Abstract Purpose – The objective of this paper is to determine the feasibility of binding, politically, economically and culturally, the Mediterranean Sea’s southern and northern coasts. Design/methodology/approach – The paper evokes the gains and limitations of such an undertaking. Findings – The paper finds that the initiative may be premature, but a formal relationship should stren…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use a conceptual model from literature for designing value recovery (VR) networks for three categories of post-consumer product returns. Design/methodology/approach – A bi-level optimization model is developed to determine the disposition decision for refrigerators, washing machines and passenger cars in the Indian context using data for p…
Abstract The fundamentals of TQM are revisited for providing a relevant perspective on business excellence. Judging from the experience of the Japanese TQM movement, there is a need for a step-by-step approach towards TQ. As a result of exploratory research, a model called TQMEX standing for TQM EXcellence model has been developed based on sound TQM practices. The theoretical background, perso…
Abstract Purpose – To carry out a practical experiment into the feasibility of service orientation to achieve a dynamic, late-binding service architecture. Design/methodology/approach – Literature view to provide a foundation in standards and measure anecdotal opinion regarding service orientation. The review informed an architectural design based on real world requirements from a multinat…
Abstract The article examines the possible implications of climate change for seaport competition and for the local hinterlands of ports of countries that border the Adriatic. The focus is on the effects that further increases in the annual durations over which the Northern Sea Route is navigable will have on costs of shipping between Asian and Europe and, in turn, the effects of this on the v…
Abstract Organizations realize that a strong supporting logistics or electronic logistics (e-logistics) function is an important organizational offering from both the commercial and the consumer perspective. The implications of e-logistics models and practices cover the forward and reverse logistics functions of organizations. They also have a direct and profound impact from an environmental …
Abstrack The transition from direct service to management in human service organizations requires newly promoted managers to engage in significant role transformation that calls into question their self-concept and identity. This analysis draws upon the for-profit and nonprofit literature to construct a conceptual model of managerial identity formation. The model is then applied to a case vign…
The Advanced Management Development Programme (AMDP) was introduced by West Sussex County Council, UK, in 1999. The programme runs in partnership with the University of Chichester, which offer a Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management on completion of the programme. Since the commencement of the programme, 134 West Sussex County Council Managers have taken part with a further 14 managers …
Abstract It is well known that within an economic region, shippers' practice of logistics is shaped significantly by various factors, such as transportation regulation. The precise purpose of this paper is to describe these factors and their influence on logistics practice in the New Zealand context. Discusses the various modes of domestic freight transport, as well as the deregulation and pr…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail how “process knowledge worker” based task forces can enable effective business process improvement (BPI). This successful methodology involves innovation (I), action learning (AL), and extends throughout the organisation (O). The authors show that the resultant IALO is a repeatable and transferable approach to sustaina…
Abstract Purpose – This paper presents a method for estimating the macro-economic cost of a firm-level information system disruption within a supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – The authors combine field study estimates with a Leontief-based input-output model to estimate the macro-economic costs of a targeted internet outage that disrupts the supply chain.
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reveal how the prices, costs, and logistics develop in the case mill and how these variables correlate with profits, and finally to give suggestions for improvements. Design/methodology/approach – A typical Finnish paper mill is selected for the basis of the case study. The complete data for the mill for the years 2001 to 2007 at a monthly…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a key logistics and distribution variable, case pack quantity, on a consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing firm’s performance. The paper builds theory with respect to case pack quantity’s dichotomous impact on the retail shelf replenishment process and subsequent impact on market share depending on product …
Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to focus on the expectations and predicaments of Cameroonian civil servants two years after the country reached its completion point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
Abstract This paper shows consistency of a two step estimation of the factors in a dynamic approximate factor model when the panel of time series is large (n large). In the first step, the parameters of the model are estimated from an OLS on principal components. In the second step, the factors are estimated via the Kalman smoother. The analysis develops the theory for the estimator considered…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on research in which a fuzzy quality function deployment (QFD) approach has been used for enhancing agility improvement of a traditional manufacturing organization. Design/methodology/approach – QFD approach incorporated with fuzzy logic was used for scientific prioritization of agile decision domains, agile attributes and agile en…
Introduction In addition to the outstanding success of the Japanese industry, a number of other Asian countries are emerging as the new power-houses of manufacturing. Over the past ten years the South Korean industry has developed as a major exporter of manufactured goods and has become the second most productive manufacturing nation in Asia after Japan. In a number of markets the South Korea…
Abstract Data envelopment analysis has gained great popularity in energy and environmental (E&E) modeling in recent years. In this paper, we present a literature survey on the application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to E&E studies. We begin with an introduction to the most widely used DEA techniques, which is followed by a classification of 100 publications in this field. The main featu…
There are numerous possible advantages to be gained from the accurate prediction of future movements in the Baltic Freight Index (BFI). Because of the difficulties inherent in long-range forecasting, however, the potential for such predictions to provide insight into the future state of the physical dry bulk market is perhaps limited. The greater accuracy of short-term forecasts, on the other h…
Just as a rolling stone gathers no moss, a strategic plan that’s actually used will gather no dust. Too often, companies devote time and energy to developing strategic plans, only to never look at them again once they have been printed out. This article explains the critical importance of actually using and implementing your company’s strategic plan, and offers practical tips for avoiding…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how the knowledge breadth and depth and the balance of the two affect various dimensions of the innovation performance under the consideration of the organizational slack as a moderating factor of the analysis framework. Design/methodology/approach – This study constructs and verifies a research model of knowledge breadth and dept…
Abstract This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF. The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents (the medieval guild) of modern day industrial clustering. The paper challenges the notion that work of Alfred Marshall provides the intellectual underpinning of cluster thinking. Design/methodology/approach – The source material uses archival research on medieval guilds and historical texts. In tracing the developm…
The liner shipping industry has experienced fundamental changes in recent years due to globalization, deregulation, horizontal/vertical integration, (increased) cooperation, rationalization, developments in information technology, consolidation and increased concentration. These developments may affect competition. As in other industries, competition in the (containerized) liner shipping indust…
Abstract The objective of this study is to examine the container development strategies in the port of Taichung from the viewpoints of carriers, port authorities and shipping academics. The six most important strategic attributes from the all respondents perceptions are Enhancing the services of direct shipping with Mainland China, simplified customs procedures, simplified administrative proce…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine an organization’s operational alignment in the process of alliance formation. Design/methodology/approach – A literature study was conducted on the strategic importance of assessing and aligning organizations’ operations for alliancing. Furthermore, an instrumental case study was conducted to provide insight in the degree of op…