C.W. Chathurani Silva, Dilini Dineshika Rathnayaka and M.A.C.S. Sampath Fernando
This study aims to evaluate the adoption of four types of supplier sustainability risk management (SSRM) strategies, namely, risk avoidance (RA), risk acceptance (RAC)…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the adoption of four types of supplier sustainability risk management (SSRM) strategies, namely, risk avoidance (RA), risk acceptance (RAC), collaboration-based risk mitigation (CBM) and monitoring-based risk mitigation (MBM) in Sri Lankan apparel and retail industries, and to investigate their effect on supply chain performance (SCP).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the dynamic capability view (DCV) to develop its hypotheses. Data collected from 89 firms were analysed using partial least square (PLS) structural equation modelling and PLS-based multiple group analysis.
Findings
Sri Lankan apparel and retail firms adopt RA and MBM strategies relatively more than CBM and RAC strategies, whereas there is no significant difference between the two industries in terms of the use of SSRM strategies. The path analysis revealed significant effects of RA and RAC strategies on SCP of both industries. The effect of CBM strategy on SCP is moderated by industry, while MBM has no significant impact.
Research limitations/implications
While managing supplier sustainability risks effectively, RA and RAC strategies provide more opportunities for managers to improve SCP. In achieving SCP, CBM strategies are proven to be more effective for retail industry compared with the apparel sector. Although MBM strategies offer sustainability advantages to firms, their contribution to improving the performance of apparel and retail supply chains is not significant. This research is limited to only two industries (apparel and retail) in Sri Lanka, where the evidence for the effects of SSRM strategies is not available for other contexts.
Originality/value
Either the effects of the four types of SSRM strategies on SCP or the moderating effect of industry on these effects have not been empirically confirmed in the literature. Evaluating the extent to which different strategies are implemented in Sri Lankan apparel and retail industries is another significant contribution of this research. Furthermore, this study contributes by using DCV to a sustainability-based supply chain risk management research.
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The rapid growth of digitalization is being used for the betterment of the banking and financial services sector and many other industries. Digital banking (DB) is transforming…
Abstract
The rapid growth of digitalization is being used for the betterment of the banking and financial services sector and many other industries. Digital banking (DB) is transforming traditional banking activities into a digital environment. The benefits and conveniences that DB bring to consumers and financial institutions (FIs) have led FIs to adopt various DB innovations. However, to determine whether the demand for DB is at a healthy level, it is necessary to evaluate how DB innovations are accepted among consumers. This chapter is a “viewpoint” of the author that reviews the background of DB in Sri Lanka (SL) and evaluates the success of its diffusion.
The status of the DB diffusion in SL is discussed under DB ecosystem, and DB customer adoption. The DB ecosystem is discussed through the topics of the country’s digital infrastructure (DI), technological know-how within the banks, technology adoption of the market vendors, and consumer’s digital literacy. Then, the consumer use of the DB services is evaluated using the transactions that happened through DB systems against paper-based payments. Statistics presented by Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) are used as secondary data for the study.
According to the findings of this report, consumer DB adaption is still in its infancy compared to the development of the country’s DB ecosystem. Considering the causes that drives consumer innovation decisions, this chapter highlights the need for industry practitioners to revisit their DB marketing strategies based on consumers’ culture and innovativeness. To that end, further studies are necessary on how individuals’ culture influences DB adoption.
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Sashika Abeydeera, Helen Tregidga and Kate Kearins
In recognition of the potential for Buddhism to advance sustainability, this paper aims to investigate whether Buddhism appears to be informing the sustainability practices of…
Abstract
Purpose
In recognition of the potential for Buddhism to advance sustainability, this paper aims to investigate whether Buddhism appears to be informing the sustainability practices of corporations within a particular national context. Corporate sustainability reports are used as a site of analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
Sixteen corporate sustainability reports from a set of sustainability award-winning corporations in Sri Lanka, a country with a strong Buddhist presence, are analysed. Evidence of Buddhist principles and values related to sustainability is sought to ascertain the extent to which Buddhism is evident in disclosures within the reports. The influence of global institutions is also considered.
Findings
Analysis reveals surprisingly little evidence of Buddhist principles and values in the corporate sustainability reports of these award-winning corporations. Sustainability reporting practices are revealed to be highly institutionalised by global influences, with the majority of the reports examined explicitly embracing global standardisation. The standardisation of corporate sustainability reporting through the pursuit of globally accepted reporting frameworks is argued to have caused a disconnect between Buddhism as a prevalent institutional force in the local culture and context and the corporate representations evident in such reporting. Potential consequences of this disconnect in relation to the ability for Buddhism to inform sustainability practices at the organisational level are considered.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature on corporate sustainability reporting through considering whether local cultural context is represented within such reports and possible reasons and consequences.
