Managing E-Waste Using the Symbiosis Perspective

The production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) specifically mobile devices is one of the fastest growing global manufacturing activities. This development has resulted in an increase of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE). Rapid economic growth, coupled with urbanization and growing demand for consumer goods, has increased both the consumption of EEE and the production of WEEE, which can be a source of hazardous wastes that pose a risk to the environment and to sustainable economic growth. WEEE includes discarded electronic and electrical equipment. Managing WEEE typically is complex and requires a structured disposal method. However, the process of disposal WEEE sustainably started with a proper sorting and separating from the source, therefore the consumers are under assumption should be aware of the WEEE disposal method. The paper has found consumers are required to have higher awareness level and this awareness level is influenced by two situational factors which are engagement process and supporting facilities and consumers knowledge on the WEEE itself. Both situational and personal factors are concomitantly necessary to improve the recapturing of WEEE back into the supply chain. This phenomenon is considered symbiotic whereby both factors are equally important in order to acquire sustainability in improving the backwards movement in the logistics

The Adoption of Blockchain In Supply Chain: Is Supply Chain Ready?

Recently, blockchain technology is getting its recognition in the supply chain. After the existence of bitcoin, which blockchain acts as its underlying technology, people started to recognise the advantages of the blockchain. Blockchain has been expected to eliminate unnecessary cost and at the same time, help in improving productivity by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness in daily operation. In the era of Industrial 4.0, the collaboration of blockchain technology with other autonomous technology is necessary to achieve customer satisfaction. However, based on the current practices, blockchain is yet to be adopted by all the parties in the supply chain. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the factors which are affecting the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply chain. Factors identified are perceived benefits, top management support and supply chain partner readiness. The primary data has been collected through a structured questionnaire survey. The simple random sampling method has been used to target and collect data from suitable respondents. In conclusion, the outcome of this study is expected to identify the factors affecting the adoption of the blockchain as well as to guide the organisation to act according to increase the level of adoption

A 'symbiosis effect' perspective to understand reverse logistics and household recycling waste systems

Paper presented at 19th ISL, 2014, Ho Chi Minh The essence of the problem with waste is that it is by definition something that is not wanted. We argue here that achieving a sustainable solution requires consideration of both regulatory responsibilities and social norms (Deutz and Frostick, 2009). Landfill costs levy a high financial impact on municipalities due to the environmental directives that compel them to collect and recycle household waste. More efficient and effective systems are therefore crucial for municipalities from both a financial and environmental perspective. Thus, householders and municipalities “symbiotically” working together in a natural system could enhance sustainable living (Fennell and Weaver, 2005; Ehrenreich, 2002). This paper reports on the first two stages of a PhD research study project conducted within the two municipalities in the North of England. This research investigates the relationship between the sustainability and effectiveness of household recycling systems and household recycling behavior, reveals how factors associated with household recycling systems affect household recycling behaviour, and how household recycling behaviour affect the provision of household recycling systems by the local authorities. The main objective is to reveal and explain the interaction and symbiosis. In fact, this study has found that a ‘symbiosis effect’ perspective appears to be a robust framework to bring together effective household waste recycling systems and sustainable development considerations to enhance both sustainability and the economy. Further, the study provides empirical evidence examining both situational and personal factors of households and their interactions, which were previously not well-understood. This study has incorporated behavioural aspects in the reverse logistics process that should help improve the municipalities’ planning processes. Also, municipalities may be more adaptive to the changing behaviour of their constituents and more willing to change their waste and recycling strategies to more sustainable methods. The paper is structured as follows. The literature reviews from multiple lenses of multiple disciplines and research design that accessible for interdisciplinary study and the current findings with discussion as well as conclusion that explain and encapsulate symbiosis effect perspective in understanding reverse logistics and household waste recycling system (HRWS)

The impact of access to finance in boosting agricultural performance of small and medium farmers: Literature review

The study proposes a model that shows the moderating effect of managerial competency on the relationship between access to finance and agricultural performance. After a critical review of the relevant literature, the proposed model was developed. From the model we argue that access to finance has a direct impact on agricultural performance, but the impact will be stronger when managerial competency is put into consideration by the small and medium farmers. Farmers who possess the needed managerial competency have the opportunity to achieve a competitive edge over their competitors

What's Up Omni? The Relationship Between Omni-Channel Supply Chain and Logistics Service Quality In Influencing Online Purchasing Behaviour

