Fusão em trânsito no comércio de varejo: uma perspectiva de micronegócio

This paper suggests links between postponement, mass customization and rapid fulfilment in the light of merge-in-transit retailing (MIT). The paper asserts that the value offered by MIT implementation can be exploited only if these operational strategies are well understood. An extension of this concept is explored to critically consider whether MIT is a feasible strategy in the context of micro-businesses (MBs). MBs are usually treated as if they were big corporations that mainly follow economic-based drivers. However, the owners of MBs operate based on additional motivations such as family orientation, heritage, lifestyle, and prestige. So far, limited work has been published on MIT and strategies for operational support in the context of MBs. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the logistics of internet retailing, making its impact promising. Its orientation towards MBs provides an original review of a sector that is often neglected. Managers and those in charge of the design and operations of logistics systems supporting internet retailing may find this paper of interest, since the four linked concepts have not previously been discussed together. The paper may be of particular interest to MB owners

An initial exploration on the drivers for integrating small-farmers in supply chains and networks: propensity to collaborate

Supply networks are increasingly complex networks of interdependent organisations. In the case of food supply networks, globalization seems to be one of the main drivers for change. Agricultural producers have to deal with longer and more complex supply and value chains. However, globalization has resulted in both winners and losers among small farmers. This research looks at drivers for collaboration that may support small farmers’ integration to successful food supply chains. Even though cooperatives are a prominent form of farmer organization, there is little evidence that suggests that these have served as frameworks for successful integration of small-farmers into global supply chains. Hence, this paper focuses in an alternative Mexican legal figure for land collective ownership (‘ejido’) and explores their members’ propensity to collaborate. An exploratory research is conducted and initial findings are provided. As an initial outcome, this paper suggests the need for a complementary research approach to increase small farmers’ propensity to collaborate and work together. Areas for further research are identified

Housing prototypes for the wellbeing of elderly in Lincolnshire

This project is a scoping study supported by the Research Investment Fund 2013, University of Lincoln. This research aims to develop a holistic approach to decision making that facilitates ‘wellbeing’ of the elderly in future housing prototypes in Lincolnshire. Central to this understanding is how several systems work together, such as changing care models and ways of delivery, demands by changing demographics of family types, emphasis on preventive medicine and delay of morbidity and life expectancy, and wellbeing variables of the elderly related to activities, functional ability, personal beliefs and attitudes, home and personal finances (Jackson 2011, Gallaway 2005), and social networks that build social capital (Paranagamage 2010). It is accepted that to enable this, local services such as housing, health, social care, leisure, transport and education etc would need to be integrated to work as a whole system facilitating independent living balanced by needs for interdependence with family, community and neighbourhood. Strategies to promote independent living need to be underpinned by requirements for maximising resources and empowering older people to remain physically as well as economically active; and providing housing in a way that promotes social inclusion and wellbeing (Byrd 2009). The decision support tool would model the interaction of the range of systems that impinge on one another to recommend pathways for the conceptualization of elderly housing. This would enable all stakeholders concerned with the provision of housing for older adults in the public and private sector, to holistically envision elderly housing both now and in the future. The research will proceed to bridge the gap in its translation to a conceptual prototype of housing. The research will also validate and refine the tool and prototype by working with local housing associations and Age UK involved in the delivery of elderly housing in Lincolnshire. The objectives are 1) to create a decision support tool 2) to develop a conceptual model for housing prototypes 3) work with local housing associations and Age UK to pilot the transition of the conceptual model to design 4) develop feedback mechanisms to validate and monitor work stage

Overcoming barriers to sustainable food supply chains: the role of rural organisation

Purpose: This paper is part of an on-going project relating to why and how to increase collaboration between food micro-producers. In this work we look at barriers perceived by independent farmers in Mexico (Sinaloa) during the development of their farming and commercial activities. Such barriers are often linked to the level of organisation among farmers, and we explore if this is a pertinent observation. Research Approach: Secondary data from a Mexican rural census are used. Such data are compared, by means of scatter diagrams, to recognise patterns between barriers perceived by farmers, level of organisation, access to support and training, and access to credit. This comparison is done at the municipality level in order to recognise if there is a geographical propensity to collaborate. Initial insights reflect the need for complementary research approaches, particularly when studying the impact of individual preferences in the sustainability of supply chains involving rural communities. Findings and Originality: Findings suggest (a) strong correlation between level of organisation among producers and additional access to resources (support, training and credit), and (b) not so strong correlation between frequency of perceived barriers and organisation or access to resources. This suggests that external funding is not enough to achieve farmers’ satisfaction in rural communities. Other drivers involve the social dimension of sustainable supply chains, something that has been discussed only tangentially in supply chains literature. Accordingly, the main contribution of this paper is that we shows specific examples were links between barriers’ perception among farmers and their level of organisation cannot be generalised; by doing so, we indicate the need for complementary research approaches when dealing with individuals’ preferences and expectations. Research Impact: Evidences are presented about how organisation between farmers may contribute to improve individual and collective performances. The research approach draws links between supply and value chains literature and the social dimension of sustainable development. The research procedure indicates the need for additional data in the census, but also limitations in this procedure to trigger change. A complementary approach seems also to be in need, as better economic performance does not seem to reduce the perception of barriers among farmers. Practical Impact: This on-going research suggests that in order to support organisation between farmers in rural communities, there is a need for complementary approaches to design public policy making. These approaches shall involve looking at individual actions and their contribution to collective development rather than the traditional approach focused on investing external resources

