Mohammad Ahsan Habib, Sreejith Balasubramanian, Vinaya Shukla, David Chitakunye and Janya Chanchaichujit
The garments/textiles industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. However, efforts to understand and curtail its adverse environmental impacts have not been…
Abstract
Purpose
The garments/textiles industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. However, efforts to understand and curtail its adverse environmental impacts have not been commensurate, and previous works have largely been fragmented and disjointed. This study aims to coduct a comprehensive and systematic green supply chain management (GSCM) investigation on this industry, where a multidimensional framework involving green supply chain practices and performance is developed, validated and applied.
Design/methodology/approach
A framework consisting of 12 constructs (8 on practices and 4 on performance) and their underlying measures were developed through an extensive literature review. A survey methodology was used to obtain responses from 403 garment-manufacturing firms in Bangladesh, one of the leading garment producers in the world. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used first to validate the first- and second-order constructs and then test the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
Internal environmental management and cooperation with stakeholders were identified as necessary precursors for implementing the second-order green supply chain practices comprising green design, green purchasing, green manufacturing, green transportation, green facilities and end-of-life management. The implementation of green supply chain practices was found to have a (direct) positive impact on environmental, economic and operational performance and an indirect positive impact on organizational performance. Similarly, both economic and operational performance was found to impact organizational performance positively. Surprisingly, a negative relationship (albeit low) was observed between environmental and organizational performance. Also, garment-manufacturing firms were found to have been unable to translate their IEM capabilities into strategic and long-term cooperation with stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications
The study fills a gap in the literature about applying/implementing GSCM in the garment industry. Future studies in the garment industry and elsewhere could utilize the framework to understand further the synergistic impact of green supply chain practices on performance.
Practical implications
The findings provide practitioners, policymakers and organizations associated with the garment industry with critical insights on the various opportunities and challenges in adopting GSCM. Also, the positive impact of green supply chain practices on performance could provide the impetus for manufacturing firms to adopt GSCM.
Originality/value
A comprehensive GSCM investigation on the garment industry has not been previously attempted and constitutes the novelty of this work. Also, Bangladesh is the second-largest garment exporter worldwide, making this study contribution even more valuable.
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Janya Chanchaichujit, Sreejith Balasubramanian and Vinaya Shukla
The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the barriers associated with the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in agricultural supply chains.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the barriers associated with the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in agricultural supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
The study initially identified thirteen barriers by conducting a literature review and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Subsequently, these barriers were validated and modeled using an integrated Fuzzy Delphi-ISM approach. Finally, MICMAC analysis was employed to categorize the barriers into distinct clusters.
Findings
The results provide considerable insights into the hierarchical structure and complex interrelationships between the barriers as well the driving and dependence power of barriers. Lack of information about technologies and lack of compatibility with traditional methods emerged as the two main barriers which directly and indirectly influence the other ones.
Research limitations/implications
The robust hybrid Fuzzy Delphi and ISM techniques used in this study can serve as a useful model and benchmark for similar studies probing the barriers to Industry 4.0 adoption. From a theoretical standpoint, this study expands the scope of institutional theory in explaining Industry 4.0 adoption barriers.
Practical implications
The study is timely for the post-COVID-19 recovery and growth of the agricultural sector. The findings are helpful for policymakers and agriculture supply chain stakeholders in devising new strategies and policy interventions to prioritize and address Industry 4.0 adoption barriers.
Originality/value
It is the first comprehensive, multi-country and multi-method empirical study to comprehensively identify and model barriers to Industry 4.0 adoption in agricultural supply chains in emerging economies.
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Sivakumar Sundararajan and Senthil Arasu Balasubramanian
This study empirically explores the intraday price discovery mechanism and volatility transmission effect between the dual-listed Indian Nifty index futures traded simultaneously…
Abstract
Purpose
This study empirically explores the intraday price discovery mechanism and volatility transmission effect between the dual-listed Indian Nifty index futures traded simultaneously on the onshore Indian exchange, National Stock Exchange (NSE) and offshore Singapore Exchange (SGX) and its spot market by using high-frequency data.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies the vector error correction model to analyze the lead-lag relationship in price discovery among three markets. The contributions of individual markets in assimilating new information into prices are measured using various measures, Hasbrouck's (1995) information share, Lien and Shrestha's (2009) modified information share and Gonzalo and Granger's (1995) component share. Additionally, the Granger causality test is conducted to determine the causal relationship. Lastly, the BEKK-GARCH specification is employed to analyze the volatility transmission.
