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Enhancing the environmental sustainability of emergency humanitarian medical cold chains with renewable energy sources. JOURNAL OF HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/jhlscm-09-2021-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose
Emergency humanitarian medical cold chains (HMCCs) depend heavily on their supporting energy services due to end-to-end temperature requirements in volatile disaster situations. Most energy sources powering emergency HMCCs are fossil-based due to well established processes, regardless of their environmental impact. In response to the recent energy crisis and climate change, a solution to tackle this issue relies on renewable energy sources (RES), whose use has increased to promote climate resilient development. Nevertheless, RESs’ capacity to replace conventional energy services in emergency HMCCs remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate opportunities for, and barriers to, increasing the use of RESs in emergency HMCCs, thereby enhancing their environmental sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a review of academic and practice literature, interviews with expert practitioners on emergency HMCCs and sustainable energy, and case study examples, this research aimed to analytically generalise the phenomenon by investigating opportunities for, and barriers to, increasing the use of RESs in emergency HMCCs. The phenomenon is illustrated in a novel framework of typical HMCC, that forms a contextual basis for future research.
Findings
A conceptual framework of typical emergency HMCC shows energy-consuming sections where RES can best be increased. This research is put forth in four propositions to manage the opportunities and barriers of the transition.
Originality/value
This research is, to the best of the author’s knowledge, the first attempt to operationalise sustainability by linking energy with HMCCs’ logistical activities in complex emergency settings. The cross-findings from literature, example cases and interviews together demonstrate the need to increase the use of RES in HMCCs, and how to do it.
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Dhillon MK, Rafi-Ul-Shan PM, Amar H, Sher F, Ahmed S. Flexible Green Supply Chain Management in Emerging Economies: A Systematic Literature Review. GLOBAL JOURNAL OF FLEXIBLE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT 2022; 24:1-28. [PMID: 37519431 PMCID: PMC9638205 DOI: 10.1007/s40171-022-00321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to synthesize the fragmented extant knowledge on flexible and green supply chain management (FGSCM) in the context of emerging economies and to unearth research gaps to motivate future research. We adopted a novel structured systematic literature review by triangulating a systematic literature review, text mining, and network analysis. Institutional theory and contingency theory were employed to analyze the results of the review. The results show that, firstly, research on FGSCM in emerging economies, despite its importance, is immature compared to general FGSCM literature. Second, the specificities of strategies and practices that distinguish this topic in emerging economies are discussed and the drivers and barriers are identified with respect to sources of institutional pressure. Third, a research framework for FGSCM in emerging economies is developed and 12 gaps for future research are identified. This study has exclusively developed a research framework for FGSCM in an emerging economy which has received the least consideration in the literature and practice. The framework was developed to synthesize the existing literature and to identify the research gaps to inspire future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P. M. Rafi-Ul-Shan
- University for the Creative Arts, Epsom, KT18 5BE UK
- Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, CF5 2YB UK
| | - H. Amar
- University of Westminster, London, NW1 5LS UK
| | - F. Sher
- Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ UK
| | - S. Ahmed
- University of West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE UK
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
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Narayanan A, Altay N. Ambidextrous humanitarian organizations. ANNALS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH 2021:1-20. [PMID: 34744241 PMCID: PMC8561364 DOI: 10.1007/s10479-021-04370-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life as usual around the globe. Efforts to control the spread of the virus with lockdowns and border closures pushed millions of people into food and social insecurity. Most research on humanitarian organizations have been dominated by the uncertainty and urgency of disaster response operations. However, some humanitarian organizations also operate in long-term continuous aid programs where efficiency is the key goal. We analyzed the operations of food banks in the Feeding America network and The Salvation Army USA, and found them to be ambidextrous organizations. The ambidextrous humanitarian organizations like food banks and Salvation Army, focus on long-term continuous aid programs, specifically pertaining to the sustenance of the communities they serve, but also play a key part as first responders or as local agencies aiding in disaster relief and response. We propose a framework to analyze disaster, development, and sustenance aid supply chains, and identify future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nezih Altay
- Driehaus College of Business, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA
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Gupta AK, Gupta N. Environment Practices Mediating the Environmental Compliance and firm Performance: An Institutional Theory Perspective from Emerging Economies. GLOBAL JOURNAL OF FLEXIBLE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT 2021; 22:157-178. [PMID: 38624673 PMCID: PMC8010785 DOI: 10.1007/s40171-021-00266-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Coercive pressure has forced firms to take up environmental measures in the last two decades in emerging economies. Under normative pressure, large firms with farsightedness take up the environmental practices as industry leaders. In a little mature emerging economy, such as India, where triple bottom line awareness is growing, the government facilitates the firms to operate in an environment-friendly ecosystem. We investigate how do environmental compliance and environmental practices influence the overall firm performance? The performance was measured in terms of financial, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth performance. A survey instrument was designed using well-established scales and administered to the middle to top-level corporate management executives to gather 240 data from the Indian firms. A rigorous statistical validity, diagnostics, and SEM were used to test the hypotheses. The environmental practices showed a full mediation effect on the effect of environmental compliance on performance. The examination of mediation relationships in an environmental context is limited in the reported literature. This paper is among the initial works that deal with complicated mediation relationships drawn from institutional theory propositions. The study established and argued that environmental practices' ecosystem would turn firms towards voluntary environmental compliance and eventually enjoy the long-term performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar Gupta
- Management Development Institute Gurgaon, Mehrauli Road, Sukhrali, Gurgaon, Haryana 122007 India
| | - Narain Gupta
- Management Development Institute Gurgaon, Mehrauli Road, Sukhrali, Gurgaon, Haryana 122007 India
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Supply Chain Operations Management in Pandemics: A State-of-the-Art Review Inspired by COVID-19. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13052504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pandemics cause chaotic situations in supply chains (SC) around the globe, which can lead towards survivability challenges. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that has severely affected global business dynamics. Similar vulnerabilities have been caused by other outbreaks in the past. In these terms, prevention strategies against propagating disruptions require vigilant goal conceptualization and roadmaps. In this respect, there is a need to explore supply chain operation management strategies to overcome the challenges that emerge due to COVID-19-like situations. Therefore, this review is aimed at exploring such challenges and developing strategies for sustainability, and viability perspectives for SCs, through a structured literature review (SLR) approach. Moreover, this study investigated the impacts of previous epidemic outbreaks on SCs, to identify the research objectives, methodological approaches, and implications for SCs. The study also explored the impacts of epidemic outbreaks on the business environment, in terms of effective resource allocation, supply and demand disruptions, and transportation network optimization, through operations management techniques. Furthermore, this article structured a framework that emphasizes the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, resilience strategies, and sustainability to overcome SC challenges during pandemics. Finally, future research avenues were identified by including a research agenda for experts and practitioners to develop new pathways to get out of the crisis.
