Publications

Publications

Books

Industry 4.0 Technologies: Sustainable Manufacturing Supply Chains (Chapter title " Enablers and Benefits of Supply Chain Digitalization: An Empirical Study of Thai MSMEs")

Author

  • Janya Chanchaichujit
  • Sreejith Balasubramanian
  • Vinaya Shukla
  • Arvind Upadhyay
  • Anil Kumar

Health 4.0 : Next Generation Processes with the Latest Technologies

Author

  • Janya Chanchaichujit
  • Albert Tan
  • Fanwen Meng
  • Sarayoot Eaimkhong

Using Simulation Tools to Model Renewable Resources

Author

  • Janya Chanchaichujit
  • José F. Saavedra-Rosas

Essential Skills and Competencies for Supply Chain Professionals and Future Leaders in Asia

Author

  • Albert Tan
  • Sreejith Balasubramanian
  • Siti Norida Wahab

Journal Articles and Book Chapter

Download : Enablers and Benefits of Supply Chain Digitalization: An Empirical Study of Thai MSMEs | SpringerLink

Abstract:

Supply chain digitalization is increasingly critical to the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). However, knowledge about it, including the technologies, enablers, and benefits from the perspective of these enterprises is limited, particularly in developing economies. Addressing this knowledge gap is essential, as around 95% of enterprises in these economies are MSMEs. This study aims to bridge this gap using Thailand as a developing economy case study, gathering relevant information through a survey (with 574 responses) and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that most Thai MSMEs use basic digital tools, while the adoption of intermediate and advanced technologies is moderate and low respectively. Consumer and competitor pressures primarily drive digitalization efforts, with the government playing a somewhat limited role. These (digitalization) efforts were found to have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite budgetary constraints. From a benefits perspective, digitalization was found to improve business processes and enhance sales and customer satisfaction. These findings offer insights for emerging economy practitioners and policymakers to develop suitable policy interventions and support mechanisms for MSME digitalization. This study makes a novel and significant contribution to the literature, as no previous studies have comprehensively investigated digitalization in emerging economies or in Thailand.

Download : Prioritising Visibility Influencing Factors in Supply Chains for Resilience – ScienceDirect

Abstract:

Supply chain resilience is essential, especially in helping supply chains prepare, react, and grow from supply chain disruptions. Competencies required to generate supply chain performance through resilience include, amongst others, visibility, digital technologies, and supply chain relationships. Supply chain visibility is the ability of the supply chain to see clearly from one end to another whilst sharing information that is key or useful to the stakeholders in the chain. Effective management of supply chain visibility can result in a competitive advantage. This requires knowledge and understanding of the factors influencing visibility and appropriate prioritisation of the factors. This paper presents a method of prioritising visibility influence factors (VIFs) in supply chains and resilience. It adopts a fuzzy logic approach and explores prioritisation from two main perspectives: a) supply chain managers included more towards digital technologies perspectives (DTP), and b) supply chain managers included more towards supply chain relationship perspectives (SCRP). Remarkably, notable differences were found between the VIF priorities of the DTP vs the SCRP supply chain managers. Automation, context awareness, dynamic capability, absorptive capacity, and information management were top VIF priorities for the DTP managers. Supply chain relationships, nature of management, Resources, Linkages, and Laws, policies and standards came tops as VIFs to prioritise for the SCRP manager. Interestingly, both the DTP and SCRP participants in the study attach somewhat similar views on priorities regarding motives, information sharing, interoperability, integration and connectivity of information technologies. There are reasonable arguments in support of the viewpoints. Appropriate good balance may need to be sought between the DTP and the SCRP perspectives when prioritising the VIFs for resilience.