Findings
This study provides robust evidence that Nifty futures lead the spot in price discovery. The offshore SGX Nifty futures consistently ranked first in contributing to price discovery, followed by onshore NSE Nifty futures and finally by the spot. Empirical results also show unidirectional causality and volatility transmission from Nifty futures to spot, as well as bidirectional causal relationship and volatility spillovers between NSE and SGX Nifty futures. These novel findings provide fresh insights into the informational efficiency of the dual-listed Indian Nifty futures, which is distinct from previous literature.
Practical implications
These findings can potentially help market participants, policymakers, stock exchanges and regulators.
Originality/value
Unlike previous studies in this area, this is the first study that empirically examines the intraday price discovery mechanism and volatility spillover between the dual-listed futures markets and its spot market using 5-min overlapping price data and trivariate econometric models.
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Sultan Ali Al Ahbabi, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Sreejith Balasubramanian and Sanjaya Singh Gaur
The application of knowledge management (KM) is critical to public sector firm as it is to private sector firm. However, despite its significance, the academic enquiry of KM in…
Abstract
Purpose
The application of knowledge management (KM) is critical to public sector firm as it is to private sector firm. However, despite its significance, the academic enquiry of KM in public sector is at its nascent stage. This forms the motivation of the present work; this paper aims to analyze and understand the intricate relationship between KM processes and public sector firm performance in terms of operational, quality and innovation performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive KM processes–performance framework consisting of seven constructs (four constructs of KM processes and three constructs of KM performance) and their underlying factors was developed through an extensive literature review. The employee perceptions of these seven constructs were captured on a five-point Likert scale using a country-wide survey in the UAE public sector. The 270 valid responses captured were then used to first validate the KM framework and then test the hypothesized relationships between KM processes and KM performance.
Findings
The findings show that all four KM processes (knowledge creation, knowledge capture and storage, knowledge sharing and knowledge application and use) had a positive and significant impact on operational, quality and innovation performance of public sector in the UAE.
Research limitations/implications
The findings confirm the validity and reliability of all the seven constructs and their underlying factors and the assessment framework. Overall, this study fills a gap in the literature about applying/implementing a KM framework for the public sector and therefore significantly contributes toward the theoretical advancement of the field. However, the study does acknowledge the use of perceptual measures of individual employees as a limitation instead of more objective measures to capture the impact KM processes on KM performance.
Practical implications
The strong and significant impact of KM processes on firm performance is expected to provide the impetus for practitioners and policymakers to implement and leverage from KM processes and improve firm performance in the public sector.
Originality/value
A comprehensive development, validation and assessment of a KM framework for the public sector has not been attempted previously anywhere, let alone UAE, and hence constitutes the novelty of this work.
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Sreejith Balasubramanian and Vinaya Shukla
Managing environmental consequences while sustaining economic development necessitate strong commitment and participation of all firms across sectors. However, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Managing environmental consequences while sustaining economic development necessitate strong commitment and participation of all firms across sectors. However, the environment-related role of foreign and local firms is unclear from previous research. With increasing trade liberalization and entry of foreign firms, this question has become particularly relevant. The purpose of this paper is to contrast the roles and contributions of foreign and local firms from an environmental sustainability perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected through a structured survey (395 responses) and semi-structured interviews (19 numbers) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) construction sector (research setting), the study analyses and understands the hypothesized differences between foreign and local firms on three key environmental sustainability aspects: the extent of environmental practices implementation, the strengths/influences of drivers and barriers affecting the implementation, and the environmental, cost-related, and organizational performance benefits derived.
Findings
Foreign firms were found to implement environmental practices to a greater extent, have a greater internal drive to implement these practices, and face lower barriers to implementation than local ones. Local firms though were found to be not far behind foreign ones with regards to the environmental, cost-related, and organizational performance benefits derived.
Practical implications
Findings from the study are expected to help policymakers and practitioners develop policies/interventions that ensure all firms irrespective of their nature of ownership contribute equitably to environmental sustainability.
Originality/value
This study is arguably the first comprehensive attempt to understand how various environmental sustainability aspects are perceived and performed by local and foreign firms.
