Astha Sharma, Dinesh Kumar and Navneet Arora
The pharmaceutical industry faces multiple risks that adversely affect its performance. Within these risks, some dependencies have been observed, which help in streamlining the…
Abstract
Purpose
The pharmaceutical industry faces multiple risks that adversely affect its performance. Within these risks, some dependencies have been observed, which help in streamlining the mitigation efforts. Therefore, the present work identifies and categorizes various risks/sub-risks in cause–effect groups, considering uncertainty in the decision-making process.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review and experts' opinions were utilized to identify and finalize the risks faced by the pharmaceutical industry. For further analysis, data collection was done using a questionnaire focusing on finalized risks. Based on the data, the causal relation under uncertainty between various risks/sub-risks was identified using a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique, i.e. intuitionistic fuzzy DEMATEL, in a pairwise manner.
Findings
The results show that the three most prominent risk categories are operational, demand/customer/market and financial. Also, out of the seven main risks, only supplier and operational are categorized within the effect group and the rest, i.e. financial, demand, logistics, political and technology within the cause group. The sub-risks within each category have also been categorized into cause–effect groups. The mitigation of cause group risks will help in economize the financial resources and improve the performance and resilience of the industry.
Originality/value
There is insufficient research on identifying the causality among the pharmaceutical industry risks. Additionally, an extensive discussion on the identified cause–effect groups is also missing in the literature. Therefore, in this work, efforts have been made to determine the prominent risks for the Indian pharmaceutical industry that will be helpful for channelizing the resources to mitigate risks for a resilient industry.
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Astha Sharma, Dinesh Kumar and Navneet Arora
The purpose of the present work is to improve the industry performance by identifying and quantifying the risks faced by the Indian pharmaceutical industry (IPI). The risk values…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present work is to improve the industry performance by identifying and quantifying the risks faced by the Indian pharmaceutical industry (IPI). The risk values for the prominent risks and overall industry are determined based on the four risk parameters, which would help determine the most contributive risks for mitigation.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature survey was done to identify the risks, which were also validated by industry experts. The finalized risks were then evaluated using the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method, which is the most suitable approach for the risk assessment with parameters having a set of different risk levels.
Findings
The three most contributive sub-risks are counterfeit drugs, demand fluctuations and loss of customers due to partners' poor service performance, while the main risks obtained are demand, financial and logistics. Also, the overall risk value indicates that the industry faces medium to high risk.
Practical implications
The study identifies the critical risks which need to be mitigated for an efficient industry. The industry is most vulnerable to the demand risk category. Therefore, the managers should minimize this risk by mitigating its sub-risks, like demand fluctuations, bullwhip effect, etc. Another critical sub-risk, the counterfeit risk, should be managed by adopting advanced technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, etc.
Originality/value
There is insufficient literature focusing on risk quantification. Therefore, this work addresses this gap and obtains the industry's most critical risks. It also discusses suitable mitigation strategies for better industry performance.
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Astha Sharma, Neeraj Bhanot, Ajay Gupta and Rajeev Trehan
This study aims to utilize DMAIC methodology along with value stream mapping and other Lean Six Sigma tools in a major automobile light manufacturing industry to reduce defect…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to utilize DMAIC methodology along with value stream mapping and other Lean Six Sigma tools in a major automobile light manufacturing industry to reduce defect rates and increase production capacity in their manufacturing line. The study also proposes a modified framework based on lean principles and FlexSim to identify and reduce waste in the selected industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A Lean Six Sigma modified framework has been deployed with DMAIC to reduce the defect rate and increase the production rate. Various tools like value stream mapping, brainstorming, Pareto charts, 5S, kanban, etc. have been used at different phases of DMAIC targeting wastes and inventory in the production line. Also, a simulation model has been utilized for the automobile light manufacturing industry to improve the machine utilization time with varying batch sizes.
Findings
The results of the study indicated a 53% reduction in defect rates. Thus, there would be an expected improvement in sigma value from 3.78 to 3.89 and a reduction in defects per million opportunities (DPMO) from 11,244 to 8,493. Additionally, simulation model using FlexSim was developed, and the optimum ordering batch size of raw material was obtained. It was also analyzed that idle time for various stations could be reduced by up to 30%.
Practical implications
The utilized framework helps identify defects for managers to increase production efficiency. The workers, operators and supervisors on the production line also need to be trained regularly for identifying the areas of improvement.
Originality/value
The modified Lean Six Sigma framework used in this study includes FlexSim simulation to make the framework robust, which has not been used with LSS tools in the literature studied. Also, the LSS finds very less application in the manufacturing domain, considering which this study tends to add value in existing literature taking a case of an automobile light manufacturing industry.