Download: Employer branding: Confirmation of a measurement model and its implication for managing the workforce – Jawahitha Sarabdeen, Sreejith Balasubramanian, Valerie Lindsay, Janya Chanchaichujit, Sony Sreejith, 2023 (sagepub.com)    

Abstract:

Employer branding is becoming increasingly important for organizations to attract and retain top talent. While practitioners use a range of tactics to build and promote employer branding, it is still unclear as to what exactly constitutes effective employer branding. This gap in the literature formed the motivation of this study, which aims to develop, validate and apply a multi-dimensional measurement model of employer branding. First, a comprehensive measurement model of employer branding comprising eight constructs (brand value, development value, economic value, ethical and moral value, functional value, interest value, management value, and work-life balance) was developed through an extensive literature review. Next, using data collected through a structured survey, the validity of the proposed model, including the relevance/appropriateness of each construct and its unique contribution to employer branding, was assessed. The second-order confirmatory factor analysis results established the existence of a robust higher-order measurement model for employer branding, with each of the eight constructs contributing significantly and uniquely. The model was then applied to assess the hypothesized difference in employer branding across different demographic groups, namely gender and overall work experience. The results indicate a significant difference in the model across the various demographic groups. Overall, the study significantly contributes toward the theoretical advancement of employer branding. Future researchers could adopt the validated model and measurement items in different settings. For practitioners, the results indicate that employer branding requires an all-encompassing effort rather than being oriented towards few attributes. Also, the study findings highlight the need to customize employer brand strategies across different demographic groups.

Download : DOI: doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-08-2021-0189

Purpose
The garments/textiles industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. However, efforts to understand and curtail its adverse environmental impacts have not been commensurate, and previous works have largely been fragmented and disjointed. This study aims to coduct a comprehensive and systematic green supply chain management (GSCM) investigation on this industry, where a multidimensional framework involving green supply chain practices and performance is developed, validated and applied.

Design/methodology/approach
A framework consisting of 12 constructs (8 on practices and 4 on performance) and their underlying measures were developed through an extensive literature review. A survey methodology was used to obtain responses from 403 garment-manufacturing firms in Bangladesh, one of the leading garment producers in the world. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used first to validate the first- and second-order constructs and then test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings
Internal environmental management and cooperation with stakeholders were identified as necessary precursors for implementing the second-order green supply chain practices comprising green design, green purchasing, green manufacturing, green transportation, green facilities and end-of-life management. The implementation of green supply chain practices was found to have a (direct) positive impact on environmental, economic and operational performance and an indirect positive impact on organizational performance. Similarly, both economic and operational performance was found to impact organizational performance positively. Surprisingly, a negative relationship (albeit low) was observed between environmental and organizational performance. Also, garment-manufacturing firms were found to have been unable to translate their IEM capabilities into strategic and long-term cooperation with stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications
The study fills a gap in the literature about applying/implementing GSCM in the garment industry. Future studies in the garment industry and elsewhere could utilize the framework to understand further the synergistic impact of green supply chain practices on performance.

Practical implications
The findings provide practitioners, policymakers and organizations associated with the garment industry with critical insights on the various opportunities and challenges in adopting GSCM. Also, the positive impact of green supply chain practices on performance could provide the impetus for manufacturing firms to adopt GSCM.

Originality/value
A comprehensive GSCM investigation on the garment industry has not been previously attempted and constitutes the novelty of this work. Also, Bangladesh is the second-largest garment exporter worldwide, making this study contribution even more valuable.

Downlaod : DOI: 10.1179/03063070211013337

Abstract : Organizations are relying on their leaders to demonstrate effective leadership behavior that positively affects employee innovation. However, discrepancies are often found between leaders’ self-perception and followers’ perception of leadership. Understanding the discrepancies is critical for narrowing the leader–follower perception gap and achieving congruence between leaders and followers. This forms the motivation of this study, which aims to compare and contrast the direct and mediated (through psychological empowerment) impact of transformational leadership behavior on employee innovation performance from the perspective of both leaders and followers. Multisource data using questionnaires were collected from 66 leaders and 220 followers in the United Arab Emirates. The results show that leaders’ self-perception scores were significantly lower than that of their followers. Also, discrepancies in perceptions of the direct impact of transformational leadership behavior on employee innovation were found such that a positive and significant relationship was found for followers while no significant relationship was found for leaders. Finally, psychological empowerment mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and employee innovation performance for both leaders and followers, though leaders perceive the mediation of psychological empowerment to be stronger than followers perceive it to be. The study findings show the importance of obtaining multiple-source feedback to first assess the perceptions of both leaders and followers and then make necessary interventions (if required) to narrow perception gaps between leaders and followers since discrepancies could lead to poor organizational culture.

