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In this article we show how fashion brands communicate with their follower on Instagram. We use a continuously update dataset of 68 brands, more than 300,000 posts and more than 40,000,000 comments. Starting with descriptive statistics, we uncover different behavior and success of the various brands. It turns out that there are patterns specific to luxury, mass-market and sportswear brands. Posting volume is extremely brand dependent as is the number of comments and the engagement of the community. Having understood the statistics, we turn to machine learning techniques to measure the response of the community via comments. Topic models help us understand the structure of their respective community and uncover insights regarding the response to campaigns. Having up-to-date content is essential for this kind of analysis, as the market is highly volatile. Furthermore, automatic data analysis is crucial to measure the success of campaigns and adjust them accordingly for maximum effect.
Good management requires proper measurement, yet little is known about anthropogenic climate effects of agriculture. To remedy this, a precise measurement of negative externalities is urgently needed. Therefore, the authors of this article describe the heterogeneity of results from previous studies on climate effects and – focusing on the agricultural sector – identify reasons for this phenomenon. The authors conduct a meta-regression analysis, based on 53 primary studies that cover the period between 1951 and 2015. All countries or country groups are included in the 1345 reported results on emitted amounts of CO2e and SO2e. Our findings confirm the well-known result that an increase in livestock quantities corresponds with a significant increase in emission levels. By integrating culture-related country data, the authors conclude that the level of “humane orientation” and the amounts of emissions follow opposite courses. Furthermore, studies conducted while the first author of this study was working for an NGO, report significantly higher emissions. Based on an adaptation of a meta-regression analysis to the field of environmental performance measurement, we are able to provide new insights about the influence of the change of individual drivers on the emission level. Examples of these insights include a one-third increase in cattle stock is associated with an increase in emissions of 29.45 t/km2. We also find that publications where the first author works for an NGO reported an emission level 87.04 t/km2 higher than other publications. These findings enable the identification of the main drivers of emissions, while helping to explain the heterogeneity of existing studies. Based on the findings of this study, companies can take reliable measures to reduce the external climate effects of their products.
Good management requires proper measurement, yet little is known about anthropogenic climate effects of agriculture. To remedy this, a precise measurement of negative externalities is urgently needed. Therefore, the authors of this article describe the heterogeneity of results from previous studies on climate effects and – focusing on the agricultural sector – identify reasons for this phenomenon. The authors conduct a meta-regression analysis, based on 53 primary studies that cover the period between 1951 and 2015. All countries or country groups are included in the 1345 reported results on emitted amounts of CO2e and SO2e. Our findings confirm the well-known result that an increase in livestock quantities corresponds with a significant increase in emission levels. By integrating culture-related country data, the authors conclude that the level of “humane orientation” and the amounts of emissions follow opposite courses. Furthermore, studies conducted while the first author of this study was working for an NGO, report significantly higher emissions. Based on an adaptation of a meta-regression analysis to the field of environmental performance measurement, we are able to provide new insights about the influence of the change of individual drivers on the emission level. Examples of these insights include a one-third increase in cattle stock is associated with an increase in emissions of 29.45 t/km2. We also find that publications where the first author works for an NGO reported an emission level 87.04 t/km2 higher than other publications. These findings enable the identification of the main drivers of emissions, while helping to explain the heterogeneity of existing studies. Based on the findings of this study, companies can take reliable measures to reduce the external climate effects of their products.
Given the lasting positive effects of prenatal and infancy home visiting in the United States on disadvantaged mothers and children at school age, we analyzed the follow-up effects of a German home visiting program (ProKind). We hypothesized improvements in 3 domains at child age 7 years: (1) child development and life satisfaction, (2) maternal mental health and life satisfaction, and (3) adverse parenting, abusive parenting, and neglectful parenting.METHODSWe conducted a randomized controlled trial of home visiting, enrolling 755 pregnant, low-income women with no previous live births. The intervention comprised 32.7 home visits by family midwives and/or social pedagogues until child age 2 years. Assessments were completed on 533 7-year-old firstborn offspring to evaluate 8 primary hypotheses.
We found significant positive effects for 4 of the 8 primary hypotheses. Mothers in the intervention group reported fewer behavioral problems among their children in the Child Behavior Checklist (effect size [ES] = 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03 to 0.38), less child abusive parenting (ES = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.37), fewer maternal mental health problems (ES = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.43), and higher maternal life satisfaction (ES = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.43). Additional preregistered subgroup analyses regarding child sex revealed larger effects for boys and mothers of boys.CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that in a western European welfare state, home visiting targeting disadvantaged mothers has lasting effects in important outcome domains. Therefore, home visits also appear to be an effective and efficient public health intervention in European settings.
Home visiting programs constitute an important policy to support vulnerable families with young children. One of their principal aims is to improve infant-parent relationships, so a key measure of their effectiveness is based on observational measures of parent-children interactions. In the present study we provide novel evidence on the effectiveness of home visiting programs in improving mother-child interactions within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Pro Kind program. A major goal of the Pro Kind program is to promote child development by strengthening the intuitive parenting skills of mothers. On this basis, the following research question is addressed in this paper: What is the impact of the Pro Kind home visitation program on the quality of mother-child interaction?
Despite long-term interest in whether welfare benefits motivate fertility, evidence from research has not been consistent. This paper contributes new evidence to this debate by investigating the fertility effect of a German welfare reform. The reform decreased the household income of families on welfare by 18% in the first year after the birth of a baby. Using exclusive access to German social security data on over 460,000 affected women, our analysis finds that the reform leads to a fertility reduction of 6.8%. This result implies that for mothers on welfare, fertility has an income elasticity of 0.38, which is much smaller than that of general populations reported in the literature. Our findings suggest that welfare recipients’ fertility reacts less strongly to financial incentives than the fertility of overall populations.