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Sreejith Balasubramanian, Vinaya Shukla and Janya Chanchaichujit
Effective environment and climate change management require supply chain-wide focus (from the initial design to the end-of-life management) as well as universal participation and…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective environment and climate change management require supply chain-wide focus (from the initial design to the end-of-life management) as well as universal participation and commitment of firms. However, the environment-related role and contribution of different sized firms in the supply chain are unclear from previous research which this study seeks to clarify using the context of UAE's construction sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected from a structured survey (455 responses) and semi-structured interviews with 20 key supply chain stakeholders, this study analyses and understands hypothesized differences between small and medium firms (SMEs) and large firms on three key supply chain environmental sustainability aspects: the extent of green supply chain practices (GSCP) implemented, the strengths/influences of drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of GSCP, and the associated environmental, cost-related and organizational performance benefits derived from GSCP.
Findings
Large firms were found to show significantly greater levels of implementation of GSCP, greater internal drive for implementation and lower barriers to implementation than SMEs. SMEs though were found to be not too far behind large firms with regards to the environmental, cost-related and organizational performance benefits from GSCP implementation.
Practical implications
Findings from this study is useful for benchmarking the GSCP implementation of large firms and SMEs, influences of drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of GSCP and associated performance benefits derived from GSCP implementation. Policymakers and practitioners could use the study findings to develop suitable policies/interventions so as to ensure that all firms irrespective of their size can contribute equitably towards improving the environmental sustainability of supply chains.
Originality/value
This study is arguably the first comprehensive attempt to understand how various environmental sustainability aspects in supply chains are perceived and performed by SMEs and large firms.
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Md Mostain Belal, Vinaya Shukla, Salman Ahmad and Sreejith Balasubramanian
The pharmaceutical industry is facing significant pressure to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Other ecological, societal and regulatory pressures are also driving the…
Abstract
Purpose
The pharmaceutical industry is facing significant pressure to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Other ecological, societal and regulatory pressures are also driving the industry to “go green”. While such a (green) transition could be possible through appropriate green practices’ implementation, the present understanding about it is superficial and vague. A key reason is the lack of green practices’-related studies on pharmaceuticals, which are also insufficiently comprehensive. This knowledge gap is sought to be addressed.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted with 73 carefully selected articles, then subjected to thematic content analyses for synthesising the relevant themes and sub-themes.
Findings
Around 76 operational-level green practices covering all key stakeholders across the drug lifecycle were identified. It was revealed that designing drugs having accelerated environmental degradability is important to combat AMR. Also, redesigning existing drugs is environmentally more resource-intensive than developing new ones with significant cost-saving potential in solvent recycling and flexible manufacturing, both of which are not common at present. With regards to green-related barriers, stringent quality requirements on drugs (and therefore risks in making relevant green-oriented modifications) and time-consuming and costly regulatory approvals were found to be the key ones.
Practical implications
The operational green practices’ framework developed for individual pharmaceutical supply chain stakeholders could help practitioners in benchmarking, modifying and ultimately, adopting green practices. The findings could also assist policymakers in reframing existing regulations, such as Good Manufacturing Practices or GMP-related, to promote greener drug development.
Originality/value
This work is the first systematic attempt to identify and categorise operational-level green supply chain practices across stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector.
Highlights
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Biodegradability of drugs is more important than environmental degradability.
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Flexible manufacturing process design (or quality by design) reduces resource wastage.
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Ecopharmacovigilance is effective in combating PIE and AMR-related issues.
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Upstream and downstream coordination is key to greening pharma operations.
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Costly and time-consuming regulatory approval is a key barrier to greening pharma processes.
Biodegradability of drugs is more important than environmental degradability.
Flexible manufacturing process design (or quality by design) reduces resource wastage.
Ecopharmacovigilance is effective in combating PIE and AMR-related issues.
Upstream and downstream coordination is key to greening pharma operations.
Costly and time-consuming regulatory approval is a key barrier to greening pharma processes.
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Arun M., Muthukumaran M. and Balasubramanian S.
