Many academic studies on reverse supply chain management have emphasised on the development of conceptual and operational models for managing returns and extracting value, but…
Abstract
Purpose
Many academic studies on reverse supply chain management have emphasised on the development of conceptual and operational models for managing returns and extracting value, but have largely ignored the consumer selling behaviour, the starting point of a reverse supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to consider a twofold perspective to understand and analyse the reverse supply chain design of mobile phone in Delhi NCR: first, motivation and intentions of consumer selling their mobile phones and second, the returns management process through the organised and informal channels.
Design/methodology/approach
It first utilises a survey methodology and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model to understand and analyse the consumers’ intentions to recycle and then employs an in-depth interview methodology to derive qualitative insights needed to plot the reverse supply chain design.
Findings
In an extended TPB model, attitude, mediated by a “sense of duty” and perceived control, has a strong influence on the recycling behaviour than subjective norms and benefits. The qualitative insights draw attention to the design, configuration and management of informal and organised recycling channels that differ significantly, but remain relevant and coexist, especially in the context of emerging economies.
Research limitations/implications
It proposes an extended TPB model to understand consumer selling behaviour that can help the companies to plan and handle their demand-supply mechanisms in the reverse supply chain.
Social implications
This study calls for a proactive intervention by the Indian Government and other key stakeholders to regulate and streamline electrical and electronics waste management in India.
Originality/value
This research is positioned at the interface of logistics and marketing to understand and create a sustainable reverse supply chain design for high-value products.
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Keywords
Seamus O'Reilly, Anita Kumar and Frédéric Adam
In recent years there has been an increasing interest in make-to-stock and make-to-order combined strategies in food manufacturing operations. However, most scholarly work to-date…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years there has been an increasing interest in make-to-stock and make-to-order combined strategies in food manufacturing operations. However, most scholarly work to-date has neglected the role of hierarchical production planning (HPP) in guiding small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) implementation of such strategies. The purpose of this paper is to address food SME manufacturers’ readiness to adopt such strategies, in terms of internal integration and their capability to adopt formalised planning approaches.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an action research methodology to explore the potential impact of HPP in SME food manufacturers. Selected companies had identified product variety management as a challenge and also had recognised the need to enhance internal integration. Given this, the research team, from a theoretical perspective, proposed the use of HPP set within a broader decision-making conceptual framework to improve internal integration and planning.
Findings
This paper adopts the fundamental position that HPP provides a useful framework in the establishment of strategic and tactical level constraints and priorities which then act as specific guides at the operational level, and presents empirical evidence in a food SME manufacturing context. In the cases the authors studies, the cascading effect of this decision-making framework focused attention on key metrics, encouraged greater internal integration and delivered tangible, significant improvements in performance. This was greatly facilitated by the provision of new key data on the cost of certain managerial trade-offs which these firms faced.
Originality/value
SMEs are of a scale that requires a formalised planning approach; however production planning systems are typically designed for large scale enterprises. This paper addresses the need of SMEs in this regard. Well-established supply chain metrics were used to establish the benefits of both HPP and resulting improvement in internal integration and beyond, in terms of improvement in the quality of planning decisions.
Details
Keywords
Seamus O'Reilly and Anita Kumar
Increased economic development in emerging economies has spurred the growth of “fast fashion” and this in turn has led to not only an opportunity for recycling activity but also a…
Abstract
Purpose
Increased economic development in emerging economies has spurred the growth of “fast fashion” and this in turn has led to not only an opportunity for recycling activity but also a need to do so from a sustainability perspective. The purpose of this paper is to consider the emergence of such recycling activity in a developing economy.
Design/methodology/approach
A process flow approach guides identification of stakeholders and an analysis of reverse supply chain structure and processes. An adapted and extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model is employed to explore recycling behaviour at the household level.
Findings
The authors find rather haphazard garment recycling channels in Delhi NCR. In particular product acquisition processes are characterised by poor value appropriation and provide a limited service to households. This is supported by the householder survey that finds poor satisfaction levels with most recycling channels. PLS path modelling tested hypotheses that each of the four constructs (attitudes, subjective norm, perceived control and sense of duty) are significant determinants of “intention to plan to recycle”. Having tested for various possible meditating effects, sense of duty was found to act as a precursor to attitude. In this model all other constructs were significant determinants of intention to recycle garments. Thus the study highlights the role of “sense of duty” in attitude formation, a key determinant of intention to recycle garments. This highlights the importance of adherence to sustainable practices and the need for associated governance and regulation. Subjective norm points to the impact of a range of people, including experts. While perceived control points to difficulties encountered both from a self-efficacy and external (opportunity) perspectives.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that reverse supply chain design should address the limitations of the product acquisition process (especially poor value appropriation and limited collection services) and respond to household motivational factors and perceived difficulties.
Originality/value
The study considers the impact of the garment product lifecycle on household behaviour. In this context the adapted TPB model addressed the role of conscious planning. The model is extended to include sense of duty, this contributes to emerging work in this field.