741 publications from this institution
Many attempts at implementing Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) technologies are unsuccessful. This paper presents a methodology for the strategic management of technologies such as those involved in CIM. This methodology, entitled the Enterprise Engineering methodology, is based on the premis that technology should only be implemented after the basic foundations are put in place. The methodology is an integrated sociotechnical framework that addresses organizational, cultural, process, and technological issues. To place the methodology in focus, the paper first presents an overview of the current manufacturing environment. The methodology is then discussed in depth. The development and implementation experiences with the methodology are also presented.
Participative design is an effective tool for designing organizational systems where conflicting and diverse goals of users and clients from different organizations must be reconciled. This paper presents a methodology for participative design based on Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). A brief overview of SSM is first presented. The design methodology is then presented within the SSM framework. The design methodology prescribes a set of activities to accomplish participative design, and uses two design tools from the manufacturing and process engineering fields Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and the IDEF0 functional modeling method. Experiences using the design methodology are also presented.
Firms adopt different green supply chain management (GSCM) practices at varying levels. Drawing on institutional field theory, this study aims to explore the heterogeneity in GSCM practice adoption considering different firm characteristics, including firm size, industry, and ownership. Secondary data from 394 firms operating in China show that four organizational groupings—brown, light brown, light green, and green—firms exist. Multinomial logistic regression results show that larger firms and firms in the electronics industry are more likely to be greener, indicating that firm size and industry play a strong role in discriminating GSCM practice adoption. Interestingly, no differences between domestic and foreign‐owned firms exist, implying that the gaps in institutional perspectives between Chinese domestic and non‐domestic ownership may be disappearing. This study provides practical implications for strategic benchmarking of GSCM practices. The results also have broader implications for firm operations within China and Chinese firms competing elsewhere.
Lithium-ion battery (LIB) circular supply chains (CSCs) present unique safety challenges among operation processes. Blockchain technology can be a promising solution for addressing these challenges, by enabling effective tracking and verification of safety-related information throughout the supply chain. However, how blockchain can mitigate safety issues from a supply chain perspective is poorly understood. This study proposes a theory-supported framework through intervention-based research (IBR) to provide guidance for LIB CSC safety management. The conceptual framework and theoretical propositions set the foundation for research on a comprehensive blockchain ecosystem specifically designed for CSC safety management. The framework includes the design of a blockchain architecture with capabilities tailored to address safety concerns, the involvement of multiple stakeholders, and the development of a safety measurement matrix. This study suggests research and practical directions which lay the groundwork for leveraging blockchain technology to improve safety management in LIB CSC. This research contributes to sustainable supply chains by proposing a conceptual framework for mitigating safety concerns in LIB CSC, paving the way for effective blockchain implementation. In addition, this study contributes to advancing the theoretical design understanding and application of blockchain technology in CSC safety management.
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To date the emerging area of environmentally conscious business practices (ECBP) has focused on the internal functions and activities of an organization. The literature has devoted little attention to customer-supplier relationships and their links to internal dimensions. Yet, in practice, the concern for environmentally conscious relationships among organizations is growing. External relationships are integral elements in the development of an industrial ecosystem infrastructure. These relationships are usually considered by supply chain management. Supply chain management from an ecological standpoint is a necessary component in design for the environment (DFE) and similar programs. This paper discusses issues associated with the linkage of ECBP and supply chain management.
The adoption of the circular economy (CE) at the firm level has rarely intersected with human resource management (HRM) – here called ‘the human side of organizations’ – and these two fields remain largely separate areas of knowledge. While the literature on the CE is expanding, discussion of its implementation in organizations is, so far, rare, along with exploration of the necessary alignment of the CE with green human resource management (GHRM). In this article, we extend the state-of-the-art literature on CE business models through the inclusion of the ‘human side’ of such issues. This goal is met by offering an original integrative GHRM framework for organizations developing CE. The theoretical lenses of stakeholders' theory and the resource based view (RBV) form the foundation of this framework, which represents a ‘middle range theory’. We underline the practices and dimensions of the links between GHRM and the ‘ReSOLVE’ CE model. Through an exploration of this integrative framework, we propose a future research agenda along with original research propositions. Furthermore, the middle-range integrated theoretical framework we propose can serve both academics and practitioners in developing understanding of the human resource management (HRM) and change management aspects of the CE.
