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1 – 10 of 28This paper aims to analyze the agile manufacturing practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the auto-ancillary sector spread across eastern India. Using statistical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the agile manufacturing practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the auto-ancillary sector spread across eastern India. Using statistical method, a number of crucial insights have been captured and discussed in detail.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural equation model (SEM) encapsulating pertinent agile manufacturing attributes and enablers as the focal construct is conceptualized and validated in this research. The SEM model is evolved in a manner that agile attributes and agile enablers are modeled as latent dependent and manifest variable, respectively.
Findings
A number of key hypothesis entailing interactions of key agility enablers, i.e. manufacturing responsiveness agility, manufacturing strategy agility, workforce agility, technology agility, manufacturing management agility, etc. are conceptualized and validated.
Originality/value
The authors specifically focus on evolving agile manufacturing framework (characterized by agility enablers and attributes) that lies at the intersection of SMEs, automotive sector and an emerging economy.
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Yash Daultani, Mohit Goswami, Ajay Kumar and Saurabh Pratap
The purpose of this paper was to examine the perceived outcomes of e-learning by identifying key attributes affecting user (learner) satisfaction in higher education institutes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to examine the perceived outcomes of e-learning by identifying key attributes affecting user (learner) satisfaction in higher education institutes.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model considering user satisfaction as a key construct was developed through critical literature review and expert opinion. The model is empirically validated using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model in the context of higher education institutions. A sample of 802 users comprising of engineering and management students has been used for the analysis.
Findings
Course attributes, system attributes, interactive attributes and instructor attributes were found to have an influence significantly on user satisfaction. Instructor attributes were the topmost significant contributor followed by the course attributes.
Social implications
Delivery of educational programs through e-learning platforms has increasingly gained traction throughout the world owing to its locational, time and convenience-related facets. Further, the ongoing global pandemic has catalysed acceptance of e-learning platforms thus attracting large number of learners and teachers for facilitating the teaching-learning process. This paper is a novel attempt to identify the existing gaps in teaching-learning process in the context of e-learning.
Originality/value
This study is original and provides new insights into how e-learning platforms and higher education institutions can ensure higher user satisfaction and learning in current challenging times. This paper will also be of interest to policymakers.
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The purpose of this paper is to formulate extended enterprise-oriented structure and process map for technical skill building for firms belonging to emerging economies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to formulate extended enterprise-oriented structure and process map for technical skill building for firms belonging to emerging economies.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors identify technical skill building (lies at the intersection of product, process and people) as a key enabler for furthering organizational competitiveness. The authors employ define measure explore develop implement- and supplier, input, process, output, and customer (SIPOC-) based framework for arriving at a technical skill building framework.
Findings
By utilizing the SIPOC-based framework, the authors identify the supplier(s), input(s), process(s), output(s) and customer(s) in the value chain of technical skill building as far as the extended enterprise is concerned.
Originality/value
The paper uses pragmatic and user-friendly conceptualization for technical skill building framework.
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Keywords
Devendra Dhagarra, Mohit Goswami and PRS Sarma
Forecasting.
Abstract
Subject area
Forecasting.
Study level/applicability
The case is intended for Postgraduate level management students.
Case overview
The purpose of this case study is to explain various forecasting techniques, their applicability and the importance of forecasting to the students. This case also explains the management situations where the application of one technique may not be sufficient, thereby explaining the importance of simultaneous usage of qualitative and quantitative techniques for making crucial decisions. The case is focused on the district of Etah of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. The real-life situation of elections in this district of an Indian state has been taken to explain the critical nature of forecasting accuracy in a management situation where the manager has only one chance to execute his project. Discussion in this case is limited to explaining various techniques available for forecasting and their applications and does not provide a solution to a management problem.
Expected learning outcomes
The students are expected to understand various forecasting methods and the managerial situations where these can be applied. The case also explains situations where it becomes extremely important to have fairly accurate estimates of future requirements and the application of one technique may not be sufficient, thereby explaining the importance of simultaneous usage of qualitative and quantitative techniques for making crucial decisions.
Supplementary materials
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Subject code
CSS 9: Operations and Logistics.
