A framework for assessing trust in e-government services under uncertain environment

In this study, a novel framework was proposed to assess the trust in e-government (e-Gov) services under an uncertain environment. The proposed framework was applied in Iranian municipality websites of e-Gov services to evaluate the readiness score of trust in e-Gov services. A unique hybrid research methodology was proposed. In the first phase, a comprehensive set of indices were determined from an extensive literature review and finalized by employing the fuzzy Delphi method. In the second phase, Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IVIFS) was utilized to model the problem’s uncertainty with Analytic called IVIFS- Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the importance of indices and indicators by assigning the weights. In the third phase, the Fuzzy Evaluation Method (FEM) is followed for assessing the readiness score of indices in case studies. The findings indicated that “Trust in government” is the most significant index affecting citizen’s trust in e-Gov services while “Maintenance and support” has the least impact on user’s intention to use e–Gov services. The study is one of the few to indicate significant indices of trust in e-Gov services in developing countries. The study shows the importance of indicators and indices by assigning a weight. Additionally, the framework can assess the readiness score of various case studies. Research Implications: The study contributes by introducing a unique research methodology that integrates three phases, including Fuzzy Delphi, IVIFS AHP and Fuzzy Evaluation method. Moreover, the Fuzzy sets theory helps to reach a more accurate result by modeling the inherent ambiguity of indicators and indices. Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy models the ambiguity of experts’ judgments in an interval. The study helps policy makers to monitor wider aspects of trust in e-Gov services as well as understanding their importance. The study enables policy makers to apply the framework to any potential case studies to evaluate the readiness score of indices and recognizing strengths and weakness of trust dimensions as well as recommending advice for improving the situation

Investigating the benefits and challenges of Total Quality Management implementation in the pharmaceutical companies

Pharmaceutical companies in Eastern European region are facing urgent quality tools implementation due to fierce global competition. The aim of this research is to provide current understanding of TQM in this region and provide further guidance on how to improve quality standards and techniques. The study follows a qualitative method and data was collected through 5 semi-structured interviews. The study highlights that TQM in pharmaceutical industry in this region is not well developed. The findings shows that there is lack of senior management commitment to TQM principles explanation and emphasises on its importance. Additionally, lack of governmental influence on quality standards and budgeting problems also affects TQM development. Moreover, there is a believe that TQM will not influence the overall performance of the company in the positive manner, since the development of such quality improvement method has to be efficiently budgeted and under current economic and political circumstances it is not possible.N/

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Net Zero Emissions: Innovation-Driven Strategies for Transitioning from Incremental to Radical Lean, Green and Digital Technologies

This work adopts a resource-based view for strategically managing firms’ tangible and intangible resources based on lean and green philosophies to explore the role of digital technologies in achieving NZE and the SDGs.This research outlines three contemporary issues. First, it assesses the theory-driven approaches and real-world datasets from conference of parties (COP) meetings. Second, adopting the VRIO (Valuable, Rare, Inimitable, Organized) framework, 25 identified digital technology-based values are obtained by digitalization-based integrated lean-green approaches that may enable manufacturing firms to pursue SDGs via net-zero emissions. Four scenarios of digital technology adoption and integration level of lean and green manufacturing pathways are proposed, differentiated by the degree of radical/ incremental interests in innovation and sustainable advantage types. Third, the study highlights that the achievement of NZE by SDGs may be possible only by adopting digital technologies and high-level integration of lean and green

Circular economy: a conceptual model to measure readiness for manufacturing SMEs

Over the last decade, circular economy (CE) has gathered interest from both industrialists and academics alike. Whilst CE research is widespread in such areas as supply chain and larger organisations, there is limited research into how small to medium enterprises (SMEs) can prepare for adopting CE. There is no comprehensive readiness model for SMEs adopting CE. The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature on change readiness and generate knowledge to fill this gap by developing a conceptual model to measure change readiness for SMEs' adopting CE. This study is based on a comprehensive literature review of change readiness models and frameworks. The paper reviews publications from Science Direct, Web of Science, Emerald, Scopus and Google Scholar. The readiness for change models and frameworks from the selected publications are evaluated and synthesised to develop a comprehensive conceptual model for change readiness for SMEs adopting a circular economy. A readiness conceptual model is developed by incorporating several factors as precursors to readiness, i.e. individual/collective difference, structural, contextual factors and related barriers. Eleven factors make up the individual/collective difference. Three factors make up the structural and contextual factors. This paper develops a conceptual model that can aid academics and practitioners in better understanding SMEs readiness to adopt CE. This paper makes a unique contribution by proposing a comprehensive conceptual model of readiness for SMEs adopting CE.N/

Analysing the Adoption Barriers of Low-Carbon Operations: A Step Forward for Achieving Net-Zero Emissions

In November 2021, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) was held in Glasgow, UK, the global leaders from nearly 200 countries stressed taking immediate action on the climate issue and how to ensure global net-zero emissions by 2030. It is possible to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy systems, the present study seeks to identify and analyse key barriers to Low Carbon Operations (LCO) in emerging economies. A critical literature review was undertaken to recognise the barriers linked to the adoption of LCO. To validate these barriers, an empirical study with a dataset of 127 respondents from the Indian automobile industry was conducted. The validated barriers were analysed using Best Worst Method (BWM) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques. BWM is used to determine the priority ranking of barriers, while the DEMATEL method is employed to elucidate the cause-effect inter-relationships among the listed barriers. The results suggest that ‘Economic’ is the most influential category of barriers followed by ‘Infrastructure’ and ‘Operational’. The results also show that the barriers ‘Economic’, ‘Environmental’, ‘Infrastructure’ and ‘Organizational Governance’ belong to the cause group. Some significant managerial implications are recommended to overcome these barriers and to assist firms in the successful adoption of LCO and achieving net-zero emissions. The work was carried out in the automotive industry in India but provides findings that may have wider applicability in other developing countries and beyond

