Ethical sourcing : an analysis of the literature and implications for future research

The purpose of this study is to present a rigorous, focused review on how this field of ethical sourcing research has grown and evolved over the decades, providing implications for future research. We combine two research methodologies in this study: a systematic literature review and a citation network analysis. The former is used as a scientific tool to select the most relevant ethical sourcing articles, while the latter is then applied as a research technique to analyse these selected articles. Such a combined approach allows for a rigorous investigation into this field of research in a more scientific and objective way. Based on this approach, we identify (1) distinctive features of ethical sourcing studies such as growth trends and content issues; (2) important articles that have played a significant role in developing this field; (3) evolutionary paths that show how its knowledge has been created and transferred; (4) emerging trends that have received growing attention in the recent literature; (5) main research areas that underlie the entire ethical sourcing studies; and (6) major implications that need to be pursued in future research. The results of this study provide not only the current status of the literature but also the patters of evolution in this field of research, thus contributing to the existing literature

Designing the venue logistics management operations for a World Exposition

World Expositions, due to their size and peculiar features, pose a number of logistics challenges. This paper aims at developing a design framework for the venue logistics management (VLM) operations to replenish food products to the event site, through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. First, an in-depth interview methodology, combined with the outcomes of a literature review, is adopted for defining the key variables for the tactical and operational set-up of the VLM system. Second, a quantitative approach is developed to define the necessary logistics resources. The framework is then applied to the case of Milan 2015 World Exposition. It is the first time that such a design framework for a World Exposition is presented: the originality of this research lies in the proposal of a systematic approach that adds to the experiential practices constituting the current body of knowledge on event logistics

Performance measurement and its impact on sustainable and resilient supply chain management practices in the Thai electronic industry

Paper originally presented at the 20th Annual Logistics Research Network (LRN) Conference, 9th to 11th Sept 2015, Derby

Performance measurement and its impact on sustainable and resilient supply chain management practices in the Thai electronic industry

Paper originally presented at the 20th Annual Logistics Research Network (LRN) Conference, 9th to 11th Sept 2015, Derby

Eco-efficient supply chain networks: Development of a design framework and application to a real case study

© 2015 Taylor & Francis. This paper presents a supply chain network design framework that is based on multi-objective mathematical programming and that can identify 'eco-efficient' configuration alternatives that are both efficient and ecologically sound. This work is original in that it encompasses the environmental impact of both transportation and warehousing activities. We apply the proposed framework to a real-life case study (i.e. Lindt & Sprüngli) for the distribution of chocolate products. The results show that cost-driven network optimisation may lead to beneficial effects for the environment and that a minor increase in distribution costs can be offset by a major improvement in environmental performance. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on eco-efficient supply chain design and closes the missing link between model-based methods and empirical applied research. It also generates insights into the growing debate on the trade-off between the economic and environmental performance of supply chains, supporting organisations in the eco-efficient configuration of their supply chains

Sustainable and resilient supply chain management : scale development

Paper delivered at the 21st Logistics Research Network annual conference 2016, 7th-9th September 2016, Hull. Abstract Purpose: This paper reports on the status of an ongoing empirical study to enhance our understanding of factors contributing to better supply chain performance in the context of sustainable and resilient supply chain management, and updates the literature review and research framework presented in Joradon et al. (2015). That paper operationalized eight firm practices that are now being tested in a quantitative study to investigate how sustainable and resilient supply chain management might improve supply chain performance. Sustainable and resilient supply chain management requires firms to consider supply chain performance within environmental, economic, social, vulnerability, and capability parameters. This paper presents the scale development for this study which will analyse the current level of sustainable and resilient supply chain management practices in firms and help guide them to assess and amend their procedures and processes to become more sustainable and resilient in future. Research approach: The empirical study contains measurement scale and constructs developed according to Churchill (1979) two-phase framework. The first phase was based on data gathered from interviews with nine managers across four electronic companies and two distributors in Thailand using semi-structured interviews. The data from the interviews as well as the extant literature was then used to develop measurement scales and constructs for the next phase, which was a survey with approximately 500 electronic companies in Thailand. Findings and Originality: At the date of writing semi-structured interviews have been conducted and some opportunities to shape the measurement scale and constructs have been identified. The survey is currently being completed and the conference presentation will provide results from analysis to date. While the investigation of sustainable and resilient supply chain management together has yet to be explored in a focused way, this paper is original since it offers an investigation of these two topics and their relationship with supply chain performance. Research Impact: The study will produce new performance measurement scales for sustainable and resilient supply chain management as well as an agenda for future research to validate the findings across other sectors and contexts. Mixed-methodologies were applied in this study to ensure face, content and construct validity. Practical Impact: The study will provide direction for firms to measure their supply chain performance in the context of sustainable and resilient supply chain management practices, as well as a proposed set of measurement scales based on sustainable supply chain management and supply chain resilience management practices to measure the impact of these practices to the firm. The findings will help firms to understand their level of sustainable and resilient supply chain management in order to improve and adjust their procedures to be more sustainable and resilient in future

MS

thesisThe purpose of this study was to identify and examine the relationship between a set a predictor variables and the criterion of physical and psychological symptoms manifested in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). The sample of 49 patients was obtained from the files of four physicians at the University of Utah Medical Center. Each subject was asked to complete a demographic data sheet, Sullivan's (1977) Utah Test Appraising Health (UTAH-IV), and Cattell's (1970) Sixteen Personality Factaor Questionnaire (16PF). Of the 49 subjects, 44 were female with 5 males participating. The average age was 35 years, average amount of education was 13.8 years, and average number of years of having the disease was 6 years. Two multiple regression analyses were computed, regressing physical and psychological symptoms on the number of reported stress events, severity of illness, amount of education, number of hospitalizations, and ego strength. The multiple R indicated that the number of psychological symptoms and the reported stress events demonstrated the strongest relationship with the criterion of lupus symptoms. Ego strength accounted for very little variance, while education made a modes contribution in an inverse direction. The second equation computed indicated that with a criterion of psychological symptoms, the number of physical symptoms and ego strength were the strongest predictors, with ego strength showing a negative correlation. Both the number of stress events and the number of hospitalizations made negligible contributions to the prediction of psychological symptoms

Is environmental sustainability a strategic priority for logistics service providers?

Despite an increasing number of third-party logistics service providers (3PLs) regard environmental sustainability as a key area of management, there is still great uncertainty on how 3PLs implement environmental strategies and on how they translate green efforts into practice. Through a multiple case study analysis, this paper explores the environmental strategies of a sample of medium-sized 3PLs operating in Italy and the UK, in terms of environmental organisational culture, initiatives, and influencing factors. Our analysis shows that, notwithstanding environmental sustainability is generally recognised as a strategic priority, a certain degree of diversity in the deployment of environmental strategies still exists. This paper is original since the extant literature on green strategies of 3PLs provides findings predominantly from a single country perspective and mainly investigates large/multinational organizations. It also provides indications to help managers of medium-sized 3PLs in positioning their business. This is particularly meaningful in the 3PL industry, where medium-sized organizations significantly contribute to the generated turnover and market value