148 research outputs found
Fathered Alone Raised Together: A Discourse on the Role of Human Capital and Human Capital Resource Leading to Innovative Work Behaviour of Employees
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Embracing the Smart Revolution:Smart Supply Chain Management
No full textIn today’s globalized world, supply chains (SCs) face unprecedented challenges, including increasing complexity, demand for sustainability, and the need for resilience against disruptions. Traditional SCM methods struggle to cope with these demands, leaving businesses vulnerable. However, the advent of modern digital technologies, such as IoT, AI, blockchain, and big data analytics, presents new opportunities to transform SCs into more intelligent, efficient, and adaptive systems. These technologies enable the creation of Smart SCs, which promise to address the intricate challenges of the current era. This chapter aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of what a smart SC is and why it is crucial for the future of global business. It also seeks to explore the current state of smart SC development and to offer insights into its potential future trajectory. By the end of the chapter, readers will have a clear grasp of the importance of smart SCs, how they can solve contemporary SC issues, and what the future might hold for this rapidly evolving field. The chapter begins by contextualizing the SC in the present era, identifying the key challenges that necessitate a shift towards smarter solutions. It then delves into the concept of the smart SC, explaining its core components and how it differs from traditional models. The chapter further explores how smart SCs can address modern challenges, including sustainability, resilience, and performance enhancement. Following this, the chapter assesses the status of smart SCs, evaluating how far they have progressed and what gaps remain. Finally, the chapter looks ahead, discussing the future potential of smart SCs before concluding with key takeaways that set the stage for the rest of the book.</p
Human capital and performance of small & medium manufacturing enterprises: a study of Pakistan / Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik
Full text linkThe study focuses on the role of human capital (HC) and performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. Pakistan has adopted a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy to address HC development in SMEs. This has however not brought any difference to the development state of the SMEs, as most of these firms have not been able to survive beyond the first-year of their inception. In this context, this study focused on the role of HC (based on the dimensions and sub-dimensions of HC) on the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The principal objectives of the study are summarized herein: First, the study derives the human capital index (HCI), accounting for various dimensions and sub-dimensions of HC. Second, the study tests for the differences in levels of HC by industry, size (small and medium) and ownership (foreign and local). Third, the study examines the direct and indirect links between HC and its dimensions, with five vectors of firm performance, namely productivity, export, innovation, technological progress, and survivability of firms. For developing the HCI, the study adopts a three-stage approach. First, appropriate dimensions and sub-dimensions of HC are identified from the literature. In the second stage, 9 dimensions and 35 sub-dimensions of HC are selected through an expert survey of various stakeholders related to SME development in Pakistan. By applying the Analytic Hierarchy Procedure (AHP), those selected dimensions and sub-dimensions of HC are prioritized to form the HCI. Based on this prioritization, the study develops a close-ended questionnaire to collect data on HC and firm performance from 750 manufacturing sector SMEs in Pakistan. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and t-tests are applied to examine the differences in the levels of HC across SMEs, by industry, size, and ownership. Subsequently, the structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to investigate the direct and
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indirect (through absorptive capacity) effects of HC on productivity, export, innovation, technological progress, and survivability of firms.