The initial selection and development of suppliers is a critical and increasingly complex component of organizational supply chains. In recent years sustainability issues have played an increasing role in making these decisions, though there has been limited activity in the literature in this regard. We develop an optimization model that simultaneously addresses supplier selection, supplier development, and sustainability considerations. Sustainability is integrated in the form of supplier sustainability ratings and sustainable supplier development through investment and training budgets. To handle the considerable complexity concerning such decisions, we demonstrate a recent algorithmic approach that can identify a portfolio (set) of multiple high-quality and yet collectively diverse solutions. This approach is carried out on a selection of randomly generated, representative test instances. Encouraging computational results and managerial implications are analyzed and discussed.
Disasters may strike at any moment in any location. When they do, no distinction is made about the type of firm that is being affected, whether it is a bank or a manufacturing plant. Most firms do not plan for possible disasters, and those that do have typically focused on computer and data contingency planning. In this paper, the focus is shifted to incorporate disaster recovery planning for manufacturing enterprises, especially those that are automated. Automated manufacturing enterprises have characteristics that put them at an increased risk to disasters. The methodological framework proposed in this paper will aid manufacturing organizations and their managers in reducing the risks associated with unanticipated disasters. The framework is termed the "Manufacturing Operations Recovery and Resumption" model. Recommended activities and tools for effective management of this methodology are identified.
This chapter presents a case study of an overview of the efforts of Texas Instrument’s (TI’s) internal and external ERP implementation, with a focus on linking its ERP system in a global e-commerce setting. This linkage is especially important since it had been stated in TI’s strategic plan as an objective of this project to provide visibility of the ERP system to external constituents via Web linkages along with the objective of standardizing internal processes and important information technology systems to support market needs. Thus, its ERP system is central to managing its supply chain and B2B e-commerce linkages from both a customer and supplier perspective. Issues faced by TI are clearly outlined with future questions also posed in the final section.
One of the most critical operational practices influencing the environmental sustainability of organizations and their supply chains is the transport of ma
Corporate environmental responsibilities have expanded to include their supply chains. Green supply chain management (GSCM) practices can be extensive – including both intra- and inter-organisational environmental management practices. Selecting and sequencing GSCM practices is an important issue given resource and strategic organisational considerations. Using the cumulative capabilities theory, this study empirically explores GSCM implementation sequences, following which firms can build cumulative capabilities. Correlation, sequential test, and path analysis are used to identify GSCM practice implementation sequence from secondary data. The results show that firms should first encourage suppliers to disclose their environmental data and respond to inquiries on environmental violations by their suppliers (the order of the two is exchangeable), then encourage suppliers to comply with environmental regulations, extend practices to lower-tier suppliers, and engage in responsible recycling. This study is one of the first to apply cumulative capability theory to analyse environmental practices and provides a framework for future research on GSCM sequences. The paper also offers practical implications for firms to adjust their strategies in order to adopt GSCM more effectively and successfully.
Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a flexible management tool and methodology that can be utilized in a variety of ways. This flexibility is evident in the applications of DEA for investigating corporate environmental sustainability and management. In this chapter an...
While building their reputation as a major manufacturing prowess, Chinese industry has experienced increasing ecological pressures from a variety of institutional players including market, governmental, and competitive sources. In response to these pressures some organizations initiate emergent green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. A moderated hierarchical regression analysis of data provided by 341 Chinese manufacturer respondents was completed to examine the relationships between GSCM practice, environmental and economic performance, incorporating three moderating factors market, regulatory and competitive institutional pressures. The results reveal that: (1) Chinese manufacturers have experienced increasing environmental pressure to implement GSCM practices; (2) The existence of market (normative) and regulatory (coercive) pressures influences organizations to have improved environmental performance, especially when these pressures cause adoption of eco-design and green purchasing practices; (3) Manufacturers facing higher regulatory pressures tend to implement green purchasing and investment recovery; (4) Competitive (mimetic) pressure existence significantly improves the economic benefits from adoption of a number of GSCM practices with no deleterious influences on environmental performance; (5) None of the institutional pressures contribute to or lessen possible 'win-win' situations for organizations. Implications for operations strategists and organizational sustainability planners from these relationships are also discussed.
