCM initiatives and performance outcomes. We conducted a survey to collect data from four typical manufacturing industrial sectors in China, namely, power generating, chemical/petroleum, electrical/electronic and automobile, and received 171 valid organizational responses for data analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. The results are consistent with our prediction that the different manufacturing industry types display different levels of GSCM implementation and outcomes. We specifically found that the electrical/electronic industry has relatively higher levels of GSCM implementation and achieves better performance outcomes than the other three manufacturer types. Implications of the results are discussed and suggestions for further research on the implementation of GSCM are offered.
The mining industry is very important to the economy of many developing countries, and offers an important source of revenue. Yet, in order to yield benefits on a long term, sustainable management practices are needed. This paper outlines and introduces a comprehensive framework for sustainable supply chain management implementation in the mining industry in Ghana. It evaluates, through a comparative analysis involving a sample of companies, environmentally sustainable supply chain management practices. The theoretical framework focuses on six major constructs. These constructs include Green Information Technology and Systems, Strategic Supplier Partnership, Operations and Logistics Integration, Internal Environmental Management, Eco-innovative Practices and End-oflife Practices. Using a field study approach the identified factors are subjected to an initial review by experts in Ghana to arrive at a preliminary framework. The framework is evaluated using gold mining industry managers in Ghana. Two multi-attribute evaluation approaches DEMATEL and AHP models help to identify and contrast the importance of the factors and attributes to the overall goal. One of the findings is that the framework for sustainable supply chain management practices in the mining industry is acceptable and comprehensive according to industry experts. The multiattribute evaluation tools used in this paper found that Strategic Supplier Partnership (SSP) and End-of-life (EOL) Practices are the two most prominent and influential major/strategic factors whereas Lean and Green Operations (OLI1), Substituting toxic inputs with environmentally friendly ones (ECO1) and Resale of used parts or components (EOL1) are the three most critical and prominent operational/sub-factors among the topmost ranked operational/sub-factors. This study and resulting framework allows practicing managers in the mining industry in Ghana and elsewhere in the developing world to make thoughtful decisions for making their supply chains more environmentally sustainable.
Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the performance of various airlines and air carriers in terms of efficiency. Although it is obvious that air carriers use airports, few studies have focused on airport operational efficiency. This empirical study evaluates the operational efficiencies of 44 major U.S. airports using data envelopment analysis and some of its recent developments. Various airport characteristics are evaluated to determine their relationship to an airport's efficiency. Efficiency measures are based on four resource input measures including airport operational costs, number of airport employees, gates and runways, and five output measures including operational revenue, passenger flow, commercial and general aviation movement, and total cargo transportation. The results of this study have operational as well as public policy implications.
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to provide academic and practitioner insight into environmental business practices and, specifically, strategic and sustainable environmental management systems (EMS). The increasing awareness, importance and understanding of environmental management systems (EMS) has demonstrated relationships with sustainability, competitiveness and new institutional practice. The book considers sustainability and system integration through the lens of qualitative analysis involving several case studies from a variety of organisations. It argues that small and medium-sized enterprises need a reliable means of managing environmental issues. The book looks into the difficult issues surrounding change and sustainable development. It explores the factors influencing implementation before comparing systems in the US and Thailand and discusses the challenges of change management and sustainable development. The book provides a unique organisational environment for environmental systems development and integration with a case study of Athens International Airport.
