Search results

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of flexible manufacturing competence (FMC) and workforce management practices (WMP) in facilitating the development of mass customization capability (MCC). More specifically, this research analyzes not only the direct effects of FMC and WMP on MCC but also the moderating effect of WMP on the relationship between FMC and MCC.

Building on the resource-based view, a research framework depicting the linkages among the variables of interest has been proposed. The examination of the proposed research model and hypotheses are conducted by applying partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) on a dataset of Indian manufacturing organizations.

The findings suggest that both FMC and WMP significantly and positively affect the development of MCC. Also, the results show that the relationship between FMC and MCC is strengthened by the implementation of WMP.

The study identifies several crucial practices for enhancement of flexible manufacturing competence and effective management of the workforce and also highlights the complementarities among them to develop superior MCC.

While the research on the antecedent of MCC has increased substantially, the understanding of the interactions among FMC, WMP, and MCC is still limited. This is the first study that sheds light on the interconnectedness among the variables of interest.

This study aims to discuss to what extent are WMPs practical tools for circular and sustainable waste management in universities, presenting, therefore, a case study of the usage of WMP in the Brazilian public universities and comparing this scenario with the international context.

The WMPs were identified by online search and analyzed according to qualitative indicators (spatial-temporal distribution, year, extent and virtual availability), and through circularity and sustainability criteria, using a proposed checklist.

Even being mandatory instruments, only 17% of the 103 public universities in Brazil had a WMP identified, and, among these plans, 55% were restricted to healthcare services waste, only 15% covered all university campuses. Although most of the available plans indicate measures for more sustainable waste management (e.g., recyclable waste collection on campus), they lack specific deadlines for presented goals on waste management, treating waste management at a more emergency pace than in well-structured long-term planning.

Numerous studies have discussed waste management strategies for universities worldwide, but few have addressed the usage and structure of WMPs. A case study of the Brazilian situation in light of the international scenario is of great value in understanding the differences between universities in terms of waste management, and with strong potential to support the structuring of more solid environmental policies in universities, especially in developing countries.

Professionals from the dairy sector commonly believe that the results of Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions are a good leading indicator for prices of dairy commodities. The purpose of this paper is to test that hypothesis for prices of key dairy commodities (skimmed milk powder (SMP), whole milk powder (WMP), butter and cheddar) in the main dairy markets (the US, EU and Oceania).

The leading properties of the GDT auctions are investigated using vector error correction models (VECM).

The results show that prices at GDT auctions may be treated as a benchmark for global prices of WMP and SMP as they affect prices in all considered markets. However, in case of EU market the relationship with the GDT is bidirectional. GDT prices reveal some leading properties also in cheddar market, however price relationships in this market are much more complex. In case of butter market, GDT can be regarded as a benchmark only for Oceania.

The results of this paper improve knowledge on price transmission in dairy markets, show the role of the GDT auctions in the price setting process, and thus may help professionals from the dairy sector to formulate their price expectations more precisely.

Despite the fact that many professionals from the dairy sector treat GDT auctions as a benchmark, so far their leading properties have not been scientifically proven.

The construction industry struggles in environmental and economic performance due to waste generation. Several studies have measured this waste in the construction industry of developing countries like India, Brazil, China, Nigeria and Iran, and proposed strategies to enhance the overall efficiency. But no such work exists in Pakistan's context. The construction industry of Pakistan contributes significantly to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). And with several mega projects in progress to overcome the energy crises and improve the infrastructure of the country, the absence of proper waste management policies and plans calls for empirical research. Therefore, this study quantifies and benchmarks material waste in the local context, its impact on project cost and the effect of multiple subcontracting arrangements on waste generation. It also proposes a conceptual waste management plan (WMP) for local conditions which can be generalized for developing countries.

This paper uses a mixed research approach by leveraging Saunders's research onion model. To benchmark the current wastage practices, quantitative data of material waste in the Pakistani construction industry are gathered through document review of accounting systems, inventory and payment records of 40 completed building projects. Using the data, the waste rate of different materials is measured along with their impact on cost. Additionally, the role of subcontracting arrangements in waste generation is also investigated. Also, semi-structured interviews are conducted with project managers of high- and low-performing construction organizations to propose a conceptual WMP for the local industry and developing countries.

The highest wasteful materials by quantity are wood, sand and concrete blocks, and those by cost are wood, bricks and steel. By quantity, 123% more material was used on average than the actual productive work. Also, the labor only (L-O) subcontracting arrangement causes maximum waste. Moreover, the difference between the highest (155%) and lowest wasting company (104%) is 51%, highlighting the proactive and resistive waste management culture and approach by the worst- and best-performing companies. Further, the impact of waste quantities is more than 2% of the project cost. Finally, a conceptual model consisting of measures at the project, industry and national levels is also proposed as a guide for developing countries.