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P. W. S. Fernando, G. P. T. S. Hemakumara, Piyadasa Hewage and G. R. A. Sampath
Marketing Management, Consumer Behavior.
Abstract
Subject Area
Marketing Management, Consumer Behavior.
Study Level
This case is suitable to be used in advanced undergraduate and MBA/MSc level.
Case Overview
This case attempts to highlight the issues pertaining to Hirdaramani Mihila CKT apparel factory’s implementation of the “green space” concept. The concept of “green space” has been well accepted by the factory employees, and their participation in the “green process” is quite evident. Hirdaramani Mihila CKT is an apparel manufacturing company located in Agalawatte, Matugama, in the Kalutara District of Sri Lanka. The Mihila CKT factory was established in conformance with green building specifications and as an eco-friendly apparel industry. The administration of Mihila CKT has achieved success in three key areas after implementing this concept: cutting down energy consumption, enhancing water security, and reusing fabric waste. The factory also maintains a garden that manifests biodiversity. This case underlines the challenges and successes faced by Mihila CKT in adopting and implementing green space concept.
Expected Learning Outcomes
This case illustrates the following:
the importance of having green technology in the apparel industry to embrace green concept;
the effectiveness of the green space concept in relation to global green standards; and
the potential benefits to the local residents from the green technology initiatives of an apparel factory like Hirdaramani Mihila CKT.
the importance of having green technology in the apparel industry to embrace green concept;
the effectiveness of the green space concept in relation to global green standards; and
the potential benefits to the local residents from the green technology initiatives of an apparel factory like Hirdaramani Mihila CKT.
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Paulo Rafael Minetto Maceta and Fernando Tobal Berssaneti
Project portfolio management (PPM) is a managerial technique used to seek the strategic goals of organizations improving their performance. The public sector has some…
Abstract
Purpose
Project portfolio management (PPM) is a managerial technique used to seek the strategic goals of organizations improving their performance. The public sector has some characteristics that differ from the private sector, since their management approaches are different. The purpose of this paper is to compare the PPM’s practices and techniques in the public and private sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the study case methodology through eight case studies that were undertaken in Brazil: four in public and four in private sectors. The field research used semi-structured interviews that were analyzed using the NVivo software.
Findings
In both sectors, strategic alignment is the goal of PPM, and the same tools are employed. The public sector displays better process documentation and lower risk awareness than the private sector, showing an improvement point for the public sector. The selection and prioritization criteria differ from each sector, showing the difference in the strategic goals of public and private sectors.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this paper are related to the number of organizations studied; however, the case studies represent organizations from different sectors and industries maximizing heterogeneity, but focusing on Brazil.
Social implications
The prioritization and effective allocation of projects spending in the Brazilian public sector could be improved with the comparison of their current practices with the ones used in private sector, increasing its transparency and cost allocation.
Originality/value
This study broadens the understanding of PPM in the public sector, which is a gap in the academic literature, comparing its practices with those used in the private sector.
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Jorge Juliao-Rossi, Mauricio Losada-Otalora and Diego Fernando Católico-Segura
This study aims to examine how corruption influences the voluntary disclosure of corporate governance (CG)-related information by developed country multinationals (DC-MNEs) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how corruption influences the voluntary disclosure of corporate governance (CG)-related information by developed country multinationals (DC-MNEs) and emerging market multinationals (EM-MNEs) investing in six Latin American countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses information from 300 MNEs included in the 2018 ranking of the 500 Largest Latin American companies (America Economía, 2018). Each MNE’s final annual report for the financial year ending 2018 was examined and coded to obtain the corporate governance disclosure index. Fractional probit regression was applied to test the hypotheses of the research.
Findings
DC-MNEs disclose more CG-related information in corrupt environments than EM-MNEs. This differentiated behavior occurs because DC-MNEs face higher legitimacy pressures in corrupt environments than EM-MNEs and because EM-MNEs are more experienced than DC-MNEs in dealing with such corrupt environments.
Practical implications
While both EM-MNEs and DC-MNEs need to continue investing in corrupt countries to grow, they need to disclose CG-related information as a strategic tool to manage the legitimacy issues triggered by corruption in the markets they operate.
Originality/value
Despite corruption being pervasive in emerging markets, its implications for firms’ strategic behaviors are still under-researched. This paper extends the scope of corporate governance and international business fields by studying how MNEs respond to relevant dimensions of the macro environment. This research shows that voluntary disclosure of CG-related information is a strategic response of the MNEs to gain legitimacy in corrupt environments.