AbstractThis study examines the immediate and intermediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of two high school graduation cohorts (2020 and 2021) and how changes in well-being affect students’ educational plans and outcomes. Our unique panel data on 3697 students from 214 schools in 8 German federal states contain prospective survey information on three dimensions of well-being: mental health problems, self-rated health, and life satisfaction. Data is collected several months before (fall 2019), shortly before and soon after (spring 2020) as well as several months after (fall/winter 2020/21) the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applying difference-in-differences designs, random effect growth curve models, and linear regression models, we find that school closures had a positive immediate effect on students’ well-being. Over the course of the pandemic, however, well-being strongly declined, mainly among the 2021 graduation cohort. We show that a strong decline in mental health is associated with changes in educational and career plans and transition outcomes. As adverse life experiences in adolescence are likely to accumulate over the life course, this study is the first to exhibit potential long-lasting negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and careers of young individuals.
The influence of corporate diversification on firm value is an important field in strategy research. Studies in strategic management and finance research have analyzed value creation through product and geographic diversification from a shareholder’s perspective. This study completes this picture by analyzing the bondholders’ perspective. It is suggested that product diversification creates value for bondholders, while geographic diversification destroys bondholder value. The hypotheses are tested on a sample of S&P 1,200 firms in 2001–2011 using a fixed-effects panel model. Drawing on prior research, bondholder value creation is measured using the Merton model. The empirical results support the hypothesis that bondholders gain value through product diversification but lose value through geographic diversification. Considering prior research results, these results show that product diversification is preferable for bondholders, while geographic diversification is preferable from a shareholder’s perspective. The opposite effects of both diversification strategies on shareholders, respectively, bondholders offer an important new perspective on corporate diversification. The results show that firms with a high level of corporate debt should struggle to justify a strategy involving geographic dispersion of activities and support a more diversified product portfolio strategy. This study also offers several avenues for investigating the bondholder’s perspective on corporate diversification in more detail.
The risk implications of product diversification have received considerable attention from scholars. However, our understanding of the effects of geographic diversification on risk is more limited. Relying on resource-based theory to frame our arguments, we argue that despite some similarities, the two types of diversification have differing effects on firm risk. We first establish the risk reducing effects for product diversification. We then integrate the unique aspects of geographic diversification that serve as a boundary condition to the RBV perspective, arguing for the risk increasing effects of geographic diversification. Finally, since many firms pursue both forms of diversification simultaneously, we explore the joint effects of both product and geographic diversification. We test our hypotheses in a longitudinal model on a sample of S&P 500 firms. Our findings suggest that total product diversification, as well as related diversification reduce risk, while total geographic diversification increases risk. Furthermore, our data provide evidence of a complex combination of joint effects of these two forms of diversification. These findings offer a more complete understanding of the risk effects of corporate diversification.
Performance feedback is an important concept to explain managerial risk taking. This paper aims to distinguish between two forms of performance feedback: A performance shortfall can be positively or negatively associated with risk inclination. The first effect arises for a shortfall from aspirations, while the second effect occurs if there is a shortfall from expectations. The hypotheses are tested on a sample of S&P 1500 firms over a period of 19 years (1992–2010) using a fixed effects regression model. The empirical results suggest that missing aspirations increases the likelihood of risk taking in the form of higher strategic investments. Missing expectations in contrast diminishes managerial power and discretion to engage in risk taking and thus lowers strategic investments. The results further support the idea that both effects reinforce each other, suggesting that shortfalls from expectations and aspirations have an interactive effect. By distinguishing between these two sides of performance feedback, this study provides an improved understanding on managerial risk taking. Additionally, this paper highlights how motivation and power interact when analyzing managerial risk taking.
Prototyping ist für die Validierung aller Geschäftsphasen sinnvoll. Viele Wirtschaftsstudierende, Absolventinnen und Absolventen sind jedoch derzeit kaum in der Lage, digitale Prototypen ohne die Unterstützung und Erfahrung von Designerinnen und Designern, Entwicklerinnen und Entwicklern sowie Ingenieurinnen und Ingenieuren zu erstellen. Dieser Beitrag zielt darauf ab, den Ansatz des Rapid Prototypings im Rahmen der Higher Business Education zu beleuchten, und legt den Schwerpunkt auf die eigenständige Entwicklung und das Testen von Prototypen. Verschiedene digitale Hilfsmittel werden vorgestellt und ein exemplarischer Kursablauf beschreibt, wie Rapid Prototyping digital und analog in modernen Lehrplänen von Business Schools einsetzbar ist. Als zentrales Ergebnis ist erkennbar, dass Rapid Prototyping im akademischen Kontext als Win-win-Situation für alle relevanten Stakeholder fungieren kann. Studierende schätzen die motivierende und direkte Arbeitsatmosphäre. Sie lernen, kollaborativ an digitalen Prototypen zu arbeiten und diese im Rahmen von Problem-Lösungs-Fit-Tests analog mit ersten Nutzenden zu testen. Dozierende können theoretischen Input in konkrete Use Cases einbringen und digitale mit analoger Lehre verknüpfen. Hochschulmanagerinnern und -manager schärfen das Profil ihrer Institution und Unternehmenspartner erhalten akademisch validierte Testergebnisse und den Kontakt zu digital ausgebildeten potenziellen Mitarbeitenden.
TikTok steht wegen des fesselnden UX-Designs sowie des kontrovers diskutierten Datenschutzes im Fokus. Diese Feasibility-Studie zeigt, wie Mobile Affective Computing Research die implizit-emotionale UX zuverlässig und objektiv messen kann. Die Ergebnisse implizieren, dass TikTok bereits im Onboarding positive Emotionen auslöst und die emotionale Bindung mit zunehmender Nutzung — vor allem aufgrund des Personalisierungsalgorithmus — verstärkt.
Social media usage has greatly increased during the pandemic. The use of social media has been linked to mental health consequences. Especially TikTok is under scrutiny because of its captivating UX Design as well as controversial privacy policies. This study shows how Mobile Affective Computing Research can reliably and objectively measure the implicit-emotional UX. The results suggest that TikTok triggers positive emotions during onboarding and strengthens the emotional bond with increasing usage - mainly due to the personalization algorithm. In particular, the study further reveals that there are no clear relationships when “only self-reported data” is used to understand app usage behavior. However, emotion data based on facial coding shows that TikTok users get emotionally aroused. Initially, a positive and relaxed mood triggers further usage time, while - counter-intuitively - later sessions result in an increasingly negative and aroused mood. However, people are largely unaware of these relationships when questioned. Thus, implicit measures, such as facial coding, may help identify valid social media usage reactions. These results yield implications that call for political regulation considering aspects of social media apps and user behavior.
