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1 – 10 of 333Mohammad Asif Salam and Sami A. Khan
The purpose of this study is to draw lessons for logistics management in humanitarian disasters, using the earthquake in Haiti as a case study. In Haiti, there were problems with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to draw lessons for logistics management in humanitarian disasters, using the earthquake in Haiti as a case study. In Haiti, there were problems with the logistical response. This study investigates the humanitarian logistics challenges faced by various stakeholders in Haiti during the disaster-relief operations.
Design/methodology/approach
In this exploratory case study, the central methodology used was data triangulation. Data triangulation involved interviews with respondents grouped into three categories, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the military establishment and the governmental agencies. Prominence is given to the common themes expressed by each group. These common themes are then compared to the themes of other groups to identify opportunities and problems for future disaster relief operations.
Findings
The study indicates that there is a clear gap in terms of how the humanitarian efforts were coordinated between different actors. Lack of civil–military cooperation and coordination was one of the findings from the interviews, and many of the resources and initiatives were overlapping or redundant. Timeliness and efficiency need to be at the forefront of all planning and would result in more saved lives and reduced human suffering. The key goal of humanitarian logistics stipulates is to form connections and relationships, which was well illustrated through the informants' interviews. It was found that organizing different stakeholders/actors to work together by sharing processes and distribution channels demands a vision that goes beyond logistics management. Government agencies, the military establishment, NGOs, locals and victims need to collaborate to create a synergy in generating solutions that are tailored to the shock of the disaster in the first place.
Research limitations/implications
The current study relies on a single case study approach as disaster scenarios are unique in terms of their impact, magnitude, timing and location. Despite these limitations, this study provides a detailed account of the logistical challenges in dealing with the disaster that took place in Haiti. The logistics-related lessons learned from this case study should be carefully applied in other settings, taken into consideration contextual differences.
Practical implications
One important aspect of measuring efficiency for any commercial logistics system is key performance indicators (KPIs) that indicate how well the firm is doing in managing its inbound and outbound operations. From a practical standpoint, the Haiti case raised a challenging concern with regard to how to measure the performance of humanitarian disaster logistics. This is a starting point to understand the dynamics of disaster system efficiency and logistics interplay and offers a few lessons to improve the resource availability in the case of future emergencies.
Originality/value
This study lays the groundwork for future researchers to explore and debrief on the topic once disaster relief draws to a close and time has allowed logisticians and relief workers to analyze the response mechanisms used in disasters.
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Ahmed Al-Asfour, Hayfaa A. Tlaiss, Sami A. Khan and James Rajasekar
Few studies have explored the work challenges and career barriers faced by women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Drawing on Institutional Theory, the purpose of this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Few studies have explored the work challenges and career barriers faced by women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Drawing on Institutional Theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of employed Saudi women through in-depth interviews.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs a phenomenological qualitative approach drawing on 12 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Saudi women.
Findings
The findings reveal a significant number of prominent societal and organizational structural and attitudinal barriers to the advancement of Saudi women in paid employment. Among others, these barriers include a lack of mobility; the salience of gender stereotypes; gender discrimination in the workplace; limited opportunities for growth, development, and career advancement; excessive workload caused by a lack of family-work balance; and gender-based challenges related to dealing with pregnancy.
Research limitations/implications
Despite the contributions of this study, it also has limitations, particularly the convenience sampling approach and the focus on the KSA. The small sample size means that the findings cannot be generalized to all women employed in Saudi Arabia and should be generalized within Saudi Arabia and other Arab societies only with caution.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the understanding of work challenges and barriers of Saudi women in the workforce. It provides fresh insights to the issues surrounding women in Saudi Arabia and the need to address them in order to provide support for their career advancement.
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Mohammad Asif Salam and Sami A. Khan
The purpose of this paper is to develop a supplier selection and management program to improve overall supplier performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a supplier selection and management program to improve overall supplier performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Supplier performance is measured in terms of quality and delivery within a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) business of a multinational company based in Thailand using a case study methodology. The quality and delivery related data were collected from daily deliveries at the manufacturing plant both before and after implementing the supplier management program.
Findings
Findings of the study suggest that the selection of suppliers based on their performance is important for manufacturing firms. Moreover, the supplier selection and management program can contribute effectively to improving suppliers’ performance.
Research limitations/implications
This case study has been conducted based on a single company within the FMCG industry. Hence, it limits the generalizability of the findings across industries.
Practical implications
The study provides a real-life tool for practitioners to learn about the importance of strategic decision-making process pertaining to the supplier selection and management program.