Consumer behavior had been affected by the evolution of digital technologies and the internet. Online shopping is becoming more popular, with e-commerce market growth that encourages the involvement of retailers. However, consumers' satisfaction is still the same as they request for a seamless and frictionless shopping experience, an 'Omni-channel supply chain.' Retailers need to understand the new phenomenon and how the concept is influencing customer purchasing behavior, especially online shopping. Several types of research had highlighted the importance of logistics service quality in predicting online purchasing behavior. Thus, this study investigates the relationship between the Omni-channel supply chain and logistics service quality in influencing online purchasing behavior. A survey-based approach is used to collect data from consumers about their perceptions. Overall, the study had enhanced the understanding of the relationship between the Omni-channel supply chain and logistics service quality with online purchasing behavior. Besides, the knowledge of online purchasing behavior in the Omni-channel context has enabled a retailer to allocate resources in designing new strategies. 

The influence factors of e-logistics implementation in China: The conceptual framework

Since from last decade, the e-logistic industry of China facing different issues due to high volume worldwide.To address this issue, this study introducing a framework to mitigate various issues of e-logistic in China. Therefore, the prime objective of the current study is to examine the factors influencing e-logistics in China.To achieve this objective, the current study examines the effect of distribution rate, transit time, payment and information and communication technology (ICT) on e-logistic.It is found that distribution rate and transit time has a significant positive relationship with e-logistic. Moreover, it is found that ICT playing a mediating role between payment and e-logistic. Hence, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by introducing a research framework to enhance the performance of e-logistic, particularly in China. Furthermore, this research study introduced information and communication technology (ICT) by updating the concept of IT (information technology).Thus, the current study is beneficial for the e-logistic industry to enhance the performance by employing the current model

Recycling behaviour among Malaysian tertiary students

Tertiary institutions are considered as “small cities” and the enculturation of sustainable practices are vital due to its size and the impact that campus activities have on the environment and society.The sustainable practices such as recycling and reduction of carbon footprint are one of the examples that may lead to greening the tertiary institution and sustainable quest for UI Green Metric achievement.The tertiary campus is seen as offering an ideal setting for exploring and practicing sustainability.This study explored the current recycling behaviour in a tertiary setting; using a survey design to address the research questions and objectives.Study found that the tertiary students are prone to recycling due to the situational factors which are convenience and incentive as well as personal factors which included knowledge and social norm.Study concluded that in achieving the UI Green Metric, tertiary institutions should offer a convenience setting that indirectly enculturates the sustainable practices among the campus community

Let's bike! The factors that influence urban cycling

Transportation is one of the major carbon footprint contributors towards country.These emissions are generated from automobiles on traffic, especially during congestion.In Malaysia, traffic congestion remains an issue, especially in developing regions, Penang and Kuala Lumpur which results in massive delays, fuel wastage, monetary losses and environmental pollution.In order to deter these issues, a sustainable transport mode should be promoted which is bicycle.The present study intends to look into the relationship between infrastructural factors and cycling intention.Availability, route planning and accessibility, are the predictor variables and user intention is the criterion variable.The Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), will be the underpinning theory in order to understand the intention from the road users.Judgmental sampling method were used and 400 usable data were collected from Penang population through self-administered questionnaire.The findings reveal that relationship between Availability of Public Bike (APB), Route Planning (RP) and Accessibility of cycling-transit integration (ACT) are positively correlated with user’s intention to cycle (CCB), and APB was found to have a strongest relationship with user’s intention to cycle (CCB) in this study

The importance of logistics competencies towards online shopping behaviour among university students

Online shopping is growing more rapidly and globally. With the development of Internet, the competition between online retailers has progressed into competition between logistics service providers (LSPs).From the fundamental perspective, the online shopping could not be successfully completed without LSPs.In fact, the performance of LSPs can be considered as one of the determinants that influence consumers’ online shopping behaviour.This paper presents the relationship between consumers’ online shopping behaviour and logistics competencies of LSPs in order to covering the shortcomings of previous studies that did not examine specific factors, especially logistics factors that influence online shopping behaviour.In this study, there are three dimensions of logistics competencies which in term of order accuracy, order condition and reverse logistics have been adopted.A sample of 400 respondents has been used and quantitative research is conducted by means of a structured questionnaire.As a result, the findings indicated that order accuracy is the most important variable in influencing online shopping behaviour.Likewise, other logistics variables such as order condition and reverse logistics are considered relevant to online shopping behaviour