Dissimilar materials found applications in the structural fields to withstand the different types of loads and provide multi-facet properties to the final structure. Aluminum…
Abstract
Purpose
Dissimilar materials found applications in the structural fields to withstand the different types of loads and provide multi-facet properties to the final structure. Aluminum alloy materials are mostly used in aerospace and marine industries to provide better strength and safeguard the material from severe environmental conditions. The purpose of this study is to develop new material with superior strength to challenge the severe environmental conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present investigation, friction stir welding (FSW) dissimilar joints were prepared from AA6061 and AA5083 aluminum alloys, and the weld nugget (WN) was reinforced with hard reinforcement particles such as La2O3 and CeO2. The tribological and mechanical properties of the prepared materials were tested to analyze the suitability of material in the aerospace and marine environmental conditions.
Findings
The results showed that the AA6061–AA5083/La2O3 material exhibited better mechanical and tribological characteristics. The FSW dissimilar AA6061–AA5083/La2O3 material exhibited lower wear rate of 7.37 × 10−3 mm3/m and minimum friction coefficient of 0.31 compared to all other materials owing to the reinforcing effect of La2O3 particles and the fine grains formed by FSW process at WN region. Further, FSW dissimilar AA6061–AA5083/La2O3 material displayed a maximum tensile strength and hardness of 378 MPa and 118 HV, respectively, among all the other materials tested.
Originality/value
This work is original and novel in the field of materials science engineering focusing on tribological characteristics of friction stir welded dissimilar aluminum alloys by the reinforcing effect of hard particles such as La2O3 and CeO2.
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Mohsenah Al Yami, Mian M. Ajmal and Sreejith Balasubramanian
Firm size is an important contingency variable in macro-organizational studies. Several questions arise in relation to knowledge management and organizational size that is…
Abstract
Purpose
Firm size is an important contingency variable in macro-organizational studies. Several questions arise in relation to knowledge management and organizational size that is critical to both public and private organizations. Unfortunately, despite its significance, all or most of the studies that examined the effects of organizational size’ on knowledge management have been in the private sector. This paper aims to empirically study the effects of organizational size on the key knowledge management processes and subsequent operational efficiency derived from its implementation in the public sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured country-wide survey of United Arab Emirates public sector organizations was conducted. The 383 completed responses obtained were then analysed to assess the hypothesized differences in the implementation of knowledge management processes (knowledge acquisition, knowledge creation, knowledge capture, knowledge storage and retrieval, knowledge sharing, knowledge utilization) and its impact on the operational efficiency across small and medium, large and very large public sector organizations.
Findings
The results revealed that the extent of implementation of all six knowledge management processes and operational efficiency followed an inverted “V” pattern, in which, both knowledge management processes and operational efficiency was found to increase while transitioning from small and medium entities to large entities, but was found to decrease while transitioning from large to very large entities. In terms of relationships, while all knowledge management processes had a significant positive impact on the operational efficiency of the public sector, the ability to derive operational efficiency from knowledge management processes was found to be the highest for very large public sector organizations.
Practical implications
The novel findings are useful for practitioners and policymakers, especially those overseeing a country’s knowledge management initiatives to devise strategies, policies and support mechanisms to ensure public sector organizations, regardless of their size, can implement efficient and effective knowledge management processes to improve their operational efficiency.
Originality/value
The study is arguably the first comprehensive attempt to understand the impact of organizational size on knowledge management in the public sector.
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Sreejith Balasubramanian, Sultan Al-Ahbabi and Sony Sreejith
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of ownership of public sector organizations on the implementation of knowledge management (KM) processes and subsequent…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of ownership of public sector organizations on the implementation of knowledge management (KM) processes and subsequent performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Using 268 responses obtained from a structured country-wide survey, the study assesses the hypothesized differences in the implementation of KM processes (knowledge creation, knowledge capture and storage, knowledge sharing and knowledge application and use), the overall performance benefits of implementation (innovation, quality and operational performance), and their relationships, among the federal, state and semi-government organizations in the United Arab Emirates.
Findings
The results show that federal government organizations implement all four KM processes to the greatest extent, followed by state and semi-government organizations. In general, all KM processes had a significant positive impact on the innovation, quality and operational performance of the public sector, but the strength of this impact was found to differ across different public sector organizations. The overall improvement in all three performance aspects was found to be highest for federal, followed by state and semi-government organizations.
Practical implications
The findings of this study are useful for practitioners and policymakers, especially those overseeing national KM programs to devise strategies, policies and support mechanisms to ensure that public sector organizations, regardless of their ownership, can implement efficient and effective KM processes and achieve their desired performance goals.
Originality/value
The study is arguably the first comprehensive attempt to understand the impact of firm ownership on KM in the public sector.