Sustainable Warehouse Features: A Systematic Literature Review

Development in the field of IT and competition in the market forces companies to increase their market share and revenue. To satisfy this goal, companies can apply and adopt plans that may lead to making the supply chain (SC) lengthy and too rigid to control/monitor. The longer the SC the more it can be disrupted by expected and unexpected events (e.g., Digital security incidents, climate). For that purpose, the SC must be built in a way to respond fast to disruptive events in an effective way and to bounce back to its original state to be considered a resilient SC, which gives a competitive advantage to the companies. To achieve SC resilience, several studies have discussed enablers. Some of these studies, focused on increasing velocity through the SC, others argued that high adaptability leads to SC resilience, and others mentioned information sharing as a key to achieving SC resilience. In addition, applying technology in the SC processes can add strength. As such, the Internet of Things can support/enhance the level of Velocity, Adaptability, and Information sharing, which leads to enhancing SC resilience. This research explores the opportunities that IoT presents to enhance resilience enablers and boost SC resilience

Best supply chain management practices and high-performance firms: The case of Gulf manufacturing firms

© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the best supply chain management (SCM) practices that are implemented in medium- and large-sized Gulf manufacturing firms (MFs). Design/methodology/approach: This study has explored seven SCM practices, i.e. supplier collaboration, flexibility with partners, usage of internet, customer focus (CF), lean production (LP), internal integration (II) and quality management (QM). It assumes that the best-performing firms must be the ones implementing the best practices. t-test and multiple linear regression analyses were used to establish the best practices, implemented by medium and large-sized Gulf MFs. Findings: The results showed that QM, CF and supplier collaboration are considered as best SCM practices in Gulf MFs. Usage of internet may have been the best practice previously, but not anymore. LP cannot yet be qualified as, but may develop into the best SCM practice. Practical implications: The study provides a useful contribution to the field of best SCM practices as it provides better decision-making insights and a benchmarking base to top managers, policy makers and academics. It is likely to result in increased overall performance of their firms. Originality/value: The study provides an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of the best SCM practices, implemented by Gulf MFs. It has broader implications for all MFs, particularly in developing economies where the growth of manufacturing and effective management of their supply chains is a key element for the economic development

IVIG for refractory dysphagia in Antisynthetase syndrome: A truth hard to swallow

Refractory dysphasia could be the main symptom of Antisynthetase syndrome (ASS). IVIG may have a major impact in the successful treatment of dysphasia in patients with ASS. In our patient with ASS, IVIG treatment was an unreplaceable treatment option, and the patient regains her ability to swallow within 2 days

Supply chain risk perception: understanding the gap between theory and practice.

The risks inherent in the supply chain threaten the effectiveness and the output of the chain. It is capable of hampering the growth and performance of organizations whose goods pass through a supply chain. This paper explores the awareness of supply chain risks of employees at different levels in a UK Agri-food industry, and the impact of these awareness on risk mitigation performance. Through literature review, this research identifies the main supply chain risks in the UK Agri-food industry, the sources and drivers of these risks, and the strategies for managing these risks. A case study of UK agri-food business was carried out to evaluate the employees’ perceptions of the risks, risk drivers and risk management practices. In order to identify the impacts of these perceptions on supply chain performance, a set of hypothesis were developed and analyzed. The findings of the study carried out shows that supply chain risks are better averted when the parties involved are aware of their attendant nature and consequences. Furthermore, it also shows that the employee’s level of experience determines his/her level of supply chain risk awareness and not basically organizational level. The study enunciates the impact of risk management practices on supply chain performance.N/

Employing the Internet of Things to Attain Resilience Across Supply Chain

This paper investigates and analyses the features of sustainable warehousing by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) to create a significant insight of the expanding and growing trends of sustainable warehousing, to fit perfectly within the net-zero supply chain strategies and adapting to the new value adding practices of Industry 5.0. Using a set of 65 publications, including journal papers, conference papers, and reviews, for the last 10 years, between 2013 and 2023, the SLR highlights and considers several green logistics areas that are essential to help redesign the features of sustainable warehouses. The paper also emphasizes the need for further research to develop new models for warehouses that can be implemented in the Industry 5.0 supply chain to achieve net-zero goals. In other words, the paper is trying to understand the current state of sustainable warehousing and identify areas where improvements can be made to make warehouses more sustainable and environmentally friendly, and to help the industry move towards a net-zero supply chain. Additionally, the paper is suggesting that there is a need for more research to be done to create new models for warehouses that can be applied in the Industry 5.0 supply chain, in order to reach net-zero goals

Unlocking the potential: a study on the role of operational excellence in Oman’s energy sector

