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11 – 20 of over 8000
Article
Publication date: 30 August 2013

Michael Krapp, Johannes Nebel and Ramin Sahamie

The purpose of this paper is to provide a generic forecasting approach for predicting product returns in closed‐loop supply chains.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a generic forecasting approach for predicting product returns in closed‐loop supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on Bayesian estimation techniques. It permits to forecast product returns on the basis of fewer restrictions than existing approaches in CLSC literature. A numerical example demonstrates the application of the proposed approach using return times drawn from a Poisson distribution.

Findings

The Bayesian estimation approach provides at least 50 percent higher accuracy in terms of error measures compared to traditional methods in all scenarios examined in the empirical part. Hence, more precise results can be obtained when predicting product returns.

Research limitations/implications

The flexibility of the proposed approach allows for numerous applications in the field of CLSC research. Areas that depend on the results from a forecasting system, such as inventory management, can embed our estimation procedure in order to reduce safety stocks. Further research should address the incorporation of the quality of returned products and its impact on the actual utilizable amount of product returns.

Originality/value

The generic character of the proposed forecasting approach leaves degrees of freedom to the user when adapting it to a specific problem. This adaptability is enabled by the following features: first, an arbitrary function is allowed for capturing the customers' demand. Second, the stochastic timeframe between sale and product return may follow an arbitrary distribution. Third, by adjusting two parameters finite as well as infinite planning horizons can be incorporated. Fourth, no assumptions regarding the joint distribution of product returns are necessary.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 43 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 October 2019

Saurabh Agrawal and Rajesh Kumar Singh

Forecasting product returns plays an important role in the operations of reverse logistics (RL). However, their contribution to sustainability performance is yet to be explored…

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Abstract

Purpose

Forecasting product returns plays an important role in the operations of reverse logistics (RL). However, their contribution to sustainability performance is yet to be explored. The purpose of this paper is to explore the product returns in Indian electronics industry and examine the relationship of forecasting product returns with triple bottom line performance of RL.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, based on past literature review, four hypotheses, relating to forecasting of product returns and its association with performance, were developed. A questionnaire was sent to 700 respondents from the Indian electronics industry. Overall, 208 received responses were found suitable for the research. The necessary statistical analysis was carried out to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. In order to test different hypotheses, partial least square path modelling (PLSPM) technique of structural equation modeling was utilized.

Findings

Measurement model had shown sufficient data fit for the modeling. PLSPM results reveal that the accuracy in forecasting product returns is positively associated with operational performance of RL. It also plays an important role in the sustainability efforts of an organization.

Research limitations/implications

Managers can utilize results of study for exploring and emphasizing issues of product returns for improving RL performance. One of the limitations is that data are collected only from Indian electronics industry. Another limitation is that only product returns are considered for the operational and TBL performance of RL. In future, study may be carried out considering different factors in other sectors and countries.

Originality/value

The intent of forecasting product returns is considered to be operational efficiency. It can make significant contributions to the sustainability efforts of an organization. Review of the past literature indicates that research in the field of RL is in developing stage, and issues related to forecasting product returns are under-represented. The paper adds value to the few available articles on product returns.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 December 2022

Shoaib M. Farooq Padela, Ben Wooliscroft and Alexandra Ganglmair-Wooliscroft

This paper aims to conceptualise and characterise brand systems and outline propositions and research avenues to advance the systems’ view of branding.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptualise and characterise brand systems and outline propositions and research avenues to advance the systems’ view of branding.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual synthesis approach is adopted to integrate the extant branding research perspectives. The conceptual framework is grounded in the theoretical foundation of marketing systems theory.

Findings

The conceptual framework delineates brand inputs, throughputs, outcomes and feedback effects within a brand system. It configures the complexity and dynamics of brand value formation among brand actors within the branding environment.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to systems thinking in branding and brand value co-creation research. It extends marketing systems theory into the branding context and provides research directions for exploring the structural and functional configurations, cause–consequence processes and outcome concerns of brand value formation.

Practical implications

This conceptual framework informs brand development, management and regulation at a macro level. Managers can apply the brand system concept to identify and manage conflicting expectations of brand actors and alleviate adverse brand outcomes such as negative brand externalities, enhancing overall brand system health and societal value.