The core findings of the study are summarized below. First, the relative prioritization among the HC dimensions rank education at the top, followed by experience, skills, personal abilities, training, employee stability , attitude , health and compliance. Second, the results on the inter-industry differences in HC indicate that HC is highest in textiles, and lowest in furniture and sports industries. Further, the results show that the levels of HC differ by size and ownership. The analysis reveals that the levels of HC are significantly higher in medium firms relative to small firms; and in foreign firms relative to local firms. Finally, the results reveal the significant positive impact of HC on firm performance. Absorptive capacity is also found to mediate the relationship between HC and the five-performance cords of firms’. From the in-depth analysis of the different sub-dimensions of HC, the study concludes that different sub-dimensions of HC are important for different cords of firm performance, and for understanding the channels of those impacts, direct or indirect. Therefore, the study suggests that HC is important for firm performance. However, not all the sub-dimensions of HC are found to be important for overall firm performance. Therefore policy formulation at the macro and micro levels should take into account the sub-dimensions of HC, and not just the HC dimensions on aggregat
Smart and Resilient Supply Chains:Role of Smart Supply Chain Mapping
No full textIn an increasingly interconnected and complex global economy, supply chains are exposed to frequent disruptions from natural disasters, economic shifts, and unforeseen crises such as pandemics. Traditional supply chain management methods, which often rely on static, linear models, are insufficient to address these challenges. Digital twin technology offers a transformative solution by creating a real-time, dynamic replica of the physical supply chain. This chapter explores how digital twin technology, integrated within a smart supply chain, enhances supply chain resilience across three key dimensions: readiness, response, and recovery. By continuously mapping the upstream, midstream, and downstream components of a supply chain, organizations can anticipate risks, act swiftly during disruptions, and recover efficiently to maintain operational continuity. The primary objective of this chapter is to demonstrate how smart supply chain mapping, powered by digital twin technology, can significantly improve organizational resilience. The chapter also explores the prerequisites for implementing real-time digital mapping, including the technological infrastructure and organizational readiness required to support such initiatives. The chapter employs a qualitative approach, drawing on a existing literature and reports, along with the authors’ understanding of emerging technologies in supply chain management. Furthermore, this chapter calls for future research to investigate the feasibility of implementing real-time, dynamic digital twin mapping in complex, multi-tiered global supply chains. As supply chains extend beyond immediate tiers, mapping each node becomes increasingly challenging due to the complexity and breadth of the network. Feasibility studies are crucial in evaluating the scalability and applicability of digital twins in diverse industries, ensuring that the technology can handle the vast amounts of data and the complexities of global supply networks. Future research should focus on overcoming these challenges and unlocking the full potential of digital twin technology for enhancing supply chain resilience.</p
Resilience and cleaner production in industry 4.0: role of supply chain mapping and visibility
Full text linkIndustry 4.0 makes the business processes more autonomous, automated, and intelligent. Supply chain mapping can be a steppingstone to adopt the developments of Industry 4.0. Despite its profound significance in Industry 4.0 driven supply chain management, it has been hardly discussed in the research literature. Against this backdrop, the objective of this study is to test the impact of supply chain mapping on a firm's supply chain visibility and resilience. Data were collected from 154 Electrical & Electronics sector Malaysian firms through a close-ended questionnaire. The study employed structural equation modeling to analyze the hypothesized relationships. A significant momentous effect of supply chain mapping was found on the supply chain visibility and supply chain resilience. Further, the study also found a significant mediating role of supply chain visibility in the association between SC mapping and supply chain resilience. The findings of the study strongly suggest firms adopt a supply chain mapping strategy to improve supply chain visibility and supply chain resilience. Findings also suggest maintaining closer ties with key suppliers in order to increase SC visibility
Blockchain technologies as enablers of supply chain mapping for sustainable supply chains