Due to rapidly rising prices caused by inflation, the current political situation, and the critical impact on the environment through agricultural pollution, sustainable purchasing decisions become increasingly important. A meta-label that offers consumers orientation for a more ecologically, economically, and ethically conscious consumption is a possible tool for changing and adapting the food industry to the current challenges of the environment and society.
A sustainable transformation of current agricultural systems is inevitable. A reform of the value-added tax system represents a possible path for this transformation. Positive monetary incentives for sustainable food and negative monetary incentives for products with high externalities can provide impetus for sustainable agriculture on both the consumer and producer side. This would not only contribute to reaching national and international targets for organic farming, but also to reducing environmental damage.
Veganism is a dietary trend that is in line with the needed change towards a sustainable food system and nutrition but it is only accepted by the population to a limited extent. In this study, the lack of acceptance of society is identified by both a review and a consumer survey. In this context, current food patterns in relation to sociodemographic characteristics are analysed, motives of consumer behaviour related to omnivorous and vegan nutrition are compared and incentives for the purchase of sustainable products as well as the factors for acceptance of vegan nutrition are highlighted.
Entwicklung eines Frameworks zur Monetarisierung externer Gesundheitskosten von Lebensmitteln
(2023)
Quantification and subsequent monetization of dietary externalities is essential to incentivise healthier and more sustainable diets. In this way, positive monetary incentives can be set for under-consumed foods such as fruits or whole grain products and negative monetary incentives for overconsumed foods such as red or processed meat. This not only promotes a shift to healthier diets, but also motivates a move towards a more ecological agricultural economy.
A long-term improvement of the current animal husbandry is inevitable. Animal welfare is one of the six areas of externalities and so imposes hidden costs that are currently not priced into food products. A framework to monetize animal welfare and thus account the true food prices would not only yield these external costs, but also provide the opportunity to reform husbandry conditions on German farms. Potential price premiums raised for animal welfare could finance investment projects to improve husbandry.
Sustainable performance demands to show a sustained competitive advantage that lasts a long period. “Industrial Parks” is now the gateway to sustainable development, especially in the least developing countries like Ethiopia, for example. The industrial parks are highly attracting foreign direct investment and working for the inclusive development of the country. Though this is a good start, the capability is at an initial stage and needs support in terms of their performance towards creating a sustainable operation. Based on the evidence of both theoretical and empirical literature findings, this study paper conducted a review and identified the sustainability measures and practices from which it tries to filter the key capability measures and practices for the Ethiopian industrial parks. For integrating the identified practices and measures, as a methodological approach, the theory of dynamic capability process is considered, encompassing sensing, learning, and transforming the cyclic loop. Practices and measures are incorporated in each process of dynamic capability pillars. A conceptual model was developed as the final output showing the holistic map of the integrated sustainability measures and practices. The measures and practices identified will fully support the sustainable growth and decision process of the industrial park operation. It also adds value to the body of knowledge in industrial sustainability in special economic zones.
Current crises (i.e., climate crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting energy and food shortages) indicate the need for robust, and sustainable supply chains with regional food production and farmland to secure food supply in the European Union (EU). Recent research shows that organic food is more resilient to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. In this context, we examine an approach for the sustainable and resilient transformation of agri-food networks: can an adaptation of value added tax (VAT) levels work as a financial incentive to amplify resilient agricultural practices and sustainable dietary patterns? Within the setting of the amendment of the European framework directive on the use of VAT in 2022, we model the effects of adapting the current German VAT system by (1) reducing VAT on organic vegetarian food to 0% and (2) raising VAT on conventional meat and fish to 19%. Based on historical data on organic sales shares and price elasticities, we project sales shares differentiated by product group for each scenario. Then, we calculate expected tax revenues, changes in consumption patterns, and arising total external climate costs in Germany for both scenarios. Our results show that the overall consumption share of organic food would increase by 21.83% due to the modeled VAT reform compared to the status quo. Despite the VAT reduction to 0% on organic vegetarian products, the measure would yield €2.04 billion in extra tax revenues in Germany per year due to the increased taxation on conventional meat products. We find that annual environmental costs of €5.31 billion can be avoided as a result of lower external climate costs of organic and vegetarian food. Therefore, adjusting VAT rates in the food market can be a political instrument to drive organic food consumption and reduce animal livestock. This supports re-territorialization of agriculture and a more sustainable and resilient European food supply.
Climate change and its damaging consequences for ecology and humanity is advancing. Industry and its metals sector are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions. Current costs of industrial goods do not reflect the true costs caused by the externalized climate damages of its production and thus offer no competitive incentive to decarbonize. Additionally, regional climate regulation can lead to competitive distortion. We therefore aim to investigate the impact of climate cost internalization on the metals industry. Using true-cost analysis for an exemplary and widely used metal product, the effects of climate true costs depending on production region, technology, and energy mix, CO2e taxation and value chain are examined. Based hereon, the impact of internalizing climate true costs together with the introduction of a carbon-border tax on the carbon leakage problem, climate protection, and the cost situation for companies in global competition are investigated. The results of the study show that steel and wire production is responsible for most CO2e emissions showing significant decarbonization effects by steel recycling whereas production location and logistics play a minor role. On a competitive level, cost internalization has hardly any effect on the product costs because of the currently low CO2e-taxation rates. Thus, almost no incentive to produce or consume in a climate-protective way is generated, incentivizing production in pollution havens versus highly climate regulated regions. Instead, to realize emission efficiency gains and innovations leading to a competitive advantage of decarbonized products and value chains, a significant increase of CO2e-taxation rates together with a carbon-border tax is necessary.
