Jan Askhoj, Shigeo Sugimoto and Mitsuharu Nagamori
The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of managing records in a cloud computing environment and compare these with existing archiving models, exemplified by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of managing records in a cloud computing environment and compare these with existing archiving models, exemplified by the open archival information system (OAIS) reference model.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors compare the functional entities in OAIS with a layered model of cloud computing, in which services are abstracted and shared between layers.
Findings
It is concluded that there are a number of areas where OAIS does not integrate well with cloud computing systems. Based on the findings, a new layered model for a cloud archiving system is defined using the concepts and information types from the OAIS reference model. The proposed model allows the sharing of functionality and information objects by making them available as services to higher layers. The model covers the entire document lifecycle, making archive functionality such as preservation planning possible at an early stage and helping to simplify records transfer.
Research limitations/implications
The model provides a simple, OAIS compatible approach to representing how digital objects and necessary metadata can be transferred from content creation systems to archives systems.
Originality/value
Whereas a lot of research has been done on the technical aspects of cloud storage, there is a lack of focus on how to comprehensively integrate records transfer and preservation in cloud systems. This paper fills in some of the gaps.
Details
Keywords
To conduct a cross-border transaction, participants need an exchange object (goods) and at least two direct parties (the seller and the buyer), forming the foundation of a…
Abstract
To conduct a cross-border transaction, participants need an exchange object (goods) and at least two direct parties (the seller and the buyer), forming the foundation of a significant exchange mechanism. Beyond the primary buyer and seller, the transaction involves intermediaries, representatives of actors, carriers, insurers, state officials, and other individuals. These stakeholders engage at various levels, ranging from international and national to regional and local communities. The authors propose a novel way to classify stakeholders based on their involvement in value-added distribution. Trading operations enable actors to gain a trading margin; many stakeholders participate in this process. One group of stakeholders contributes to shaping the “rules of the game,” establishing framework conditions and limitations for cross-border commodity exchange. Another larger group experiences the direct or indirect impact of export–import operations on their activities. This distinction among stakeholders leads the authors to develop a two-tier model for trade relations in border regions. The model differentiates between exogenous and endogenous factors influencing the dynamics of the resulting features, making it possible to examine border regions' development under the influence of cross-border trade dynamics.
Details
Keywords
Emerson Wagner Mainardes, Helena Alves and Mário Raposo
This paper aims to develop a new model of stakeholder classification and a model for explaining the relationship between the organization and its respective stakeholders.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a new model of stakeholder classification and a model for explaining the relationship between the organization and its respective stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
The new proposed model is based on an empirical study that comprises an exploratory study based on 15 interviews and a confirmatory study based on 684 questionnaires answered by staff of 11 public universities. The main variable deployed is the stakeholder's respective level of influence from the organization's management perspective, that is, their level of legitimacy, power and urgency.
Findings
The new model proposes six stakeholder types (regulator, controller, partner, passive, dependent and non‐stakeholder). To explain the relationship between the stakeholder and the organization, the traditional needs‐satisfaction vision was expanded. The variables of relevance, mutual influence and participation were found to be important in explaining the organization and stakeholder relationship. This study contributes both in simplifying stakeholder classification and in explaining the relationships between parties.
Research limitations/implications
The study proposes a new model for stakeholder classification based on empirical research carried out with public organizations, therefore it is advisable to test this new classification scheme with other types of organizations.
Originality/value
This research proposes a stakeholder classification scheme previously unpublished in the literature, which helps organizations managing the relationships with their stakeholders.
Details
Keywords
Md Jahidur Rahman, Jinru Ding, Md Moazzem Hossain and Eijaz Ahmed Khan
The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on earnings management practices in China using a sample of family and non-family enterprises…
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on earnings management practices in China using a sample of family and non-family enterprises. More specifically, this study aims to examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic causes variation in Chinese listed family and non-family enterprises' operations, as reflected in the level of real earnings management (REM).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses three standardised REM indicators, namely, the abnormal level of cash flows from operations, the abnormal level of production costs and the abnormal level of discretionary expenses. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions are applied to compare the earnings management of Chinese family and non-family enterprises during the pre-pandemic period (2017–2019) and the pandemic period (2020).
Findings
The authors find that Chinese listed non-family enterprises tend to participate in more REM activities than family enterprises before the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the opposite is true during the pandemic. The authors also find that COVID-19 has increased the involvement of family and non-family enterprises in REM activities.
