A heuristics approach for computing the largest eigenvalue of a pairwise comparison matrix

Pairwise comparison matrices (PCMs) are widely used to capture subjective human judgements, especially in the context of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Consistency of judgements is normally computed in AHP context in the form of consistency ratio (CR), which requires estimation of the largest eigenvalue (Lmax) of PCMs. Since many of these alternative methods do not require calculation of eigenvector, Lmax and hence the CR of a PCM cannot be easily estimated. We propose in this paper a simple heuristics for calculating Lmax without any need to use Eigenvector Method (EM). We illustrated the proposed procedure with larger size matrices. Simulation is used to compare the accuracy of the proposed heuristics procedure with actual Lmax for PCMs of various sizes. It has been found that the proposed heuristics is highly accurate, with errors less than 1%. The proposed procedure would avoid biases and help managers to make better decisions. The advantage of the proposed heuristics is that it can be easily calculated with simple calculations without any need for specialised mathematical procedures or software and is independent of the method used to derive priorities from PCMs

Sustainable operations modeling and data analytics

This editorial introduces the unique attributes of this special issue in the era of climate change, modern slavery, and big data. This special issue envisages the depth of penetration of sustainability, from strategy to the operations level, to understand the extent to which sustainability has attracted researchers and practitioners in dealing with various facets of operations management. Overall, it is encouraging to notice the research developments in all facets of operations management except process type, layout type, forecasting, and queuing. Out of three sustainability dimensions, this special issue received substantial contributions on economic and environmental aspects. All the contributions had at least two sustainability components in their decision models as well as newer analytical solutions. At the end, this piece outlines future research challenges and potential research opportunities

An examination of drivers and barriers to reducing carbon emissions in China’s manufacturing sector

Purpose: Carbon Efficient Practices (CEPs) are gaining momentum due to the serious consequences of climate change. While past studies have focused on the effects of either drivers or barriers to green practices especially in the context of developed countries, relatively little attention has been devoted to the simultaneous effects of drivers and barriers on product redesign, particularly in the context of China. Design/methodology/approach: Using a blend of the Contextual Interaction Theory and Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion, this paper proposes a conceptual model that simultaneously examines the impact of CEP drivers and barriers on product redesign and performance. Finding: Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis on a sample of 239 Chinese manufacturing firms indicated that drivers had substantially higher effects on product redesign and performance compared to the influence of other barriers. Originality/value: Use of Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion as a theoretical framework for understanding the adoption of CEPs in the context of China is novel. Implications of this pattern of results on academic theory building and practice are offered

Ambiguity and its coping mechanisms in supply chains lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters

Purpose – The first purpose of this paper is to situate and conceptualise ambiguity in the operations management (OM) literature, as connected to supply chain decision-making (SCDM). The second purpose is to study the role of ambiguity-coping mechanisms in that context. Design/methodology/approach – This research uses the behavioural decision theory (BDT) to better embed ambiguity in a generic SCDM framework. The framework explicates both behavioural and nonbehavioural antecedents of ambiguity and enables us to also ground the “coping” mechanisms as individual and organisational level strategies. Properties of the framework are illustrated through two “ambiguous” events – the 2011 Thai flood and Covid-19 pandemic. Findings – Three key findings are documented. First, ambiguity is shown to distinctively affect supply chain decisions and having correspondence with specific coping mechanisms. Second, the conceptual framework shows how individual coping mechanisms can undermine rational-based organisational coping mechanisms, leading to “sub-optimal”(poor) supply chain decisions. Third, this study highlights the positive role of visibility but surprisingly organisational “experiential” learning is imperfect, due to the focus on “similar” past experience and what is known. Originality/value – The paper is novel in two ways. First, it introduces ambiguity – an often neglected concept in operations management – into the supply chain lexicon, by developing a typology of ambiguity. Second, ambiguity-coping mechanisms are also introduced as both individual and organisational strategies. This enables the study to draw distinctive theoretical and practical implications