Downlaod : DOI: doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1938377

Abstract : Despite the significant growth of e-commerce in recent years, especially in the business-to-consumer (B2C) online retail sector, its positive and negative environmental implications are unclear from previous research. To understand the environmental impacts of e-commerce, two conceptual models were first developed from the literature. Next, using 303 responses collected through a structured questionnaire from the GCC countries, the proposed models, including the relevance/appropriateness of each construct and its underlying items, were validated, and then the hypothesized relationships between them were assessed. The findings of Model 1 showed that green consumerism does shape the consumers’ positive and negative environmental attitudes towards e-commerce, which in turn was found to influence the behavioral intention to use e-commerce channels. In Model 2, positive environmental attitudes no longer predicted behavioral intention with the introduction of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness constructs as consumers preferred ease of use and usefulness of e-commerce over positive environmental factors. Interestingly, the impact of negative environmental attitudes on behavioral intention remained even in the presence of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The study provides critical insights for practitioners and policymakers in promoting and leveraging the positive environmental benefits of e-commerce, while at the same time strive to minimize/eliminate its negative environmental impacts. The study is arguably the first empirical attempt in understanding the positive and negative environmental implications of e-commerce and its impact on the consumer intention to use e-commerce, and hence the study findings are novel.

Download : DOI: doi.org/10.1002/bse.2692

Abstract : Combating environmental pollution and climate change mandates strong commitment and participation of all firms across sectors. However, the environmental conduct of firms is seen to vary as per their characteristics, especially their size, ownership, and age. Current understanding of these characteristics’ influence on environmental sustainability is limited, fragmented, and scattered across the literature, which this study seeks to improve and contribute to. Based on a rigorous screening of the last 25 years’ literature (1996–2020), the study develops a comprehensive understanding of firm characteristics’ implications for environmental sustainability, namely, environmental practices implementation, environmental drivers, environmental barriers, and associated (environmental, cost/economic, operational, and organizational) performance implications. Several meaningful and generalizable trends, conflicts, and consensus, or lack thereof, are revealed. For instance, the extent of environmental practices’ implementation can be seen to be greater at large firms’ (vis-à-vis small ones) and at foreign firms’ (vis-à-vis local ones), though not much difference is seen between old and new firms. Also, several metafactors such as resources availability, innovation propensity, and bureaucracy and organizational inertia are identified that explain the differential influence of firm characteristics on environmental sustainability and dispel erroneous stereotypes. Finally, gaps in the literature offering avenues for future research are highlighted along with implications for research, theory, and practice. Results are expected to help policymakers and practitioners develop policies/interventions that ensure all firms, irrespective of their characteristics contribute to environmental sustainability. A comprehensive review of this kind has not been previously undertaken and constitutes the novelty of this work.

Downlaod : DOI: doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1818408

Abstract : Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in managing supply chains has witnessed significant interest in recent years. However, the current understanding of the potential benefits that act as the motivating factors/drivers in implementing RFID technology (benefit-drivers), its link to competitive advantage, is fragmented and scattered across the literature. This formed the motivation of this study which seeks to address this gap in the literature through a systematic literature review. Based on a rigorous screening of the literature (2006–2018), the study develops a comprehensive understanding of the various 1) corporate-driven and 2) customer-driven benefit-drivers from RFID implementation. The “2 C” categorization of benefit-drivers is novel and should provide more impetus for practitioners to leverage from RFID implementation. Further, the link between the benefit-drivers and competitive advantage is understood and proposed in the form of a conceptual framework. Finally, avenues for future research are highlighted. The study findings and the framework provide a good starting point for academics and practitioners to further explore the opportunities in supply chain afforded by RFID implementation. A comprehensive review of this kind has not been previously undertaken and constitutes the novelty of this work.