Purpose: Operational Excellence (OpEx) is a proven philosophy focusing on continuous improvement in processes and systems for superior performance and efficiency. It plays a crucial role in the energy sector, acting as a catalyst for safety, customer satisfaction, sustainability, and competitiveness. This research assesses OpEx methodologies in Oman's energy sector, examining methods, approaches, motivations, and sustainability. Methodology: This study applies qualitative analysis methodology, involving interviews with 18 industry experts, from the energy sector in a sizable energy country. Findings: The analysis revealed a growing demand, particularly in the oil and gas industry, driven by emerging business needs. Qualitative data analysis has identified 10 themes such as implemented methodologies, motivation drivers, deployment approaches, sustainability factors, benefits, and challenges. Additionally, new themes emerged, including influencers to start OpEx, resource requirements, enablers for successful OpEx, and system. Implications These findings contribute to understanding OpEx dynamics in the Omani energy sector, offering valuable insights for effective utilization and organizational goal achievement. Furthermore, the study offers valuable insights on how to effectively employ OpEx initiatives in the energy sector to achieve their goals and create value. It is addressing the lack of knowledge, offers a framework for successful OpEx implementation, bridging the theory-practice gap and providing insights for optimal utilization. Originality: This is the first empirical study on assessing OpEx methodologies in the energy sector, and therefore it serves as a foundation for many future studies. The study provides a theoretical foundation for the OpEx methodologies in terms of organizational readiness for successful OpEx implementation. Limitations: This research was limited to Oman and the findings drawn from Omani energy companies may have limited applicability to energy companies in other regions. Therefore, if these findings were to be used, the validation of the findings in relation to other countries should be conducted, to ensure the validity of the context and outcome

Lean readiness – the case of the European pharmaceutical manufacturing industry

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality practices of European pharmaceutical manufacturers to determine the level of readiness of this industrial sector to implement and/or sustain lean manufacturing (LM) Design/methodology/approach: An assessment framework developed by Al‐Najem et al. (2013) was adapted to evaluate how ready European pharmaceutical manufacturers are to implement and/or sustain lean manufacturing. Therefore, the lean readiness (LR) level of these organisations was assessed through six quality practices related to LM. These included: processes; planning and control; human resources; top management and leadership; customer relations; and supplier relations. One research question and three hypotheses were formulated and tested using a combination of descriptive statistics and non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Data was collected through a survey questionnaire distributed to 310 European pharmaceutical manufacturers and responded by 37 of these organisations. Findings: Overall, the results of this study indicate an inadequate level of LR for the participating firms. Simultaneously, it was concluded that factors such as company size, type of relationships with suppliers and ISO 9000 certification do not have an effect on the quality practices, and hence LR level, of European pharmaceutical manufacturing organisations Research limitations/implications: Practical implications: This study provides crucial information regarding the LR level of European pharmaceutical manufacturers, which can now be aware of the areas in their practices that require further improvement towards a successful lean journey. Simultaneously, organisations in the pharmaceutical sector that intend to implement LM can consider the results of this study and evaluate their readiness level. Managers can therefore refer to this research and use it as a platform to take better decisions regarding what quality aspects of their operations need to be enhanced to successfully deploy or sustain a lean strategy Originality/value: This research is one of the very few studies that have focused on evaluating whether the European pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is ready to successfully implement or sustain LM. Therefore, this research expands the limited existent body of knowledge of LM in this industr

Investigating innovation capability and organizational performance in service firms

In the service firm, innovation capability influences both financial and nonfinancial performance. It is crucial for businesses to address key challenges anticipated by the changes in socioeconomic and environmental issues. Innovation capability is largely seen as a vital source for generating sustainable competitive advantage. This article investigates the determinants of innovation capability and their relationship with organizational performance in the Jordanian banking sector

Rethinking Pedagogy: Exploring the Potential of Digital Technology in Achieving Quality Education

(First Paragraph) The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) is UNESCO’s Category 1 education Institute in the Asia-Pacific region devoted to education for peace and sustainable development, as enshrined in SDG Target 4.7. UNESCO MGIEP promotes the use of digital learning platforms where teachers and students can co-create and share a highly interactive learning experience. With the rise of the internet, there has been a proliferation of online content and digital resources intended to support teaching and learning, albeit widely varying in quality. Digital education media and resources, if carefully designed and implemented, have a significant potential to be mobilized on a massive scale to support transformative learning for building sustainable, flourishing societies

The effect of supply chain management practices on supply chain and manufacturing firms' performance

© Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to theorise and develop seven dimensions (strategic supplier partnership, level of information sharing, quality of information sharing, customer service management, internal lean practices, postponement and total quality management) into a supply chain management (SCM) practices (SCMPs) construct and studies its causal relationship with the conceptualised constructs of supply chain performance (SCP) and manufacturing firms' performance (MFP). The study also explores the causal relationship between SCP and MFP. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected through a survey questionnaire responded by 249 Jordanian manufacturing firms. The relationships proposed in the developed theoretical framework were represented through three hypotheses: H1 - there is a significant relationship between SCMPs and SCP; H2 - there is a significant relationship between SCMPs and MFP; and H3 - there is a significant relationship between SCP and MFP. Linear regression, ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used to test the hypotheses. The results were further validated using structural equation modelling. Findings - The results indicate that SCMPs have a positive effect on SCP (H1), which in turn also positively affect MFP (H3). Despite this intermediary positive effect of SCMP on MFP through SCP, the study also suggests that SCMPs have a direct and positive effect on MFP (H2). Practical implications - This study provides hard evidence indicating that higher levels of SCMPs can lead to enhanced supply chain and firms' performance. It also provides SC managers of manufacturing firms with a multi-dimensional operational measure of the construct of SCMPs for assessing the comprehensiveness of the SCMPs of their firms. Originality/value - This study is among the very first SCM researches conducted on the Jordanian manufacturing sector, particularly, in relation to the practices that manufacturing firms in this country need to adopt to make their supply chains a solid competitive vehicle for their development. The results have broader implications for all manufacturing companies, particularly in developing economies where the growth of manufacturing and the development of integrated supply chains are key stages in economic development