Originality/value
The results of previous studies based on REM using Chinese listed firms may not be applicable under the new social background of COVID-19. As the period after the COVID-19 outbreak is relatively recent, Chinese researchers have yet to study it comprehensively. The present study is amongst the first empirical attempts investigating the effect of a pandemic financial reporting by investigating whether and how the burst of the COVID-19 crisis affected financial reporting through the earnings management practices of listed Chinese family and non-family enterprises. Such information is crucial because it can provide analysis for all stakeholders to make better decisions.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to find ways of improving the efficiency of the meatpacking business by achievement of a few sequential aims: an estimation of efficiency…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find ways of improving the efficiency of the meatpacking business by achievement of a few sequential aims: an estimation of efficiency, determination of its key factors, revealing of the reserves of input reduction and potential growth of efficiency, and defining the ways of its improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
A few models of the data envelopment analysis (DEA), three‐factor production function and other tools of competitive and international benchmarking are used to analyse the efficiency of meatpacking companies. A two‐criteria analysis tool named the efficiency‐profitability matrix is used to determine the factors that influence efficiency. The results are based on the samples of 29 Ukrainian and 53 foreign meatpacking companies.
Findings
Significant reserves of inputs reduction by the domestic meatpacking companies are revealed. The offered ways of using the potential of efficiency growth for the Ukrainian meatpacking producers are connected with the use of both their internal ability (modernization of equipment, motivation of personnel) and successful experience and resources of domestic and foreign companies through the tools of co‐operation, exchange of experience, merger or friendly acquisition.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to a single industry that is explained by requirement of technology (product) homogeneity while using DEA tools.
Practical implications
The results contain the data and recommendations that can be practicable for meatpacking companies' management, present and potential investors and proprietors.
Originality/value
This is the first study that adopts various analysis and benchmarking tools for the versatile research of efficiency in the meatpacking industry and finding ways for its improvement.
Details
Keywords
Norasekin Ab Rashid and Jamil Bojei
Muslim consumers have been shocked with the news of cross-contamination issues in the Halal food that they consumed. These issues make them put more effort in ensuring the…
Abstract
Purpose
Muslim consumers have been shocked with the news of cross-contamination issues in the Halal food that they consumed. These issues make them put more effort in ensuring the products that they purchased being monitored throughout the supply chain. In this case, food companies must be prepared to implement systematic traceability system to ensure the authenticity of Halal products and comprehend the importance of Halal industry environmental factors (HIEF) in enhancing integrity of Halal food supply chain and protect from any risk of cross-contaminations. This paper aims to clarify the relationship between the Halal traceability system adoption (HTSA) and HIEFs on Halal food supply chain integrity (HFSCIn).
Design/methodology/approach
The study opted quantitative research approach by using the self-administrated questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed during Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2014 and Halal Fiesta Malaysia (HALFEST) 2014. 127 Malaysian Halal food and beverages companies have been involved in the study. Most of the respondents are the general manager or owner of the company, Halal executives, quality assurance managers, operation managers and sales manager.
Findings
The study found that there is a significant relationship between HTSA and HIEF on HFSCIn. The study also found that the highest adoptions of Halal traceability system are among the producer and end user, while the highest contributions in influencing the HIEF are the economic and socio-cultural factors.
Research limitations/implications
This study only focused on Halal food industry particularly the food and beverages category. Thus, future study can explore further on every category in food industry such as raw materials and ingredients; poultry, meat and dairy; fast food and premises and make comparison between pharmaceutical, cosmetics and health care in Halal industry. In addition, the sample size (N = 127) can be considered small; therefore, it is recommended that in future the subject matter be explored with a much larger sample to allow generalization of the result.
Originality/value
This study provided, perhaps for the first time, an analysis of the relationship between traceability adoptions and HIEF on HFSCIn.
Details
Keywords
Hsin‐I Hsiao, Ron G.M. Kemp, Jack G.A.J. van der Vorst and S.W.F. (Onno) Omta
This paper aims to investigate outsourcing of different types of logistics activities in Taiwanese food industry, and benchmark with practices in The Netherlands.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate outsourcing of different types of logistics activities in Taiwanese food industry, and benchmark with practices in The Netherlands.
Design/methodology/approach
The outsourcing of four levels of logistics activities is investigated: transportation (level 1), packaging (level 2), transportation management (level 3), and distribution network management (level 4). A structured questionnaire was designed and sent to logistics managers in The Netherlands and Taiwan to evaluate the most commonly outsourced activities and identify specific outsourcing firm's characteristics.
Findings
About 69 per cent of the companies, in both countries outsource level 1 activities, 16 per cent level 2, and 37 per cent level 3 activities. Only few companies (about 10 per cent) outsource the highest level of activities. In particular, The Netherlands has higher percentages for levels 1 and 3. This might be caused by the fact that most Taiwanese companies emphasise low cost whereas the Dutch companies focus on flexibility in order to deal with higher complexities. When intentions for the future are included, Taiwan is planning to outsource level 2 (40 per cent) and level 4 activities (36 per cent) much more than The Netherlands (respectively 13 and 17 per cent). When zooming in, it was found that outsourcing strategies of companies in the subsectors differ. For instance, the dairy sector outsources more frequently than the meat sector on the first three levels. This might be caused by the fact that meat companies emphasise food quality, whereas dairy companies emphasise flexibility and reliability.
