Integrated Resource Efficiency: Measurement and Management

Drawing on the Systems Theory and the Natural Resource Based View, this paper advances an Integrated Resource Efficiency View (IREV) and derives a composite ‘Integrated Resource Efficiency Index’ (IRE-Index) for assessing the environmental, economic, and social resource efficiencies of production economies

Improving Retail Supply Flexibility using Buyer-Supplier Relational Capabilities

Purpose This study investigates the mediating role of three important relational capabilities - Absorptive Capacity, Transactive Memory Systems, and Organizational Interoperability; on the flexibility of buyer-supplier relationships and performance in retail supply chains. Drawing on the Relational view of strategic management, the impact of relational capabilities on two forms of supply chain flexibility is examined – (a) Configuration Flexibility for switching suppliers with minimal penalties and (b) Planning and Control Flexibility for altering supply schedules, quality, and delivery lead-time. Design/methodology/approach Strategic and tactical level managers from 211 retail stores in the UK were surveyed. We validated a measurement model with structural equation modeling, and tested four hypotheses on the mediating role of relational capabilities on supply chain flexibility and retail performance, controlling for size, duration of relationship and market segment. Findings Results showed that the three relational capabilities partially mediated the positive effect of configuration flexibility and planning and control flexibility on operational performance in big-middle and niche retailers. Examining the interaction effect of the forms of flexibility on the relational capabilities and performance, we found positive interaction effects on Transactive Memory Systems and Organizational Interoperability but a non-significant effect on Absorptive Capacity. Practical Implications In addition to providing novel theoretical insights on supply chain flexibility, our findings have practical implications for supplier selection and buyer-supplier relationship management. Originality/value Overall, the study highlights the impacts of relational capabilities on adopted operational strategies such as flexibility, buyer-supplier relationships, and retail performanc

Conceptualizing a circular framework of supply chain resource sustainability

Purpose: In response to calls for conceptual frameworks and generic theory building towards the advancement of sustainability in supply chain resource utilization and management, this paper advances a circular framework for Supply Chain Resource Sustainability (SCRS), and a decision support methodology for assessing SCRS against the backdrop of five foundational premises deduced from the literature on resource sustainability. Design/ Approach: Taking a conceptual theory building approach, the paper advances a set of SCRS decision-support criteria for each of the theoretical premises advanced, and applies the Theory of Constraints to illustrate the conceptual and practical applications of the framework in SCRS decision-making. Findings: This study uses recent conceptualizations of supply chains as ‘complex adaptive systems’ to provide a robust and novel frame and a set of decision rules with which to assess the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social capital of supply chain resources from pre-production to post-production. Research Implications: The paper contributes to theory building in sustainability research, and the SCRS decision framework developed could be applied in tandem with existing quantitative hybrid lifecycle and input-output approaches to facilitate targeted resource sustainability assessments, with implications for research and practice. Originality/Value: The novel SCRS framework proposed serves as a template for evaluating SCRS and provides a decision support methodology for assessing SCRS against the five theorized foundational premises

Forecasting the ecological footprint of G20 countries in the next 30 years

The Ecological Footprint evaluates the difference between the availability of renewable resources and the extent of human consumption of these resources. Over the past few decades, historical records have shown an accelerated decline in the availability of resources. Based on national footprint and biocapacity accounts, this analysis aims to advance the forecasting of the G20 countries' ecological footprints over a 30-year time frame. We employed a time series forecasting approach implemented in Python, which included-modular regression (Prophet) and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA & Auto-ARIMA) methods. We evaluated and combined the performance of these three methods. The results indicated that among the largest economies of the G20, only four countries are projected to have a positive ecological footprint balance by 2050. These countries share the common denominator of large land areas and a moderate population growth projection. However, the overall trend of the indicator suggests that it will continue to decline

Structure-integration relationships in oil and gas supply chains

Purpose Although studies have demonstrated the importance of supply chain integration (SCI) strategies in improving firm performance, very little is understood about how the organizational structure (OS) of focal firms affects the successful implementation of SCI initiatives across supply chains (SCs). Taking into consideration the importance of the oil and gas (O&G) industry, as well as the impact of uncertainties on OS and strategy choices, it is important to understand how OS and SCI affect the operational performance of O&G SCs. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach Taking a contingency approach and using a global sample of 181 O&G firms, this study examines the mediating role of internal, customer, and supplier integration on the relationship between three main dimensions of OS – the degree of centralization, formalization, and hierarchical relationships and operational performance, using structural equation modeling. Findings Findings reveal that OS dimensions negatively impact operational performance. Further testing for the mediation found that by increasing SCI, O&G SCs can mitigate the negative effect of high centralization, formalization, and hierarchical relationship on operational performance. Research limitations/implications Classifying OS into “structuring” and “structural,” this research provides evidence on which of the two has a stronger negative impact on operational performance. This is significant since it may be difficult for O&G companies to restructure and reform their OS. Originality/value This study examines the impact of OS and SCI on improving the operational performance of the O&G SCs. Theoretical and practical contributions to the field of operations management and organizational studies are also discussed