Merge-in-transit retailing: a micro-business perspective

This paper suggests links between Postponement, Mass Customization and Rapid Fulfilment in the light of Merge-In-Transit Retailing (MiT). The paper discusses that the value offered by MiT implementations can only be exploited if these operational strategies are well-understood. An extension of this concept is explored to critically weight whether MiT is a feasible strategy in the context of Micro-Businesses (MBs). MBs are usually treated as if they were big corporations that mainly follow economic-based drivers. However, MBs’ owners operate according to additional motivations such as family-orientation, heritage, life style or prestige. So far limited work has been published on MiT and their operational supporting strategies in the context of MBs. The paper contributes in the deeper understanding the logistics under the Internet Retailing therefore his impact is promising. Its orientation towards MBs provides an original review to a sector that is usually neglected. Managers and people in charge in the design and operations of logistics systems supporting internet retailing can find this paper of interest as the four linked concepts have not been yet discussed together. The paper can be of particular interest for MBs’ owners

Impact of different modelling approaches to evaluate public policies: the case of entrepreneurship in Central Mexico

Different approaches can be used to model public policies. These models may be useful to evaluate such programs. Several of them are explored and illustrated through different entrepreneurship initiatives implemented in Central Mexico

Merge-in-transit (MiT) retailing: rapid fulfillment, mass customization, and postponement

Purpose: The paper discusses the links between Rapid Fulfilment, Mass Customization, and Postponement in the light of Merge-In-Transit Retailing. The value offering of MiT can be exploited only if this operational strategies can be understood for implementation. Research Approach: The paper reviews concepts in the literature of highly regarded journals in Logistics, SCM, Operations Management to build a conceptual framework framing MiT and the supporting concepts. Findings and Originality: With the explosion of on-line retailing in the last decade a deeper understanding of MiT is required for it evolution in the practical feel. So far limited work has been published on MiT and their operational supporting strategies. Research Impact: The paper contributed in the deeper understanding the logistics under the Internet Retailing therefore his impact is promising. Practical Impact: Managers and people in charge in the design and operations of logistics systems supporting internet retailing can find this paper of interest as the fourth linked concepts have not been yet discussed together

OR in search for community

This year’s Keynote has a special format. The interest in Community OR has taken the form of a new Special Interest Group that is presently taking shape. To contribute to a better understanding of the variety of interest that is being incorporated, we have invited a number of people to present their ideas as short presentations or pitches. Below you will find an outline of what we have today. These may help to summarise the current thinking and (research) practices in Community OR. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion. Social Innovation and Community OR Communities are the main addressees for sustainable change and improvement, at least in the European Union. There are some considerable difficulties here, as the cry for policies that are effective in delivering this change is getting stronger and communities are getting better in avoiding being addressed as stooges. At present OR explores contributions to the policy problem (see the new SIG for Social Policy). It is argued that policy should be supportive to community level activities and initiatives, rather than the reverse, if social innovation is to be promoted. Examples are presented. Organising Suppliers: Chain or commune? Economy-based supplier structures are organised under drivers that aim at the alignment of goals and the optimisation of resources available; however, this does not seem to apply to any size of business. Observations on microbusinesses suggest that they do not strive for economic drivers only. Lifestyle, family and other non-economic drivers are also part of their strategic decision making processes. Different snapshots about UK and Mexican microbusinesses are used to illustrate possibilities that supply chains and communities may provide. Community OR ideas are used as a framework for the comparison

Exploring producers' motivations and challenges within a farmers' market

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore food producers' motivations and challenges whilst participating in short food supply chains (SFSCs). This paper compares findings with previous literature and investigates the topic in the context of producers' motivations. Design/methodology/approach The paper includes a literature review concerning producers' motivations to engage in SFSCs. A case study was designed to investigate motivations underlying producers' engagement in SFSCs, as well as the challenges that they face. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a farmers' market located in Mexico. Thematic analysis is used to identify the principal issues for producers'. Propositions based on findings are presented. Findings Findings suggest that small, large, part-time and full-time producers are willing to engage with farmers' markets for diverse primary economic and non-economic motivations. Individual and collective challenges were also identified. Originality/value This research helps to explain producers' motivations and challenges within SFSCs in an under-researched context, namely a focus on producers' and in the Global South

Communities and food supply: looking at their intersection

There is an extended opinion that Food Supply Chains (FSCs) create economic value; usually by aligning different actors along the chain. However, for food microproducers, economic value is not necessarily the main driver to engage with FSCs. This opens up the discussion towards how to build FSCs with potential members that do not always recognise practical advantages in working with others. We propose explore previous research done in the area of Community Operational Research (COR) by looking microproducers not as links constituting a chain, where the weakest is removed for the benefit of the rest. We explore if there are benefits from being members from a community (Food Supply Communities, FSComs), where they identify which individual actions contribute to the collective self-construction, and vice versa. To contextualise the discussion, we use the case of a typical UK regional, county-based food marketing group which provides umbrella marketing support for specialist SMEs