Zeynep Aydınalp and Doğan Özgen
Drugs are strategic products with essential functions in human health. An optimum design of the pharmaceutical supply chain is critical to avoid economic damage and adverse…
Abstract
Purpose
Drugs are strategic products with essential functions in human health. An optimum design of the pharmaceutical supply chain is critical to avoid economic damage and adverse effects on human health. The vehicle-routing problem, focused on finding the lowest-cost routes with available vehicles and constraints, such as time constraints and road length, is an important aspect of this. In this paper, the vehicle routing problem (VRP) for a pharmaceutical company in Turkey is discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-integer programming (MIP) model based on the vehicle routing problem with time windows (VRPTW) is presented, aiming to minimize the total route cost with certain constraints. As the model provides an optimum solution for small problem sizes with the GUROBI® solver, for large problem sizes, metaheuristic methods that simulate annealing and adaptive large neighborhood search algorithms are proposed. A real dataset was used to analyze the effectiveness of the metaheuristic algorithms. The proposed simulated annealing (SA) and adaptive large neighborhood search (ALNS) were evaluated and compared against GUROBI® and each other through a set of real problem instances.
Findings
The model is solved optimally for a small-sized dataset with exact algorithms; for solving a larger dataset, however, metaheuristic algorithms require significantly lesser time. For the problem addressed in this study, while the metaheuristic algorithms obtained the optimum solution in less than one minute, the solution in the GUROBI® solver was limited to one hour and three hours, and no solution could be obtained in this time interval.
Originality/value
The VRPTW problem presented in this paper is a real-life problem. The vehicle fleet owned by the factory cannot be transported between certain suppliers, which complicates the solution of the problem.
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Recai Coskun and Remzi Altunisk
Having noted the importance of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, studies a number of current management issues such as globalisation, European Union (EU…
Abstract
Having noted the importance of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, studies a number of current management issues such as globalisation, European Union (EU) membership, Internet and telecommunication technologies, protectionism, foreign capital inflow, and increasing consumer awareness that are likely to play a crucial role in the SMEs’ future. After conducting in‐depth interviews with 31 SME owners/managers, found that there is a positive attitude towards these issues even though the respondents lack a clear and comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons. Hence, in light of the findings of this study, there is an obvious need for gaining insights about the business environment for Turkish SMEs and designing and employing a strategic perspective if they are to capitalise on emerging opportunities and avoid threats in the new business environment.
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Seden Doğan, Murat Alper Basaran and Kemal Kantarci
Fuzzy rule-based system (FRBS), a soft computing method used for big data analysis, is used to determine which single hotel attribute or interrelated hotel attributes used in…
Abstract
Purpose
Fuzzy rule-based system (FRBS), a soft computing method used for big data analysis, is used to determine which single hotel attribute or interrelated hotel attributes used in Travel 2.0 data play a role on price–performance (PP).
Design/methodology/approach
FRBS, based on fuzzy set theory, is used using the data set of four- and five-star hotels in the Alanya destination in Turkey collected from HolidayCheck.de website for the period between 2009 and 2016.
Findings
Single attributes do not have an impact on PP. At least two or more attributes are necessary to have an impact on PP. Compensations among attributes that are observed to be leading to PP not to change from their current level. Instead of assuming a linear relationship between hotel attributes and PP, non-linearity should often be assumed. In addition, some hotel attributes do not have an impact on PP until some other attribute reaches a certain level.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this research can be grouped under two topics. While the first is related to data, which is German-speaking tourists staying at four- and five-star hotels between 2009 and 2016, the second is the limitation on generalizability. By implementing other types of data related to hotel attributes, new insights can be generated to shed light on different aspects of the relationship between hotel attributes and PP or other measures such as overall evaluation.
Originality/value
A data-driven model called FRBS is constructed using original verbal statements. Novel insights pertinent to relations between hotel attributes and PP have been extracted.
