Messy supply chains

Extant research has made many advances in our understanding of how relatively stable, repetitive supply chains (SCs) can be run effectively. This study focuses on the less researched SCs that are not stable or repetitive. To capture the management challenges of this type of SC, a definition of "messy supply chains" (MSCs) for SCs presenting "wicked" (Rittel and Webber, 2007) or "messy" problems (Ackoff, 1981) is proposed. A conceptual framework is explored in the context of the literature on humanitarian operations. This framework will form the foundation of an in-depth examination of MSCs to aid research and managerial practice. Keywords: suppl

Logistics service providers and corporate social responsibility: sustainability reporting in the logistics industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a content analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports published by logistics service providers (LSPs), and to analyse factors influencing the level and scope of reporting. In order to address this objective, the authors show to what extent various social and environmental categories are covered in the CSR reports. The authors also investigate whether any differences in the use of CSR indicators can be found with regard to the use of a formal reporting framework, the size of a company, location of its headquarter, and ownership structure. Design/methodology/approach – The study begins with a comprehensive literature review on the CSR policies and practices in relation to the field of logistics. A database of 350 international LSPs is compiled based on independent rankings of top logistics companies. Applying a content analysis approach, corporate web sites and CSR reports are examined in order to investigate how sustainability is reported and what CSR-related indicators are published. Statistical analysis is carried out to provide insight into whether any differences in the use of CSR indicators can be found with regard to four key factors identified in the literature review. Findings – Although aspects of sustainability are mentioned on corporate web sites of most LSPs in the database (53 per cent), only 13 per cent publish formal CSR reports. This research identifies a variety of indicators used by LSPs and shows that the use of a formal reporting framework and the size of a company are the two main factors influencing the levels of CSR reporting in the sector. Practical implications – This paper provides an insight into how transparently LSPs report on the sustainability of their performance. LSPs can compare their own CSR reporting approaches to the body of scientific literature and the findings presented in this paper, in order to adapt more general concepts and best practice evidence to their needs. Social implications – By focusing on best practice in reporting of the environmental and social performance, this research can potentially improve the long-term sustainability of the logistics sector. Originality/value – This is the first study providing a comprehensive review of the CSR reporting practice in the third party logistics sector. As such, this paper provides an important basis for CSR-related research in the field of logistics and supply chain management. Several areas for future research are also identified

The Office of Priest in The Dialogue Between The Roman Catholic Church and The Evangelical-Reformed Church

In this article, which deals with the office of ministry in the Roman Catholic Church’s dialogue with the Evangelical Reformed Church, the author states that the Church is based in her activities on the mission of Jesus as well as on the power of the Holy Spirit and living the faith of the first apostles she preserves her apostolic nature. The analysis of dialogue documents shows that the common priesthood of the baptized does not mean that there are no special features which, within the Church, are exercised by the representatives of a particular office, entrusted with the ministry of Word and sacrament. It was stressed that the liturgical validity of the act of ordination provides the epiclesis of the Holy Spirit during the laying on of hands on the newly ordained by a group of clergy. The Catholics and Reformed point to difficult issues such as apostolic succession, although their views on its significance remain divergent. It is highlighted that the fundamental structure of the Church and ecclesial authority are collective in nature, which in the Reformed tradition is reflected in the synodal system of church government and in the Roman-Catholic confession is fulfilled in the College of Bishops. The both denominations have also confirmed the existence of the fundamental structure of the office of bishop, priest and deacon, having its origins in apostolic times. The Catholics and Reformed emphasize the need of episkopé on the local, regional and global levels and at the same time they note some differences regarding who, on each of these levels, can be considered as episkopos and what his function is to be. It is also pointed out that according to the doctrine of the Catholic Church, each ordained acts in persona Christi, and his office consists of the ministry of the sent who acts on behalf of the Saviour in the service of the Word of God.Ks. dr MARIUSZ PIECYK – prezbiter diecezji Fréjus-Toulon (Francja); święcenia prezbiteratu przyjął we Włocławku w 2005 roku; studia na Uniwersytecie Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie (2007-2011), doktor teologii – specjalność: teologia ekumeniczna; wykładowca teologii ekumenicznej w seminarium w La Castille oraz w Institut Diocésain de Formation Pastorale w Toulon; referent ds. ekumenizmu w diecezji Fréjus-Toulon.Institut Diocésain de Formation Pastorale w Toulon13/213114