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1 – 10 of 18Today’s marketplace has witnessed intense competitive pressures and high levels of uncertainty and disruption. Therefore, supply chains require agility to obtain a sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Today’s marketplace has witnessed intense competitive pressures and high levels of uncertainty and disruption. Therefore, supply chains require agility to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage and cope with uncertainties as well as disruptions. Although a wide range of studies exists on supply chain agility (SCA) from the perspective of antecedents or consequences, there is little research on the investigation of enablers of SCA and their relations among them. Furthermore, the literature has investigated proactive and reactive enablers for enhancing SCA, but most studies have not sufficiently framed their analysis of both aspects synchronically. This paper aims to find out the interrelationships among the proactive and reactive enablers for enhancing SCA.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review has been conducted to identify SCA enablers and a Delphi study has been performed to elucidate SCA enablers in the manufacturing industry in Turkey. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) has been used to identify the contextual relationship among the SCA enablers, and the model has been validated based on Matriced Impact Croises Multiplication Appliquee a un Classement (MICMAC) analysis.
Findings
On theoretical and practical levels, the proposed ISM model in this study can help organizations analyze and interpret interrelationships among enablers of SCA. For managers, it can provide better insights and understanding of the facilitators of SCA to enhance the effectiveness of the supply chain and cope with uncertainties and turbulence. According to results, enhancing “supply and demand side competency”, “delivery speed” and “strategic sourcing” are the most significant enablers of SCA.
Originality/value
The study extends the existing literature related to the enablers of SCA by modeling the proactive and reactive enablers of SCA based on the Al Humdan et al. (2020) classification. Arranging the enablers of SCA in a hierarchy and classifying the enablers into different levels with the help of the ISM-MICMAC approach is an exclusive effort to achieve successful management of the supply chain.
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Yongjian Ke, Zhe Cheng, Jingxiao Zhang and Yong Liu
Despite the widespread study and application of public-private partnerships (PPPs) since the 1980s, the field lacks a universally accepted definition that captures the concept's…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the widespread study and application of public-private partnerships (PPPs) since the 1980s, the field lacks a universally accepted definition that captures the concept's complexity. This study aims to offer a definition and foster a more substantive and comprehensive discourse on PPPs to improve communication and understanding between academics and practitioners from diverse disciplines and legislative backgrounds.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded in the family-resemblance concept proposed by German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, this study conducts a comprehensive literature review to identify core and non-core elements frequently cited in PPP descriptions. The authors used these findings to develop the PPP sunflower model as a structured framework for defining PPPs.
Findings
The analysis elucidates six core elements consistently present in PPP descriptions: clarity of roles and responsibilities, appropriate risk allocation and sharing, injection of expertise and resources, cooperation and teamwork, a bundle of services, and long-term contracts. Coupled with identified non-core elements, these core components comprise the PPP sunflower model, a structured framework for defining PPPs that accommodates their multi-faceted nature.
Originality/value
The PPP sunflower model distinguishes itself as a unique contribution to the PPP literature. It offers a rigorous theoretical framework that can elucidate the complexity of PPPs for various stakeholders. The model serves as a practical tool for evaluating the authenticity and viability of PPP projects. The study's novelty lies in its adoption of the family-resemblance concept, thereby providing a comprehensive, multi-dimensional framework that enhances the understanding of PPPs across different disciplines and legislative contexts.
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Alana Guadagnin, Jandir Pauli, Juliane Ruffatto and Leila Dal Moro
For sustainable strategies to be developed in business schools, it is essential to understand which sustainability drivers and barriers are identified by academic managers and…
Abstract
Purpose
For sustainable strategies to be developed in business schools, it is essential to understand which sustainability drivers and barriers are identified by academic managers and coordinators in the implementation of sustainable practices. In this scenario, the study aims to understand the barriers and possible drivers for the implementation of sustainability practices in Brazilian business schools. The subjects are managers and coordinators of business schools that are part of the Principles for Responsible Executive Education Network – Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Chapter Brazil/UN.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive research with a qualitative approach was conducted to achieve this objective. The study included academic managers, responsible for the general management of academic and administrative activities and coordinators, responsible for supervising and coordinating academic activities in a specific area, of schools that are part of PRME Chapter Brazil (interviews). For data analysis, the content analysis technique was used.
