Search results
1 – 10 of 118Waqar Ahmed and Muhammad Zaki Rashidi
Risk is primarily managed by developing the right strategies. Effective alignment of lean and agile strategies is always challenging for practitioners to create firm’s…
Abstract
Purpose
Risk is primarily managed by developing the right strategies. Effective alignment of lean and agile strategies is always challenging for practitioners to create firm’s competitiveness. The purpose of this study is to comprehend the behavior of these fundamental supply chain (SC) strategies by using the Triple-A framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Sample data is collected from 257 SC professionals serving in manufacturing firms through a self-administered structured questionnaire. The statistical technique used to perform hypotheses testing is structural equation modeling.
Findings
This study discloses a few critical attributes of lean and agile strategies while attempting to create strategic alignment and gain maximum benefits out of it. One of the key findings is that a lean strategy finds it challenging to create adaptability. However, better alignment among the market priorities and operational capabilities may improve risk management capabilities.
Practical implications
This study posits various vital insights for strategy-makers. For instance, it is advised to the operations managers that lean resources are usually never capable of adopting change but can be aligned with the market changes to create a SC risk management capability for the firm.
Originality/value
This is an original research with various useful insights for SC operations strategy-makers and academic researchers as it reveals a key empirical evidence of past vital concepts.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to define big data and draw its deep understanding. Moreover, trends of big data research in the field of library and information management are…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to define big data and draw its deep understanding. Moreover, trends of big data research in the field of library and information management are explored. With the purpose to explore the research trends, papers indexed in Thomson Reuters’ ISI Web of Knowledge were analyzed.
Design/methodology/approach
It is a literature-based and scientometric paper. A formal definition is constructed through a review of literature. Moreover, scientometric analysis of papers indexed in Thomson Reuters’ ISI Web of Knowledge has been done to explore the research trends associated with big data in the field of library and information science, using Vosviewer software.
Findings
The findings of the study indicate the reshaped definition of big data. The findings further indicate major research trends associated with big data. The analysis indicated “Risk”, “Industry”, “Market”, “Creditworthiness” and “Big Data Analytics”, the most repeated research trends associated with big data.
Practical implications
The paper sums up the learnings required to be a successful data-literate manager. First, the study defines big data. Second, the study describes current research trends associated with big data. Third, on the basis of the explored trends, data managers and library and information management professionals are guided about the learnings they require to be a successful data manager. Where thousands of data-literate managers are predicted to require in future, the present study is a guide to trends associated with big data.
Originality/value
It is a first study of its type which provides a reshaped definition of big data. It portrays its landscape and associated research trends in the field of information and library management (ILM).
Details
Keywords
Amna Akhound, Aseem Majeed Rizvi, Waqar Ahmed and Muhammad Nadeem Khan
Energy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Energy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the energy-saving behavior of individuals in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
As a theoretical research model, the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to analyze the determinants of energy-saving intentions. A survey method is used to collect 289 valid data, and structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the data.
Findings
The final result shows that the variables attitude at home, subjective norm (SN) and descriptive norms positively impact intention to save energy at the workplace. In contrast, the construct attitude and perceived behavior control is insignificant in this research. On the other hand, the personal moral norm (PMN) is a powerful predictor of individual energy-saving intentions at the workplace.
Originality/value
This research provides insights that will help the organizations understand the behavior of individuals at the workplace for energy-saving intentions to formulate such policies that will enhance individuals' practice for energy savings.
Details
Keywords
Waqar Ahmed, Waqar Ahmed and Arsalan Najmi
The concept of green supply chain management (GSCM) is gaining popularity in developing countries due to the environmental and economic impact along with increasing awareness of…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of green supply chain management (GSCM) is gaining popularity in developing countries due to the environmental and economic impact along with increasing awareness of environmental safety. Enterprises are trying to express their sincere commitment toward green practices. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of GSCM on green and economic performance of the firm under the influence of leadership and institutional pressures.
Design/methodology/approach
Conceptual model was developed from previous research works to understand the driving forces of green and economic performance which had inconsistent findings in the literature. Data were collected from 174 leading ISO 14001 certified manufacturing firms in Pakistan by using a structured questionnaire. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling is used for testing the hypotheses.