Logistics and cloud computing service providers’ cooperation: a resilience perspective

Cloud computing (CC) services can offer substantial cost-effective global operational and relationship benefits if the cooperation between logistics and CC services are resilient. Potential vulnerabilities to cooperation of CC and logistics service providers can occur with respect to vital factors such as security and trust. Extant studies have demonstrated CC benefits as well as few challenges associated with CC services application. However, no extant study has examined the inter-organisational benefits based on cooperative resilience between CC and logistics service providers in terms of both capability and trust vulnerability factors. This study examines the cooperative resilience of logistics and CC service providers based on innovation diffusion theory (IDT) within a supply-chain risk assessment framework. Using structural equation modelling techniques we investigate the relationship between the vulnerability factor (trust), capability factor (security) and collaboration benefits (relationship and operational) offered by CC service providers based on 236 Chinese logistics service firms’ perceptions of cloud computing adoption. The results indicate Chinese logistics companies perceive security impediments as a major factor affecting cooperative resilience between logistics service and CC service providers

Information technology for competitive advantage within logistics and supply chains: a review

This paper offers a systematic review of the literature on the use of information technology (IT) in logistics and supply chain management to achieve competitive advantage. While IT has revolutionized traditional logistics and supply chains to achieve numerous benefits such as increased efficiency and responsiveness, it is not still clear to what extend IT has contributed to competitive advantage within logistics and supply chains. This paper contributes to this debate by: (i) reporting the literature on the role of IT in achieving competitive advantage within logistics and supply chains based on the linkages between ‘adaptation’, ‘alignment’, and ‘agility’, (triple A’s) (Lee, 2004), and (ii) discussing managerial implications and identifying future research directions

[Editorial] Strategies and practices for inclusive manufacturing: 21st century sustainable manufacturing competitiveness

This editorial introduces the purpose of the special issue with the summary of three perspectives of innovations in inclusive manufacturing such as people-oriented, environmental oriented and technology-oriented innovations. The editorial summarises the accepted papers based on the three perspectives of inclusive manufacturing innovation classification. The inclusive manufacturing way forward is discussed in the future research directions section. Overall this call didn’t receive many people-oriented innovation submissions. However, there are a decent amount of work in environmental and technology-oriented innovations. Hopefully, this editorial piece will draw attention towards people-oriented innovation from the manufacturing researchers in the future

Social media and successful retail operations in the hyper-customisation era

It's possible to increase both customer satisfaction and profitability, but careful planning is needed, write Usha Ramanathan, Nachiappan (Nachi) Subramanian and Guy Parrot

Natural disasters, PC supply chain and corporate performance

Purpose – This paper provides quantitative evidence of natural disasters’ effect on corporate performance and studies the mechanisms through which the supply chain moderates and mediates the link. Design/methodology/approach – Using two major natural disasters as quasiexperiment, namely the 2011 Japanese earthquake-tsunami (JET) and Thai flood (TF), and data over the period 2010Q1-2013Q4, effect of these events on end assemblers’ performance is studied, with a focus on the personal computer (PC) supply chain. The moderating influence of delivery and sourcing – as supply chain flexibility and agility – are examined through end assemblers’ and suppliers’ inventory. The suppliers’ mediating role is captured as disruption in obtaining PC components through their sales. Findings – Only JET had any negative effect, further quantified as short-term and long-term. The TF instead portrays an insignificant but positive aftermath, which is construed as showing learning from experience and adaptability following JET. Inventory matters, but differently for the two events, and suppliers only exhibit a moderating influence on the assemblers’ disaster-performance link. Originality/value – Natural disasters, as catastrophic vulnerabilities, are distinct from other vulnerabilities in that they are hard to predict and have significant impact. Since little is known about the impact of natural disasters on firm performance and how supply chain mechanisms moderate or mediate their impact, they should be distinctly modelled and empirically studied from other vulnerabilities. This paper sheds light on supply chain resilience to such events with the role of dynamic capabilities