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1 – 10 of 16Chirag Suresh Sakhare, Sayan Chakraborty, Sarada Prasad Sarmah and Vijay Singh
Original equipment manufacturers and other manufacturing companies rely on the delivery performance of their upstream suppliers to maintain a steady production process. However…
Abstract
Purpose
Original equipment manufacturers and other manufacturing companies rely on the delivery performance of their upstream suppliers to maintain a steady production process. However, supplier capacity uncertainty and delayed delivery often poses a major concern to manufacturers to carry out their production plan as per the desired schedules. The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision model that can improve the delivery performance of suppliers to minimise fluctuations in the supply quantity and the delivery time and thus maximising the performance of the supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors studied a single manufacturer – single supplier supply chain considering supplier uncertain capacity allocation and uncertain time of delivery. Mathematical models are developed to capture expected profit of manufacturer and supplier under this uncertain allocation and delivery behaviour of supplier. A reward–penalty mechanism is proposed to minimise delivery quantity and time of delivery fluctuations from the supplier. Further, an order-fulfilment heuristic based on delivery probability is developed to modify the order quantity which can maximise the probability of a successful deliveries from the supplier.
Findings
Analytical results reveal that the proposed reward–penalty mechanism improves the supplier delivery consistency. This consistent delivery performance helps the manufacturer to maintain a steady production schedule and high market share. Modified ordering schedule developed using proposed probability-based heuristic improves the success probability of delivery from the supplier.
Practical implications
Practitioners can benefit from the findings of this study to comprehend how contracts and ordering policy can improve the supplier delivery performance in a manufacturing supply chain.
Originality/value
This paper improves the supplier delivery performance considering both the uncertain capacity allocation and uncertain time of delivery.
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This paper aims to investigate the relationship between oil price shocks and world food prices between 1974 and 2018.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the relationship between oil price shocks and world food prices between 1974 and 2018.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the SVAR model to disentangle the oil price into supply, aggregate demand and oil-specific demand shocks and apply the detrended cross-correlations analysis to measure the association between oil price shocks and food returns/volatility and analyze contagion effects between oil and food markets.
Findings
The results show that the correlations between oil and food prices depend on whether oil prices changes are driven by supply or demand shocks. Particularly, food returns (volatility) are positively (negatively) more dependent on the oil price changes driven by aggregate demand (oil specific demand) shocks. Further analysis dealing with contagion analysis between oil and food markets shows a contagion effect during the food crisis of 2006–2008. Oil-specific demand shocks are the main source of this phenomenon.
Research limitations/implications
This study differentiates itself from the previous literature by simultaneously disentangling oil price into supply, aggregate demand and oil-specific demand-driven shocks and evaluating the cross-correlations between each shock type and food returns/volatility. Specifically, this study has the originality of detecting the main source of contagion effects between oil and food markets over the food crisis of 2006–2008.
Practical implications
The results of this study are important for policymakers and investors. They should account for the oil price fluctuations differently depending on whether the oil price shocks are driven by the demand or supply side. Moreover, they should anticipate an increase (decrease) in food prices due to a positive (negative) oil shock. In addition, special attention should be accorded to the world oil demand. Finally, when a food crisis occurs, markets operators should focus more on the specific oil-demand shocks, as it is the most contributor to possible contagion effects between oil and food markets.
Originality/value
This study differentiates itself from the previous literature by simultaneously disentangling oil price into supply, aggregate demand and oil-specific demand-driven shocks and evaluating the cross-correlations between each shock type and food returns/volatility. Specifically, this study has the originality of detecting the main source of contagion effects between oil and food markets over the food crisis of 2006–2008.
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Philippe Masset and Jean-Philippe Weisskopf
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a diversification by grape varieties may help wine producers reduce uncertainty in quantity and quality variations due to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a diversification by grape varieties may help wine producers reduce uncertainty in quantity and quality variations due to increasingly erratic climate conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study hand-collects granular quantity and quality data from wine harvest reports for vintages 2003 to 2017 for the Valais region in Switzerland. The data allows us to obtain detailed data on harvested kilograms/liters and Oechsle/Brix degrees. It is then merged with precise meteorological data over the same sample period. The authors use this data set to capture weather conditions and their impact on harvested quantities and quality. Finally, they build portfolios including different grape varieties to evaluate whether this reduces variations in quality and quantity over vintages.
Findings
The findings highlight that the weather varies relatively strongly over the sample period and that climate hazards such as hail, frost or ensuing vine diseases effectively occur. These strongly impact the harvested quantities but less the quality of the wine. The authors further show that planting different grape varieties allows for a significant reduction in the variation of harvested quantities over time and thus acts as a good solution against climate risk.
Originality/value
The effect of climate change on viticulture is becoming increasingly important and felt and bears real economic and social consequences. This study transposes portfolio diversification which is central to reducing risk in the finance industry, into the wine industry and shows that the same principle holds. The authors thus propose a novel idea on how to mitigate climate risk.
