Zakaria Maamar, Quan Z. Sheng, Samir Tata, Djamal Benslimane and Mohamed Sellami
In any critical system, high‐availability of software components like web services has so far been achieved through replication. Three replication strategies known as active…
Abstract
Purpose
In any critical system, high‐availability of software components like web services has so far been achieved through replication. Three replication strategies known as active, passive, and hybrid, describe for example how many replicas are needed, where to locate replicas, and how replicas interact with the original web service and among themselves if needed. The purpose of this paper is to show how replicates could be substituted with components that are similarly functional to the component that needs back‐up in case of failure.
Design/methodology/approach
After examination of the different existing replication strategies, it was decided to test the suitability of the proposed web services high‐availability approach based on communities for each strategy. To this end, the specification of web services using two behaviors, namely control and operational, was deemed appropriate.
Findings
The active replication strategy is the only strategy that could support the development of a web services high‐availability approach based on communities of web services.
Practical implications
The proposed approach has been validated in practice by deploying a JXTA‐based testbed. The experimental work has implemented the active replication strategy.
Originality/value
Software component high‐availability could be achieved by components that are similarly functional to this component, which permits the common limitations of existing replication strategies to be addressed.
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Samir Yerpude and Tarun Kumar Singhal
The purpose of this paper is to build a customer engagement strategy for an emerging market using the Internet of Things (IoT) origin real-time data analytics for a classical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to build a customer engagement strategy for an emerging market using the Internet of Things (IoT) origin real-time data analytics for a classical retail business to customer domain.
Design/methodology/approach
The study presented is twofold. First, it empirically tests a theoretical model where the impact of different parameters influencing customer engagement are validated, and its influence on the resultant parameters, i.e. brand loyalty and brand ambassador, is analyzed. Second, it emphasizes on the use of real-time IoT origin data in customer analytics to determine a customer engagement strategy.
Findings
Results indicate that the four parameters, i.e., value propositions basis the buying patterns, loyalty programs, personalized communication and involving the customer in the new development process are influencing customer engagement positively, whereas the parameter loyalty program scores the maximum regression weight. IoT plays a crucial role in generating the real-time data used for generating customer analytics that proves to be vital for the longevity of the organization.
Practical implications
The organizations need judicious blend of four parameters such as value proposition based on buying patterns, participation in new product development, personalized communication and loyalty program while designing the customer engagement strategy. Results drawn from the focused group interview highlight the power of IoT origin real-time data in the customer analytics further strengthening the need of customer centricity in an organization.
Originality/value
Identified need of building a customer engagement strategy for an emerging market with the help of IoT data is addressed in this paper that is identified as an unexplored area and a research gap.
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Abhijeet Ghadge, Xie Fang, Samir Dani and Jiju Antony
The purpose of this paper is to proactively analyse and mitigate the root causes of the product and security risks. The case study approach examines the effectiveness of the fuzzy…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to proactively analyse and mitigate the root causes of the product and security risks. The case study approach examines the effectiveness of the fuzzy logic approach for assessing the product and process-related failure modes within global supply chain context.
Design/methodology/approach
The case study of a Printed Circuit Board Company in China is used as a platform for conducting the research. Using data triangulation, the data are collected and analyzed through interviews, questionnaires, expert opinions and quantitative modelling for some interesting insights.
Findings
Fuzzy logic approach for failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) provides a structured approach for understanding complex behaviour of failure modes and their associated risks for products and processes. Today’s managers should conduct robust risk assessment during the design stage to avoid product safety and security risks such as recalls.
Research limitations/implications
The research is based on the single case study and multiple cases from different industry sectors may provide some additional insights.
Originality/value
The study attempts to mitigate the root causes of product and processes using fuzzy approach to FMEA in supply chain network.
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Samir Yerpude and Sonica Rautela
The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of real-time data emerging from implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) and netnography on the efficiency of the new…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of real-time data emerging from implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) and netnography on the efficiency of the new product development (NPD).
Design/methodology/approach
Customer-oriented organizations are the ones that survive in the market with a flow of new products to the market. Expectations like reduced timelines with quality focus provoke innovations. Customer inputs become the soul for a successful product wherein it becomes important to keep a constant stream of information flow back from the market. Literature review states that real-time data gathering with the implementation of IoT ensures the same. Along with real-time data, researchers have envisaged the need to identify the customer persona before incorporating customer opinion and sentiments vide netnography.
Findings
The organization can leverage the collaboration of IoT origin real-time data and sentiment analysis to effectively manage the NPD. Real-time customer data coupled with customer opinions and sentiments prove to be a game changer in the NPD process.
Originality/value
The originalities of this study are impact of IoT origin real-time data coupled with sentiment analysis on the NPD process. While impact of IoT origin data is reported in isolation similar to sentiment analysis, influence of collaboration of real-time data with sentiment analysis on NPD process is reported in this study.
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Sandeep Singh and Samir K. Srivastava
This paper aims to address the conceptual and practical challenges in integrating triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in the agriculture supply chain (ASC). It identifies the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address the conceptual and practical challenges in integrating triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in the agriculture supply chain (ASC). It identifies the key enablers for each of the three dimensions of TBL sustainability, analyses their causal relationships as well as cross-dimensional interactions under each TBL dimension. Further, it develops a decision support framework (DSF) for the assessment of TBL sustainability practices and policies in ASC and validates it through a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive structure modelling (ISM) methodology is deployed to establish the interrelationships among all TBL enablers and to identify the enablers with high driving power on sustainable ASC. Brainstorming by a group of experts was used to identify the relevant enables. Finally, a DSF was developed as a resultant of ISM.