论使用乏晰规则为本系统(Fuzzy Rule-Based Systems)探究决定价格-效益的因素:使用旅游2.0用户对酒店的在线评价作为数据摘要
研究目的
乏晰规则为本系统(FRBS)作为大数据分析的软计算方法, 接用旅游2.0数据来分析出哪个酒店属性或者相关酒店属性对于价格-效益(PP)有直接作用。
研究设计/方法/途径
本论文采用FRBS以Fuzzy Set理论为基础, 采集2009年至2016年之间的HolidayCheck.de网站上的土耳其阿拉尼亚目的地的四星和五星酒店数据作为样本, 进行分析计算。
研究结果
酒店个别属性并不对PP具有直接影响。至少两个或者以上属性加和对PP有直接影响。酒店属性与PP的关系并不是预想的那样线性关系, 而是非线性的。此外, 一些酒店属性起初并不对PP有影响, 而是直到其他属性达到一定的水平后才起反应。
研究原创性/价值
本论文使用原始文本数据来构建以数据导向的FRBS模型。本论文给出了对于酒店属性和PP的关系相关的新型建议。
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Leyla Ozgen, Mehmet Güllü and Elif Esra Ozturk
The aim of this study is to develop a knowledge scale for nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits for university students and conduct its validity and reliability. Another…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to develop a knowledge scale for nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits for university students and conduct its validity and reliability. Another purpose of the study is to determine whether or not the students' knowledge mean scores about nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits vary based on their demographic information.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of the study was the survey model. While the population consisted of 1,551 students studying in the faculty of health sciences, Gazi University, the sample consisted of 668 students who were determined based on criterion sampling.
Findings
When examining in terms of gender of the students, it was determined that even though mean score of the knowledge scale for nutritional values of tropical and traditional fruits was slightly higher in female students (
Originality/value
When the scale developed in this study is analysed according to demographic information, it can be asserted that the students had knowledge about the nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits. Although tropical fruits are expensive, they still prefer these fruits. It can be stated that the students had knowledge about the diversity, nutritional compounds and antioxidant content of tropical and traditional fruits.
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Mustafa Abdül Metin Dinçer, Yusuf Arslan, Semih Okutan and Esra Dil
This study aims to reveal consumer perceptions towards organic food, particularly emphasizing the confusion and vagueness in the public eye.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to reveal consumer perceptions towards organic food, particularly emphasizing the confusion and vagueness in the public eye.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 21 well-educated and relatively high-income consumers were selected as cases of the study. The knowledge about the organic food concept and organic food preferences were analyzed through the grounded theory analysis. In this analysis, ten categories which are shopping from the close circle, the product information attitude, do it yourself (DIY), true and false facts and dilemmas, information sources, the most preferred organic products, perception of organic food indicator, market place trends, organic food orientation reasons, and attitude toward the organic products/producers were detected as the main issues.
Findings
The authors chose the cases from well-educated people who have a relatively high income, and it is seen that the knowledge levels of consumers are low regarding organic foods. This low-level knowledge becomes apparent in confused and erroneous answers and actions. The confusion over the organic food concept and the institutional image appear as two main findings of the study. The authors named this false fact as organic confusion and dilemmas in this analysis. According to the study’s results, there is a considerable amount of confusion over healthy and natural food contexts.
Originality/value
This study aims to bring a comprehensive delineation to the general perception of the organic food concept in society. And it reveals a detailed feedback for the institutions and companies on how to solve organic food problems such as confusion, institutional image problem, and false facts. Although organic product knowledge is shown as a critical factor in many studies in the literature, the number of studies that examine this situation in depth is insufficient.
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Burak Sari, Memik Bunyamin Uzumcu and Kubra Ozsahin
The study aimed to investigate the impact of mechanically recycled cotton fibres from pre-consumer waste, blended with virgin cotton at varying ratios, on the mechanical and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aimed to investigate the impact of mechanically recycled cotton fibres from pre-consumer waste, blended with virgin cotton at varying ratios, on the mechanical and fastness properties of knitted fabrics.
Design/methodology/approach
Single jersey fabrics were produced using open-end rotor yarns with two different yarn counts, which were made from cotton blends obtained at three different mechanical recycled cotton blend ratios. The fabrics were then comparatively analysed for pilling resistance, bursting strength, dimensional stability, and fastness to perspiration, water, and rubbing. The investigations included fabrics made from 100% virgin cotton to determine the impact of mechanically recycled cotton fibres on the final fabric properties.
Findings
It was observed that using MR-CO at different ratios generally produced results similar to the usage properties obtained when using virgin cotton.