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Lerato Aghimien, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa and Douglas Aghimien
The importance of humans to the successful delivery of construction projects has led to the emergence of research attention on construction workforce management. As such, this…
Abstract
The importance of humans to the successful delivery of construction projects has led to the emergence of research attention on construction workforce management. As such, this chapter uncovers emotional intelligence (EI) and the external environment as critical aspects of workforce management practices that have not gained substantial attention in past workforce management studies. While some theories and models (existing outside the construction domain) have considered the external environment, none of these models is specific to the construction industry. Furthermore, EI has received less attention within existing workforce management models. Through a review of related studies and theories, this chapter noted that the EI of construction workers and their senior management is crucial to the performance of these workers and the ultimate performance of their organisations. In the same vein, since construction organisations do not operate in silos, the external environment significantly influences the operations of organisations in the construction industry. The environment exact pressures that can influence workforce management practices and technological innovations construction organisations adopt.
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Mohd Azrai Azman, Zulkiflee Abdul-Samad, Boon L. Lee, Martin Skitmore, Darmicka Rajendra and Nor Nazihah Chuweni
Total factor productivity (TFP) change is an important driver of long-run economic growth in the construction sector. However, examining TFP alone is insufficient to identify the…
Abstract
Purpose
Total factor productivity (TFP) change is an important driver of long-run economic growth in the construction sector. However, examining TFP alone is insufficient to identify the cause of TFP changes. Therefore, this paper employs the infrequently used Geometric Young Index (GYI) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to measure and decompose the TFP Index (TFPI) at the firm-level from 2009 to 2018 based on Malaysian construction firms' data.
Design/methodology/approach
To improve the TFPI estimation, normally unobserved environmental variables were included in the GYI-TFPI model. These are the physical operation of the firm (inland versus marine operation) and regional locality (West Malaysia versus East Malaysia). Consequently, the complete components of TFPI (i.e. technological, environmental, managerial, and statistical noise) can be accurately decomposed.
Findings
The results reveal that TFP change is affected by technological stagnation and improvements in technical efficiency but a decline in scale-mix efficiency. Moreover, the effect of environmental efficiency on TFP is most profound. In this case, being a marine construction firm and operating in East Malaysia can reduce TFPI by up to 38%. The result, therefore, indicates the need for progressive policies to improve long-term productivity.
Practical implications
Monitoring and evaluating productivity change allows an informed decision to be made by managers/policy makers to improve firms' competitiveness. Incentives and policies to improve innovation, competition, training, removing unnecessary taxes and regulation on outputs (inputs) could enhance the technological, technical and scale-mix of resources. Furthermore, improving public infrastructure, particularly in East Malaysia could improve regionality locality in relation to the environmental index.
Originality/value
This study contributes to knowledge by demonstrating how TFP components can be completely modelled using an aggregator index with good axiomatic properties and SFA. In addition, this paper is the first to apply and include the GYI and environmental variables in modelling construction productivity, which is of crucial importance in formulating appropriate policies.
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Abate Andre Modeste and Novice Patrick Bakehe
This paper aims to examine the relationship between the payment of bribes, the access to electricity and the productivity of informal production units (IPUs).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the relationship between the payment of bribes, the access to electricity and the productivity of informal production units (IPUs).
Design/methodology/approach
The data used for this study come from the second Survey on Employment and Informal Sector conducted in 2010 by the National Institute of Statistics of Cameroon and representative at the national level. The survey was conducted among 3,560 IPUs. Survey participants reported whether they had been personally affected by corruption in the twelve months preceding the survey. Relying on the data of this survey, the recursive trivariate probit model was used to study the correlation between corruption and access to electricity.
Findings
The results reveal that the payment of bribes positively influences IPU access to electricity, and consequently access to this infrastructure has a positive impact on company performance.
Research limitations/implications
A main limitation of this paper is the environment of study in which corruption appeared to be institutionalised. It would therefore be interesting to extend the results obtained by conducting research in other countries and also including other infrastructures such as telecommunications.
Practical implications
The main contribution of this research is to highlight the effectiveness of the fight against corruption and its impact on the access of some basics resources that affect the performance of certain companies. Indeed, the fight against corruption would be easier if economic actors had access to certain resources and fundamental infrastructures for their activities. Thus, improving the supply of resources and infrastructures can be an important lever in the fight against corruption in Africa.
Originality/value
This research addresses a vulnerable sector vis-à-vis the pressure of the actors involved in the provision of a service essential to the activity of companies. It highlights the justification for accepting the use of corruption. Indeed, entrepreneurs are faced with a dilemma between moral standards on the one hand, and economic imperatives on the other. If corruption is a condition of access to electricity which, in turn, improves performance, it is easy to pay bribes to gain access to electricity.
