Analysis on Supply Chain Risk Factors of Prefabricated Buildings Using AHP-DEMATEL-ISM Model

Given the numerous participants in the supply chain of prefabricated buildings and the great difficulty in improving risk management and control level, influencing factors through the literature review method were identified. Then, 7 first-level indexes and 23 second-level indexes were extracted. An influence index system for supply chain risks of prefabricated buildings was established. Comprehensively considering the importance and correlation of various influencing factors, the AHP-DEMATEL (Analytic Hierarchy Process and Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) combined model was constructed, which solved the one-sided problem of the weight result of a single model. Then, the ISM (Interpretative Structural Modelling) model could be used to show the characteristics of the structural relationship of influencing factors hierarchically, and the fundamental supply chain risk factors were more accurately and clearly explored using the AHP-DEMATEL-ISM model. Results show that: (1) Logistics transportation distance, damage to prefabricated components during transportation, and unreasonable control of assembly period are the fundamental factors affecting the risk of prefabricated buildings, among which logistics transportation distance and damage to prefabricated components during transportation are the resulting factors, and the unreasonable control of the assembly period is the causal factor, but the factor weight is low because of the difficulty in short-term improvement. (2) Component production technology and equipment, transportation distance, and punctuality of product supply account for a high weight in the supply chain risk assessment index system of prefabricated buildings. (3) A total of 11 factors, such as inconformity of product design and standard, immature design technology level, component production technology and equipment, and quality of purchased materials, affect the supply chain risk of prefabricated buildings and are also causal factors with high weights. Conclusions obtained in the study provide a theoretical basis for the supply chain risk control of prefabricated buildings to a certain extent and also present a new perspective for the supply chain risk assessment of prefabricated buildings

Sustainability experiments in the agri-food system : uncovering the factors of new governance and collaboration success

In recent years, research, society and industry recognize the need to transform the agri-food system towards sustainability. Within this process, sustainability experiments play a crucial role in transforming the structure, culture and practices. In literature, much attention is given to new business models, even if the transformation of conventional firms toward sustainability may offer opportunities to accelerate the transformation. Further acceleration could be achieved through collaboration of multiple actors across the agri-food system, but this calls for a systems approach. Therefore, we developed and applied a new sustainability experiment systems approach (SESA) consisting of an analytical framework that allows a reflective evaluation and cross-case analysis of multi-actor governance networks based on business and learning evaluation criteria. We performed a cross-case analysis of four agri-food sustainability experiments in Flanders to test and validate SESA. Hereby, the key factors of the success of collaboration and its performance were identified at the beginning of a sustainability experiment. Some of the key factors identified were risk sharing and the drivers to participate. We are convinced that these results may be used as an analytical tool for researchers, a tool to support and design new initiatives for policymakers, and a reflective tool for participating actors

Ethical Dimensions in Clothing Purchase

It is widely reported that consumer interest in environmental and ethical issues is growing. Evidence suggests that ethical considerations are now impacting on a broad range of consumption decisions. The focus of this paper is the impact such concerns may hold in clothing purchase decision making. Through an inductive qualitative approach, clothing purchase decision making has been explored before discussing consumers’ knowledge and concern of ethical issues within the supply chain. Any impact that these concerns may exert has been discussed. It is identified that although there is widespread knowledge and understanding of the ethical issues that may be present in the manufacture of clothing, these concerns do not play a primary role in consumers’ selection of items. Product attributes such as colour, style and fit dominate the decision making process in most cases. Despite this, ethical considerations can be seen to impact on the consumer in three key ways: initial boycott of particular products or brands; influencing final purchase decisions if items are similar on other criteria and, impacting on post-purchase satisfaction with the product

Backing the horse or the jockey? Due diligence, agency costs, information and the evaluation of risk by business angel investors

This paper explores the argument that business angel investors are more concerned with managing and minimising agency risk than market risk. Based on data on the due diligence process from a survey of business angels in the UK, the paper concludes that business angels do view entrepreneur characteristics and experience as having the greatest impact on the perceived riskiness of an investment opportunity. Further, they emphasise personal and informal over formal sources of information in the due diligence process, and seek information on both the entrepreneur and the venture in determining valuation. Indeed, the reliance of business angels on short-term and subjective information to value investment opportunities leads to the conclusion that their approach to valuation is not a function of the conventional protocols of financial analysis, but of personal relations and assessment

Employing dynamic fuzzy membership functions to assess environmental performance in the supplier selection process

The proposed system illustrates that logic fuzzy can be used to aid management in assessing a supplier's environmental performance in the supplier selection process. A user-centred hierarchical system employing scalable fuzzy membership functions implement human priorities in the supplier selection process, with particular focus on a supplier's environmental performance. Traditionally, when evaluating supplier performance, companies have considered criteria such as price, quality, flexibility, etc. These criteria are of varying importance to individual companies pertaining to their own specific objectives. However, with environmental pressures increasing, many companies have begun to give more attention to environmental issues and, in particular, to their suppliers’ environmental performance. The framework presented here was developed to introduce efficiently environmental criteria into the existing supplier selection process and to reflect on its relevant importance to individual companies. The system presented attempts to simulate the human preference given to particular supplier selection criteria with particular focus on environmental issues when considering supplier selection. The system considers environmental data from multiple aspects of a suppliers business, and based on the relevant impact this will have on a Buying Organization, a decision is reached on the suitability of the supplier. This enables a particular supplier's strengths and weaknesses to be considered as well as considering their significance and relevance to the Buying OrganizationPeer reviewe