Rameshwar Dubey

World-class sustainable manufacturing: framework and a performance measurement system

Sustainable manufacturing has been the subject of debate in the last few years, amongst both researchers and industrialists. Manufacturing activities have been regarded as amongst the most important factors which have caused major damage to planet. The aim of this paper is to scientifically develop a world-class sustainable manufacturing (WCSM) framework. The study uses a structured questionnaire, which was developed using extant literature and pretested to check content validity. The data was collected following a modified version of Dillman’s total design method to improve the quality of response. The psychometric properties of the instrument including reliability and construct validity were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis for hypotheses testing, and partial least squares approach for testing goodness of fit. We find that the scale and items of our theoretical framework meet the criteria. The multiple regression analysis output suggests that all our hypotheses are supported, which further supports the extant literature. Our present study is unique in terms of scope and its contribution to the theory and practice of supply chain management. This study has empirically tested the research calls of various researchers, extended them to WCSM practices and further developed a scale for the measurement of the framework.

The sustainable humanitarian supply chain design: agility, adaptability and alignment

The sustainable humanitarian supply chain (SHSC) has been the subject of research and debate over recent years. The aim of the paper is to provide an SHSC definition, propose an SHSC structure and validate it empirically. A unique contribution of the present study is an attempt to delineate humanitarian supply chain (HSC) management from commercial supply chain management and further discuss the HSC from the point of view of sustainability. We identify three important characteristics of a HSC network: agility, adaptability and alignment, and further explore possible linkages using extant literature and interpretive structural modelling (ISM). We further test the constructs using confirmatory factor analysis. In this way we attempt to answer long-pending calls from past researchers to contribute to the existing theories of HSC and identify further research directions based on the limitations of the present study.

Modelling quality dynamics, business value and firm performance in a big data analytics environment

Big data analytics have become an increasingly important component for firms across advanced economies. This paper examines the quality dynamics in big data environment that are linked with enhancing business value and firm performance (FPER). The study identifies that system quality (i.e. system reliability, accessibility, adaptability, integration, response time and privacy) and information quality (i.e. completeness, accuracy, format and currency) are key to enhance business value and FPER in a big data environment. The study also proposes that the relationship between quality and FPER is mediated by business value of big data. Drawing on the resource-based theory and the information systems success literature, this study extends knowledge in this domain by linking system quality, information quality, business value and FPER.

Exploring soft TQM dimensions and their impact on firm performance: some exploratory empirical results

The aim of the paper is to study soft total quality management practices and their impacts on firm performance. In the research, the systematic literature review was used. After identifying a research gap, a theoretical framework was developed and research hypotheses were formulated. We have further checked the validity and reliability of measurement items using confirmatory factor analysis. The research framework was tested using multiple linear regressions under the effect of controllable variables (i.e. size of employees, supply uncertainty and demand uncertainty) of firm performance. The research hypotheses are well supported, which is consistent with previous extant literature.

Building theory of sustainable manufacturing using total interpretive structural modelling

The purpose of this paper is to generate theory using total interpretive structural modelling. In this paper, an extensive review of extant literature was undertaken to identify research gaps. To b...

Vision, applications and future challenges of Internet of Things: A bibliometric study of the recent literature

Purpose – The emergent field of Internet of Things (IoT) has been evolving rapidly with a geometric growth in the number of academic publications in this field. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature of IoT in past 16 years using rigorous bibliometric and network analysis tools, offering at the same time future directions for the IoT research community and implications for managers and decision makers. Design/methodology/approach – The authors adopted the techniques of bibliometric and network analysis. The paper reviewed the articles published on IoT from 2000 to 2015. Findings – This study identifies top contributing authors; key research topics related to the field; the most influential works based on citations and PageRank; and established and emerging research clusters. Scholars are encouraged to further explore this topic. Research limitations/implications – This study focusses only on vision and applications of IoT. Scholars may explore various other aspects of this area of research....

Green supply chain management: theoretical framework and further research directions

Purpose Green or sustainable supply chain management (GSCM/SSCM) has in recent years attracted much attention from academia and practitioners in all part of the world. In recent years, all humanity has experienced severe climate change which is widely attributed to human activity. Harmful emissions have made a major contribution to recent climate change which presents major challenges and threats to the entire human race in form of global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami and floods. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual GSCM/SSCM framework contributing to knowledge-based view theory and systems theory (ST) and provide an exhaustive list of further research directions. Design/methodology/approach In this paper the authors have used a systematic literature review to identify building blocks of the conceptual framework, which is the principal contribution of the present paper. Findings In this paper the authors have proposed a conceptual framework for sustainable supply chain network and at the end the authors have outlined further research directions. Research limitations/implications The current paper is an attempt to develop a conceptual framework which is grounded in knowledge-based theory. The study helps to extent the prior works which lacks theory focused approach. Originality/value The present work has immense theoretical value and can be useful to the policy makers or practitioners engaged in GSCM practices.

Education and training for successful career in Big Data and Business Analytics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify Big Data and Business Analytics (BDBA) skills and further propose an education and training framework for a successful career in BDBA. Design/methodology/approach – The present study adopts a review of extant literature and appreciative enquiry (AI) which is a quasi-ethnographic approach to identify the skills required for BDBA. Findings – The study helps to identify skills for BDBA and based on extant literature and AI, proposes a theoretical framework for education and training for a successful career in BDBA. Further research directions are outlined which can help take the present research to the next level. Research limitations/implications – The paper presents a theoretical framework, but it has to be validated through empirical data. This research will generate a lot of interest to develop a more practical framework and conduct empirical and case study research. Practical implications – The present study has outlined skills for BDBA. The authors have also proposed a theoretical framework which can further help an educational or training institute to embrace the framework to train young undergraduates or graduates to acquire BDBA skills. It may also motivate an institution to structure their curriculum for a BDBA program. Social implications – This research is a timely one to develop necessary skills for being successful in BDBA career and in turn contribute to the well-being of business community and society. Originality/value – This research is a novel one as there is no research done earlier on this new and emerging areas of research, namely, education and training for BDBA.

Shortage of sustainable supply chain talent: an industrial training framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify sustainable supply chain skill and propose a conceptual training framework for sustainable supply chain talent. Design/methodology/approach – The authors have used exhaustive literature review of extant literature published in academic journals, reputable reports, trade magazines, books and monographs. The authors further consulted leading experts from reputable bodies to further finalize the sustainable supply chain skills matrix and check the content validity of the constructs of our proposed conceptual framework. Findings – The sustainable supply chain skill matrix has been identified and a conceptual framework has been proposed. The authors further outlined the future research directions. Research limitations/implications – This is a conceptual paper based on the literature review and analysis. This offers opportunities for empirical research. Practical implications – This paper will alert companies to focus on developing talents that would help to ac...

Mechanics of humanitarian supply chain agility and resilience and its empirical validation

The purpose of this paper is to establish the relationship between chain agility, supply chain resilience and humanitarian supply chain performance. In this paper, researchers have attempted to explain supply chain agility and supply chain resilience using oscillation physics theory and further attempted to test the theoretical concept empirically using psychometric tool. The researchers have collected data which represent 20% response rate is subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal component analysis (PCA). The EFA output is further tested using ordinary least-square regression to check the fitness of constructs as a CFA test. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) test output suggests that factors obtained using EFA represent the constructs of the model. The multivariate analysis shows that supply chain agility, supply chain resilience are two important determinants of the pre-disaster and post-disaster supply chain performance measures.