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Bingbing Qi, Lijun Xu and Xiaogang Liu
The purpose of this paper is to exploit the multiple-Toeplitz matrices reconstruction method combined with quadratic spatial smoothing processing to improve the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to exploit the multiple-Toeplitz matrices reconstruction method combined with quadratic spatial smoothing processing to improve the direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation performance of coherent signals at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNRs).
Design/methodology/approach
An improved multiple-Toeplitz matrices reconstruction method is proposed via quadratic spatial smoothing processing. Our proposed method takes advantage of the available information contained in the auto-covariance matrices of individual Toeplitz matrices and the cross-covariance matrices of different Toeplitz matrices, which results in a higher noise suppression ability.
Findings
Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that, compared with the existing Toeplitz matrix processing methods, the proposed method improves the DOA estimation performance in cases with a low SNR. Especially for the cases with a low SNR and small snapshot number as well as with closely spaced sources, the proposed method can achieve much better performance on estimation accuracy and resolution probability.
Research limitations/implications
The study investigates the possibility of reusing pre-existing designs for the DOA estimation of the coherent signals. The proposed technique enables achieve good estimation performance at low SNRs.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for the DOA problem at low SNRs in communication systems.
Originality/value
The proposed method proved to be useful for the DOA estimation at low SNR.
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James Boyer and Annemarie Kokosy
Company goals, behaviors and decision-making processes may differ depending on whether a given company decides to engage in the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) paradigm as a user or as a…
Abstract
Purpose
Company goals, behaviors and decision-making processes may differ depending on whether a given company decides to engage in the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) paradigm as a user or as a provider of I4.0-based solutions. This paper will consider this question in-depth by focusing on the extent to which the innovation ecosystem (IES) affects these two main strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors' study aims to analyze the impact of a regional information and communication technology (ICT) ecosystem on the implementation of I4.0 at the company level by using an original survey of 123 companies that are already engaged in the implementation of I4.0 in the French region of Hauts-de-France and by employing two sets of logit models.
Findings
The authors' empirical study demonstrates the importance of an innovation ecosystem-based strategy for I4.0 technology provision. It reveals that engaging in R&D collaborative projects and developing links and complex relationships with heterogeneous actors within the IES positively affects the likelihood of a given firm deciding to implement I4.0 as a provider of I4.0-based solutions. This does not, however, affect the probability of a firm engaging in the I4.0 paradigm as a user of technologies and solutions.
Practical implications
From a policy standpoint, this study could encourage decision-makers to engage with I4.0 development by developing policies targeting the reinforcement of IES at a regional level. This could also help to accelerate the adoption of I4.0 technologies by manufacturing companies and foster the development of I4.0-based solutions through specific company-targeted policies. The authors' study supports the need for manufacturing company managers to evaluate and identify the best technological strategies related to the I4.0 paradigm that meet their specific needs.
Originality/value
The authors' study shows that the decision to engage in the I4.0 paradigm as providers of I4.0-based solutions is more likely to rely on an innovation ecosystem-based strategy, while the decision to engage in the I4.0 paradigm as users of I4.0-based solutions is more likely to rely on the company’s internal strategies, resources and demand-side benefits.
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Lerato Aghimien, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa and Douglas Aghimien
This book aimed to conceptualise a construction workforce management model suitable for effectively managing workers in construction organisations. To this end, this chapter…
Abstract
This book aimed to conceptualise a construction workforce management model suitable for effectively managing workers in construction organisations. To this end, this chapter presents the conceptualised model, which consists of seven workforce management practices with their respective measurement variables. Drawing from existing theories, models, and practices, the chapter concludes that a construction organisation that will attain its strategic objectives in the current fourth industrial revolution era must be willing to promote effective recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, performance management and appraisal, employee involvement and empowerment, training and development, as well as improving workers emotional intelligence and handling external environment pressure. These practices can promote proactiveness, participation, and improved skills and can lead to effective commitment, better quality, and flexibility within the organisation.
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Lerato Aghimien, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa and Douglas Aghimien
The workforce management model conceptualised for the effective management of the construction workforce was subjected to expert scrutiny to determine the suitability and…
Abstract
The workforce management model conceptualised for the effective management of the construction workforce was subjected to expert scrutiny to determine the suitability and applicability of the identified practices and their attributed variables to the construction industry. In achieving this, a Delphi approach was adopted using experts from construction organisations in South Africa. These experts comprised workforce management personnel and construction professionals in senior management positions. The data were analysed using appropriate statistical tools such as interquartile deviation, Kendell’s coefficient of concordance, and chi square to determine consensus among these experts. After a two-round Delphi, the seven constructs proposed in the conceptualised workforce management model were adjudged to be important and worthy of adoption by construction organisations seeking to improve workforce management in the current fourth industrial revolution era.
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