The Bullwhip effect in complex supply chains

This paper reviews the various methods of modelling the dynamics of supply chains. We then present recently documented causes of the Bullwhip effect in production supply chains, and the methodologies used to describe and measure the importance of these causes. We examine the limitations of these methodologies and suggest a combined approach discrete event-continuous simulation modelling approach to further study this phenomenon in complex production supply chains

Online volunteering at DigiVol: an innovative crowd-sourcing approach for heritage tourism artefacts preservation

Most museums find that the resources required to transform from curators into providers of heritage and cultural tourism exceed those available to them. One way of addressing this challenge is through volunteer programs to assist in heritage tourism artefacts preservation. This article is based on a case study of an innovative crowd-sourcing initiative of integrating on-site and online volunteers for the preservation and documentation of heritage artefacts: the DigiVol program at the Australian Museum, Sydney. This large citizen science volunteer program has digitised an unprecedented portion of the museum’s collections and has been recognised in Australia and internationally as a best practice ‘volunteer digitisation service’ model. Seeking further empirical support for the emerging concept of ‘recruitability’ from the volunteering literature (i.e. the ability of volunteer organisations to recruit and retain volunteers), this research used case study methodology. Based on interviews, focus groups, and document analyses, the article identifies key elements of innovation and effectiveness in DigiVol practices. The article concludes with recommendations for programs wishing to follow best practice and expand their recruitability, to digitise and preserve artefacts, and therefore support science, tourism and education

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Lean supply chains, JIT and cellular manufacturing – the human side

Lean manufacturing has been widely adopted by many production companies. Apart from the operational difficulty associated with conversion from a traditional, functional based operation, adoption of Lean manufacturing involves significant organizational transformations. It requires formation of work teams, comprised of multi-skilled workers. The work teams are preferably self directed and need to continuously improve performance and production processes. Such changes can be challenging for organizations. This paper reviews studies of human related and organizational factors in the context of Lean manufacturing, and identifies gaps in research in this area. The paper presents the principles of lean manufacturing, the organizational shifts required, and presents studies relevant to each of these shifts. The paper concludes with implications for practitioners and suggestions for further studies

The cultural impact of information systems – through the eyes of Hofstede – a critical journey

With the increasing levels of multiculturalism in today’s business and the proliferation and essentiality of information systems, development and management of IS needs to be considered in light of the cultural factors which impact upon its utility. Hofstede’s work on culture is the most widely cited in existence. His observations and analysis provide scholars and practitioners a valuable insight into the dynamics of cross-cultural relationships. However, such a groundbreaking body of work does not escape criticism. Hofstede has been dogged by academics discrediting his work in part or whole. Nonetheless, far more scholars exist who support Hofstede than those that don’t. Most quote Hofstede’s work with unabashed confidence, many including his findings as absolute assumptions. This paper takes a critical look at Hofstede’s work and applies his findings to the practical needs of information systems. The paper finds support for the dimensions promoted by Hofstede in regard to information systems, but recommends continued research to provide greater clarity and continued applicability of his espoused dimensions

Blogs – the new source of data analysis

Blogs are a new and intriguing form of communication and personal expression. Researchers are only just beginning to realise the value that these media present as sources of data for research. This paper begins to unveil the untapped potential that the blogosphere provides for research. The paper begins by introducing blogs, explaining their evolution and the important role they play in society. A major contribution to knowledge comes from the paper’s analysis of the motivation behind blogging – providing a framework of seven different motivational schemes. Building on this, the paper explores why blogs are a valuable and reliable source of data for analysis. The paper illustrates how blogs can be used for analysis, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of their use. The paper concludes with a brief note on some of the ethical considerations of using blogs for research

Human influence on the adoption of Lean strategy in the process industries: a case study of an Australian steel-manufacturer