The Anthropocene, marked by human-induced climate change, necessitates urgent action to address climate goals and respect planetary boundaries. While sustainability research provides knowledge, the first challenge lies in communicating the findings in an adequate manner to the public and several stakeholders, such as economic and political actors. Therefore, this study explores the significance of science communication in sustainability science, focusing on a case study—the True Cost Accounting (TCA) campaign by the University of Greifswald, Technical Institute of Nuremberg, and German retailer PENNY. TCA herein serves as a transparency tool, economic incentive, and discussion basis for sustainable consumption. This study investigates consumer perceptions of ecological prices of foods through a face-to-face survey during the 2023 PENNY campaign, comparing results to an informational campaign carried out in 2021. Findings indicate a high awareness of the true cost campaign in 2023, with 50.8% of participants hearing about it. Consumers’ willingness to pay true costs and potential behavior changes were explored. In comparison to results from the informational campaign of 2021, customers showed a decrease in this WTP when the true prices would actually impact their spending, indicating an attitude–behavior gap. In addition, a willingness to reduce the consumption of animal foods—if TCA was implemented—of 60.5% was determined, suggests that TCA has the potential for sustainable behavior change. This study highlights factors that influence consumer attitudes and preferences regarding the inclusion of TCAs, such as environmental, social, and animal welfare costs. Customers’ understanding of increased prices like,
in this case, the compensation for environmental and social costs—is an argument in favor of true prices. The results emphasize the need for differentiated scientific communication strategies to bridge knowledge and action gaps in sustainability science.
Entwicklung eines Frameworks zur Monetarisierung externer Gesundheitskosten von Lebensmitteln
(2023)
Quantification and subsequent monetization of dietary externalities is essential to incentivise healthier and more sustainable diets. In this way, positive monetary incentives can be set for under-consumed foods such as fruits or whole grain products and negative monetary incentives for overconsumed foods such as red or processed meat. This not only promotes a shift to healthier diets, but also motivates a move towards a more ecological agricultural economy.
Agriculture is one of the world's biggest polluters. Consumers are misled towards demand of unsustainable and inadequately priced food products by an insufficient internalization of externalities. Shifting demand towards more sustainable dietary choices can lead to a sustainable transition of agri-food networks. In this study, we evaluate environmental damage economically: we combine environmental assessment of different food products with the internalization of their monetary impacts. Life Cycle Assessments are modeled for conventional and organic foods and different production scenarios. The quantified environmental impacts are combined with True Cost Accounting to adjust food prices according to their environmental impacts. Using this framework for 22 German agricultural products, we find that on average, crop production generates externalities of about €0.79 per kg for conventional and about €0.42 for organic products. Conventional milk and eggs cause additional costs of about €1.29 per kg on average in organic systems and about €1.10 in organic ones. Conventional and organic meat generate externalities of €4.42 and €4.22 per kg, respectively, with beef generating the highest costs of all. The environmental favorability of organic products is confirmed, but the resulting organic market prices after internalization still exceed conventional prices. Externalities represent a negative impact on societal welfare, which should be addressed by policies supporting transparent pricing approaches.
3D printing technology is rapidly transforming supply chains across diverse manu-facturing sectors, enabling personalisation of consumer goods ranging from car parts, medical devices, toys, houses, and even clothing. Food production is also included in the breadth of applications of this expanding technology. Increasing consumer awareness about sustainability, including the problem of food waste, as well as growing interest in customised nutrition have led to the emergence of food industry research focused on aspects, such as packaging, portion size, and healthy sustainable ingredients, to satisfy consumer demands. The growing market for personalised food options in particular, requires increased flexibility and agility to tailor ingredients to an individual’s specific requirements. Such specificity is not easily fulfilled using traditional mass production methods; however, the emerging technology of 3D food printing (3DFP) may be one solution. This paper evaluates the opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with 3DFP, with a focus on developing sustainable supply chains for future growth. Drawing on 12 semi-structured interviews with 3DFP industry managers and current literature in the domain, we propose three supply chain models for 3DFP services, as well as an overview of the key business drivers.
Additive manufacturing
(2022)
Using Resource Dependence Theory (RDT), this paper explores the changing state of Supply Chain (SC) complexities and dependencies resulting from Additive Manufacturing (AM) adoption, analysing implications for competitiveness. We utilised an adapted SC configuration framework to develop embedded case studies across the Aerospace, Automotive and Power Generation industries. The sample included fifteen companies deploying metal AM across three SC tiers. Using an abductive logic, our findings reveal that the complexity and dependency-reduction potential of AM depends on economic, industry, geographical, organisational and technological factors. We developed a conceptual framework for AM SC configuration and four propositions, which provide further insights into the interplay between SC complexities, dependencies and competitiveness. By utilising RDT, we contribute to the AM SC configuration literature by highlighting the mediating role that dependencies play in achieving competitiveness, as well as strategies adopted by firms to mitigate uncertainty. We also highlight the interplay between ‘relationship and governance’ and three other SC configuration dimensions in relation to competitiveness. Insights into the changing state of complexities and dependencies identified in this study could also support managerial decisions in AM SC design.
Plant-based protein food products are considered healthier, more nutritious, and substantially ‘greener’ than meat-based dietary offerings. For reasons such as these plant protein sources including peas/legumes, soy and algae are experiencing unpre-cedented market popularity. Amidst the multitude of alternative protein-based foods on offer, peas are the most promising plant-protein source as they contain all the essential amino acids and have a well-balanced nutritional profile in terms of fat and fibre. However, understanding the extent of the market feasibility of the respective pea protein supply chains (SCs), based on practical expertise, is of utmost importance for policymakers and industrialists alike to evaluate the growth potential of peas as a protein source. To this end, a survey was conducted among pea SC stakeholders to create an understanding of the level of market feasibility of pea protein-based products. A SWOT analysis consolidated the different views and resulted in the
identification of specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the industry. By focusing on understanding the challenges and prospects within peaprotein product SCs, this research provides a springboard for further research investigations into related plant protein-based products. The resulting blueprint of recommended initiatives can help inform the further development of pea protein SCs.
