Operations capability, productivity and business performance: the moderating effect of environmental dynamism

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between operations capability, productivity and business performance in the context of environmental dynamism. Design/methodology/approach – A proposed conceptual framework grounded in the resourcebased view (RBV) and dynamic capability view (DCV) is analysed using archival data from 193 automakers in the UK. Findings – The results show that operations capability, as an important dynamic capability, has a significant positive effect on productivity, which in turn leads to improved business performance. The results also suggest that productivity fully mediates the relationship between operations capability and business performance, and that environmental dynamism significantly moderates the relationship between operations capability and productivity. Practical implications – The research findings provide practical insights that will help managers develop operations capability to gain greater productivity and business performance in a dynamic environment

Essays on efficiency and international tourism

RESUMEN: Esta tesis doctoral consta de tres ensayos sobre la economía del turismo. En el primer y tercer ensayo se realiza un análisis de eficiencia turística de las regiones españolas y de los factores que pueden estar determinando su evolución. En el segundo ensayo se hace una profunda revisión bibliográfica sobre la literatura que analiza la eficiencia turística a nivel mundial. El período de análisis abarca desde la última mitad del siglo XX (entre 1978 en el caso del estudio de la bibliografía turística, año en el que Charnes, Cooper y Rhodes introducen el Análisis Envolvente de Datos) hasta el periodo más reciente de nuestra economía (2018 en el tercer ensayo). En los dos ensayos que analizan la eficiencia turística en España el periodo comprende desde inicios del siglo XXI (2008 en el caso de la eficiencia de los destinos turísticos españoles) hasta los datos más actuales disponibles en este momento.ABSTRACT: This doctoral thesis consists of three essays on the economics of tourism. In the first and third essay an analysis of tourist efficiency of the Spanish regions and of the factors that may be determining their evolution is carried out. In the second essay, an in-depth bibliographical review is done on the literature that analyzes tourism efficiency worldwide. The analysis period covers from the last half of the twentieth century (between 1978 in the case of the study of the tourist bibliography, year in which Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes introduce the Data Envelope Analysis) until the most recent period of our economy ( 2018 in the third essay). In the two essays that analyze tourism efficiency in Spain, the period ranges from the beginning of the 21st century (2008 in the case of the efficiency of Spanish tourist destinations) to the most current data available at this time

Efficiency evaluation of cement production companies using nonhomogeneous network DEA

Cement production in Iran takes place across various geographical locations, each characterized by distinct weather conditions. The technology employed in cement production varies depending on the availability of raw materials, fuel sources, and essential resources like water. Consequently, diverse inputs and outputs assume significance in each production technology, resulting in non-homogeneity among cement factories. Despite these differences, all these facilities are engaged in cement production, warranting a comparative analysis of their efficiency. This study examines the operational processes of five different cement production technologies—dry, semi-dry, humid, semi-humid, and wet slurry—across four companies comprising a total of nine factories. The study evaluates their efficiency between 2017 and 2020 using network data envelopment analysis under non-homogeneous conditions across three modeling stages. An important aspect of this study is its focus on the entire supply chain, from raw materials to the final product. Although the raw materials employed vary among different cement production technologies, the end product remains largely consistent.IntroductionIn certain real-world scenarios, even with similar production technologies, the assumption of homogeneous decision-making units may not hold true. Practical applications often involve supply chain structures that differ significantly from others. For instance, some supply chains may, at certain stages, eject intermediate products to meet specific needs, a phenomenon not universal to all supply chains, resulting in non-homogeneous chains. The cement industry, including Iran, constitutes one of the pivotal economic sectors. Therefore, mitigating shortcomings, including resource and material waste reduction, can have a substantial impact on this industry and consequently on the broader economy. Due to varying climatic conditions, cement production employs diverse technologies, primarily categorized as dry or wet processes. This study investigates the operational processes of five different cement production methods—dry, semi-dry, humid, semi-humid, and wet slurry—across four companies with a total of nine factories. Their performance between 2017 and 2020 is evaluated using network DEA under non-homogeneous conditions, encompassing three modeling stages.Materials and MethodsIn novel approaches, DEA is utilized to assess the performance of network decision-making units. The models typically assume homogeneity among decision-making units, which may not always align with real-world conditions. Practical situations often violate assumptions of unit homogeneity and uniformity in input and output parameters. Consequently, it is imperative to present and employ methods and models capable of accommodating non-homogeneous units. This study employs a scientific library research approach and practical purposive data collection to gather relevant information. This information informs specific adjustments to operational processes. Consequently, the development of a robust system for evaluating supply chain performance becomes essential. The study utilizes common models to evaluate efficiency under non-homogeneous conditions. Classification of operational processes and related data, followed by modeling using Lingo software, is employed in this research.Discussion and Result:This article consists of two parts. Initially, it introduces the fundamental performance evaluation model and subsequently delves into the three-stage model of data envelopment analysis (DEA) within the supply chain context. In the second part, the production processes of Portland cement are examined, covering dry, semi-dry, humid, semi-humid, and wet slurry processes. The proposed approach assesses the performance of four cement production companies over a four-year period. Efficiency calculations for nine factories are conducted in three stages:The first stage consists of three steps as follows:First step: Input and output parameters used across the entire production process are categorized based on the different production methods.Second step: Processes utilizing similar production steps, as determined in the first stage, are grouped into four categories.Third step: Efficiency assessments for factories sharing similar production stages from the previous step are conducted, resulting in the identification of nine categories.Second stage: The efficiency of each category, characterized by a common feature from the previous step, is calculated.Third stage: To determine the overall efficiency of each factory, the efficiencies of individual processes are multiplied.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the fourth cement production company exhibits the highest efficiency, while the first company has the lowest efficiency. Notably, the lowest efficiency for the years 2017 to 2020 was recorded by the first company in 2020, while the fourth company achieved the highest efficiency in the same year. Among the factories, the lowest efficiency was observed in 2017 for the first company's five semi-dry factories, the fourth company's four semi-humid factories in 2018, the fourth company's nine wet slurry factories in 2018, the third company's seven semi-humid factories in 2020, and the fourth company's four semi-humid factories in 2020, which recorded the highest efficiency. Further examination and identification of suitable solutions to enhance efficiency in cases with lower efficiency levels can follow this study