Findings
The paper provides a set of enablers with high driving power that can significantly influence the sustainability practices and policies in ASC. The social enablers directly help to enhance the effect of economic enablers and collectively these enhance the effect of environmental enablers. If agriculture firms and supply chains design innovative policies and develop practices based on these enablers, they can achieve sustainable ASC. Consequently, the living standards of the people directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture firm or supply chain can be improved without compromising on economic performance.
Research limitations/implications
The paper consolidates the fragmented knowledge of sustainable supply chain management in the agriculture sector and suggests a DSF to policymakers, managers and practitioners for assessing TBL sustainability practices and policies. The DSF has wide applicability in other sectors of production and operations management as these sectors also face the challenge of achieving TBL sustainability across their supply chain.
Practical implications
The DSF, developed in the paper, is a useful tool for practitioners to frame and analyse sustainability initiatives and policies for ASC. A firm or supply chain may achieve TBL sustainability if it succeeds in uplifting the social status of its stakeholders.
Social implications
It is a first step towards addressing the practical challenge of integrating sustainability in the agriculture sector of emerging economies and provides a path to improve the livelihood of people in the agriculture sector. Stakeholder engagement with a focus on collaboration and awareness may lead to the desired social and environmental consequences. Potential adverse social effects also need to be considered.
Originality/value
This paper focusses on the so far rather neglected but essential aspect of integrating TBL sustainability in the agriculture sector of emerging economies. The hierarchal representation and classification of the TBL sustainability enablers of sustainability is a unique effort in the field of ASC. Development of DSF is one of the first attempts to create a mapping between various enablers of TBL sustainability. The novelty of the study lies in the sector-specific, holistic evaluation of TBL sustainability policy measures that may lead to improvements in practice.
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Gourav Dwivedi, Samir K. Srivastava and Rajiv K. Srivastava
A spurt in the usage of additive manufacturing (AM) is observed in industrial applications to produce final parts along with rapid prototyping and rapid tooling. Despite the…
Abstract
Purpose
A spurt in the usage of additive manufacturing (AM) is observed in industrial applications to produce final parts along with rapid prototyping and rapid tooling. Despite the potential benefits of on-demand and on-location production of customised or complex shape parts, widespread implementation of this disruptive production technology is not yet visible. The purpose of this paper is to examine the various barriers to implement AM in the Indian automotive sector and analyse interrelations among them.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the extant literature and discussions with industry experts, ten major barriers are identified. The authors use a modified Fuzzy interpretive structural modelling (Fuzzy-ISM) method to derive strengths of relationships among these barriers, develop hierarchical levels, and thereafter group and rank these barriers.
Findings
ISM diagraph is developed to demonstrate how the barriers drive one another. Production technology capabilities and government support emerge as the most critical factors, with high driving power and medium dependence.
Research limitations/implications
While identified barriers may be similar across the automotive industry, generalisation of results for interrelationships and ranks in other industries may be limited.
Practical implications
The findings may be useful to managers to develop suitable mitigation strategies, and take more informed decisions, with individual focus, level focus or cluster focus.
Social implications
Findings clearly establish that the role of management and government is crucial in mitigating workers’ resistance to AM implementation.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to AM literature by the structured presentation of the barriers to implement AM in the Indian automotive sector. It also extends the Fuzzy-ISM method by presenting calculation of indirect relations using the appropriate max-product composition and in ranking the barriers.
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Samir K. Srivastava, Abhilash Amula and Prakash Ghagare
The purpose of this paper is to present issues and challenges faced during a firm’s facility relocation decision aimed at improving both cost and service performance in an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present issues and challenges faced during a firm’s facility relocation decision aimed at improving both cost and service performance in an innovative service context.
Design/methodology/approach
The reader is given background of the decision-making process behind single service facility relocation decision using a detailed case study. Key financial, operational and business data of the firm are collected, compiled and analysed. The solution methodology uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses to choose the best among the three possible discrete location choices. For propriety reasons, some information has been disguised, and some data have been sanitized.
Findings
The factors that significantly influence relocation decision are proximity to high transaction customers, infrastructure and other input costs, customer service level requirements and extant regulations. Transportation has a direct impact on cost as well as service level. Most of the findings are in line with literature, but some of them differ too.
Research limitations/implications
The approach is focused on a single case study of a pooling container firm in the Indian context and thereby limits the ability to generalize the findings. Nevertheless, this study may serve as a significant starting point for future research.
Practical implications
Firms can create a rational, efficient and even-handed approach for relocation of facilities applying a mix of qualitative and quantitative models judiciously. It provides managers better understanding and insights and actions needed for single service facility relocation.
Originality/value
This work is perhaps the first on facility relocation in emerging economies covering actual interventions and experiences. It gives new insights to a limited literature of relocating single service facility reflecting both theoretical imperatives and practitioner requirements.
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The author's objective is the best use of the natural and cultural resources by the actors of tourism. He proposes a sustainable development for Marocco. Tourism is an important…
Abstract
The author's objective is the best use of the natural and cultural resources by the actors of tourism. He proposes a sustainable development for Marocco. Tourism is an important factor of development for this country.
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Samir K. Barua and Sobhesh Kumar Agarwalla
The case describes the strategy of a large Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB) to enhance financial inclusion and financial literacy of less privileged people located in poorly…
Abstract
The case describes the strategy of a large Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB) to enhance financial inclusion and financial literacy of less privileged people located in poorly accessible parts of India. While pursuing the developmental objective ‘imposed’ by the Central Bank/government, being a listed entity, the PSB had to be mindful of the financial viability of the strategy so as to protect the interest of its minority shareholders. The issues covered are endemic to most developing countries where public enterprises often become instrumentality of the state.
Details
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