Lean strategy has become widely recognised since it was first popularised by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. However, despite its promised benefits and widespread proliferation, Lean strategy has not been extensively adopted in process industries (e.g., steel-making). This study examines an unsuccessful attempt to implement Lean strategy in a large Australian steel-manufacturing organisation, and pays particular attention to factors influencing scheduling decisions. This attention to scheduling decisions is both unique to the literature and crucial to a deeper understanding of Lean strategy enactment. Multiple facets are involved in the complex implementation of Lean strategy, and thus this study draws on multiple academic sources. Operations-management and behavioural decision-making literatures are reviewed, to identify aspects relevant to this complex initiative. Common to both literatures is the importance of schedulers, who daily make operational decisions that directly affect strategy execution. This study develops a framework for factors influencing schedulers’ decisions that affect the enactment of Lean strategy, based on a categorisation of factors: individual, task, and context-related. Scheduling decisions often strongly depend on their context, and are sensitive to many interrelated factors. To identify these factors and provide an in-depth understanding of their influence on the enactment of Lean strategy, this study examines scheduling decisions within their natural setting, using an exploratory and descriptive approach. It employs a longitudinal and retrospective case study of a single company to examine these issues with greater depth than possible when examining multiple companies. Specifically, this study draws on two sets of data collection, which cover two different perspectives on scheduling. The first set retrospectively examines the implementation of Lean strategy in a steel-manufacturing business unit. This includes interviews with eight of the individuals involved in the implementation, as well as archival documents. To overcome the limitations of a retrospective study, this study examines current scheduling practices and factors that influence their alignment with Lean strategy. This examination is conducted through a second set of interviews, which examines current influences on scheduling practices, by interviewing eight key scheduling-team members from two different business units. In addition, documents relevant to current scheduling practices were also examined. A thematic analysis of the two sets reveals factors from three different categories (individual, task, and contextual) that support or impede Lean scheduling practices. Findings show schedulers are critical to the sustainable enactment of Lean strategy. Schedulers were found to influence the enactment of Lean strategy in two ways: (1) They facilitate cross-functional collaboration, which is necessary for Lean strategy, and (2) They have the discretion to balance and trade-off production and sales requirements. The level of alignment between this trade-off and Lean principles can sustain, or inhibit, the enactment of Lean strategy. When examining individual factors that influence schedulers’ decisions, the findings highlight the role of schedulers’ interpersonal skills and intuitive decisionmaking. Interpersonal skills enable schedulers to enact a strategy that they find beneficial for the business. Intuitive decision-making is influenced by two main factors that impede the enactment of Lean strategy: (1) schedulers’ attitude towards Lean practices, and (2) emotions the schedulers expect as a result of following traditional practices versus Lean practices. While schedulers are directly responsible for making decisions that align with Lean strategy, this study identifies several contextual and task-related factors that can also impede or support this alignment. These factors include assumptions shared amongst organisational members concerning the source of business success, the way to successfully address customer demand, the role of kanbans, the way to achieve high utilisation, and the length of lead times. The study extends existing literature on Lean strategy, by identifying factors that have the power to impede its adoption in the steel industry, and emphasises the important role schedulers play in sustaining alignment

Tacit knowledge, explicability and creativity: a study of the Australian film industry

This paper explores the links between the sharing of tacit knowledge, the explication of tacit knowledge, and creativity, in the Australian Film Industry (AFI). Subject to harsh conditions including staff turnover, tight budgets and schedule constraints, the AFI does not formulate repositories of explicit knowledge. Instead, it relies on the sharing of tacit knowledge for its success. In this setting, the explication of tacit knowledge is studied. Two concepts arise from the qualitative data, and are explored in this paper. (1) Tacit knowledge has various levels of explicability, which can be conceptualized by an ‘Explicability Zone’. (2) There is a link between the level of explicability and potential for creativity. The paper concludes with ecommendations for further research on explicability levels and their link to creativity

Seven innovative ways in which companies are changing csr (and the world).

The world seems to be changing at a breathtaking pace. A decade of technological advances and a strong social media presence has altered the way we live and communicate. COVID-19 changed the way that we work and connect. Climate change is transforming what matters to us and how we approach the future. Why should the role of business in society stay the same