Findings
The statistical results indicate that the leadership and institutional pressures influence the firm for adoption of internal green practices and external green collaboration. The statistical results also suggest that green practices significantly improve firm’s green and economic performance. However, firm’s external green collaboration does not significantly affect green performance, but it improves green performance significantly.
Research limitations/implications
This research is conducted on Pakistan as a case of highly populated developing country.
Originality/value
This research presents the empirical evaluation of the influence of leadership and institutional pressure on green practices and improved green and economic performance. The results offer useful understanding for SCM practitioners seeking to adopt GSCM practices. The results also provide policy insights for regulators, organizations and legislators to further promote GSCM.
Details
Keywords
Naveed Ahmed Khan, Waqar Ahmed and Muhammad Waseem
This study aims to examine the effect of supply chain agility (SCA) on the export performance of the Pakistani textile industry. Despite being one of the leading manufacturing and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of supply chain agility (SCA) on the export performance of the Pakistani textile industry. Despite being one of the leading manufacturing and exporting sectors, only a handful of the extant literature is found on the textile industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured questionnaire was prepared using the extant literature. Data was gathered from 146 respondents associated with the textile industry of Pakistan. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling after ensuring the reliability and validity of the data collected for this study.
Findings
This study provides several crucial insights for export-oriented firms. International entrepreneurial orientation and domestic competition are the crucial drivers for a firm’s agility. This study confirms that SCA has a significant impact on escalating export performance of the Pakistani textile industry in the international market.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the theoretical framework developed for this study is original and drawn from the extant literature. The findings of resulted from empirical testing of the theoretical model in the context of developing countries provide new information in the knowledge body.
Details
Keywords
Waqar Ahmed and Muhammad Zaki Rashdi
Lean and agile strategies are two basic supply chain paradigms that strategist decouples based on their internal and external environment. This study aims to identify the…
Abstract
Purpose
Lean and agile strategies are two basic supply chain paradigms that strategist decouples based on their internal and external environment. This study aims to identify the influence of market orientation (MO) and quality management (QM) deployment on the supply chain strategies. Furthermore, this study also seeks empirical evidence of the impact of these core strategies on creating risk management capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research technique is deployed to explain the phenomenon. The data was gathered through a structured scale questionnaire from supply chain professionals working at different manufacturing firms. Valid data of 134 respondents is then analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling for further empirical understanding.
Findings
The outcome of the research indicates that MO capability; as an external drive is a key to make an operational strategy. QM as an internal control is more prone to formulating a lean strategy (LS). Another important finding is that LS does not complement risk management capabilities especially in an uncertain market condition.
Practical implications
The study suggested concrete implications for risk management through the right mix of lean and agile supply chain strategies. There are some good insights for the supply chain policy-makers working in a developing country.
Originality/value
This study will provide empirical evidence for managing supply chain risk through an effective strategy making.
Details
Keywords
Waqar Ahmed, Arsalan Najmi, Simonov Kusi-Sarpong, Sharfuddin Ahmed Khan, Asad Khushal and Joseph Quartey
This research aims to propose a framework for measuring customer loyalty for third party logistics (3PL) industry by exploring the attributes that are more attractive to customers…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to propose a framework for measuring customer loyalty for third party logistics (3PL) industry by exploring the attributes that are more attractive to customers and ascertain the mechanisms for increasing customer loyalty in 3PL industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from one hundred and thirty-three (133) respondents who were employees of different industries that outsource 3PL services. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) was deployed for analysis.
Findings
The results showed that service quality has a significant positive impact on customer orientation, customer satisfaction and relationship quality. On the other hand, customer orientation has been observed to positively impact customer satisfaction but an insignificant impact on customer loyalty and relationship quality. Customer satisfaction has a significant positive impact on relationship quality but an insignificant impact on customer loyalty. Also, relationship quality has a significant positive impact on customer loyalty.
Practical implications
The results recommend that 3PL companies' managers focus more on developing quality relationships with their customers, delivering exemplary service quality and offering customer orientation.