Originality/value

This research expands the scope of brand actor agency and identifies the likelihood of disproportionate brand outcomes. It provides methodological guidelines for analysis and intervention in brand systems.

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2023

Zhi Cao, Dong-Young Kim, Yinping Mu and Vinod Singhal

The growing focus on socially responsible supply chain management (SRSCM) has made it crucial to extend corporate social responsibility (CSR) to upstream suppliers. Drawing on…

Abstract

Purpose

The growing focus on socially responsible supply chain management (SRSCM) has made it crucial to extend corporate social responsibility (CSR) to upstream suppliers. Drawing on resource dependence theory, this study aims to examine how supplier dependence upon socially responsible buyers impacts suppliers' CSR performance and how this relationship is moderated by network prominence and demand uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed hypotheses are tested using regression analysis with Heckman's two-stage model and a dyadic supply chain dataset constructed based on publicly traded Chinese firms between 2008 and 2016. This time window is selected due to a one-year lag of the dependent variable and the change in evaluation methods of the database providing CSR performance in 2018.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that supplier dependence upon socially responsible buyers is positively associated with suppliers' CSR performance. However, this positive relationship is attenuated when suppliers occupy a prominent position in the network or when they face high demand uncertainty.

Originality/value

This study extends knowledge about the role of relationship dependence in implementing SRSCM by highlighting its positive impact on suppliers' CSR. Thus, this study contributes to the buyer–supplier relationship literature and the power and relationship dependence literature. This study further advances the understanding of the factors that influence suppliers' behavior by exploring the moderating roles of network prominence and demand uncertainty. The results have several practical implications for managers and policymakers.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 44 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 September 2012

Ismail Hussein Amzat and Datuk Abdul Rahman Idris

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effect of management and decision‐making styles on the job satisfaction of academic staff in a Malaysian Research University.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effect of management and decision‐making styles on the job satisfaction of academic staff in a Malaysian Research University.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 218 respondents. The instruments used in the study were the Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Decision Style Inventory. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to determine the influence of decision‐making style and management style on the job satisfaction.

Findings

The findings showed that the research university had adopted an analytical decision‐making style. The hygiene factors were the predictors of job satisfaction as perceived by the academic staff at the research university in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

This research selected a top Malaysian research university and small samples were selected from the whole population under consideration, thus, the findings can be generalized as similar to other research universities. In addition, the university management determines the decision‐making style, and the job satisfaction of the academic staff is affected by the decision‐making style of the university.

Originality/value

A contribution is made to the literature as the research reinforces the view that the management style and decision‐making style can predict or affect the job satisfaction of the academic staff.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 26 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2022

Subashini Ramakrishnan, Meng Seng Wong, Myint Moe Chit and Dilip S. Mutum

This paper presents a conceptual model that links digital government service quality with organisational intelligence (OI) traits and occupational stress among the service…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents a conceptual model that links digital government service quality with organisational intelligence (OI) traits and occupational stress among the service providers in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that carries out a systematic review of the key literature from 1978 to 2021, concerning the evolution of models, scales and dimensions attributing to digital government service quality, OI traits and occupational stress. Following this, a new conceptual model is proposed to reflect the need of today's public service delivery from a broader perspective.

Findings

Based on the reviews of the existing models, there is no convincing evidence of the existence of a conceptual model that incorporates digital government service quality, OI traits and occupational stress from the public service providers' viewpoint. Therefore, a conceptual model, with occupational stress acting as a mediator between various OI traits and digital government service quality, is presented as a comprehensive framework to heighten the quality of the public service delivery.

Originality/value

This paper explores the gap in the current service quality studies and proposes a conceptual model that is more reflective of today's public service delivery. Firstly, it helps better understand digital government service quality from a much less focused area, the supply side (service providers) standpoint as opposed to the demand side (citizen) viewpoint (citizen). Secondly, it extends the understanding of performance and evaluation of public service delivery from perspectives such as knowledge utilisation, strategic alignment and participatory decision-making. Thirdly, it extends the literature on digital service quality from a non-technological perspective, as to how it is influenced by employees' psychological well-being factors.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 39 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 May 2023

Yang Li, Jie Fang, Shuai Yuan and Zhao Cai

This study aims to examine whether customer trust is influenced by the congruence and incongruence between customers' perceptions of two types of omnichannel integration—perceived…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether customer trust is influenced by the congruence and incongruence between customers' perceptions of two types of omnichannel integration—perceived transactional integration (PTI) and perceived relational integration (PRI). The authors further considered the perceived effectiveness of e-commerce institutional mechanisms (PEEIM) as the boundary condition of omnichannel integration's effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the stereotype content model, this study hypothesizes the influences of PTI and PRI on customer trust wherein PEEIM moderates the relationships. The research model was empirically examined based on the responses surface analysis of survey data collected from 311 omnichannel customers.