Social implications
This study demonstrates that through a transparent supplier evaluation process, the firms can develop trust and long-term relationship with their suppliers for pursuing the goals of product development and innovation.
Originality/value
Implementing a supplier management system is a critical step in enhancing an organization’s overall competitiveness. To develop an effective supplier management system firms must have objective measures and share those with their suppliers. Developing metrics for suppliers’ evaluation is the key to achieving continuous improvement as evidenced in this case.
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Mohammad Asif Salam and Sami A Khan
– The purpose of this paper is to understand and explain how firms use simulation-based decision support systems (DSSs) to optimize container space utilization.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand and explain how firms use simulation-based decision support systems (DSSs) to optimize container space utilization.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a case study of a logistics company, this research analyzed the application of optimization software through simulation to make efficient loading decisions. The current study attempted to find a method for optimizing and making a loading plan to achieve higher container space utilization using a simulation method.
Findings
A simulation-based DSS and application of an optimization method contributes to the reduction of container shipment volume, and saves logistic costs and its delivery time. This research offers a method for optimizing a loading decision to optimize container space utilization.
Research limitations/implications
The present study is based on a single case study of only one specific type of product, i.e., motorcycle spares parts within a specific industry.
Practical implications
Apart from adding value to the shipment process and improving the efficiency of loading plans, with the use of optimization software, the collaboration between buyers and suppliers can be encouraged to reduce response time and bringing transparency in the pricing process of the shipment.
Originality/value
This research addresses a key concern in the transportation industry: how to reduce the logistics costs and the delivery time. This study demonstrates how a simulation-based tool can be used to reduce freight cost, cycle time, instill waste minimization and improve overall value addition.
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Sami Ur Rahman, Faisal Faisal, Fariha Sami and Friedrich Schneider
The shadow economy (SE) has been a serious issue with varied dimensions in all countries that significantly affect economic growth. Therefore, all countries have made an effort to…
Abstract
Purpose
The shadow economy (SE) has been a serious issue with varied dimensions in all countries that significantly affect economic growth. Therefore, all countries have made an effort to tackle the SE by pursuing several measures. This study aims to investigate the impact of financial markets (stock and bond) in reducing the SE while considering the role of country risk (political, economic and financial) in N-11 countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed first-generation methodological techniques, including a unit root test to identify stationarity in the series, a panel cointegration test and panel autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) to estimate long-run and short-run relationships. Finally, the Granger causality is applied to determine the direction of the causal relationship.
Findings
The study explored that country risk factors are crucial in reducing the size of the SE. Moreover, the significant moderating role of country risk factors in the financial market development and SE nexus suggests that by controlling the country's risk, financial market development can negatively affect the SE.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the availability of data, the study used data, ranging from 1995 to 2015, because the tax burden data is available from 1995 while the maximum data for the SE is available till 2015, using Medina and Schneider's (2019) data estimates for the SE.
Originality/value
The previous studies have focused explicitly on the role of financial institutions' development in the SE. To the best of the author's knowledge, no previous study is attempted to investigate the role of financial markets (bonds and stock) in the size of the SE. Furthermore, previous studies have ignored the important role of country risk factors in the size of the SE. This study investigates the impact of country risk on the SE and the moderating role of country risk in the development of financial markets and the SE nexus.
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Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Sarmad, Sami Ullah and Junghan Bae
As humanitarian logistics (HL) functions in complicated, changing and ambiguous situations, all people, particularly the educated youth, have to know how to control the situation…
Abstract
Purpose
As humanitarian logistics (HL) functions in complicated, changing and ambiguous situations, all people, particularly the educated youth, have to know how to control the situation and assist victims, which are best achieved through formal education and training. Teaching at university has been extensively used in the context of business logistics. However, education in HL is a poorly researched field and, consequently, this article explores education for sustainable development in HL. The study addresses the following research question: How the teaching of HL at university can help to increase HL performance (HLP) and to reduce suffering.
Design/methodology/approach
A covariance-based structure equation modeling (CB-SEM) is implemented on the basis of confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The results show that the association between the explanatory variables and the dependent variable (HLP) is mediated by sustainability, and that the teaching of HL at university plays a vital role in enhancing HLP and is therefore a very suitable approach for sustainable development in HL. This direct approach is creative, informative and productive practice for both students and teachers.
Originality/value
In spite of the growing number of activities and courses in supply chain and logistics education, no study, to the best of our knowledge, has empirically analyzed the critical topic of whether or not education can bring sustainable development in HL. In order to save lives and reduce the suffering of victims, this study attempts to fill this gap.
