Pradeep K. Jha, Suvadip Ghorai, Rakhi Jha and Surya Prakash Singh
The main aim of this paper is to investigate key challenges that hinder sustainable and resilient green supply chain (GSC) building in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this paper is to investigate key challenges that hinder sustainable and resilient green supply chain (GSC) building in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with respect to how they interact after the COVID era.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a questionnaire, policymakers and industry managers from SMEs identify the main obstacles that will affect their resilience. These issues are then discussed with 50 experienced professionals from the top management field and further divided into sustainability and gresilience challenges. The Grey-DEMATEL (Grey sets and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) has been employed to assess the significance of challenges to SMEs' development of green resilience. Overall, the paper aims to build up a novel decision-making technology for the interconnectedness of green and resilience in the post-pandemic supply chain world.
Findings
The 12 sustainability and gresilience challenges highlighted by experts in the sector were analyzed. Insufficient government assistance and the handling of resources are the most significant challenges to developing a sustainable and gresilient value chain system, according to the study. The study highlights supply chain restructuring, waste reduction management, shortages of skilled manpower and insufficient knowledge of digitalization as key challenges for SMEs to prioritize.
Practical implications
The outcomes of this research are crucial for SMEs building resilient supply networks through the green concept. Policymakers may utilize the data to pinpoint shortcomings in the supply chain for tactical as well as strategic development and improvement.
Originality/value
When it comes to building green resilience and sustainability in an unpredictable business climate, the outcomes of this research will be significant for SMEs.
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Haizhe Yu, Xiaopeng Deng, Na Zhang and Xicheng Zhang
Blockchain technology (BCT) is considered a promising tool to improve the productivity of construction project management. Existing research has studied its potential costs and…
Abstract
Purpose
Blockchain technology (BCT) is considered a promising tool to improve the productivity of construction project management. Existing research has studied its potential costs and benefits for the construction industry. However, the potential costs and benefits of BCT failed to be compared as actual costs and benefits of specific applications for stakeholders. To fill this gap, this study seeks to analyze the cost-effectiveness of BCT-based applications in construction project management.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is conducted with a customized systematic literature review based on transaction cost theory to enable qualitative comparison. With a deliberately designed structure confining extraneous variables, the costs and benefits of BCT-based applications are identified and compared. The inherent dependent relations of processes and the evolution relations of functions are identified. The cost-effectiveness of blockchain adoption is then analyzed.
Findings
Seven functions and six challenges are identified within five processes. The result suggests all identified functions are cost-effective except for manual instruction (coding smart contracts manually). The smart contracts require explicit definition and logic to be effective. However, the construction projects essentially require the institution to be flexible due to unpredictability. The adoption of smart contracts and corresponding additional requirements can increase the transaction cost of bounded rationality.
Research limitations/implications
As manual instruction is fundamental to realize other functions, and its advanced substitute relies on its broad adoption, its cost-effectiveness must be improved for applications to be acceptable to stakeholders. The establishment of a universal smart contract model and a universal, legitimate and efficient database structure are recommended to minimize the cost and maximize the effect of applications.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the knowledge by providing a comprehensive analysis of BCT adoption’s cost-effectiveness in construction project management. The adopted review structure can be extended to analyze the qualitative benefits and challenges of management automation in the early stages.
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Kavitha Pradeep and Pankaj Kumar Baag
This paper aims to investigate the effect of bank monitoring on conditional conservative accounting of Indian listed firms. Drawing on bank monitoring and relationship lending…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect of bank monitoring on conditional conservative accounting of Indian listed firms. Drawing on bank monitoring and relationship lending literature, the study hypothesizes that monitoring by a single bank reduces the bank’s demand for conservatism-facilitated control transfers.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical design is composed of three steps. In the first step, using data on Indian firms listed in NSE and BSE for the period 2000–2019, market-based firm-year measure and accrual cash flow-based firm-year measure of conditional conservatism is estimated. In the second step, we test the hypothesis using multivariate panel regression corrected for heteroskedasticity and incorporating firm and year-fixed effects. In the third step, we test for the robustness of the results using Heckman’s correction approach.
Findings
Results indicate that firms which are monitored by a single bank tend to be less conservative. Also, the negative association between single bank monitoring and conservatism is stronger when the firm’s debt structure is dominated by bank debt.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s scope does not include analyzing the influence of characteristics of the single banker monitoring the firm. Future research could investigate attributes like ownership of the banker as a possible source of variation in the relationship documented in this study.
Practical implications
Accounting standard-setting boards are now discouraging implementation of conservatism to avoid bias in financial reporting. This paper finds that a strong bank–firm relationship can be a possible substitute for conservatism.