How do supply chain management and information systems practices influence operational performance?:Evidence from emerging country SMEs

This study first provides a comparative analysis of the impact of supply chain management (SCM) and information systems (IS) practices on operational performance (OPER) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in two neighbouring emerging country markets of Turkey and Bulgaria. Then, we investigate moderating effects of both SCM–IS-linked enablers and inhibitors on the links between SCM and IS practices and OPER of SMEs. To this end, we first empirically identify the underlying dimensions of SCM and IS practices, and SCM–IS-related enabling and inhibiting factors. Second, a series of regression analyses are undertaken to estimate the impact of the study's constructs on OPER of SMEs. The results are discussed comparatively within the contexts of both Turkish and Bulgarian SMEs and beyond. The study makes a significant contribution to the extant literature through obtaining and analysing cross-national survey data of SCM and IS practices in emerging country markets

A profitability assessment of European recycling processes treating printed circuit boards from waste electrical and electronic equipments

The management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a well-stressed topic in the scientific literature. However, (i) the amount of cash flows potentially reachable, (ii) the future profitability trends and (iii) the reference mix of treated volumes guaranteeing a certain profitability level are not so clear, and related data are unrecoverable. The purpose of the paper is to fill in this gap by identifying the presence of profitability within the recovery process of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) embedded in WEEE. Net present value (NPV) and discounted payback time (DPBT) are used as reference indexes for the evaluation of investments. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of critical variables (plant saturation level, materials content, materials market prices, materials final purity level and WPCBs purchasing and opportunity costs) demonstrates the robustness of the results. Furthermore, the calculation of the national NPV for each of the twenty-eight European nations (in function of both WPCB mix and generated volumes) and the matching of predicted WPCB volumes (within the 2015–2030 period) and NPV quantify potential advantages. The break even point of gold allowing some profits from selected recovery plants goes from 73 to 93 ppm per WPCB ton, for mobile and field plants, respectively. Finally, the overall European values go from 2404 million € (mobile plant) to 4795 million € (field plant) in 2013, with Germany and United Kingdom as reference nations

Delivering energy efficiency and carbon reduction schemes in England: Lessons from Green Deal Pioneer Places

Against a background of growing international and national carbon reduction legislation, the UK government introduced the “Green Deal” to deliver a significant increase in housing energy efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions. This paper reflects on one English local authority's experience delivering a programme intended to foster local interest in the Green Deal. Drawing on social surveys and pre and post Green Deal intervention interviews with five demonstrator homes (households that applied to receive a Green Deal package fully funded by the scheme, providing a test bed for the Green Deal recruitment and installation process), this paper shows that awareness and understanding of the Green Deal scheme is low. There is opposition to the cost of finance offered but a strong interest in improving household warmth and for funding improvements through payments added to the electricity bill. Demonstrator home residents perceived Green Deals had improved the warmth and quality of their home, but saving money was the primary motivator for their involvement, not increasing warmth. Whilst Green Deal has not delivered the level of success that was hoped, much can be learned from the scheme to improve future energy efficiency schemes that will be necessary to deliver emission reduction commitments

Characteristics and community evolution patterns of the international scrap metal trade

To reduce the excessive consumption of metal minerals and boost the development of the circular economy, scrap metals are increasingly recycled across the world. Due to the geographically uneven distribution of scrap metals, most countries are actively participating in the international scrap metal trade. This study collects international trade records on scrap metals from 1988 to 2017 and constructs the annual global scrap metals trade network (GSMTN) to analyze the characteristics and dynamic evolution of the scrap metal trade. The results reveal a globalization trend of the scrap metal trade, the scale-free characteristics of the trade network, and the increasing monopolization of the export market. The international scrap metal trade has experienced a dynamic evolution in the past 30 years and has developed into a complex system with a hierarchical structure that is led by a few core countries. Three relatively stable groups are the main players in the international scrap metal trade: East Asia-America-Oceania, Europe, and South Asia-Middle East. A review of the split and merger process of these communities clearly shows that geopolitics and economic turbulence are important elements in the fragmentation and integration of trade communities. The findings will enable governments to understand the complex trade relationships involved in scrap metals, which can help policy-makers propose effective import-export policies and ensure national resource security