Strategy Tripod Perspective on the Determinants of Airline Efficiency in A Global Context: An Application of DEA and Tobit Analysis

The airline industry is vital to contemporary civilization since it is a key player in the globalization process: linking regions, fostering global commerce, promoting tourism and aiding economic and social progress. However, there has been little study on the link between the operational environment and airline efficiency. Investigating the amalgamation of institutions, organisations and strategic decisions is critical to understanding how airlines operate efficiently. This research aims to employ the strategy tripod perspective to investigate the efficiency of a global airline sample using a non-parametric linear programming method (data envelopment analysis [DEA]). Using a Tobit regression, the bootstrapped DEA efficiency change scores are further regressed to determine the drivers of efficiency. The strategy tripod is employed to assess the impact of institutions, industry and resources on airline efficiency. Institutions are measured by global indices of destination attractiveness; industry, including competition, jet fuel and business model; and finally, resources, such as the number of full-time employees, alliances, ownership and connectivity. The first part of the study uses panel data from 35 major airlines, collected from their annual reports for the period 2011 to 2018, and country attractiveness indices from global indicators. The second part of the research involves a qualitative data collection approach and semi-structured interviews with experts in the field to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the first part’s significant findings. The main findings reveal that airlines operate at a highly competitive level regardless of their competition intensity or origin. Furthermore, the unpredictability of the environment complicates airline operations. The efficiency drivers of an airline are partially determined by its type of business model, its degree of cooperation and how fuel cost is managed. Trade openness has a negative influence on airline efficiency. COVID-19 has toppled the airline industry, forcing airlines to reconsider their business model and continuously increase cooperation. Human resources, sustainability and alternative fuel sources are critical to airline survival. Finally, this study provides some evidence for the practicality of the strategy tripod and hints at the need for a broader approach in the study of international strategies

Application of Optimization in Production, Logistics, Inventory, Supply Chain Management and Block Chain

The evolution of industrial development since the 18th century is now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution. The effect of the development has propagated into almost every sector of the industry. From inventory to the circular economy, the effectiveness of technology has been fruitful for industry. The recent trends in research, with new ideas and methodologies, are included in this book. Several new ideas and business strategies are developed in the area of the supply chain management, logistics, optimization, and forecasting for the improvement of the economy of the society and the environment. The proposed technologies and ideas are either novel or help modify several other new ideas. Different real life problems with different dimensions are discussed in the book so that readers may connect with the recent issues in society and industry. The collection of the articles provides a glimpse into the new research trends in technology, business, and the environment