Jose M. Brotons and Manuel E. Sansalvador
The economic effects resulting from the commitment to ISO 9001 certification is a controversial issue. Many authors have concluded about the positive economic effects resulting…
Abstract
Purpose
The economic effects resulting from the commitment to ISO 9001 certification is a controversial issue. Many authors have concluded about the positive economic effects resulting from the establishment of quality systems in accordance with the requirements established in the ISO 9001 standard, but other authors have not appreciated this positive relationship. The purpose of this paper is to provide a model that facilitates the valuation of the ISO 9001 quality system.
Design/methodology/approach
In the process of developing a valuation model, given the uncertainty this process involves, the use of fuzzy math is very useful. First, as for an internal valuation method, the authors highlight the discounted cash flow in a fuzzy environment. The internal valuation will be completed by external expert opinions. To improve the information supplied by experts, the paper makes use of the experton theory. In this context, the authors propose the aggregation of the experts’ opinion by using basic defuzzification distribution (BADD)-fuzzy induced ordered weighted averaging. Finally, the results undergo contra-expertise. After presenting the theoretical model, the authors proceed with its application by using a case study.
Findings
The paper develops a new method for the economic evaluation of the ISO 9001 certification.
Originality/value
The authors propose the valuation of ISO 9001 quality management system, and they do it using some interesting tools which fuzzy logic offers. In this way, it is possible to eliminate subjectivity and improve the final results.
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José M. Merigó, Salvador Linares-Mustarós and Joan Carles Ferrer-Comalat
María Muñoz Sanz-Agero and Carl Antonius Lemke Duque
This study provides a new look at the late 19th-century university issue in Spain. Loss of self-government among universities and the state’s centralization brought a conflict…
Abstract
Purpose
This study provides a new look at the late 19th-century university issue in Spain. Loss of self-government among universities and the state’s centralization brought a conflict between science and religion to the fore in the process of the secularization of knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
We first delve into the anti-Darwinian framework associated with the scientific professionalization process, focusing on the case of the jurist Antonio Hernández Fajarnés (1851–1909). Secondly, we study the idea of the university that emerged from the Ateneo de Madrid, analyzing key speeches from the jurist Francisco Fernández de Henestrosa (1855–s.d.) given in 1887/88 and from the pharmacist José Rodríguez Carracido (1856–1928).
Findings
The study concludes that the Restoration Era in Spain was characterized by a generalized desire – shared by neo-Scholastics, conservatives and liberal rationalists – to improve the public university system. In this context, French influence was no doubt decisive; however, the Humboldtian university idea had already begun to have notable influence.
Originality/value
This article analyzes sources yet unknown to international research, such as the Ateneo de Madrid debates and Spanish university rectors’ inaugural speeches. It opens up a critical examination of the so-called displacement of educational principles in Spain toward a state-centered system of doctrinal moderantismo as opposed to the nation-centered system of the Cádiz liberalism. At the same time, it identifies key pockets of resistance relative to Spanish university transformation toward increased methodological secularization.
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Ramah Ahmed, Qile He and Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes
This paper explores the connection between agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) and levels of circular economy (CE): supply chain (SCs), firm, and product/materials. We aim to answer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the connection between agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) and levels of circular economy (CE): supply chain (SCs), firm, and product/materials. We aim to answer the following crucial research questions: (1) What are the specific characteristics of the AFSC that affect the implementation of CE? (2) How can the interplay of AFSC characteristics and CE levels be understood and utilised to close the current knowledge gap in CE implementation? (3) How do the CE levels established (in question 2) correspond to the notion of cascade chains? (4) Can the Triple-Bottom Line (TBL) principles be used to report CE impacts in the agri-food industry? (5) What future research directions need to be explored for sustainable CE configuration in AFSCs? Answering these questions expands the knowledge of the implementation of CE in AFSCs, which is crucial for sustainable configuration based on the TBL principles.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted a comprehensive narrative overview (a type of narrative literature review) followed by a case study guided by the cascade chain theory. The sugar cane industry, a significant source of bioenergy that can contribute to sustainable development, was selected for the case study. To validate our findings from the narrative overview, we interviewed five directors from international sugar companies.
Findings
Our research has shown that CE can significantly benefit the sugar cane industry. Based on TBL principles, we have developed a framework to achieve sustainable configurations in AFSCs. The framework starts with regenerative agriculture, material reuse, and energy recovery, where different CE levels intersect. This intersection can guide firms to improve decision-making, promote sustainable practices, and inform policymaking across the sugar cane value chain.