Findings

Results showed that when PTI and PRI are congruent, customers are inclined to trust brands that have high levels of PTI and PRI rather than low levels of PTI and PRI. Moreover, the incongruence between PTI and PRI is positively related to customer trust. PEEIM was found to weaken the congruence effect while strengthening the incongruence effect. The authors also examined customer distrust as another relational outcome to provide a robust check.

Originality/value

This study uncovers customer cognition of omnichannel integration and examines the influences on customer trust, therefore contributing to our understanding of omnichannel integration's effect from the customer perspective. Findings from this research provide insights for brand managers on deploying channel integration strategies and institutional mechanisms to manage customer trust.

Details

Internet Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 June 2023

Zhaochen Li, Zimu Xu and Arun Sukumar

The aim of this research is to explore the impact of digital resilience on firms' international performance. Using internal operation efficiency and innovation as channel…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this research is to explore the impact of digital resilience on firms' international performance. Using internal operation efficiency and innovation as channel variables, this paper explores the relationship between digital resilience and international firm performance of Chinese listed firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design follows a quantitative approach. Using firm-level panel data from 2007 to 2020, this paper tests the hypotheses between digital resilience and international firm performance through internal efficiency and innovation.

Findings

The results note that digital resilience has a positive effect on internationalization while operation efficiency is a channel through which digital resilience promotes internationalization. Digital resilience also facilitates innovation by improving research and development (R&D) efficiency and matching innovation collaborators.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to explore digital resilience in the context of internalization and international firm performance. This paper extends the notion of resource-based view (RBV) to examine the relationship between digital resilience, internal efficiency and innovation on international firm performance.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2011

Namrata Rai and Shailendra Kumar

This paper aims to discuss the progress of library management software and to trace out the characteristics and trends of software with special reference to packages that provide…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the progress of library management software and to trace out the characteristics and trends of software with special reference to packages that provide either web interface for some of their modules or total web‐based solutions for all management modules. The paper also seeks to compare services and facilities and technologies incorporated in library automation packages.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports on a survey of software vendors in Delhi, India, aimed at knowing about the different features of the six software packages selected for this study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire that was circulated among the software vendors.

Findings

A variety of software is available in the software marketplace. However, only a few of them are fully web compatible and support maximum technological features.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses only on software packages which are available in Delhi.

Practical implications

The comparative analysis of Library Management Software Systems made in this study will be helpful for librarians who are planning to automate their libraries and will also provide help to maintain software that is most suitable to their needs.

Originality/value

No comprehensive survey has been carried out regarding the web interface for Library Management Software Systems in India.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 January 2009

Faranak Joolideh and K. Yeshodhara

This paper aims to investigate the organizational commitment of teachers in India and Iran. It is an attempt to understand how these perceptions vary by demographic variables such…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the organizational commitment of teachers in India and Iran. It is an attempt to understand how these perceptions vary by demographic variables such as age and subject taught by teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 721 high school teachers in Bangalore (India) and Sanandaj (Iran). They were asked to responsed to the Meyer and Allen questionnaire. Data were analyzed via SPSS version 11.0.

Findings

Results revealed that Indian teachers had better organizational commitment in the affective and normative components and Iranian teachers were found to have better organizational commitment in the continuance component. In both countries age groups and subject taught by teachers did not have any influence over their organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications

This research was limited by the relatively restricted sample of high school teachers in both countries. Future research should test initially confirmed associations in different school contexts with substantially dissimilar teacher demographics, and include consideration of dispositional antecedents that may affect teacher perceptions.

Originality/value

This is the only study comparing Indian and Iranian organizational commitment in schools. The study provides an initial understanding of the possible effect of cultures on the organizational commitment of teachers in two different countries.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 47 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

11 – 20 of over 8000