Does Circular Economy Affect Financial Performance? The Mediating Role of Sustainable Sup-ply Chain Management in the Automotive Industry

The implementation of stricter sustainable policies and the tightening of environmental laws are forcing manufacturing companies, particularly those that make up the automotive industry, to make changes and improvements involving Circular Economy (CE) practices. However, CE practices do not always lead to an improvement in firm performance. This study analyzes the effects of the implementation of CE practices on the financial performance (FIP) of manufacturing companies in the automotive industry of Mexico, considering the mediating effect exerted by sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). The proposed model is validated through PLS-SEM using a sample of 460 companies. The results show that the FIP is strengthened through the implementation of the CE and that this effect is mediated by the commitment of the company to promote a better SSCM. This study contributes to the CE and SSCM theories by providing evidence about the positive effect that the implementation of these activities has on the performance of the automotive industry and how a SSCM equally exerts a direct and indirect effect on this. In the same way, managers can use this study and its results to make their operations more efficient and to demonstrate the effects of sustainability on the financial performance of the company

Total Productive Maintenance and Industry 4.0 in a Sustainability Context: Exploring the Mediating Effect of Circular Economy

The purpose of this research is to establish a conceptual model to understand the impact of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) on the transition of a Circular Economy (CE). Also, the paper explores the combined impact of TPM, I4.0, and CE on the sustainability performance (SP) of manufacturing firms. The conceptual model is proposed using the dynamic capability view (DCV) and empirically validated by partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using 304 responses from Indian manufacturing firms. The results suggest that I4.0 positively impacts TPM, CE, and SP, also showing TPM's positive impact on CE and SP. In addition, CE has a positive influence on the SP of manufacturing firms. Furthermore, CE partially mediates the relationship between I4.0 and SP with TPM and SP. The study also identifies TPM, I4.0, and CE as a new bundle of dynamic capabilities to deliver SP in manufacturing firms. The present research adds to the knowledge and literature on DCV by identifying the importance of CE in the settings of I4.0 and TPM, especially in the context of sustainability. Also, the current study offers a new set of dynamic capabilities and provides some significant future recommendations for researchers and practitioners

An empirical investigation on the deployment of Operational excellence in SMEs

Purpose: This study investigates the quantitative aspect of the various strains of Operational excellence (OE) and “Competitive-potential (CP)” in the SME sector. It has five steps, i.e., identifying the key performance constructs of OE and their hypothesized relationship pattern from literature, validating these constructs through factor analysis, formalizing their empirical relationships by structural-equation-modeling (SEM), path analysis of performance constructs with the empirical results, and lastly proposing a framework for OE deployment in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach: Data for the deployment scores of Operational excellence procedures (OEPs) were collected through a structured questionnaire survey. Nine hundred participants from a stratified random sample were approached for the survey, and 473 responses were received. Sample stratification was based on Gender, Education, Experience, Position, Department, and Industry. Respondents had 5 to 30 years of experience managing manufacturing operations, holding the Manager position and above. Findings: The path analysis of the structural model provides unique insights into OE’s practical aspects in SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). Such as Contractual-conformance and Process-efficiency play pivotal roles as both have a significant positive impact on CP. Supplier efficacy, Consistency, and Product-excellence do not improve CP unless mediated by Contractual-conformance or Process-efficiency. Research limitations/implications: The study provides important implications for academia, policymakers, and managers. The study identifies and validates the operational excellence key performance practices and proposes a framework for manufacturing organizations. SME managers can follow the framework to develop effective operational excellence strategies to help them achieve their organizational goals. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for continuous culture in SMEs, which will help to support operational excellence deployment. Overall, the implications presented in the study will help SMEs to enhance their competitiveness and operational performance. Originality/value: The study explores the empirical investigation of the operational excellence deployment in SMEs. The study uses a mixed method approach for research design, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and uses SEM to test the proposed framework. Validation of OE’s six key performance constructs and establishing their empirical relation is an attempt to advance the Operations excellence theory. Unlike large enterprises, SMEs demonstrate an incohesive response to the practices pertaining to Supplier efficacy, Consistency, and Product-excellence. This unique response pattern requires special treatment, which is incorporated into the proposed framework

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

Machine Learning Applications for Sustainable Manufacturing: A Bibliometric-based Review for Future Research

The role of data analytics is significantly important in manufacturing industries as it holds the key to address sustainability challenges and handle the large amount of data generated from different types of manufacturing operations. The present study, therefore, aims to conduct a systematic and bibliometric-based review in the applications of machine learning (ML) techniques for sustainable manufacturing (SM). In the present study, we use a bibliometric review approach that is focused on the statistical analysis of published scientific documents with an unbiased objective of the current status and future research potential of ML applications in sustainable manufacturing. The present study highlights how manufacturing industries can benefit from ML techniques when applied to address SM issues. Based on the findings, a ML-SM framework is proposed. The framework will be helpful to researchers, policymakers and practitioners to provide guidelines on the successful management of SM practices. A comprehensive and bibliometric review of opportunities for ML techniques in SM with a framework is still limited in the available literature. This study addresses the bibliometric analysis of ML applications in SM, which further adds to the originalityN/