The findings of this benchmarking study can help improve the project planning, execution and monitoring, and control practices by providing a better understanding of the material waste potential. This will help economize the construction industry and improve its sustainability.

This is the first benchmarking study that quantitatively measures material waste in the construction industry of Pakistan. It highlights that costly as well as sustainability-implicating materials are frequently wasted in the local construction projects. Also, this study correlates the wastage with subcontracting arrangements. Additionally, an original conceptual WMP is proposed that could help the industry improve its performance. The findings could help the construction professionals identify the loopholes in their material management practices and not only save money but also ensure better sustainability.

The study's purpose is to investigate the price volatility of four dairy commodities (skim milk powder [SMP], whole milk powder [WMP], butter and cheddar cheese) in the three most significant regional markets (EU, Oceania and US) in the international dairy market.

The study uses a panel-Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic (panel-GARCH) modeling technique and data from January 12, 2001, to April 28, 2017.

Conditional volatility was higher during subperiods 2007–2010 and 2014–2016 when conditional cross-correlations between prices had the lowest values. In some cases, they were negative (i.e. between the EU and the USA and between Oceania and the USA for both butter and cheese). Interdependence across the three dairy markets, especially for SMP and WMP markets and for the butter market between EU and Oceania is also strongly evidenced. Interdependence is responsible for the spillover of price shocks across the three regions.

The data set used should be extended to cover the COVID-19 pandemic period.

This is the first study to use panel-GARCH to examine international dairy prices and volatility linkages, where previous studies mainly used multivariate GARCH models. Panel-GARCH allows a high-dimensional data series (i.e. 12 dairy prices) and generates potential efficiency gains in estimating conditional variances and covariances by incorporating information about heterogeneity across markets and considering their interdependence.

Shadow banking has been evolving rapidly in China, with banks actively using wealth management products (WMPs) to evade regulatory restrictions. These products are the largest constituent of China's shadow banking sector. A large number of these products are off-balance-sheet and considered a substitute for bank deposits. China's banking sector, especially the small and medium-sized banks (SMBs), uses these products to avoid regulatory restrictions and sustainability risk in the deposit market.

This study empirically examined how banks in China, specifically SMBs, utilize these products on a short and long-run basis to manage and control their deposit levels. This study utilized a quarterly panel dataset from 2010 to 2019 for the top 30 Chinese banks, by first implementing a Panel ARDL-PMG model. For cross-sectional dependence, this study further executed a cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributive lag model (CS-ARDL).

Under regulations avoidance theory, the findings revealed that WMPs and deposits have a stable long-run substitute relationship. Furthermore, the WMP–Deposit substitute relationship was only significant and consistent for SMBs, but not for large four banks. The findings further revealed that the WMP–Deposit substitute relationship existed, even after the removal of the deposit rate limit imposed by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) to control the deposit rates.

The individual bank-issued WMPs' amount data is not available in any database. Therefore, this study utilized the number of WMPs as a proxy for China's banking sector's exposure to the wealth management business.

This research helps policymakers to understand the Deposit–WMP relationship from the off-balance-sheet perspective. During the various stages of interest rate liberalization, banks were given more control to establish their deposit and loan interest rates. However, the deposit rates are still way below the WMP returns, making WMPs more competitive. This research suggests that policymakers should formulate a more balanced strategy regarding deposit rates and WMPs returns.

This study contributes to the existing literature on China's shadow banking by concentrating on the WMPs. This research represents one of the few studies that analyze regulatory arbitrage in terms of the WMP–Deposit relationship. Moreover, the implementation of CS-ARDL panel data models and multiple data sources makes this study's findings more reliable and significant.

The authors aim to report a novel encapsulation technology for probiotic bacteria, through which L. casei CRL431 cells have been successfully delivered in shelf stable dry and intermediate moisture foods.

Manufacturing of the probiotic ingredient involved a proprietary technique using combination of controlled fermentation of the L. casei CRL431 cells, encapsulation in a food grade matrix and drying under controlled parameters.

The developed ingredient was stored at 25°C for a period of 12 months. The loss in cell viability was 1.9 log cfu g-1 after 12 months and maintained at 8.3 log cfu g-1. In vitro gastric juice and bile salts incubation revealed that the probiotic cells were better protected within the encapsulated than in the free form. The survival of the encapsulated cells was 5.0 and 2.1 log cycles higher than free cells in gastric juice and bile salt solution respectively. Fortification of probiotic bacteria did not have any negative impact on the sensory qualities of the foods mentioned above.