Despite the abundance of articles addressing global supply chain risks and their mitigation strategies, there are surprisingly few insights into how different industries manage global supply chain risks while internationalising abroad. There are conflicting results from previous researches that specific global supply chain risk management practices work in one industry but not in others. We believe that in each industry sector, the global supply chain risks and their mitigation strategies differ. We used profile deviation and ideal profile methodology to identify top performers in three industry sectors (Audit, Finance and Consulting, Automotive, and IT and Software) and evaluated their best practices towards managing global supply chain risks. This study used an online survey to gather information on how Indian executives across these industries manage global supply chain risks during their internationalisation process and found the ‘ideal’ risk mitigation profiles for all three industries. These findings provide new insights to practitioners as they will serve as a useful reference tool for Indian executives planning to internationalise.
Guest editorial: The interplay between new innovations, sustainability and food supply chains
(2024)
It is no exaggeration to say that food waste along the supply chain is becoming a significant problem for humanity. Food waste is expensive and damaging to the en-vironment and climate e.g. Accorsi and Manzini (2019), Dani (2019), Dora et al. (2020). In Germany alone, food waste generates about 4 percent of the country’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions (BMEL, 2022). Entrepreneurs are often perceived as the world’s problem solvers. By offering innovative new products and services they are providing pathways to overcome some of the pressing global issues, including climate change. And more specifically innovative entrepreneurs, startups as well as established companies are actively seeking to tackle the problem of food waste using innovative business models and linking agile supply chains and production systems to these busi-ness models (Dora et al., 2020, Rogers and Srivastava, 2021). In Germany, for example, companies such as “Rettergut”, Knödelkult”, “Etepete” or “TooGoodToGo”, approach the problem of food waste with completely different business models. This ranges from saving “ugly” fruit and vegetables, to redistributing production surplus, as well as up-cycling food and creating (digital) platforms, to ensure surplus meets demand (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, 2021, Janssen, 2018). Other innovative business models (Baierl and Behrens, 2019), whereby imperfect produce, by-products of agriculture, waste and overproduction are efficiently used are part of this exploratory research. The authors create an overview of the status quo of the markets using the example of Germany’s B2B food supply chain, covering market players, their transport-, sourcing and production strategies and business model applications. Many questions still need to be addressed, including the following: Can innovative business models from different industries be applied to food? Is the platform business model suitable for the reduction of food waste? Is it necessary for retailers - as the final (downstream) tier in the supply chain before the customer - to become more flexible regarding a varying supply of products? How can the sharing economy and regional or local sourcing add to a sustainable food supply chain/network? These and other pertinent questions will the addressed in this exploratory research, for which the answers will be sought by con-ducting interviews with key stakeholders within our network and examining use cases
Although steps have been taken to improve sustainable practices in the construction industry, progress to date has been slow. Advances in 3D printing technology provide a significant opportunity to reconfigure construction industry supply chains to improve its sustainability credentials. This study investigates the adoption of 3D construction printing (3DCP) as a sustainable alternative and/or to augment traditional construction industry supply chains. By analysing six 3DCP organisations and feeding six critical insights into the Business Model Navigator, this study proposes three supply chain models i.e. generative construction service, hybrid service, and emergency service. A generative supply chain model can be used as an on-demand service for customers with limited knowledge of 3DCP. The hybrid model can integrate 3DCP with a traditional construction supply chain to construct part of the building. Finally, the emergency services model can be used to rapidly construct cost-effective housing (e.g for refugees). The adoption of 3D Printing using these supply chain models in housing construction supply chains has the potential to offer considerable benefits both for construction companies and end-users, while at the same time improving sustainability, affordability and productivity.
Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing (MMAM) introduces a new dimension to production technologies by seamlessly integrating multiple materials into a single object, enabling unparalleled design possibilities. This paper explores MMAM value chains and methods and showcases real-world applications in the aerospace, biomedical and industrial sectors. While MMAM holds promise for application in high-tech industries, its widespread adoption is contingent on quantity, utilization and technical requirements. Continued research into developing material properties and reducing unit costs is needed. Only once these two key challenges have been addressed is mainstream adoption likely.
With the growing global interdependence of companies, their scope of responsibility for the environmental, social, and human rights impacts associated with their activities is also growing. In this context, companies are increasingly held accountable for social and ecological issues that lie within the sphere of action of their suppliers and sub-suppliers. They are thus faced with the challenge of meeting these demands for transparency, traceability, and compliance with standards in their Supply Chains (SCs). Based on the theoretical framework of Sustainable Supply Chain Transparency (SSCT) in Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), this conceptual article aims at initiating the discussion on digitalization in SSCM. Therefore, a heuristical research framework, based on relevant fields in the management of sustainability oriented transparency (governance, cooperation and partner selection, traceability/tracking, and strategic and operational risk assessment) is developed. In relation to these fields, consequently, data-driven digital approaches are identified to which potentials for SSCT and control can be attributed. This initial analysis of existing digital approaches already shows that the market is developing dynamically, but is driven more by individual initiatives. In many cases, the approaches used so far are still in the trial phase or offer only limited solutions. Therefore, this paper contributes by giving an overview of the current application of the digitalization approaches in SSCM pinning our discussion on SSCT dimensions.
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die tatsächliche Wohnsituation von einkommensschwachen Haushalten in der Stadt Nürnberg empirisch zu erfassen. Als einkommensschwache Haushalte werden Haushalte in die Untersuchung aufgenommen, die Mindestsicherungsleistungen (MSL) beziehen sowie sogenannte Grenzhaushalte mit geringen Einkommen. Diese Haushalte werden im Rahmen der Studie hinsichtlich der aktuellen Wohnsituation untersucht, insbesondere in Hinblick auf den baulich-energetischen Sanierungszustand der Wohnung. Ferner sollte untersucht werden, ob hier mögliche Unterschiede zwischen MSL-Haushalten und „Grenzhaushalten“ existieren, um mögliche sozialpolitische Erkenntnisse ableiten zu können. Schließlich untersucht die Studie auch, inwieweit sich mögliche Sanierungsmaßnahmen auf die Wohnkosten und damit die finanzielle Gesamtbelastung der Haushalte auswirken. Methodisch wird ein Mixed-Methods-Ansatz gewählt, der drei unterschiedliche Forschungsansätze kombiniert:
(1) die Durchführung von Fokusgruppen mit relevanten Akteuren aus Sozialverwaltung, Wohlfahrtspflege, Wohnungs- und Energiewirtschaft, (2) eine standardisierte Befragung von Haushalten mit Bezug von Mindestsicherungsleistungen bzw. Wohngeld und (3) eine Analyse von Erhebungsdaten aus dem kommunalen Projekt „EnergieSparProjekt (ESP)“.
