Dagne Birhanu, Lanka Krishnanand and A. Neelakanteswara Rao
The purpose of this paper is to set the benchmark for finished goods consumer supply chain companies in terms of financial metrics driven from best performing supply chains in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to set the benchmark for finished goods consumer supply chain companies in terms of financial metrics driven from best performing supply chains in the world.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper used a financial data collected from 25 large industries in Ethiopia and 25 companies from the best performing supply chains in the world as ranked by Gartner® to identify the gaps in financial metrics. This method helps in setting benchmarks for the case companies.
Findings
The result shows that the Ethiopian supply chains are performing well under revenue growth and insufficient under revenue per employee metrics. The result shows us these supply chains are accumulating inventories and are also seen inefficient and ineffective in their performances.
Research limitations/implications
Even though the research is only one of the few on case considered, it is not without limitation. The strategies to narrow the performance gaps for the respective case companies are not articulated.
Practical implications
It is an ideal for the managers in the case companies to look into their performance gaps and take the necessary actions to stay alive in this fierce competition era. Hence, the paper shows insights to the improvement of the supply chain performances.
Originality/value
The research can be considered the only one of the few in a case country. It is also the first of the type in covering large fast moving consumer goods companies’ metrics at large aligning with the best practicing supply chains in the world within the same industry vertical.
Details
Keywords
Dagne Birhanu, L. Krishnanand and A. Neelakanteswara Rao
The purpose of this paper is to test the supply chain (SC) strategies and the linking of SCs to SC strategies in line with Lee’s (2002) model.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the supply chain (SC) strategies and the linking of SCs to SC strategies in line with Lee’s (2002) model.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper used an empirical survey of 134 large industries to test the hypothesis suggested and strengthens the existing theories.
Findings
Companies and SC measures are matched distinctively to their respective SC strategies.
Research limitations/implications
Even though the research is only one of the few on case considered, it is not without limitations. The benefits from matching SC measures to the SC strategies are not quantified. Besides, continental wise survey is needed to come with further improved theory.
Practical implications
Different SC types require typical SC measures in order to increase competitiveness. Linking SC performance to the respective SC strategy is compulsory.
Originality/value
The research can be considered the only one of the few in the continent in general and a case country in particular. It is also the first of the type in the world in testing Lee’s model as far as the authors’ knowledge concerns.
Details
Keywords
Rahma Isaack Adam, Farha Deba Sufian and Lucy Njogu
Women’s empowerment remains a key development challenge in Kenya. The purpose of this study is to attempt to understand the status of women’s empowerment and the key contributors…
Abstract
Purpose
Women’s empowerment remains a key development challenge in Kenya. The purpose of this study is to attempt to understand the status of women’s empowerment and the key contributors to their disempowerment in Kenya’s aquaculture sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 534 male and female fish farmers from 300 households drawn from six counties in Kenya (Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Kiambu, Meru and Nyeri). The Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) was adapted to Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Fisheries and Aquaculture Index (A-WEFI) to suit the aquaculture and fisheries sub-sector. The adapted A-WEFI was then used to estimate and the status of women’s and men’s using five domains of empowerment (5DE) and a gender parity index (GPI). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cramer’s V and sensitivity analysis as test statistics.
Findings
About 86% of the men and 80% of the women were classified as empowered. The mean score of the 5DE was 0.93 and 0.95 for women and men, respectively. In addition, 82% of the households achieved gender parity, suggesting that for such households, empowerment of men was no greater than that of women. Overall, the results suggest no major differences between the empowerment of women and men. Findings suggest areas of improvement in empowerment: when observed separately, women report lack of agency in production, resource, time-use and allocation and leadership.
Originality/value
This paper adapts the A-WEAI to the fisheries and aquaculture context, in bid to bridge the gap in standard women’s empowerment measurement methods in this area. Also, there are limited empirical studies on the multifaceted empowerment of women in aquaculture in Kenya. The findings are meant to serve as a point of reference for policymakers, as they develop gender-responsive intervention programmes, and in implementing gender mainstreaming in Kenya.