Drivers of Retail Supply Chain Efficiency: Moderating Effect of Lean Strategy

The retail chain store business is an infant stage of growth and development in Bangladesh and so are the supply chain management practices in this sector. The main objective of this study is to identify the key drivers of retail supply chain efficiency. Moreover this study aims at examining the moderating effect of lean supply chain strategy on the link between supply chain drivers and performance. For the purpose of the study, data were collected with a structured questionnaire from 115 participants consisting of outlet and supply chain managers of some selected retail chain stores in Bangladesh. Collected data were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling with the support of the software Smart PLS 2.0 M3. Findings revealed that out of five supply chain drivers, four namely inventory management, use of IT, transportation management and coordination were the most significant determinants of retail supply chain efficiency while suppliers role was found to be negatively correlated. Moderating effect of lean strategy was also noticed on the link between two drivers namely transportation management and coordination with retail supply chain efficiency

Effect of Harvesting and Non-Harvested Forest Management on Carbon Stocks

Forest management is an important strategy which can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation through appropriate care of forest resources. This study was carried out to evaluate two systems of carbon stock accumulation; a harvested forest verses a non-harvested forest. Both the above-ground and below-ground cabon stocks were assessed. Biomass of standing trees, poles and ground vegetation was measured for carbon determination in defined areas using an allometric relationship. Soil (core and composite) samples were collected from 0 –20, 20 – 40 cm and below 40 cm depths, assessed for density, carbon concentration, and profiles C-stocks were estimated. ANOVA and t-tests were performed to compare the effects of forest management on total carbon stocks. The results showed that the total above ground timber carbon (AGTC) was higher in non-harvested forest (220±154 t/ha–1) than in harvested forest (128.6±86.1 t/ha-1). The overall mean carbon stock was higher in the non-harvested forest (357±179) than in the harvested forest (257.4±93.1), which was statistically significant (p=0.031, >0.05). However, the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool was observed to be higher in the harvested forest (101.5±36.1) than in non-harvested forest (89.6±26.5)

People’s perception of climate change impacts and their adaptation practices in Khotokha valley, Wangdue, Bhutan

97-105Climate change is expected to have serious environmental, economic, and social impacts in mountainous regions worldwide. Rural communities that depend on farming, livestock rearing and natural resources for their livelihoods are likely to be affected by its adverse impacts. This study was carried out to understand one community's perceptions and experiences of climate change and to assess the people's use of forest resources and possible implications for climate change adaptation. The study was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires. The entire population of 67 households was surveyed for the study. The household data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency and inferential statistical tests, namely, parametric t-test and chi- square. The study revealed that a majority of people in the community (79 %) were aware of climate change. Over ninety per cent of the local people depend mainly on cultivation of potato and rearing livestock for their livelihood. The results indicated that climate change and variability have affected the lives of the local people who have developed adaptation strategies in their own way to cope with it. Local people cited impacts including reduced precipitation and an irregular rainfall pattern, which affects potato cultivation and winter fodder production. Production has also been affected by an increased in insect pests. Additionally, new invasive/weed species are reported to be colonizing the pasture land, preventing the regeneration of preferred grass species for grazing. Use of forest products such as fuel wood, flag post, fencing post and litter in particular, have decreased because of available alternatives. Over eighty per cent of those interviewed the need of government support