Research limitations/implications
Narrative overview has limitations such as potential subjectivity and bias and may not be suitable for generalisation. To mitigate this limitation, we have included a case study to produce a rounded analysis. We have also gathered information from secondary sources, such as reports and company news articles, to prevent biased results.
Practical implications
This research provides valuable insights to assist companies in aligning their practices with CE levels, leading to sustainable outcomes in AFSCs. The study emphasises the importance of integrating CE levels and AFSC characteristics for policymakers to validate and develop new policies. Through our in-depth analysis of sugar cane SCs, we demonstrate that the various CE levels are interdependent and work in tandem with the unique characteristics of sugar cane, resulting in a sustainable configuration.
Originality/value
Analysing the connectedness between CE levels and AFSC characteristics is crucial to fully understanding the CE sustainable configuration. Unlike other frameworks that only describe the CE concept, the framework presented in this paper clearly explains the implementation of CE in AFSCs. It helps industrial practitioners and policymakers validate current practices and future policies. The paper also highlights future research directions and provides valuable insights.
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Laura Paola Vizcaino-Suárez and Isis Arlene Díaz-Carrión
This paper aims to examine the knowledge production on tourism gender research in Latin America and to reflect on the main challenges faced by this subfield.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the knowledge production on tourism gender research in Latin America and to reflect on the main challenges faced by this subfield.
Design/methodology/approach
The study conducts a bibliometric analysis of the journal articles on tourism gender research in the largest scientific databases in Latin America: Redalyc, Scielo and Latindex. The paper examines variables such as year of publication, journal, authors, affiliation, types of articles, research topics, methodologies and geographical location of fieldwork.
Findings
The study identified 153 gender aware papers from 70 journals for the period 2001-2015. The leading countries in the subfield are Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. The majority of papers are empirical and have a local scope. The main theoretical approaches derive from sociological and anthropological perspectives with a predominance of qualitative methodologies. There is a need to strengthen the theoretical and epistemological frameworks and increase international collaboration for knowledge exchange among tourism gender scholars.
Research limitations/implications
The bibliometric analysis was limited to indexed journals with online access. It focused on academic articles and excluded research notes, book reviews and conference proceedings.
Originality/value
As the main working languages of scientific production in Latin America are Spanish and Portuguese, this is the first attempt to make tourism gender research from this region visible for the predominantly Anglophone tourism academy, with the intention of identifying common challenges.
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Abhishek Sahu, Saurabh Agrawal and Girish Kumar
Industry 4.0 and circular economy are the two major areas in the current manufacturing industry. However, the adoption and implementation of Industry 4.0 and circular economy…
Abstract
Purpose
Industry 4.0 and circular economy are the two major areas in the current manufacturing industry. However, the adoption and implementation of Industry 4.0 and circular economy worldwide are still in the nascent stage of development. To address this gap, the purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic literature review on integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Further, identify the research gaps and provide the future scope of work in this area.
Design/methodology/approach
Content-based analysis was adopted for reviewing the research articles and proposed a transition framework that comprises of four categories, namely, (1) Transition from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0 and integration with circular economy; (2) Adoption of combined factors and different issues; (3) Implementation possibilities such as front-end technologies, integration capabilities and redesigning strategies; (4) Current challenges. The proposed study reviewed a total of 204 articles published from 2000 to 2020 based on these categories.
Findings
The article presents a systematic literature review of the last two decades that integrates Industry 4.0 and circular economy concepts. Findings revealed that very few studies considered the adoption and implementation issues of Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Moreover, it was found that Industry 4.0 technologies including digitalization, real-time monitoring and decision-making capabilities played a significant role in circular economy implementation. The major elements are discussed through the analysis of the transition and integration framework. The study further revealed that a limited number of developing countries like India have taken preliminary initiatives toward Industry 4.0 and circular economy implementation.
Research limitations/implications
The study proposes a transition and integration framework that identifies adoption and implementation issues and challenges. This framework will help researchers and practitioners in implementation of Industry 4.0 and circular economy.
Originality/value
Reviews of articles indicated that there are very few studies on integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Moreover, there are very few articles addressing adoption and implementation issues such as legal, ethical, operational and demographic issues, which may be used to monitor the organization's performance and productivity.