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Mohit Goswami, Felix T.S. Chan, M. Ramkumar, Yash Daultani, Saurabh Pratap and Ankita Chhabra
In this research, collaboration attributes related to the firm's intrinsic and extrinsic facets at pertinent levels (i.e. enterprise, strategic, operational, and tactical levels…
Abstract
Purpose
In this research, collaboration attributes related to the firm's intrinsic and extrinsic facets at pertinent levels (i.e. enterprise, strategic, operational, and tactical levels) for construction equipment OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) operating in India have been quantified and modeled.
Design/methodology/approach
For modeling the intra-firm collaboration at respective organizational levels, relevant attributes have been populated employing literature review followed by subsequent validation from pertinent focus groups. The focus groups comprising professionals working in the construction and mining equipment industry in India aided us in estimating the extent of interdependencies and influences within/amongst collaboration attributes. The collaboration attributes and respective interdependencies/influences are modeled employing the concept of graph theory wherein the individual attributes are represented using vertices and influences/interdependencies are represented using edges. The collaboration indices resulting from the variable permanent matrix have been derived as well.
Findings
Scenario and subsequent sensitivity analysis are performed. This research discusses the significance and aspects related to various collaborative attributes and the interrelations amongst them. Further, the research also evolves quantitative measures of collaboration indices at enterprise, strategic, tactical and operational levels by employing a graph-theoretic approach (GTA). The authors have also extricated and discussed a number of meaningful implications from both the perspectives of interorganizational relationships (IORs) and the normative theory of organizations using a cross-case analysis of five firms having operations in India.
Originality/value
The research would aid organizations (particularly those belonging to the construction equipment sector) measure the efficacy of collaboration in respective value-chains at strategic, tactical and operational levels. From the theoretical perspective, the integration of the IORs and normative theory of organizations enables looking at the intra-firm collaboration problem from a multi-dimensional standpoint involving activities, performance measures, action initiation, communication, shades of top management, level of activity, etc.
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Sustainable supply chain (SSC) provides one opportunity to achieve competitive advantage. To achieve SSC through triple bottom line (TBL) – economic, environment and social – is…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainable supply chain (SSC) provides one opportunity to achieve competitive advantage. To achieve SSC through triple bottom line (TBL) – economic, environment and social – is extensively discussed. Most literature in dealing with environmental issues undermine social dimension even though its potential to bring outstanding results by earning customers loyalty and commitment is immense. Local orientation and different context motivate firms to prioritize sustainability dimensions differently. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize SSC performance as three dimensional second-order formative construct which is caused by three first-order reflective constructs. Further, the authors examined effect of sustainable performance on barriers to sustainability through collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
The model is validated by data collected from industries in India using both partial least squares and covariance based structural equation modeling. The authors find the model is valid for both manufacturing and service sectors.
Findings
In Indian context, social dimension is most and environmental dimension is least important differentiating it from developed economy. The authors find sustainable performance subsequently mitigates barriers and risks to sustainability, thereby reducing its impact over time.
Originality/value
This study conceptualizes SSC performance as three dimensional second-order formative construct which is caused by three first-order reflective constructs. Given criticisms to TBL for being western-centric, this study unearths insightful phenomena having implications for both developing and developed world. Further, the authors find sustainable performance reduces effects of barriers to collaboration necessary to achieve SSC. This study contributes to both theory and practice by modeling sustainability performance.
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Sirsha Pattanayak, M. Ramkumar, Mohit Goswami, Gopalakrishnan Narayanamurthy and Nripendra P. Rana
Anchored in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Dynamic Capabilities theory, this study examines blockchain’s role in facilitating firms' transition to a circular economy…
Abstract
Purpose
Anchored in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Dynamic Capabilities theory, this study examines blockchain’s role in facilitating firms' transition to a circular economy (CE), aiming to provide a robust framework for understanding the interplay between blockchain, CE and sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an interpretivistic approach and semi-structured interviews to explore how blockchain can drive the transition to a CE.
Findings
The study shows blockchain can expedite the shift to a CE through pollution prevention, product stewardship and sustainable development, by leveraging dynamic capabilities (DC). It emphasizes blockchain as a micro foundation of DCs, with these capabilities enabling NRBV strategic capabilities.
Originality/value
This study investigates the intersection of blockchain and CE, offering empirical validation for a robust conceptual framework and revealing the societal impact of the CE transition.
