Narassima Madhavarao Seshadri, Anbuudayasankar Singanallur Palanisamy, Thenarasu Mohanavelu and Olivia McDermott
Globalization and population explosion have worsened postharvest losses (PHL) in developing countries. This study looks to identify numerous controllable variables to reduce these…
Abstract
Purpose
Globalization and population explosion have worsened postharvest losses (PHL) in developing countries. This study looks to identify numerous controllable variables to reduce these losses and make the fresh produce supply chain more efficient.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique to develop a hierarchical model to comprehend the intricate relationships between the variables influencing PHL. These variables are further classified based on the relative levels of importance in terms of their driving and dependence powers.
Findings
The findings of this research provide variables for enterprises operating in fresh food supply chains to understand the specific risks that that supply chain faces and how these risks interact within the system. The fuzzy MICMAC analysis also classifies and highlights critical risk factors in the supply chain to aid implementation of PHL mitigation measures. The study highlights the importance of devising policies, legislation and efforts to regulate and curtail PHL across the global food supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
The efficiency of the food supply chain contributes not only to economic sustainability but also to broader goals such as food security, better utilisation of global resources and sustainability in the supply chain.
Social implications
It also highlights the significance of well-informed government policies, laws and regulations in successfully controlling and reducing PHL.
Originality/value
This study compares factors contributing to PHL in the fresh produce supply chain and emphasises the stakeholders’ critical role in alleviating these losses. It also highlights the significance of well-informed government policies, laws and regulations in successfully controlling and reducing PHL.
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To become a sustainable lean manufacturing (LM) system, an organization must be first distinctly cognizant of the terms “lean” and “sustainability” as they relate to the state of…
Abstract
Purpose
To become a sustainable lean manufacturing (LM) system, an organization must be first distinctly cognizant of the terms “lean” and “sustainability” as they relate to the state of affairs of their particular industry and business. Next, the organization must identify and acquire the necessary qualities it needs to become sustainable in lean philosophy and its practices in the organization. The LM paradigm has been a top priority for many businesses; thus, this article is based on actual research done in Indian small and medium scale organizations to see how widely it is understood and implemented.
Design/methodology/approach
A framework was developed based on literature review and academic research. A preliminary analysis of a small number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that, conceptually, summarizes and demonstrates the concerted efforts that a company may undertake to increase its leanness. This conceptual model was employed to create a questionnaire that was administered to survey the SMEs of India. The information gathered through this questionnaire was analyzed using the model developed by the researchers. Then fuzzy logic and systems approach were used to find out the effectiveness index (EI) of the organization.
Findings
The EI for system leanness at different organizational levels within an organization is determined using fuzzy logic and systems approach for 48 SMEs in different clusters. The average EI of the system was found to be 0.336 on a scale of 0–1 which indicates that the current state of lean implementation and its sustainability is very low and poor in Indian SMEs. This article outlines the key model components and describes how they were applied to analyze the data gathered from an industry study.
Research limitations/implications
The research aims to make lean continuously sustainable by surfacing and eliminating the wastes in the Indian SMEs whenever it appears rather than using it as a cleaning tool. The present study was focused on India’s southern industrial areas and it was difficult to gather the information around the country due to its diverse industrial culture and geography. Hence, more research and the comparative study of the same that takes into account the various regions of the nation’s industrial lean behavior can be conducted.
Practical implications
The generalized sustainable lean framework analyzed using fuzzy logic and systems approach gives the current effectiveness of the leanness in SMEs of south India. This model can be effectively implemented in other areas of the nation to identify the scenario of lean and its sustainability and a final comprehensive model can be developed.
Originality/value
There is a dearth of comprehensive studies on the assessment of sustainability of the lean philosophy in Indian SMEs. With the help of combined fuzzy logic and systems approach, the model developed in this study evaluates the sustainability of the lean methodology using the EI used in SMEs by taking into account both the lean and sustainability factors as well as enablers like customer satisfaction, ethics, innovation and technology.
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Md. Ashikur Rahman, Palash Saha, H.M Belal, Shahriar Hasan Ratul and Gary Graham
This research develops a theoretical framework to understand the role of big data analytics capability (BDAC) in enhancing supply chain sustainability and examines the moderating…
Abstract
Purpose
This research develops a theoretical framework to understand the role of big data analytics capability (BDAC) in enhancing supply chain sustainability and examines the moderating effect of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices on this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Guided by the dynamic capability view (DCV), we formulated a theoretical model and research hypotheses. We used partial least square-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data collected from 159 survey responses from Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG).
Findings
The statistical analysis revealed that BDAC positively impacts all three dimensions of supply chain sustainability: economic, social and environmental. Additionally, GSCM practices significantly moderate the relationship between BDAC and supply chain sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
This study makes unique contributions to the operations and supply chain management literature by providing empirical evidence and theoretical insights that extend beyond the focus on single sustainability dimensions. The findings offer valuable guidelines for policymakers and managers to enhance supply chain sustainability through BDAC and GSCM practices.
Originality/value
This study advances the current understanding of supply chain sustainability by integrating BDAC with GSCM practices. It is among the first to empirically investigate the combined effects of BDAC on the three dimensions of sustainability – economic, social and environmental – while also exploring the moderating role of GSCM practices. By employing the DCV, this research offers a robust theoretical framework highlighting the dynamic interplay between technological and environmental capabilities in achieving sustainable supply chain performance.