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Md. Abdul Fattah, Syed Riad Morshed, Gitisree Biswas, Md. Nazmul Haque, Saifullah Bin Ansar, Md. Mojammel Hoque, Fahmida Yeasmin Sami and Asma Amin Rimi
Khan Jahan Ali (KJA) Bridge was constructed to promote industrial and commercial activity and improve economic and employment activity for local people. This study assessed the…
Abstract
Purpose
Khan Jahan Ali (KJA) Bridge was constructed to promote industrial and commercial activity and improve economic and employment activity for local people. This study assessed the post-socioeconomic and environmental impacts of KJA Bridge on the inhabitants living adjacent to 2 Km from the bridge. As there is a slum adjacent to the bridge, the bridge has impacted much on the improvement of the social economic condition and lifestyle of the slum people.
Design/methodology/approach
The study approached a questionnaire-based field survey data collection through interviewing the people in the surrounding areas. To assess the environmental impacts, land cover change (LCC), carbon emissions and land surface temperature (LST) data were derived from Landsat images and processed in geospatial environment.
Findings
The study suggests that after bridge construction, 84% people have new jobs and about 87% people's income level has been increased. As a tourist spot, the bridge served employment opportunities for the 12% of the inhabitants. About 83% house structures have been improved, where the percentages of pucca and semi-pucca houses increased by 11% and 23%, respectively. The frequency of school-going children and literacy rate also increased. Despite all the socioeconomic development, 7.48% agricultural, 9.75% vegetation, 1.74% waterbodies were declined. Net carbon emissions increased to 13,432.39 tons from 3,323.46 tons; average LST increased from 25.750 to 32.550°C after the bridge construction.
Originality/value
This study focused on descriptive statistical analysis and portrayed the impact of the bridge on social, economic and environment from a micro point of view.
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Sami Ullah, Tooba Ahmad, Mohit Kukreti, Abdul Sami and Muhammad Rehan Shaukat
Consumers and businesses are becoming increasingly conscious of sustainable business practices and are often willing to pay a premium for responsibly sourced and manufactured…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumers and businesses are becoming increasingly conscious of sustainable business practices and are often willing to pay a premium for responsibly sourced and manufactured products. Many countries and organizations have implemented regulations and standards for sustainability and companies face penalties or are barred from exporting for not meeting the requirements. Rooted in the resource-based view theory, this study aims to test a moderated mediation model to improve the sustainability performance of exporting firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Textile firms generating more than 25% of export revenues were targeted for this research. The data collected from 245 middle management-level employees were tested for reliability and validity. The structural equation modelling in AMOS 26 was used to test hypotheses.
Findings
Organizational readiness for green innovation (ORGI) has a direct positive effect on sustainability performance. The mediation analysis implies that ORGI translates into sustainability performance through improvement in green innovation performance. The moderating effect of knowledge integration highlights the importance of being prepared internally and actively seeking and incorporating external knowledge to improve green innovation performance.
Originality/value
The findings offer a solid foundation for informed decision-making, policy development and strategies to improve sustainability performance while aligning with the global nature of the textile industry and its inherent challenges. The proposed model and practical implications guide policymakers and managers of exporting firms to foster a culture of green innovation to leverage the effect of their readiness for green innovation on sustainability performance.
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Nasreddine Kaidi and Sami Mensi
The purpose of this paper is to test the impact of financial development (FD) indicators, namely banking and stock market (SM) indicators, on the household final consumption…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the impact of financial development (FD) indicators, namely banking and stock market (SM) indicators, on the household final consumption expenditure as a poverty index.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors study an international sample of 138 countries over the period 1980-2014. A series of estimation methods are used on different measures of bank-based and stock-based FD. Subgroups of countries, namely low, middle, upper-middle and high-income countries are also investigated.
Findings
In the study, the authors concluded that FD fails to reach the poorest segments of each society in the international sample. For the selected subgroups of countries, the authors concluded that the impact of the bank and the SM indicators, on the poorest population segments, changes depending on, the estimated FD variables, the selected group of countries and the adopted estimation technique.
Practical implications
The present study recommends appropriate economic and financial reforms, with focus on the roles of banks and SM roles to reduce poverty and stimulate channels that allow the poorest population to exploit from financial services.
Originality/value
This paper is the first of its kind to empirically examine, separately, the impact of banks development and SM development, on an international panel and subgroups of countries, using modern econometric techniques.
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