Originality/value
The study looked in detail at the effect of using mechanically recycled cotton (MR-CO) on the yarn properties and the mechanical and colour fastness properties of the fabrics produced using them. It was found that MR-CO has the potential to be an alternative fibre source to virgin cotton, not only mechanically but also in terms of colour fastness. Previous studies have commonly used MR-CO in fixed ratios or by incorporating various fibres into the blend. However, in this study, we determined the suitability of fabrics for their intended use by gradually increasing the MR-CO blend ratios and more clearly assessing the impact of MR-CO on fabric properties.
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Zeynep Aksoy and Sema Misci Kip
This study aims to examine the extent to which companies internalize, adopt and communicate the issue of sustainability. With this aim, research questions address companies’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the extent to which companies internalize, adopt and communicate the issue of sustainability. With this aim, research questions address companies’ approaches to sustainable development goals (SDGs), the extent to which the concept of sustainability is reflected in the goals, vision, mission and values of the organizations and the interrelationship between corporate identities, SDGs, sustainability projects and communication activities of the companies.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis is employed on the sustainability reports, websites, social media accounts, media releases and news of the corporations listed in BIST Sustainability Index (2020) in Türkiye. The typology of sustainability communication processes (Newig et al., 2013) is utilized for data analysis to reveal an overall picture of the companies’ approach to sustainability communication.
Findings
Research findings demonstrated that only 11 companies internalize, adopt and communicate the issue of sustainability. A total of 32 companies make no mention of sustainability in their vision, mission, purpose or values. It is observed that few companies establish their entire communication on sustainability strategy. Although some of the companies’ purpose of existence is sustainability, and they manage valuable projects, their approach to communication is still tactical. The study reveals that most of the companies take a tactical approach to sustainability and fewer adopt strategic actions and communications.
Originality/value
In Türkiye, research on sustainability involves either optimistic evaluations of governmental organizations or limited case studies on specific SDGs, particular sectors or social media analyses. This research exposes the holistic picture of sustainability and communication among the companies listed in the BIST Sustainability Index. The results of the holistic approach suggest that organizations should improve their communication about sustainability and communication for sustainability to activate their publics.
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Hanifi Parlar, Muhammet Emin Türkoğlu and Ramazan Cansoy
This study aims to explore the relationship between authoritarian leadership and commitment and the mediating roles of silence and trust in school principals.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the relationship between authoritarian leadership and commitment and the mediating roles of silence and trust in school principals.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a cross-sectional design to illustrate the relationships among authoritarian leadership, trust in the principal, silence and affective commitment using path analysis evidence provided by 409 K–12 teachers.
Findings
The findings revealed that authoritarian leadership indirectly affected teacher commitment through trust in the principal and acquiescent silence. Furthermore, trust in the principal played a partial mediating role between authoritarian leadership and defensive silence. Authoritarian leadership behaviours decreased teachers' affective commitment by decreasing trust in the principal and increasing organisational silence.
Originality/value
Although leadership and culture have been studied intensively in recent years, authoritarian leadership, which is more commonly seen in Eastern societies, has been less studied in school contexts in the Middle East and Asia. Thus, this study contributes to the literature by examining the factors that might influence affective commitment in schools in an urban setting: authoritarian leadership, silence and trust in school principals.
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Attila Yaprak and Bahattin Karademir
The purpose of this paper is to review the extant literature on the institutional, market‐centered, and the resource‐based perspectives on the internationalization of BGs in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the extant literature on the institutional, market‐centered, and the resource‐based perspectives on the internationalization of BGs in emerging markets; to suggest that business group affiliation is an important ingredient in the internationalization of emerging market MNCs; and to offer examples of internationalization from one emerging market, Turkey.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a critical literature review integrating two strands of literature, the institutional, market‐centered and resource‐based theories of internationalization and the OLI and the LLL models of emerging market multinationals' international expansion.
Findings
The theorizing indicates that an integrated theoretical approach should lead to a better understanding of emerging market business group affiliates' internationalization.
Research limitations/implications
As a literature integration paper, the paper is limited in its practical implications.
Originality/value
The paper is a critical literature review and is likely to lead to testable hypotheses about the internationalization of business group affiliates from emerging markets.