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Emanuel Fernando Samasseca Zeferino, Khumbulani Mpofu, Olasumbo Ayodeji Makinde, Boitumelo Innocent Ramatsetse and Ilesanmi Afolabi Daniyan
The determination of the appropriate site for the location of a research institute represents a multi-criteria problem which requires a scientific approach for decision-making…
Abstract
Purpose
The determination of the appropriate site for the location of a research institute represents a multi-criteria problem which requires a scientific approach for decision-making. The research centre in this study is an institute that intends to carry out the state-of-the-art research activities and provide the requisite skills to expedite and optimize the manufacturing of rail cars in South Africa. Hence, the selection of a suitable and conducive location capable of achieving these aforementioned objectives in an effective manner is a problem which requires scientific justification for the allocation of the weights and biases. In light of this, using various decision techniques, this paper aims to establish a suitable framework for the location selection of the research institute which is capable of meeting the short- and long-term objectives of the institute.
Design/methodology/approach
This aim was achieved by ascertaining the suitability of potential location alternatives using the factor rating (FR) and centre of gravity (CoG) technique.
Findings
The CoG revealed that any location within the longitude of 28.28 and latitude of −25.75 (with a Cartesian coordinate position of 5053.62; 2718.69) is suitable for the research institute, while the result of the FR/weighted score matrix revealed that location J3 with a weighted score of 72.6% is the most suitable location for the research institute with the longitude of 5053.62 and latitude of 2718.69.
Practical implications
The results of this paper helped decision-makers in locating the given research institute which is currently operational.
Originality/value
The present study is focussed on the application of location decision techniques in the research institute scenario. The combination of FR and CoG techniques for the selection of the most suitable location for a research institute amidst conflicting criteria has not been widely reported by the existing literature.
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Dinithi Dissanayake, Carol A. Tilt and Wei Qian
The purpose of this paper is to explore how sustainability reporting is shaped by the global influences and particular national context where businesses operate.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how sustainability reporting is shaped by the global influences and particular national context where businesses operate.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses both content analysis of published sustainability information and semi-structured interviews with corporate managers to explore how sustainability reporting is used to address unique social and environmental challenges in a developing country – Sri Lanka. The use of integrative social contracts theory in investigating sustainability reporting offers novel insights into understanding the drivers for sustainability reporting practices in this particular country.
Findings
The findings reveal that managers’ perceptions about usefulness of sustainability reporting, local contextual challenges and global norms influence the extent to which companies engage in sustainability reporting and the nature of sustainability information reported. In particular, Sri Lankan company managers strive to undertake sustainability projects that are beneficial not only to their companies but also to the development of the country. However, while company managers in Sri Lanka are keen to undertake sustainability reporting, they face different tensions/expectations between global expectations and local contextual factors when undertaking sustainability projects and reporting. This is also showcased in what is ultimately reported in company annual reports, where some aspects of sustainability, e.g. social, tend to focus more on addressing local concerns whereas other disclosures are on issues that may be relevant across many contexts.
Research limitations/implications
Important insights for government and other regulatory authorities can be drawn from the findings of this study. By capitalising on the strong sense of moral duty felt by company managers, policymakers can involve the business sector more to mitigate the social and environmental issues prevalent in Sri Lanka. The findings can also be used by other developing countries to enable pathways to engage with the corporate sector to contribute to national development agendas through their sustainability initiatives and projects.
Originality/value
While the usual understanding of developing country’s company managers is that they try to follow global trends, in Sri Lanka, this research shows how managers are trying to align their responsibilities at a national level with global principles regarding sustainability reporting. Therefore, this paper highlights how both hypernorms and microsocial rules can interact to define how company managers undertake sustainability reporting in a developing country.
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Darlin Apasrawirote and Kritcha Yawised
The purpose of this research is to provide a strategic framework for business resilience plans (BRPs) to guide micro, small, and medium-sized firms (MSMEs) in determining their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to provide a strategic framework for business resilience plans (BRPs) to guide micro, small, and medium-sized firms (MSMEs) in determining their adaptability level and providing information on agility and resilience tactics while coping with turbulence.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) is used in this work to collect and acquire a complete and high-quality sample of academic journal articles. As the primary focus, 63 high-quality journals were chosen from 154 academic papers in the Scopus and Web of Science databases by using qualitative data analysis. The method of thematic analysis incorporating grounded approach analysis was utilized for creating themes and key findings in this study.
Findings
This study proposes the dimensions of the BRPs framework along with key findings to identify future research directions for MSMEs. The three dimensions of BRP include responsiveness, reactiveness, and proactiveness based on the principles of agility, absorption, and resilience.
Originality/value
This study proposes a sustainable and resilient framework for post-disaster MSMEs as a catalyst towards sustainably resilient MSMEs. This study highlights viable avenues for future research for academics and provides a resilient plan at various levels for business owner-managers.