Findings
Taking into account the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) as categories of analysis, as well as management, curriculum and teaching as subcategories, the study identified 10 barriers and 12 drivers.
Originality/value
The results reveal that both the barriers and the drivers are supported by the social pillar, which focuses on the academic community and society as a whole. The “Management” subcategory was also the most mentioned, indicating guidelines for the strategic academic management of these organizations.
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Gopal Krushna Gouda and Binita Tiwari
This study aims to identify the key enablers for the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in the automobile industry of India, which has been severely impacted by COVID-19. Adopting…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the key enablers for the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in the automobile industry of India, which has been severely impacted by COVID-19. Adopting I4.0 will provide organizations greater flexibility and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the literature review and experts’ opinions, 21 enablers were identified. Further, contextual relationships among the identified factors and a hierarchical digraph was developed by using the total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) technique. Finally, fuzzy cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis was conducted to classify the enablers into different categories based on their dependence and driving power.
Findings
The results indicate that top management support, clarity on government policy, strategic vision on I4.0 and development of new industrial policy are the most influential factors, with the highest driving power placed at the bottom of the TISM hierarchical model. Furthermore, agile workforce, smart HR practices and IT standardization and security are identified as linkage enablers with the most driving and dependency power.
Practical implications
The hierarchical TISM model and fuzzy MICMAC approach provide a comprehensive understanding of the I4.0 implementation process through a visual, logical structure to the managers. It will help the researchers and practitioners understand the contextual relationship among various enablers in fostering the I4.0 adoption process and digital reorganization in the automobile industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originality/value
This study provides a holistic TISM hierarchical framework on I4.0 adoption that will elevate the next maturity level of innovation adoption and may act as a blueprint for automobile industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Roshis Krishna Shrestha, Jean-Nöel Patrick L'Espoir Decosta and Rupa Shrestha
This study aims to integrate social embeddedness with learning society philosophy to explore how grassroots associations of Indigenous women tourism entrepreneurs can leverage…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to integrate social embeddedness with learning society philosophy to explore how grassroots associations of Indigenous women tourism entrepreneurs can leverage their social network to co-create value.
Design/methodology/approach
A critical feminist perspective considers the intersectional experiences of Indigenous women tourism entrepreneurs from the rural Manasalu region of Nepal. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews with local tourism stakeholders were carried out. Hermeneutics in tandem with Indigenous methods of analysis ensured consideration of Indigenous ontologies and social locations beyond being merely theoretically driven.
Findings
A paradox of Indigenous women’s empowerment emerged where several efforts for empowerment presented themselves as a double-edged sword. Individuals’ social capital and social support for the sustenance and stability of grassroots associations ensure collective and continuous learning through a value-creation framework.
Research limitations/implications
Collective self-reflection and self-determination for knowledge creation and sharing amongst social ties shed new light on the role of an Indigenous standpoint on value creation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that captures how the intersectionality of Indigenous women entrepreneurs in grassroots associations use their social capital through contesting, leveraging and learning to transform their social network into a value network.
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Guoqing Zhao, Jana Suklan, Shaofeng Liu, Carmen Lopez and Lise Hunter
In a competitive environment, eHealth small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) barriers to survival differ from those of large enterprises. Empirical research on barriers to…
Abstract
Purpose
In a competitive environment, eHealth small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) barriers to survival differ from those of large enterprises. Empirical research on barriers to eHealth SMEs in less prosperous areas has been largely neglected. This study fills this gap by employing an integrated approach to analyze barriers to the development of eHealth SMEs. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data through semi-structured interviews and conducted thematic analysis to identify 16 barriers, which were used as inputs into total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) to build interrelationships among them and identify key barriers. Cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) was then applied validate the TISM model and classify the 16 barriers into four categories.
Findings
This study makes significant contributions to theory by identifying new barriers and their interrelationships, distinguishing key barriers and classifying the barriers into four categories. The authors identify that transcultural problems are the key barrier and deserve particular attention. eHealth SMEs originating from regions with cultural value orientations, such as hierarchy and embeddedness, that differ from the UK’s affective autonomy orientation should strengthen their transcultural awareness when seeking to expand into UK markets.