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Gopal Kumar, Zach G. Zacharia and Mohit Goswami
Drawing on the relational view and contingency theories, this study explores supply chain relationship conditions' roles in interrelationships between environmental, social and…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the relational view and contingency theories, this study explores supply chain relationship conditions' roles in interrelationships between environmental, social and supply chain performance (SCP), i.e. triple bottom line (TBL).
Design/methodology/approach
The data from industries and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to validate the proposed model. Interviews with industry experts were conducted to further understand the findings.
Findings
The authors find that relationship conditions, such as inventory information sharing, dependency, opportunistic behavior and conflicts, moderate TBL linkages. Interestingly, power asymmetry does not moderate the linkages. Social performance mediates between environmental and SCP. This indirect effect is stronger than the effect of environmental performance on SCP.
Originality/value
This research is perhaps the first to bring a much-needed nuanced view on the importance of relationship conditions for TBL performance linkages. The research further underlines the importance of social performance in an emerging economy.
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Mohit Goswami, Yash Daultani and M. Ramkumar
This paper analytically models and numerically investigates two operating levers, namely optimization of product price and optimization of product quality in the context of a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper analytically models and numerically investigates two operating levers, namely optimization of product price and optimization of product quality in the context of a manufacturer that sells the products directly in the marketplace. The study attempts to identify how optimizing product quality and product price can fulfill a manufacturer's economic aims such as maximization of the manufacturer's profit and market demand. Anchored to the extant literature, the demand is modeled as a parametric joint multiplicative function of price and quality. Further, price is modeled as a function of product quality.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors evolve the analytical expression for the manufacturer's profit. Thereafter, following the mathematical principles of unconstrained optimization, the authors arrive at the conditions for optimal product quality and product price. The authors further perform numerical experiments to understand the behavior of economic dimensions such as profit and demand with respect to sensitivities associated with cost, quality and price.
Findings
The authors find that under product quality optimization, the optimal product quality is a unique solution in that a highest possible theoretical manufacturer's profit is obtained. However, in the case of product price optimization, the optimal product price is non-unique and is a function of product quality. The authors further find that in the context of functional quality-level expectations, product quality optimization as an operating lever gives a better dividend. However, in the case of higher product quality expectations, product price optimization performs better than product quality optimization. Further, several novel findings are also obtained from numerical experimentations.
Originality/value
The findings of the authors' study have implications for types of industries characterized by relatively low as well as relatively high competitive intensity. Further, as opposed to several extant studies that have often carried out joint optimization of quality and price, the authors' study is one of the first to study the impact of product price and product quality on the manufacturer's economic objective in a disparate and focused manner, thus capturing individual effects.
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Abhijeet Ghadge, Sujoy Bag, Mohit Goswami and Manoj Kumar Tiwari
An uncertain product demand in online retailing leads to loss of opportunity cost and customer dissatisfaction due to instances of product unavailability. On the other hand, when…
Abstract
Purpose
An uncertain product demand in online retailing leads to loss of opportunity cost and customer dissatisfaction due to instances of product unavailability. On the other hand, when e-retailers store excessive inventory of durable goods to fulfill uncertain demand, it results in significant inventory holding and obsolescence cost. In view of such overstocking/understocking situations, this study attempts to mitigate online demand risk by exploring novel e-retailing approaches considering the trade-offs between opportunity cost/customer dissatisfaction and inventory holding/obsolescence cost.
Design/methodology/approach
Four e-retailing approaches are introduced to mitigate uncertain demand and minimize the economic losses to e-retailer. Using three months of purchased history data of online consumers for durable goods, four proposed approaches are tested by developing product attribute based algorithm to calculate the economic loss to the e-retailer.
Findings
Mixed e-retailing method of selling unavailable products from collaborative e-retail partner and alternative product's suggestion from own e-retailing method is found to be best for mitigating uncertain demand as well as limiting customer dissatisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
Limited numbers of risk factor have been considered in this study. In the future, others risk factors like fraudulent order of high demand products, long delivery time window risk, damage and return risk of popular products can be incorporated and handled to reduce the economic loss.
Practical implications
The analysis can minimize the economic losses to an e-retailer and also can maximize the profit of collaborative e-retailing partner.
Originality/value
The study proposes a retailer to retailer collaboration approach without sharing the forecasted products' demand information.
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