Mahdieh Ahmad Amouei, Changiz Valmohammadi and Kiamars Fathi
In the age of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), digital technologies (DTs) and the technologies' application in supply chain activities have become more important. On the other hand, global…
Abstract
Purpose
In the age of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), digital technologies (DTs) and the technologies' application in supply chain activities have become more important. On the other hand, global pressures for corporate social responsibility in the sustainable production of products are increasing. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to develop and validate an instrument to measure the impact of digital supply chain (DSC) activities on the sustainable performance of manufacturing companies.
Design/methodology/approach
In the first step, through an in-depth study of the relevant literature, a conceptual model was developed and a questionnaire containing 51 indicators was designed. The questionnaire was distributed among 356 top managers and experts of the Iranian manufacturing companies, whereby finally 233 sound questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of about 64%. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify constructs and sub-constructs and the relationship between them was investigated using the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) method.
Findings
Based on the obtained results, three constructs were identified, namely main activities (including sub-constructs: digital supplier, digital manufacturing, digital logistics and innovation and digital customer), support activities (with sub-constructs digital performance, DT and digital human resources) and sustainable performance (with sub-constructs of economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and social sustainability). The designed tool has excellent psychometric properties. The values of t-statistic = 11.07 and β = 0.602 indicate the positive impact of the DSC main activities on sustainable performance. Similarly, t = 2.42 and β = 0.149 prove that DSC support activities have a positive impact on sustainable performance. Also, based on the obtained values (t = 13.16 and β = 0.629), support activities have a significant impact on the main activities of the DSC. Finally, based on the calculated goodness-of-fit (GoF) index value (0.522), this paper concluded that the proposed model has high credibility.
Research limitations/implications
Validation of the model is based on the answers received from the Iranian manufacturing companies. Therefore, caution should be taken regarding the generalizability of the results.
Practical implications
The proposed model presents a holistic view of the application of DTs in the supply chain and the DTs' impact on sustainable performance which might help manufacturing companies, particularly the Iranian companies to obtain a broader knowledge of the importance of DTs and DTs' usage toward responding to the challenges of today's complex business environment.
Originality/value
This study is among the first of the study's kind that attempts to develop and validate an instrument to measure the impact of DSC activities on the sustainable performance of manufacturing companies.
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Mahdieh Ahmad Amouei, Changiz Valmohammadi and Kiamars Fathi
In the digital age, emerging technologies have affected every industry. Information and communications technology and digital technologies have transformed traditional supply…
Abstract
Purpose
In the digital age, emerging technologies have affected every industry. Information and communications technology and digital technologies have transformed traditional supply chains into smart and more resilient ones, enabling effective management of challenges. Given the importance of the two topics, namely sustainable supply chain management and Industry 4.0 in supply chain management, on the one hand, and the dearth of theoretical research performed in this area on the other, this study aims to propose a conceptual model on a sustainable digital supply chain management in manufacturing companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilized a qualitative approach. First, an in-depth review of the relevant literature was done. Then, following a multi-grounded theory methodology, relevant data were gathered by reviewing 92 papers and conducting nine semi-structured interviews with industry experts. These data were analyzed using the MAXQDA software.
Findings
A total of 41 concepts, ten sub-components and three main components (dimensions) were extracted, and the proposed conceptual model was presented. Finally, based on this conceptual model, three propositions were suggested.
Research limitations/implications
Considering that the present study was performed in the context of Iranian manufacturing companies, caution should be exercised in relation to the generalizability of the obtained results. Also, due to the problems in the digital technology infrastructure and the limited use of these technologies by manufacturing companies (emphasized by the interviewees), this study focused on the theoretical dimension of using digital technologies by these companies.
Practical implications
The proposed comprehensive model can help academicians as well as practitioners to focus better and explore the variables and constructs of the model, paving the way toward successful implementation of digital technologies in the manufacturing supply chain.
Originality/value
To the best knowledge of the authors, this study is among the first of its kind which presents a holistic and comprehensive digital supply chain model aimed at guiding companies to consider sustainability from all the main dimensions and their relevant indicators.
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Davood Gharakhani, Abbas Toloie Eshlaghy, Kiamars Fathi Hafshejani, Reza Kiani Mavi and Farhad Hosseinzadeh Lotfi
Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models permit each decision-making unit (DMU) to assess its efficiency score with the most favorable weights. In other words, each DMU…
Abstract
Purpose
Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models permit each decision-making unit (DMU) to assess its efficiency score with the most favorable weights. In other words, each DMU selects the best weighting schemes to obtain maximum efficiency for itself. Therefore, using different sets of weights leads to many different efficient DMUs, which makes comparing and ranking them on a similar basis impossible. Another issue is that often more than one DMU is evaluated as efficient because the selection of weights is flexible; therefore, all DMUs cannot be completely differentiated. The purpose of this paper is to development a common weight in dynamic network DEA with a goal programming approach.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, a goal programming approach has been proposed to generate common weights in dynamic network DEA. To validate the applicability of the proposed model, the data of 30 non-life insurance companies in Iran during 2013-2015 have been used for measuring their efficiency scores and ranking all of the companies.
Findings
Findings show that the proposed methodology is an effective and practical approach to measure the efficiency of DMUs with dynamic network structure.
Originality/value
The proposed model delivers more knowledge of the common weight approaches and improves the DEA theory and methodology. This model makes it possible to measure efficiency scores and compare all DMUs from multiple different standpoints. Further, this model allows one to not only calculate the overall efficiency of DMUs throughout the time period but also consider dynamic change of the time period efficiency and dynamic change of the divisional efficiency of DMUs.
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Rahul Vishwanath Dandage, Santosh B. Rane and Shankar S. Mantha
Project risk management (PRM) and human resource management (HRM) are the two critical success factors (CSFs) for international project management. This paper aims to correlate…
Abstract
Purpose
Project risk management (PRM) and human resource management (HRM) are the two critical success factors (CSFs) for international project management. This paper aims to correlate these two CSFs, identify the human resource (HR) barriers, develop a hybrid model for risk management and develop strategies to overcome the HR barriers to effective risk management in international projects.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 20 key HR barriers have been identified through a literature survey and verified by project professionals. These HR barriers are ranked according to their ability to trigger other barriers by analysing their interactions using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Based on Ulrich’s revised model for HR functions, a hybrid framework for international PRM has been proposed.
Findings
DEMATEL analysis categorized nine barriers as cause barriers and 11 as affected barriers. The “PROJECTS” model proposed for HR strategy development suggests eight strategies to overcome these nine cause barriers. The hybrid PRM framework developed includes the effect of the HR dimension.
Research limitations/implications
This paper presents the generalized prioritization of HR barriers to international PRM. For a specific international project, the HR barriers and their prioritization may change slightly. The hybrid framework for PRM and the strategy development model suggested are yet to be validated.
Originality/value
Correlating two CSFs in international project management, i.e. HRM and PRM and ranking the HR barriers using the DEMATEL method is the uniqueness of this research paper. The hybrid framework developed for PRM based on HR functions in Ulrich’s revised model and the proposed new HR strategy development model “PROJECTS” are unique contributions of this paper.