Originality/value
By employing an integrated approach to analyze barriers that impede the development of eHealth SMEs in a less prosperous area of the UK, this study raises entrepreneurs’ awareness of running businesses in places with different cultural value orientations.
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Amit Kumar, Bala Krishnamoorthy and Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya
This research study aims to inquire into the technostress phenomenon at an organizational level from machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) deployment. The authors…
Abstract
Purpose
This research study aims to inquire into the technostress phenomenon at an organizational level from machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) deployment. The authors investigated the role of ML and AI automation-augmentation paradox and the socio-technical systems as coping mechanisms for technostress management amongst managers.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors applied an exploratory qualitative method and conducted in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured interview questionnaire. Data were collected from 26 subject matter experts. The data transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Findings
The study results indicated that role ambiguity, job insecurity and the technology environment contributed to technostress because of ML and AI technologies deployment. Complexity, uncertainty, reliability and usefulness were primary technology environment-related stress. The novel integration of ML and AI automation-augmentation interdependence, along with socio-technical systems, could be effectively used for technostress management at the organizational level.
Research limitations/implications
This research study contributed to theoretical discourse regarding the technostress in organizations because of increased ML and AI technologies deployment. This study identified the main techno stressors and contributed critical and novel insights regarding the theorization of coping mechanisms for technostress management in organizations from ML and AI deployment.
Practical implications
The phenomenon of technostress because of ML and AI technologies could have restricting effects on organizational performance. Executives could follow the simultaneous deployment of ML and AI technologies-based automation-augmentation strategy along with socio-technical measures to cope with technostress. Managers could support the technical up-skilling of employees, the realization of ML and AI value, the implementation of technology-driven change management and strategic planning of ML and AI technologies deployment.
Originality/value
This research study was among the first few studies providing critical insights regarding the technostress at the organizational level because of ML and AI deployment. This research study integrated the novel theoretical paradigm of ML and AI automation-augmentation paradox and the socio-technical systems as coping mechanisms for technostress management.
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Thiago Rodrigues Timóteo, Gustavo Tietz Cazeri, Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de Moraes, Tiago F.A.C. Sigahi, Lucas Gabriel Zanon, Izabela Simon Rampasso and Rosley Anholon
The aim of this research was to evaluate the maturity level of strategic communication management implemented by Brazilian startups.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research was to evaluate the maturity level of strategic communication management implemented by Brazilian startups.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), survey and Grey Fixed Weight Clustering modeling techniques. Three experts with extensive academic and practical experience in the subject participated in the AHP process, providing their opinions on the relative importance of eight variables associated with the topic under investigation, thus enabling their prioritization. Concurrently, data were collected through a survey from 23 respondents who have extensive knowledge about the realities of Brazilian startups. The weights derived from the AHP and the survey data were utilized in the Grey Fixed Weight Clustering modeling.
Findings
Based on the opinions of the 23 respondents, the level of implementation of practices related to strategic management, brand management, external image management and internal communication management is superficial. In addition, according to the majority of experts, Brazilian startups exhibited a medium level of maturity to address the key challenges related to communication management. Furthermore, this study reveals that the variables “financial resources allocation,” “stakeholder relationship” and “brand management” were deemed the most significant for the model.
Originality/value
The contributions presented herein can be beneficial for both researchers and startup managers seeking to enhance communication strategies in their organizations. This research also contributes by highlighting how grey systems theory can be extremely useful for conducting decision-making analyses in the context of startups, which is characterized by uncertainty and imprecise information.
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Birgit Muskat, Girish Prayag, Sameer Hosany, Gang Li, Quan Vu and Sarah Wagner
Food is a key element in tourism experiences. This study aims to investigate the interplay of sensory and non-sensory factors in food tourism experiences and models their…
Abstract
Purpose
Food is a key element in tourism experiences. This study aims to investigate the interplay of sensory and non-sensory factors in food tourism experiences and models their influence on satisfaction and behavioural intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study focuses on the culinary experiences of 304 tourists dining at ethnic restaurants and uses causal relationship discovery modelling to analyse data.
