Product recalls: The effects of industry, recall strategy and hazard, on shareholder wealth

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the effects of product recalls on shareholder wealth of manufacturing firms in different supply chains. Previous research examining this phenomenon is largely uni-sectorial and/or does not consider the interplay of hazard, recall strategy and sector. By utilizing the event study method, this study examines investors\u27 reactions to key product recall characteristics: industry, recall strategy and hazard level, on a cross-industry sample of 296 product recall announcements. The results show a significant negative reaction of share values to product recalls and significant differences between industry type and hazard levels. More regulated and stringent supply chains, such as the automotive and pharmaceutical, showed statistically significant losses in share price. The results show that industry sector and level of hazard associated with defective products are significant factors impacting the shareholder wealth of manufacturing firms. Contrary to some studies, the impact of recall strategy was not confirmed, although proactive recall strategies led, in some cases, to an increase in share price. Further research would benefit from more detailed investigation of recall strategies on the value of companies in specific sectors, particularly ones which are susceptible to frequent and costly product recalls

A prospective randomised trial comparing plastic and uncovered self-expanding metal stents for palliation of symptomatic jaundice in patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction

The aim of this study was to determine the safety and clinical effectiveness of 10Fr plastic biliary stents compared to uncovered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for palliative treatment of patients with inoperable malignant distal biliary obstruction in a public hospital in South Africa. Methods: From January 2009 to December 2013, 40 patients who were admitted to a tertiary academic centre because of distal malignant biliary obstruction were enrolled in a prospective randomised study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either an uncovered SEMS or a plastic stent deployed through the biliary stricture during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Results: Patient survival time in the two groups did not differ significantly (median: SEMS - 114 days; plastic - 107 days) (p=0.181). Stent failure was more common in the plastic stent group (7/19 vs. 1/20) (p=0.043). The results became significant after 6 months of follow up. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of serious adverse events. Conclusions: SEMS had a longer duration of patency than plastic stents, which favours their use in the palliative treatment of patients with biliary obstruction due to distal malignant biliary obstruction

Aligning Retail Reverse Logistics Practice with Circular Economy Values: An Exploratory Framework

Although there is a growing body of literature concerning Circular Economy (CE), there is little, in terms of frameworks in the literature, which focuses on embedding CE values in consumer Retail Reverse Logistics (RRL) operations. The aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework that supports the adoption of CE values within RRL operations. The framework is designed to assist both practitioners and academics in better understanding the key management aspects involved. The methodology adopts a mixed methods approach combining a desk-based research with rich empirical data from interviews with senior management practitioners and academics in the fields of CE and RRL. From this research, it was found that embedding CE values within RRL necessitates the adoption of a multi-faceted approach. The adoption of the framework will have an impact on practitioners by assisting them in moving towards a more restorative and less impactful approach to their RRL practices. The work is considered innovative and novel as this is the first time the empirical results that suggest a multi-dimensional approach embedding CE values in RRL operations are presented

Online retail returns management: Integration within an omni-channel distribution context

Online retail returns management: Integration within an omni-channel distribution context Purpose With the rapid growth of consumer sales being fulfilled through omni-channel retailing, this paper explores the subsequent impact on the levels of consumer retail returns experienced through online sales and the emergent returns management strategies being affected by retailers in relation to network configuration and returns management processes. Design/methodology/approach We use a mixed methods approach from an interpretive perspective. It is appropriate to describe our approach in terms of convergent design, since we have collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Findings Return rates for online retailing can be double those for stores, while return levels for ‘considered purchases’ remain similar. Our findings suggest that omni-channel returns management has yet to fully mature and we find challenges for network design and returns processes in offering a seamless solution. Research implications For practitioners we identify a number of challenges and offer insights to improve performance in returns management process, while for academic colleagues we propose a number of avenues for further research both in the qualitative and quantitative fields. Originality/value While a significant body of extant literature exists, in researching the generalized retail returns management process this paper make a contribution by addressing the emergent managerial implications of omni-channel retail returns. Keywords: retail, reverse logistics, multi-channel, omni-channel, product returns, performanc

Exploring the imperative for purchasing strategic alignment to drive purchasing maturity

This study challenges purchasing literature on its lacking consideration of contextual factors, resulting in generic recommendations that oversimplify reality. Through a systematic review across purchasing maturity, purchasing strategic alignment and strategic purchasing literature, core conceptualisations are examined to understand underlying premises and the impact on performance links. This analysis highlights issues and unarticulated assumptions that limit the generalisability of any relationships with performance. The paper proposes a framework for future research that conceptualises alignment as a smaller gap between the current and target category maturity profile

Risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) death in a population cohort study from the Western Cape province, South Africa

Risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death in sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis on COVID-19 outcomes are unknown. We conducted a population cohort study using linked data from adults attending public-sector health facilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, location, and comorbidities, to examine the associations between HIV, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 death from 1 March to 9 June 2020 among (1) public-sector “active patients” (≥1 visit in the 3 years before March 2020); (2) laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases; and (3) hospitalized COVID-19 cases. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for COVID-19, comparing adults living with and without HIV using modeled population estimates.Among 3 460 932 patients (16% living with HIV), 22 308 were diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 625 died. COVID19 death was associated with male sex, increasing age, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. HIV was associated with COVID-19 mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70–2.70), with similar risks across strata of viral loads and immunosuppression. Current and previous diagnoses of tuberculosis were associated with COVID-19 death (aHR, 2.70 [95% CI, 1.81–4.04] and 1.51 [95% CI, 1.18–1.93], respectively). The SMR for COVID-19 death associated with HIV was 2.39 (95% CI, 1.96–2.86); population attributable fraction 8.5% (95% CI, 6.1–11.1)

Applying Selected Quality Management Techniques to Diagnose Delivery Time Variability

Purpose – This research seeks to identify and apply techniques that can be used in a supply chain context to diagnose the causes of variability in delivery lead time. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review was conducted and a number of quality management (QM), techniques were selected as candidates for diagnosing delivery time variability. A case study of the application of these techniques is provided on the UK-based defence supply chain that supported UK operations in the Iraq war of 2003. Findings – Candidate QM techniques for diagnosing delivery time variability were identified, namely: Process Chart; Histogram; Failure Mode and Effect Analysis; and Cause and Effect Analysis. These techniques were successful in enabling the diagnosis of the causes of delivery time variability in the context of the case study investigated. Practical implications – The work illustrates how QM techniques can be employed to address issues with supply chains, not least with regard to the important problem of variability in delivery leadtime. In practice, this highlights benefits that result to practitioners in order to improve the performance of operations in a dynamic setting, such as the defence supply chain studied here. Originality/value – This work has value in presenting the findings of an in-depth case study on the application of QM techniques in a multi-echelon supply chain setting. It is also original in employing the FMEA technique together with an end-customer perspective to assess the effect of failure modes in operations across a supply chain. FMEA also provided the means to examine supply chain risk, thus providing a research instrument for deploying risk as a lens. The application of QM techniques in this novel setting provides support for their application beyond the conventional setting of internal operations