Research limitations/implications
This study investigated only food processors. The paper suggests further research should include other types of food organisations.
Originality/value
The paper provides valuable insights in outsourcing strategies of food processing companies in Taiwan and The Netherlands for advanced logistics service providers who are looking at the market potential of Taiwan.
Details
Keywords
Cees J. Gelderman, Janjaap Semeijn, Ferdi Ter Avest and Ellen Peeters
Buying companies in the food industry increasingly recognize the need to cultivate relationships with their suppliers. Social capital and power are important to understand…
Abstract
Purpose
Buying companies in the food industry increasingly recognize the need to cultivate relationships with their suppliers. Social capital and power are important to understand buyer–supplier relationships. Maintaining these relationships appears highly dependent on the degree of information sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates how power and social capital dimensions are related to information sharing. A survey of first-tier suppliers in the Dutch meat processing industry was carried out. The data from 82 suppliers was analyzed using partial least squares.
Findings
It appears that expert power contributes to the cognitive and structural social capital. In contrast, coercive power showed no influence at all. Cognitive and structural social capital dimensions have a direct link to relational social capital, which significantly improves buyer–supplier information sharing in the food industry.
Practical implications
Buying companies can encourage supplier information sharing by building up their own expertise and cultivating social relationships. They should refrain from strong-handed practices.
Originality/value
Companies in the food and food processing industry are dependent on effective information exchange for their very survival. This study investigates the role of power and social capital in making such exchange possible and sustainable.
Details
Keywords
Carmina Fandos and Carlos Flavián
To examine the influence of the perceived quality of a protected designation of origin (PDO) product on consumer loyalty and buying intentions.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the influence of the perceived quality of a protected designation of origin (PDO) product on consumer loyalty and buying intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic quality attributes, loyalty and buying intention. Information was obtained from an initial qualitative approach based on a group dynamic to allow the development of scales to quantify the different concepts. Personal interviews were then conducted with 251 consumers based on a structured questionnaire.
Findings
The study reveals the existence of a positive and significant relationship between the extrinsic attributes of a traditional food product and loyalty expressed by consumers. It also shows that the perceived quality associated with the intrinsic attributes of the product has a positive and significant influence on buying intentions.
Practical implications
The PDO should seek to foster the perceived quality of intrinsic attributes in order to enhance consumer buying intentions, which may be viewed as the pragmatic side of consumer behaviour, an expression of the behavioural side of their attitude, and a reflection of their actions and short‐term behaviour. It should also foster the perceived quality of extrinsic attributes so as to achieve greater loyalty which, in turn, will be expressed as an increase in repeat purchases. This loyalty may be considered from an attitudinal standpoint involving feelings and affects towards a product or brand, and is related with ideal images held by consumers about their own actions.
Originality/value
This paper shows that positive attitudes, feelings and affects towards symbolic factors are fundamental components of attitudinal loyalty. These aspects reflect the consumer ideal, because such attitudes are based on positive feelings and affects towards symbolic factors. This loyalty, in turn, constitutes the ideal behaviour with which the consumer identifies, although it is not necessarily his/her actual behaviour.
Details
Keywords
Mohamed Syazwan Ab Talib, Abu Bakar Abdul Hamid and Mohd Hafiz Zulfakar
The aim of this study is to discover the critical success factors (CSFs) for the Halal supply chain management because this area is gaining recognition. Plus, the aim is to use…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to discover the critical success factors (CSFs) for the Halal supply chain management because this area is gaining recognition. Plus, the aim is to use the CSFs for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on the application of CSFs on the Halal supply chain. A comprehensive literature review is undertaken to discover the CSFs of conventional supply chain and to apply it to the Halal supply chain.
Findings
Government support, transportation planning, information technology, human resource management, collaborative relationship, Halal certification and Halal traceability are the CSFs for the Halal supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
This study only discusses the CSFs related to the Halal supply chain and ignoring other forms of Halal businesses. This study only concerns on English literatures and omit other languages. The study lacks empirical evidence and future research should be done to test the CSFs relevancy.
Practical implications
This study addresses stakeholders of the Halal supply chain CSFs, which have not been fully understand and appreciated.
Originality/value
CSFs concept has never been attempted on the Halal supply chain. Therefore, this study appraises the concept of CSFs and adds value to the knowledge on the Halal supply chain.