Die Ergebnisse der Studie liefern eine wichtige und differenzierte empirisch basierte Übersicht zu den Wohnverhältnissen einkommensschwacher Haushalte in Nürnberg, die bisher in dieser Form noch nicht vorlag.
The objective of this study was to investigate the current research practices and existing progress research published on supply chain management and supply chain integration in an attempt to provide a research agenda for future investigations. Mainly the secondary data analysis and methods employed for the investigations. Particularly a systematic literature review analysis from 115 papers published from 16 important journals in the supply chain, logistics, Industrial management & data systems, supply chain management: an international journal and operations management during the period 1997 to 2018 was employed. This paper has identified relevant supply chain integration research studies that have contributed to the development and growth of manufacturing industries performance and competitiveness to the SCI and SCM fields. The analysis of the relevant articles gaps and miss-concepts in the previous literature provides to reduce universality and insufficient ordinary view, confusion of supply chain integrations were investigated. The gaps and investigations were done based on their methodological porches, objectives, analysis and research finding. Mainly the gaps, miss concepts and challenges concepts in the previous literature were identified and grouped in five issues. Moreover, the gaps and recommendations for future research are consolidated into a research agenda that provides practitioners to evaluate existing SCI & SCM issues and seek ways to develop a conceptual farm work on SCI of manufacturing industries to global supply chains.
In a case study of Germany, we examine current food consumption along the three pillars of sustainability to evaluate external factors that influence consumers’ dietary decisions. We investigate to what extent diets meet nutritional requirements (social factor), the diets’ environmental impact (ecological factor), and the food prices’ influence on purchasing behavior (economic factor). For this, we compare two dietary recommendations (plant-based, omnivorous) with the status quo, and we examine different consumption styles (conventional, organic produce). Additionally, we evaluate 1446 prices of food items from three store types (organic store, supermarket, and discounter). With this, we are able to evaluate and compare 30 different food baskets along their health, environmental, and economic impact. Results show that purchasing decisions are only slightly influenced by health-related factors. Furthermore, few consumers align their diet with low environmental impact. In contrast, a large share of consumers opt for cheap foods, regardless of health and environmental consequences. We find that price is, arguably, the main factor in food choices from a sustainability standpoint. Action should be taken by policy makers to financially incentivize consumers in favor of healthy and environmentally friendly diets. Otherwise, the status quo further drives especially underprivileged consumers towards unhealthy and environmentally damaging consumption.
AbstractThere is broad scientific consensus that current food systems are neither sustainable nor resilient: many agricultural practices are very resource-intensive and responsible for a large share of global emissions and loss of biodiversity. Consequently, current systems put large pressure on planetary boundaries. According to economic theory, food prices form when there is a balance between supply and demand. Yet, due to the neglect of negative external effects, effective prices are often far from representing the ‘true costs’. Current studies show that especially animal-based foodstuff entails vast external costs that currently stay unaccounted for in market prices. Against this background, we explore how informational campaigning on agricultural externalities can contribute to consumer awareness and tolerance of this matter. Further, we investigate the socially just design of monetary incentives and their implementation potentials and challenges. This study builds on the informational campaign of a German supermarket displaying products with two price tags: one of the current market price and the other displaying the ‘true’ price, which includes several environmental externalities calculated with True Cost Accounting (TCA). Based on interpretations of a consumer survey and a number of expert interviews, in this article we approach the potentials and obstacles of TCA as a communication tool and the challenges of its factual implementation in agri-food networks. Our results show that consumers are generally interested in the topic of true food pricing and would to a certain extent be willing to pay ‘true prices’ of the inquired foods. However, insufficient transparency and unjust distribution of wealth are feared to bring about communication and social justice concerns in the implementation of TCA. When introducing TCA into current discourse, it is therefore important to develop measures that are socially cautious and backed by relevant legal framework conditions. This poses the chance to create a fair playing (‘polluter pays’) with a clear assignment of responsibilities to policy makers, and practitioners in addition to customers.
Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die externen Umweltfolgekosten von Lebensmitteln in Deutschland zu quantifizieren, die während des Produktionsprozess sowie der vorgelagerten Lieferkette entstehen. Um die Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt zu kompensieren, sollten externe Effekte nach dem Verursacherprinzip der UN in allen Lebensmittelpreisen berücksichtigt werden. Auf Basis einer umfassenden Literaturrecherche und in Anlehnung an die Methode von Fitzpatrick und Young (2017) werden die externen Kosten der deutschen Agrarproduktion im Jahr 2016 berechnet. Würden Umweltfolgen der deutschen Lebensmittelproduktion und des Konsums wie Treibhausgase, vermeidbare Lebensmittelabfälle und Biodiversitätsverluste in die Preise einfließen, wäre nach unseren Berechnungen eine durchschnittliche Preiserhöhung von 43 % auf der Einzelhandelsebene notwendig. Unsere Ergebnisse verdeutlichen das Ausmaß der aktuellen Fehlbepreisung und die damit verbundenen, dringenden Veränderungsbedarfe im Lebensmittelsektor.
This research aims to develop an improved model that promotes reverse engineering /RE/ practice in metal engineering industries (MEIs). RE is one cost-effective technology transfer /TT/ and innovation method that improves organizational performance. However, only a few scholars have written on the adoption of RE models, and no one has contextualized TT and innovation models as a means to adopt RE practice. Methodology: Primarily, the study conducted a systematic literature review based on previous works to develop a conceptual model for RE adoption. To do this, the researchers conducted an intensive literature review and identified factors contributing to the model. Contextualizing TT and innovation factors and models within the new RE adoption model is also a significant part of the work. After a comparative analysis, the researchers developed the improved RE adoption model that enhances the performance of MEIs. Finding: The majority of previous related literature focuses on RE hardware, with only a few authors acknowledging the soft aspects, i.e., managerial and legal issues of RE practice. Besides, no authors contextualized factors of TT and innovation within the RE adoption. In this study, the researchers identified and clustered RE adoption factors as organizational, technological, managerial, and resource-based from previous RE adoption models and contextualization of TT and innovation adoption factors. Originality: To the best of the writers’ knowledge, no previous authors have contextualized TT and innovation models within the adoption of RE. However, such models have a substantial impact on adopting the practice. Hence, the researchers developed an improved model by examining and contextualizing the existing models that can impact MEI performance through improving product, process, and technological capabilities.