Originality/value
This study will help the stakeholders gain much more understanding and insights on how competitive advantage can be achieved and, consequently, help 3PL become the market leaders.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Mohsin Khalil and Waqar Ahmed
In recent years, technological advancement has played a crucial role in the growth of emerging economies. However, as with any novel technological development, there are often…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, technological advancement has played a crucial role in the growth of emerging economies. However, as with any novel technological development, there are often concerns and hesitations surrounding its implementation. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing blockchain adoption and usage. Thereby evaluating its impact on supply chain performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a deductive research based on the modified form unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, which is a persuasive model that has been used in numerous studies on the acceptance and usage of information technology systems. For this study, valid data was collected from 129 management-level supply chain professionals and policymakers working in diverse manufacturing industries. The collected data was used for testing hypotheses by deploying the structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
The findings of this study reveal that facilitating conditions and technology readiness highly are key influencers for organizations to implement this disruptive technology. Moreover, blockchain adoption and usage can significantly enhance supply chain performance.
Originality/value
Blockchain technology is a novel and promising disruptive technology that industries are looking forward to adopting and using. For the policymakers and supply chain strategists working in a developing country, this study offers a comprehensive viewpoint on the swift acceptance and usage of blockchain technology to facilitate supply chain operations.
Details
Keywords
Waqar Ahmed, Noman Islam and Hafsa Naeem Qureshi
Technological development has been a cornerstone of any emerging economy in the past few years. Blockchain has emerged as a promising technology in the past few years…
Abstract
Purpose
Technological development has been a cornerstone of any emerging economy in the past few years. Blockchain has emerged as a promising technology in the past few years, revolutionizing business dynamics. There is always a concern or hesitation during such novel technological innovation. This paper aims to investigate the blockchain technology (BCT) implementation and acceptance in the supply chain function domain.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model is based on the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and extended theory of planned behavior (TPB). The responses were collected from information technology (IT) professionals working at management positions in various manufacturing industries. A total of 147 usable responses were collected for analyzing hypotheses using structural equation modeling.
Findings
As per the findings, perceived ease of use significantly impacts perceived usefulness and attitude toward technology acceptability. Perceived usefulness is significant to attitude toward use. Trust in technology has a significant impact on building up the attitude to use the technology.
Originality/value
The novelty of this work lies in gauging the acceptability of new ways and means of transacting among supply chain professionals and decision-makers. This study provides a broader perspective regarding reluctance and acceptance of the BCT in the developing country that may help the technologist to elucidate better for smooth adoption.
Details
Keywords
Sehrish Huma, Waqar Ahmed and Arsalan Najmi
In the era of market turbulence, sourcing specialists consistently face challenges to keep the availability of the material efficiently and effectively without any disruption…
Abstract
Purpose
In the era of market turbulence, sourcing specialists consistently face challenges to keep the availability of the material efficiently and effectively without any disruption. Sourcing strategies and planning have a huge impact on procurement performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among different sourcing strategies and supply risk management and performance and additionally, the role of procurement practices in different strategic settings.
Design/methodology/approach
This is empirical research that collected data gathered from 223 procurement specialists working in various manufacturing firms through a structured questionnaire. Valid data is then analyzed through the structure equation modeling technique for hypotheses testing.
Findings
The findings of this study reveal that supplier development is a partial complementary mediator between multiple supplier strategy and supply-side risk management. While in a volatile business environment, strategic supplier strategy has a significant negative impact on supply-side risk management, and in this case supplier development acts as a competing partial mediator between the two. Contract management has resulted in an important mechanism to be deployed in a strategic sourcing strategy. It is also shown that supplier risk management is also associated with improved supply management performance.
Practical implications
This paper establishes an explanation of theoretical and practical understanding of sourcing strategies and empirically shows that supplier development is the appropriate mechanism to deal with supply-side risk management, which in turn positively impacts on supplier management performance.
Originality/value
This study contributes to supply chain risk management literature, especially in the context of strategic risk management and explains how a strategic decision can impact supply risk management. This provides a piece of empirical evidence regarding the use of well-established procurement practices to improve supply performance.
Details