Findings
Sensory factors are important in tourists’ culinary experiences with cleanliness, noise levels and room temperature at the top of the causal chain. Results also indicate the interplay between sensory and non-sensory factors to explain overall satisfaction, intention to return and intention to say positive things.
Originality/value
Using embodied cognition theory, the study offers novel insights into the role of senses in food tourism experiences at rural destinations.
研究目的
美食是乡村旅游的主要吸引物之一。本研究的目的是调查游客在用餐体验中感官和非感官因素的相互作用, 以及这些因素如何影响游客的满意度和行为意愿。
研究设计/研究方法
本研究使用因果关系建模的方法来分析 304 名在某地方特色餐厅用餐的游客的问卷数据。
研究结果
结果显示, 对于游客的用餐体验而言, 感官和非感官因素具备同等的重要性。此外, 结果发现, 游客感知到的噪音水平、适宜的室内温度及清洁度在与其他因素的相互作用中非常重要, 并能激发游客的满意度和重游意愿。
原创性/研究价值
基于认知理论, 本研究为更好地理解感官因素和非感观因素在乡村旅游情境下的游客用餐体验中的作用提供了新的知识。
Propósito
La comida es un elemento clave en las experiencias turísticas. Este estudio investiga la interacción de factores sensoriales y no sensoriales en las experiencias de turismo gastronómico y modela su influencia en la satisfacción y las intenciones de comportamiento.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
El estudio se centra en las experiencias culinarias de 304 turistas que cenan en restaurantes étnicos y utiliza modelos de descubrimiento de relaciones causales para analizar los datos.
Resultados
Los factores sensoriales son importantes en las experiencias culinarias de los turistas con la limpieza, los niveles de ruido y la temperatura ambiente en la parte superior de la cadena causal. Los resultados también indican la interacción entre factores sensoriales y no sensoriales para explicar la satisfacción general, la intención de regresar y la intención de decir cosas positivas.
Originalidad/valor
Utilizando la teoría de la cognición incorporada, el estudio ofrece nuevos conocimientos sobre el papel de los sentidos en las experiencias de turismo gastronómico en destinos rurales.
Details
Keywords
- Food tourism
- Experiences
- Senses
- Embodied cognition theory
- Overall satisfaction
- Intention to return and intention to say positive things
- 美食旅游
- 体验
- 感官因素
- 认知理论
- 满意度
- 重游意愿
- 好评意愿
- Turismo gastronómico
- experiencias
- sentidos
- teoría de la cognición encarnada
- satisfacción general
- intención de regresar e intención de decir cosas positivas
Noorul Shaiful Fitri Abdul Rahman, Adela P. Balasa, Mohammad Khairuddin Othman and Abebe Ejigu Alemu
This paper aimed to assess the service quality of the main seaports in Oman, which were Sohar, Ad Duqm and Salalah. The aim was to come up with ways to enhance the port service…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aimed to assess the service quality of the main seaports in Oman, which were Sohar, Ad Duqm and Salalah. The aim was to come up with ways to enhance the port service quality (PSQ) in Oman so that it could align with the Sultanate of Oman Logistics Strategy (SOLS) 2040 goals and achieve excellent and efficient operations.
Design/methodology/approach
To evaluate the service quality level of the port operators, this paper used a descriptive research design with Resources, Outcome, Process, Management, Image/reputation and Social (ROPMIS) modelling.
Findings
The findings indicated that the overall PSQ rating was currently between “satisfactory” and “very satisfactory” levels. However, the study also found that by empowering resources, outcomes, processes, management, image and social responsibility aspects, the port operators could provide a “high” quality of service, making their seaport operations more effective and efficient.
Practical implications
The study offers recommendations for improving port services in Oman, including investment in modern seaports, upgrading infrastructure and facilities, ensuring safety and efficiency of cargo operations, meeting and exceeding customer expectations, adopting new technology and automation, hiring policies that attract diverse talents, implementing environmentally friendly practices and improving governance. Overall, this study contributes to the literature and managerial practices in PSQ aspects and its contribution to the SOLS 2040 in Oman.
Originality/value
The originality and novelty of this study lie in its comprehensive assessment of the service quality of Oman's ports and the identification of areas for improvement to achieve outstanding service levels.
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