This research deals with the role of reverse engineering (RE) in enhancing productivity (product quality and processing time improvements) and technological capability (TC). Using a systematic reviewing approach, the authors investigated and raised novel debating concepts, i.e., the controversy between advocates and opponents concerning the role of RE and the legality issues. The review process revealed the absence of a holistic definition that can address the state-of-the-art, and the impact of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) to adopt RE practice. The researchers believe that the new definition of RE is helpful to understand the comprehensive role of the practice and to fill the knowledge gap by convincing opponents about RE not as theft but as a driver to transfer knowledge and technology. The research also recommends how the bottlenecks on the legality issues can be resolved through the revision of IPRs from the context of developing countries (DCs).
This paper aims to review the existing national quality infrastructure (NQI) capability assessment approaches and ultimately develop a more inclusive framework that addresses all components of NQI. Therefore, the study reviewed previous efforts and noticed that most of them lack comprehensiveness or focus on a few NQI elements and use few indicators readily available online. Therefore, this study addresses these issues and allows future researchers to consider this conceptual model for NQI capability assessment. Accordingly, the study review documents focused on NQI capability collected from different sources. Backward and forward literature searches were conducted to identify additional and up-to-date documents. Finally, content analysis was performed on selected literature to identify the possible NQI capability indicators. The identified indicators were further simplified and segregated into five NQI categories: standardisation, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment, and the regulatory system. And three NQI capability alternatives: resources, services, and collaboration. Figure 1 shows the framework. Table 1, Figures 3, 4 and 5 summarise and depict each capability assessment indicator under the five capability categories and three alternatives. Therefore, this framework is used as an index to assess the capability of the NQI system.
Sustainable performance demands to show a sustained competitive advantage that lasts a long period. “Industrial Parks” is now the gateway to sustainable development, especially in the least developing countries like Ethiopia, for example. The industrial parks are highly attracting foreign direct investment and working for the inclusive development of the country. Though this is a good start, the capability is at an initial stage and needs support in terms of their performance towards creating a sustainable operation. Based on the evidence of both theoretical and empirical literature findings, this study paper conducted a review and identified the sustainability measures and practices from which it tries to filter the key capability measures and practices for the Ethiopian industrial parks. For integrating the identified practices and measures, as a methodological approach, the theory of dynamic capability process is considered, encompassing sensing, learning, and transforming the cyclic loop. Practices and measures are incorporated in each process of dynamic capability pillars. A conceptual model was developed as the final output showing the holistic map of the integrated sustainability measures and practices. The measures and practices identified will fully support the sustainable growth and decision process of the industrial park operation. It also adds value to the body of knowledge in industrial sustainability in special economic zones.
Die Gestaltung von Lieferketten hat zahlreiche Implikationen für die Nachhaltigkeit von Unternehmensprozessen. Das Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz soll hier einen positiven Beitrag leisten. Durch die Anwendung der Risikoanalyse werden Unternehmen in die Lage versetzt, das Gesetz konsequent umzusetzen.
Wheat is one of Ethiopia's most important cereal crops in terms of the area of land allocated, the volume produced, and the number of farmers engaged in its production. About 4.7 million farmers produce 3.9 million tons of wheat across 1.6 million hectares of land. Despite the significant potential of the country, some challenges exist to attain wheat self-sufficiency. These challenges spread across the wheat value chain (WVC); wherein quality-related issues are prominent. Therefore, assessing the national quality infrastructure (NQI) service and offering mitigation schemes is a goal to pursue. To do so, this paper evaluates NQI services in the WVC and proposes an improvement mechanism using the CALIDENA methodology. Results show WVC is subjected to a significant number of quality-related issues mainly associated with conformity assessment service (calibration, certification, inspection, and testing) and standards. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations for NQI service improvement to improve the WVC.
This paper introduces the strategic micro-foundational construct of dynamic capabilities and explores their causal relationship with socio-economical sustainability variables by considering relational capabilities and focusing on the external environment as a mediating factor. The study used a case study approach targeting export-oriented international clothing firms investing in the industrial zones of Ethiopia. Primary data were gathered for the measurement variables and presented with descriptive and multivariate statistics. Moreover, a system dynamics model was applied to model the dynamic relationship and understand the dynamic capability growth for socio-economical sustainability. The findings show that the firm’s accumulated operational capabilities have not significantly influenced socio-economical sustainability. However, a firm’s dynamic capabilities to sense, seize, and reconfigure sustainability requirements from the external environment through relational capabilities were more influential. In this regard, it was understood that the firms have a good opportunity to adopt a dynamic capability-driven strategic management approach for sustainable development.
Digitalization in the field of education for sustainable development (ESD) has gained attention in the last decade. In particular, technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) offer new ways to deliver educational content on sustainable development by simulating real-world experiences and using immersive and interactive formats for learning. Using an explorative qualitative research approach, the benefits of AR and VR technologies in the context of ESD are assessed. The results of a first expert panel show that AR and VR technologies are particularly suitable for sustainability topics when an understanding of action and the transfer of knowledge and values are to be promoted among learners.
The challenge to integrate, measure, and report sustainability at the firm level has been frequently discussed in theory and practice. However, there is still a limitation on narrowing the sustainability concept at the firm level and addressing the challenges in a holistic approach encompassing the economic, social, and environment triple bottom lines and firm strategic management. This study explores firm-level sustainability through a systematic literature review followed by a case study exploration. Based on the review findings, key measuring dimensions were identified to frame sustainability at the firm level. The dimensions were further explored, taking a country case of large-scale industrial firm zones in Ethiopia. Critical economic, social, environmental sustainability and strategic management concerns are systematically identified and discussed. Finally, a conceptual sustainability assessment framework was proposed to support firm-level sustainability measuring and reporting, which could be considered a steppingstone for the sustainable development of Ethiopia's industrial park.