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Frennesson L, Kembro J, de Vries H, Van Wassenhove L, Jahre M. Localisation of logistics preparedness in international humanitarian organisations. JOURNAL OF HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/jhlscm-06-2020-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeTo meet the rising global needs, the humanitarian community has signed off on making a strategic change toward more localisation, which commonly refers to the empowerment of national and local actors in humanitarian assistance. However, to this date, actual initiatives for localisation are rare. To enhance understanding of the phenomenon, the authors explore localisation of logistics preparedness capacities and obstacles to its implementation. The authors particularly take the perspective of the international humanitarian organisation (IHO) community as they are expected to implement the localisation strategy.Design/methodology/approachA phenomenon-driven, exploratory and qualitative study was conducted. Data collection included in-depth interviews with 28 experienced humanitarian professionals.FindingsThe findings showed the ambiguity inherent in the localisation strategy with largely different views on four important dimensions. Particularly, the interviewees differ about strengthening external actors or internal national/local offices. The resulting framework visualises the gap between strategy formulation and implementation, which forms major obstacles to the localisation aims.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is required to support the advancement of localisation of logistics preparedness capacities. Important aspects for future research include triangulation of results, other stakeholder perspectives and the influence of context.Practical implicationsThe authors add to the important debate surrounding localisation by offering remedies to overcoming obstacles to strategy implementation. Further, the authors’ proposed framework offers a language to precisely describe the ways in which IHOs (should) view localisation of logistics preparedness capacities and its operationalisation.Originality/valueTo the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first academic article on localisation within the humanitarian logistics context.
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Matos SV, Schleper MC, Gold S, Hall JK. The hidden side of sustainable operations and supply chain management: unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/ijopm-12-2020-833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThe research is based on a critically analyzed literature review focused on the unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions of sustainable operations and supply chain management (OSCM), including the articles selected for this special issue.Design/methodology/approachThe authors introduce the key concepts, issues and theoretical foundations of this special issue on “The hidden side of sustainable operations and supply chain management (OSCM): Unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions”. The authors explore these issues within this context, and how they may hinder the authors' transition to more sustainable practices.FindingsThe authors present an overview of unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs, tensions and influencing factors from the literature, and identify how such problems may emerge. The model addresses these problems by highlighting the crucial effect of the underlying state of knowledge on sustainable OSCM decision-making.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors limited the literature review to journals that ranked 2 and above as defined by the Chartered Association of Business Schools Academic Journal Guide. The main implication for research is a call to focus attention on unanticipated outcomes as a starting point rather than only an afterthought. For practitioners, good intentions such as sustainability initiatives need careful consideration for potential unanticipated outcomes.Originality/valueThe study provides the first critical review of unanticipated outcomes, trade-offs and tensions in the sustainable OSCM discourse. While the literature review (including papers in this special issue) significantly contributes toward describing these issues, it is still unclear how such problems emerge. The model developed in this paper addresses this gap by highlighting the crucial effect of the underlying state of knowledge concerned with sustainable OSCM decision-making.
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Introducing an Organizational Perspective in SDG Implementation in the Public Sector in Spain: The Case of the Former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12239959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The public sector has an indisputable role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the interrelated nature of the SDGs represents a challenge for the public sector, which has in the last few decades undergone a process of specialization, decentralization and fragmentation. Hence, the establishment of coordination mechanisms within the public sector are needed to ensure implementation. This article introduces an organizational perspective in a participative SDG prioritization process carried out by a public organization: the former Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment (MAPAMA). A case study methodology is used to identify internal collaboration needs in order to address the SDGs and to analyze the driving and restraining forces operating within the organization so that the required organizational changes can be initiated. Our findings reveal that the organizational perspective is key in supporting SDG implementation and boosting the transformative capacity that underpins the 2030 Agenda. Public organizations must combine different coordination approaches, according to the demands that each specific SDG target makes upon the organization. Furthermore, engaging internal agents in participative processes for the development of the implementation is essential to reproducing the dynamics of internal collaboration that will be needed in future stages of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda.
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