Consumer Impact on Supply Chain Sustainability

Abstract Globalization and ever-growing population in the World, inevitably leads to higher demand of products and services. To meet the demand of meat products, farms are expanding and as consequence there is increased negative supply chain (SC) impact on the environment. Thus, to reduce the impact, raising consumer awareness reduced consumption of red meat, can lead to more sustainable meat SCs. The aim of this paper is to show to what extent can the environmental impact be reduced by changing the types of meat consumed. The methodology used in this work is mathematical modelling (optimization), and environmental impacts and total annul meat consumption are objective functions. The result shows that the environmental impact can be significantly reduced by introducing poultry and reducing consumption of red meat

The Impact of Macroeconomic Factors on Non-performing Loans in the Western Balkans

This paper analyzes the relationship of macroeconomic factors to the level of non-performing loans (NPLs) using the econometric models GMM, the Fixed Effect model, and the Random Effect model. This study aims to identify macroeconomic factors at the level of non-performing loans in the Western Balkans, measure their impact on non-performing loans, and thus fill the gap that exists between macroeconomic factors (consisting of economic growth) and those with more impact on NPLs. The methodology used to carry out this research was desk research. We used World Bank data from 2000–2019, processed with STATA software. Results show that macroeconomic factors have an impact on non-performing loans. It also proves that even when interacting with other variables, the level of bad debt has not been completely eliminated, despite economic growth in many countries. Third, throughout the study period, fixed effects estimates show that variables are not significant in a static context. According to the findings, the annual rates of GDP growth, final government consumption, the real interest rate, gross domestic savings, and the unemployment rate all have a favorable impact on NPLs. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between macroeconomic factors and non-performing loans in the Western Balkans. Based on this, to help reduce loan risk and bad debt by the proper criteria, we propose a series of policy implications. These implications aim to improve the efficiency of banks in particular and the banking system as a whole. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-05-08 Full Text: PD

green supply chain management practices and company performance a meta analysis approach

Abstract Varying conceptualizations of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices can be observed in extant literature and there is evidence of mixed results relating GSCM practices to firm performance. These inconclusive findings have often confused managers which practices would yield desired performance outcomes. Hence, by applying meta-analysis approach in 85 independent effect sizes with a total sample size of 20011 firms, we tested the impact of GSCM practices on firm performance. Findings indicate that the relationship between GSCM practices and firm performance is positive and significant, providing empirical generalization and support to practitioners and scholars. Likewise, the GSCM practices positively and significantly influence environmental, social, operational and economic performance. This relationship is moderated by geographical region, industry type and firm size. Future studies should test how ascendants of GSCM practices affect firm's sustainability performance

Risk-adjusted Adverse Outcomes in Complex Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair with Biologic Mesh: A Case Series of 140 Patients

INTRODUCTION: Biologic mesh is preferred for repair of complex abdominal wall hernias (CAWHs) in patients at high risk of wound infection. We aimed to identify predictors of adverse outcomes after complex abdominal wall hernia repair (CAWR) using biologic mesh with different placement techniques and under different surgical settings. METHODS: A retrospective case series study was conducted on all patients who underwent CAWR with biologic mesh between 2010 and 2015 at a tertiary medical center. RESULTS: the study population included 140 patients with a mean age of 54 ± 14 years and a median follow up period 8.8 months. Mesh size ranged from 50 to 1225 cm CONCLUSIONS: Using biologic mesh, one-quarter and one-fifth of CAWR patients are complicated with reoperation or recurrence, respectively. The operation settings and comorbidity may play a role in these outcomes regardless of the mesh placement techniques

A Novel Tool to Evaluate Bias in Literature on Use of Biologic Mesh in Abdominal Wall Herrnia Repair

PURPOSE: Biologic meshes are being increasingly used for abdominal hernia repair in high-risk patients or patients with a previous history of wound infection, due to their infection-resistant properties. Several studies have been carried out to assess whether biologic mesh is superior to synthetic mesh, as well as to establish guidelines for their use. Unfortunately, most of these studies were not rigorously designed and were vulnerable to different types of bias. The systematic reviews that have been published so far on this topic contain the same biases and limitations of the primary articles that are analyzed. The lack of a literature review on the bias on the use of biological mesh prompted us to conduct the literature search, assessment and plan this article. METHODS: We performed a literature search in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases of systematic reviews on biologic mesh for ventral hernia repair. The literature review was conducted using the Population, Intervention, Comparisons, Outcomes and Design approach. We identified 40 studies that matched the stringent criteria we had set. We then created a 13-point instrument to assess for bias and applied it on the primary studies that we intended to analyze. RESULTS: Most primary studies are case series or case reports of patients undergoing abdominal hernia repair with biologic mesh, without any comparison group, and the inclusion of cases was only specified to be consecutive in 6 out of 40 cases. In terms of assessing outcomes, in none of the 40 articles were the outcome assessors blinded to the intervention or exposure status of participants. CONCLUSION: The instrument that we created could allow to assess the risk of bias in different kind of studies. Our assessment of the studies based on the criteria that we had set up in the instrument clearly identified that further research needs to be done due to the lack of unbiased studies regarding the use of biologic meshes for abdominal hernia repair

Risk Factors and Predictors of Violence: Insights From the Emergency Department at a Level 1 Trauma Center in the USA

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the risk factors and predictors of violence among patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center in a single institution. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who were admitted with a history of violence between 2012 and 2016. RESULTS: A total of 9855 trauma patients were admitted, of whom 746 (7.6%) had a history of violence prior to the index admission. Patients who had history of violence were younger and more likely to be males, Black, Hispanic and covered by low-income primary payer in comparison to non-assault trauma patients (P \u3c 0.001 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that covariate-adjusted predictors of violence were being Black, male having low-income primary payer, Asian, drug user, alcohol intoxicated and smoker. CONCLUSIONS: Violence is a major problem among young age subjects with certain demographic, social and ethnic characteristics. Trauma centers should establish violence injury prevention programs for youth and diverse communities

The Roles of Early Surgery and Comorbid Conditions on Outcomes of Severe Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections

PURPOSE: Severe necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) require immediate early surgical treatment to avoid adverse outcomes. This study aims to determine the impact of early surgery and comorbid conditions on the outcomes of NSTIs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on all subjects presenting with NSTI at an academic medical center between 2005 and 2016. Patients were identified based on ICD codes. Those under the age of 18 or with intraoperative findings not consistent with NSTI diagnosis were excluded. RESULTS: There were 115 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of NSTI with a mean age of 55 +/- 18 years; 41% were females and 55% were diabetics. Thirty percent of patients underwent early surgery (/= 6 h) had prolonged hospital stay (38 vs. 23 days, p \u3c 0.008) in comparison to the early group (\u3c 6 h). With every 1 h delay in time to surgery, there is a 0.268 day increase in length of stay, adjusted for these other variables: alcohol abuse, number of debridements, peripheral vascular disease, previous infection and clinical necrosis. Mortality was 16.5%. Multivariable analysis revealed that alcohol abuse, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, and presence of COPD were associated with an increase in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention in patients with severe necrotizing soft-tissue infections reduces length of hospital stay. Presence of comorbid conditions such as alcohol abuse, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, obesity and hypothyroidism were associated with increased mortality