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Environmental issues, emissions of greenhouse gases, depletion of fossil fuels and the rise in fuel prices have led to the evolution of a new mode of transportation. Electric…
Abstract
Environmental issues, emissions of greenhouse gases, depletion of fossil fuels and the rise in fuel prices have led to the evolution of a new mode of transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) are being initiated to address ecological worries. However, many factors affect people's perceptions towards the purchase of EVs in India. This study aims to evaluate various aspects that impact the adoption of EVs and highlight the problems customers face. It emphasises evaluating EV adoption in Maharashtra. An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted to understand people's preferences towards EVs in India. The exploratory research identified factors affecting people's decision-making while purchasing vehicles. These factors were further evaluated to understand the most significant factors in purchasing EVs. People's preferences have changed over the years. However, the price of EVs is higher than their convenience; in Maharashtra, the infrastructure still needs to be developed to maintain such EVs. As it is the initial stage, people are waiting for further responses so that they can think of buying it.
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Rinki Dahiya, Abhishek Singh and Astha Pandey
The importance of workplace inclusion continues to gain scholarly acclaim. However, in reality, many employees choose to ostracize their colleagues post workplace relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
The importance of workplace inclusion continues to gain scholarly acclaim. However, in reality, many employees choose to ostracize their colleagues post workplace relationship strife. With this notion the present study aims to delve into the intricate linkages between workplace relationship conflict (WRC) and employee ostracism behavior (EOB), exploring the serial mediating roles of relational identification (RI) and emotional energy (EE). Additionally, the study examines the potential moderating effect of perceived forgiveness climate (PFC) to understand how forgiveness climate may serve as a boundary condition in shaping these crucial relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis utilized five-wave time-tagged data collected from 228 employees through scenario and survey methods. The Hayes PROCESS Macro was employed to examine the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicate a positive influence of WRC on EOB. Additionally, RI and EE sequentially mediate the relationship between WRC and EOB. Furthermore, PFC moderates the serial mediation process (RI and EE) between WRC and EOB as well as the adverse effects of WRC on RI.
Originality/value
Grounded in the theoretical framework of conservation of resource (COR) theory and cognitive-affective personality system (CAPS) theory, the present study offers new insights. By establishing the complicated interplay of RI and EE between WRC and EOB along with the moderating role of PFC, the study extends the understanding of the mechanisms involved, providing a more comprehensive perspective. By shedding light on these complicated interconnected links, the study paved the way for positive social dynamics at work.
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Astha Sanjeev Gupta, Jaydeep Mukherjee and Ruchi Garg
COVID-19 disrupted the lives of consumers across the globe, and the retail sector has been one of the hardest hits. The impact of COVID-19 on consumers' retail choice behaviour…
Abstract
Purpose
COVID-19 disrupted the lives of consumers across the globe, and the retail sector has been one of the hardest hits. The impact of COVID-19 on consumers' retail choice behaviour and retailers' responses has been studied in detail through multiple lenses. Now that the effect of COVID-19 is abating, there is a need to consolidate the learnings during the lifecycle of COVID-19 and set the agenda for research post-COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
Scopus database was searched to cull out academic papers published between March 2020 and June 6, 2022, using keywords; shopping behaviour, retailing, consumer behaviour, and retail channel choice along with COVID-19 (171 journals, 357 articles). Bibliometric analysis followed by selective content analysis was conducted.
Findings
COVID-19 was a black swan event that impacted consumers' psychology, leading to reversible and irreversible changes in retail consumer behaviour worldwide. Research on changes in consumer behaviour and consumption patterns has been mapped to the different stages of the COVID-19 lifecycle. Relevant research questions and potential theoretical lenses have been proposed for further studies.
Originality/value
This paper collates, classifies and organizes the extant research in retail from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies three retail consumption themes: short-term, long-term reversible and long-term irreversible changes. Research agenda related to the retailer and consumer behaviour is identified; for each of the three categories, facilitating the extraction of pertinent research questions for post-COVID-19 studies.
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Astha Sanjeev Gupta and Jaydeep Mukherjee
E-retailers face challenges in adding, engaging and retaining customers. Voice interface is a new and more inclusive modality that provides customers with a hands-free, convenient…
Abstract
Purpose
E-retailers face challenges in adding, engaging and retaining customers. Voice interface is a new and more inclusive modality that provides customers with a hands-free, convenient e-shopping option and is relevant for e-retailers. However, the voice interface is significantly different from the text interface that consumers are accustomed to. This study investigates customer experiences with voice interface for search and selection of products on e-commerce platforms and its subsequent impact on customer engagement and enhanced usage.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted 34 in-depth interviews with executive management students. For analysis and findings, we used a grounded theory paradigm and thematic analysis.
Findings
Based on in-depth probing and analysis consumers' experiences with voice interfaces in e-commerce platforms, we identified two enablers: customer satisfaction and awe-experience that positively impacted and two inhibitors: risk perceptions and inertia that negatively impacted customer engagement and enhanced usage of voice interface.
Originality/value
Voice interface is transforming the customer journey in the online shopping domain. How customers experience voice interfaces when searching and selecting products on e-commerce platforms impacts their engagement with the platform and their intentions to use voice modality to interact with the e-retailer in the future. The findings substantiate tenets of dual-process theory and found that enabling and inhibiting factors are independent and can coexist. The study identifies the most salient factors that positively and negatively affect customer engagement and enhanced usage of voice interfaces.