The developed technology is only applicable for fortifying dried or intermediate moisture foods with beneficial probiotic bacteria. The water activity of the products needs to be ranged from 0.2 to 0.5. A higher moisture contained food will lead to bacterial proliferations, product spoilage and loss in storage viability of the fortified probiotic cells.

A general guideline issued by FAO/WHO states that any good effect of probiotic bacteria on human health can be obtained only if consumed at a level of 10^7 to 10^8 viable cells per day. Delivery of such a concentration of live probiotic cells is particularly challenging in the case of long shelf life foods. As shown in the results, the authors' probiotic powder is able to deliver over 100 million live cells per gram after 12 months of ambient storage. Even the foods fortified with this powder are able to deliver over 1 million cells per gram after six months of ambient storage.

The developed technology rightly identified the gap for fortifying probiotic bacteria into foods stored under ambient conditions which is a real hindrance to reach out to consumers particularly in the developing countries where refrigerated supply chain and storage are not yet established in an efficient way. It is believed that millions of people in developing countries with a tropical climate would be benefited with the goodness of probiotic bacteria using the help of this technology.

The research work presented here is completely original and in-house research output of the Riddet Institute, Massey University, New Zealand. A successful commercialization of this new novel technology is deemed to be of very high value to any institution.

Lightweight apps such as WeChat mini programs (WMPs) are an emerging mobile channel (m-channel) touchpoint that have gained remarkable popularity among consumers. Despite the focus of migration research on traditional m-channel touchpoints (e.g. native apps and mobile websites), but few researchers have examined why consumers switch from native to lightweight apps. Drawing on the push-pull-mooring framework, this study aims to identify the key factors influencing consumers' switching related to lightweight apps.

The data were collected using a questionnaire survey of 416 WMP consumers and the proposed model was analyzed through structural equation modeling.

The results show that the push effect, specifically, high privacy concern, nudges consumers away from native apps, whereas the pull effects, including relative ease of use, convenience of access and exit and socially-oriented interaction, entice consumers to lightweight apps. Further, consumer switching intention is influenced by habit and perceived technology control, both of which reflect the mooring effects. Switching intention also stands as an important precedent of actual behavior.

This study is among the first theoretical explorations of consumer switching across m-channel touchpoints in the context of mobile commerce. For information system practice, these findings provide new insights for both incumbent providers and newcomers on how to retain existing shoppers as well as attract potential shoppers effectively.

Wealth Management Products (WMPs) are the largest and most crucial component of China's Shadow banking, which are off the balance sheet and considered as a substitute for deposits. Commercial banks in China are involved in the issuance of WMPs mainly to; evade the regulatory restrictions, move non-performing loans away from the balance sheet, chase the profits and take advantage of yield spread (the difference between WMPs yield and deposit rate).

In this study, the authors investigate what bank related characteristics and needs; influenced and prompted the issuance of WMPs. By using a quarterly panel data from 2010 to 2019, this study performed the fixed effects approach favored by the Hausman specification test, and a feasible generalized least square (FGLS) estimation method is employed to deal with any issues of heteroscedasticity and auto-correlation.

This study found that there is a positive and significant association between the non-performing loan ratio and the issuance of WMPs. Moreover, profitability and spread were found to play an essential role in the issuance of WMPs. The findings of this study suggest that WMPs are issued for multi-purpose, and off the balance sheet status of these products makes them very lucrative for regulated Chinese commercial banks.

Non-guaranteed WMPs are considered as an item of shadow banking in China, as banks do not consolidate this type of WMPs into their balance sheet; due to that reason, there is no individual bank data available for the amount of WMPs. The authors use the number of WMPs issued by banks as a proxy for the bank's exposure to the WMPs business.

From a regulatory perspective, this study helps regulators to understand the risk associated with the issuance of WMPs; by providing empirical evidence that Chinese banks issue WMPs to hide the actual risk of non-performing loans, and this practice could mislead the regulators to evaluate the bank credit risk and loan quality. This study also identifies that Chinese banks issue WMPs for multi-purpose; this can help potential investors to understand the dynamics of WMPs issuance.

This research is innovative in its orientation because it is designed to investigate the less explored wealth management products (WMPs) issued by Chinese banks. This study's content includes not only innovation but also contributes to the existing literature on the shadow banking sector in terms of regulatory arbitrage. Moreover, the inclusion of FGLS estimation models, ten years of quarterly data, and the top 30 Chinese banks (covers 70% of the total Chinese commercial banking system's assets) make this research more comprehensive and significant.