Scholars define national quality infrastructure (NQI) differently. However, the basic components and scopes are similar. NQI is a less explored topic with few studies conducted, therefore, this paper is instated to provide insight. With this in mind, the paper reviewed basic concepts, components, and the interrelationship among the NQI components. Moreover, NQI development models, benefits, and challenges are also included in the review. Different literature from different sources dealing with NQI was collected and reviewed. Findings showed that NQI represents the peculiar and joint application of all its components including technical regulation and intellectual property rights. However, the presence, functionality, and international and regional integration of each NQI component determines the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. This ultimately promotes trade, innovation, and growth. Finally, besides the effort made by different NQI affiliated international and regional organisations to promote the concept, this review also strengthens the efforts to make NQI more visible.
Coffee generates about 25%-30% of total export and securing about 15 million people's livelihoods in Ethiopia. But, it has several quality issues. Studies show a total of 272 million USD of which 99% is due to the non-conformance cost of the export product incurred annually. This justifies mitigating quality problems in the sector is important. Therefore, to deal with this issue coffee quality related data were collected from Ethiopian National Quality Infrastructure Institutions (ENQI) and Coffee Quality Inspection and Certification Association (CLU). Eighteen experts purposively selected from both institutes were asked to associate quality service with defects. Finally, lack of accreditation has the highest contribution followed by conformity and metrology with a share of 83.3%, 75%, and 54% for defects points. Moreover, issues like control of temperature and humidity in storage and transport, lack of soil nutrition testing, inspection performance, and commitment to standards implementation are issues that needs to be improved.
Lastenräder sind im Stadtverkehr noch eine Marktnische, sollen aber künftig fester Bestandteil der „Verkehrswende“ sein. So formulierte der Bundesverkehrsminister auf dem Nationalen Radverkehrskongress in Dresden im Mai 2019 als drittes Leitziel für den nächsten Nationalen Radverkehrsplan: „Urbane Lastenverkehre werden Radverkehre“ (BMVI, 2019). Das Verlagerungspotential im urbanen Wirtschaftsverkehr wird mit 20 % beziffert (Gruber & Rudolph 2016), in der Kurier-, Express- und Paket-Branche (KEP) sogar mit 30 % (Bogdanski et al., 2018). Zur Zielerreichung müssen drei kritische Erfolgsfaktoren berücksichtigt werden – wirtschaftliche Logistikkonzepte, logistikgerechte Lastenräder und eine dazu passende urbane Verkehrsinfrastruktur. In diesem Spannungsfeld ergibt sich eine Vielzahl von Handlungsnotwendigkeiten. Weiterhin bestehen urbane Lastenverkehre nur zu einem Teil aus KEP-Verkehren. Welche Potentiale schwere Lastenräder für andere Anwendungen im Lastenverkehr bieten, erörtert das Forschungsprojekt „PedeListics“ mit Kommunen und Unternehmen als Praxispartnern.
Data engineering is an integral part of the data science process. It comprises tasks such as data ingestion, data transformation, and data quality assurance. In order to fulfill these tasks, schema inference is an important capability. Its goal is to detect the structure of a dataset and to derive metadata on hierarchies, data types, etc. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to automate schema inference and thus increase the efficiency of the data science process. However, as government institutions are subject to special regulations, explainability of AI models can be a mandatory requirement. Goal of this research protocol is to plan a systematic review of literature on schema inference for tabular data with explainable AI (XAI). This third version was derived from two earlier review protocols.
Data engineering is an integral part of the data science process. It comprises tasks such as data ingestion, data transformation, and data quality assurance. In order to fulfill these tasks, schema inference is an important capability. Its goal is to detect the structure of a dataset and to derive metadata on hierarchies, data types, etc. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to automate schema inference and thus increase the efficiency of the data science process. However, as government institutions are subject to special regulations, explainability of AI models can be a mandatory requirement. Goal of this research protocol is to plan a systematic review of literature on schema inference with explainable AI (XAI) for data engineering in government institutions. This second version includes adjustments resulting from the first iteration of the review.
Mit dem im Jahr 2022 initiierten Projekt „KI-Potenzial-Scanning“ soll ein Vorgehensmodell erprobt werden, um für die Stadt Nürnberg konkrete
Einsatzpotenziale identifizierbar zu machen. Für das KI-Potenzial-Scanning ist das Ziel, für die Stadt Nürnberg anhand eines ausgewählten, städtischen Arbeitsfeldes Potenzialbereiche für den Einsatz von KI-basierten, digitalen Systemen zu eruieren. Die Eingrenzung des zu untersuchenden Arbeitsfeldes erfolgt über mehrere Workshops in enger Abstimmung mit dem Amt für Digitalisierung und Prozessorganisation.
Data engineering is an integral part of the data science process. It comprises tasks such as data ingestion, data transformation, and data quality assurance. In order to fulfill these tasks, schema inference is an important capability. Its goal is to detect the structure of a dataset and to derive metadata on hierarchies, data types, etc. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to automate schema inference and thus increase the efficiency of the data science process. However, as government institutions are subject to special regulations, explainability of AI models can be a mandatory requirement. Goal of this research protocol is to plan a systematic review of literature on schema inference with explainable AI (XAI) for data engineering in government institutions.
If we believe Edward Snowden, encryption is "the only true protection against surveillance". However, advances in quantum technology might endanger this safeguard. Our article discusses why quantum computing poses a threat to data security and what to do about it. Instead of a purely theoretical analysis, we build on code examples using Python, C, and Linux.
Data engineering makes up a large part of the data science process. In CRISP-DM this process stage is called "data preparation". It comprises tasks such as data ingestion, data transformation and data quality assurance. In our article we solve typical data engineering tasks using ChatGPT and Python. By doing so, we explore the link between data engineering and the new discipline of prompt engineering.