Originality/value
The study sheds new light on the debt structure–conservatism relationship. Bank’s availability of inside information through the transaction account and its impact on lending relationships is established in the literature. However, the literature on the determinants of conservatism has not examined how the benefit enjoyed by the firm’s single banker, possessing all the information in the transaction account can lead to bank’s reduced dependence on financial statements and subsequently reduced accounting conservatism of borrowing firms.
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Pradeep Kumar Ponnamma Divakaran
This paper investigates how stockist brand equity is created in the unorganized pharma retail sector in emerging markets despite the absence of any proactive brand-building…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates how stockist brand equity is created in the unorganized pharma retail sector in emerging markets despite the absence of any proactive brand-building efforts by distribution firms (stockists). In addition, this study also aims to unravel the sources of stockist brand equity.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from grounded theory, a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was conducted, and a theoretical saturation approach was used for this purpose. The retailer–stockist (business-to-business [B2B]) relationship in the Indian pharmaceutical market context was used as the study context.
Findings
The findings show that in the absence of any brand-building activities, stockists’ sales representatives play an important role in creating stockist brand awareness. In addition, word of mouth from other retailers also plays a minor role. Rational and emotional brand associations which are strong, favorable and unique are created 1) directly by the services provided by stockists, which includes product availability, deliverability, accuracy in billing and batch numbers, credit facilities and discounts, handling issues such as product expiry, and 2) indirectly by the services provided by stockists’ sales representatives which includes their frequency of visits, proactive customer orientation rather than sales orientation, fulfilling commitments and relationship with retailers. The strength of the retailer–stockist (B2B) relationship also depends on retailer-driven factors and other external factors discussed in this study.
Social implications
Strong stockist brand equity helps build trust and loyalty with pharmacies, ensuring a consistent and timely supply of medicinal products, which will benefit their end consumers or society.
Originality/value
This study identifies the antecedents determining the strength of the retailer–stockist (B2B) relationship, a precursor for establishing retailer-based stockist brand equity in the unorganized sector. This study also highlights the consequences of establishing strong retailer-based stockist brand equity.
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Stanny Dias, Benny Godwin J. Davidson, Arun Antony Chully and Pradeep Hari Pendse
The motivation to choose an electric vehicle (EV) is guided by principles of personal values, perceived rewards and preferences. While the benefits of sustainable transportation…
Abstract
Purpose
The motivation to choose an electric vehicle (EV) is guided by principles of personal values, perceived rewards and preferences. While the benefits of sustainable transportation are known, the acceptance of EVs and the motivation to purchase them is not satisfactory in India. An assessment of the motivation continuum, a range of intrinsic to extrinsic personal and societal drives that encourage specific choices, explains the lack of EV adoption in the country. This study aims to examine the effect of motivation types on EV adoption intentions and also explores the moderating role of gender in this context.
Design/methodology/approach
By incorporating constructs from the self-determination theory, the study expands on the technological acceptance model. It uses the structural equation modelling method to test the hypotheses and presents an analysis of responses from 351 participants.
Findings
The findings suggest that there are significant relationships between external, identified, integrated motivation and EV buying intentions. The influence of gender on EV adoption is also explored.
Originality/value
This study provides an in-depth analysis of varied motivational types on EV buying intentions and the moderating effects of gender on these relationships.
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Neha Singh, Kulvinder Kaur, Sana Moid, Anis Ur Rehman and Naela Jamal Rushdi
This study aims to unveil the realities of Madhubani painting women artisans in the Mithila region of Bihar. It delves into the theory of capitalism concerning women artisans and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to unveil the realities of Madhubani painting women artisans in the Mithila region of Bihar. It delves into the theory of capitalism concerning women artisans and their challenges and explores potential avenues for empowerment.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing an interpretative qualitative technique, the research focused on Madhubani Painting Women Artisans of Bihar. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the resulting data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
The findings revealed 22 sub-themes grouped into five themes. The first three themes are based on the theory of capitalism, including human, social and economic capital related to Madhubani painting women artisans. The following two themes included challenges faced by women artisans and notable opportunities within an emerging market.
Research limitations/implications
The geographical focus, reliance on qualitative data, limited stakeholder perspectives and short timeframe may restrict the generalizability, breadth of insights and long-term impact assessment, highlighting the need for broader future research.
Practical implications
This research implies that there is a need to enhance digital skills, boost IT infrastructure and continuous support from the government to empower rural women artisans, fostering economic growth, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation in the handicraft sector.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the limited body of knowledge regarding the experiences of women artisans, shedding light on the unique themes and subthemes. The study underscores the significance of preserving traditional art forms and cultural heritage while striving for improved economic empowerment and social inclusion.