Full text linkThe advent of blockchain technologies is transmuting the way conventional supply chains are being managed. Due to the complexity of dealing with many actors involved in the supply chain networks, contemporary supply chains have limited visibility, transparency, and accountability. Likewise, supply chains are increasingly facing the challenge of integration and sustainability. In this vein, blockchain technologies can play a groundbreaking role in improving the traceability, accountability, and sustainability of complex supply chain networks. The present study examines the instrumentality of blockchain technologies in enabling supply chain mapping and supply chain integration. The study also tests the direct impact of blockchain technologies on supply chain sustainability. Data are collected from 132 Malaysian Electrical and Electronics firms using a close-ended questionnaire. The study employs Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Partial Least Squares-Multi Group Analysis (PLS-MGA) for analyzing the hypothesized relationships. The results show that blockchain technologies do not have a direct impact on supply chain sustainability. Nevertheless, this finding reveals a robust indirect effect of BT, through SC integration and SC mapping, on the SC sustainability. The study's findings imply that the notion of the sustainable supply chain can be significantly attained by mapping upstream, midstream, and downstream supply chains. The well-mapped supply chain can further improve supply chain sustainability. The findings of the study also suggest the adoption of blockchain technologies as a broad-based strategy to attain multi-tier goals, for example, supply chain mapping, sustainability, and integration.</p
Supply chain sustainability in VUCA: role of BCT-driven SC mapping and ‘visiceability’
No full textThe study investigates the role of three essential supply chain capabilities: visibility, traceability, and mapping, collectivity termed as 'visiceability', in the relationship between blockchain technology and supply chain sustainability. The study focuses on Malaysia's Electronics Component manufacturing firms, a sub-sector of the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry. Data were collected from 105 through a close-ended questionnaire. PLS-SEM was employed to examine the modeled relationships. The findings of the study challenge the notion that supply chain (SC) traceability alone is responsible for mediating the impact of blockchain technology (BCT) on SC sustainability. However, findings confirm the significant roles of SC Mapping and Visibility in the association between BCT and SC sustainability. Findings further validate the significant impact of blockchain technology (BCT) on supply chain (SC) sustainability, highlighting its multifaceted role. The findings suggest that firms can build their intermediary capabilities instead of exclusively focusing on adopting BCT for SC sustainability. These capabilities can further channel the impact of BCT on improving SC Sustainable. Our findings illustrate that BCT can enhance SC visibility by offering a precise and transparent record of the products, inventory, and transactions. Hence, we strongly suggest that managers consider leveraging BCT to improve their SC visibility, thereby uplifting the sustainability of a supply
Supply Chain Mapping, Sustainability, and Industry 4.0
No full textDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain (SC) mapping appeared as one of the critical SC capabilities that could make a striking difference in organizations’ SC performance and improve sustainable operations. Despite its crucial role in responding to SC disruptions, there is a void in the literature on this topic. This book aims to address this gap demonstrating the importance of SC mapping, sustainability in the Industry 4.0 era. The book explores how SC mapping contributes to sustainability from social, economic, and environmental perspectives, the role of SC mapping in upstream, midstream, and downstream SC sustainability, as well as the role of technology advancement and the impact of blockchain and Industry 4.0 in SC mapping. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, this edited collection features international authors from a diverse range of disciplines including SC management, operations management, technology and innovation management, and sustainability. The book will be a valuable resource for global scholars, researchers, and upper-level students across operations, SC management, and logistics, as well as engineering and technology management.</p
Intellectual capital, blockchain-driven supply chain and sustainable production: role of supply chain mapping
Full text linkThe production and consumption of products are held responsible for most environmental challenges and climatic changes, which adversely affect human lives and compromise the future of generations to come. Sustainable production appears as a strategic route to combat these adversities, the pursuit of which is highly challenging. In this study, we argue that Intellectual capital (IC), featured by human capital, relational capital, and structural capital, can play a dual role in improving the sustainable production of a firm. We put forward that IC contributes to sustainable production directly and indirectly through the adoption of blockchain-driven supply chain management (BCSCM). In this context, the objective of this study is to examine the impact of intellectual capital (IC) on sustainable production. The study also investigates the role of SC mapping and BCSCM in the association between IC and sustainable production. Data were collected from 289 textile firms of Pakistan and Bangladesh with the help of a designed questionnaire. The study employed CB-SEM to examine the modeled relationship. Further, PLS-Multi-group Analysis (MGA) was used for cross-country comparison of the results. The results diverge from the conventional wisdom exhibiting an insignificant direct impact of IC in sustainable production. Nevertheless, the results show a meaningful indirect effect of IC through BCSCM and SC mapping on sustainable production. Results also exhibit a significant direct impact of BCSCM on the sustainable production of a firm. The results call for consideration of IC and BCSCM in improving the sustainability of a firm
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