Download : DOI: doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1783177

Abstract : In this paper, a multi-objective linear programming model was developed which sought to simultaneously optimize total costs and total GHG emissions for the Thai Rubber supply chain. The model was solved by the ε -constraint method which computed the Pareto optimal solution. Each point in the Pareto set entailed a different design of quantity of rubber product flow between the supply chain entities and transport modes and routes. The result obtained show the trade-offs between costs and GHG emissions. It appears that improvements in cost reductions are only possible by compromising on and allowing for higher GHG emissions. From the Pareto set of solutions, each point is equally effective solution for achieving significant cost reductions without compromising too far on GHG emissions. Scenarios analysis were considered to examine the impact of transportation and distribution restructuring on the trade-off between GHG emissions and costs vis-à-vis the baseline model. Overall, the model developed in this research, together with its Pareto optimal solutions analysis, shows that it can be used as an effective tool to design a new and workable GSCM model for the Thai Rubber industry.

Download : DOI: doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-01-2020-0004

Purpose
Effective environment and climate change management require supply chain-wide focus (from the initial design to the end-of-life management) as well as universal participation and commitment of firms. However, the environment-related role and contribution of different sized firms in the supply chain are unclear from previous research which this study seeks to clarify using the context of UAE’s construction sector.

Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected from a structured survey (455 responses) and semi-structured interviews with 20 key supply chain stakeholders, this study analyses and understands hypothesized differences between small and medium firms (SMEs) and large firms on three key supply chain environmental sustainability aspects: the extent of green supply chain practices (GSCP) implemented, the strengths/influences of drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of GSCP, and the associated environmental, cost-related and organizational performance benefits derived from GSCP.

Findings
Large firms were found to show significantly greater levels of implementation of GSCP, greater internal drive for implementation and lower barriers to implementation than SMEs. SMEs though were found to be not too far behind large firms with regards to the environmental, cost-related and organizational performance benefits from GSCP implementation.

Practical implications
Findings from this study is useful for benchmarking the GSCP implementation of large firms and SMEs, influences of drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of GSCP and associated performance benefits derived from GSCP implementation. Policymakers and practitioners could use the study findings to develop suitable policies/interventions so as to ensure that all firms irrespective of their size can contribute equitably towards improving the environmental sustainability of supply chains.

Originality/value
This study is arguably the first comprehensive attempt to understand how various environmental sustainability aspects in supply chains are perceived and performed by SMEs and large firms.

Downlaod : DOI: doi.org/10.1504/ijlsm.2019.10013981

Abstract : This research maps and defines the modelling approaches and mathematical techniques that have been used in solving supply chain problems in various industries. An analysis of peer-reviewed research papers has been conducted through a comprehensive search of the literature published from 2010 to 2016. Therefore, mathematical tools and techniques utilised in sustainable supply chain management research in each industrial sector will be identified, thereby opening up directions for future research. This paper addresses the shortfalls in previous works which have not yet addressed the application of mathematical modelling approaches with an industry focus. In addition, this paper also provides a reliable source of information for future expansion in sustainable supply chain management literature and the decision-making process in different industries.

Download : DOI: doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2016.1217317

Abstract : Transportation and distribution are key elements to successful supply chains, however there is some disagreement regarding the impact of distribution and transportation restructuring on costs and the environment. This paper explores the use of an optimisation model of Thailand’s rubber industry supply chain, to assess the impact of distribution and transportation on costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It has previously been observed that there is a positive correlation between transportation cost reduction and environmental impact, nevertheless the correlation is not clearly established when the distribution system is restructured. This paper is divided into two parts: the first part examines the impact of transportation service capacity on distribution decisions; the second part of the paper aims to examine the impact of restructuring the distribution network considering multi-modal options on cost and greenhouse gas emissions. For both parts a scenario analysis is utilised in conjunction with an optimisation model to derive the best possible answer in terms of costs and GHG emissions. In this paper, the results obtained indicate that the impact on cost minimisation from the increase in rail freight service capacity is marginal, while the impact on GHG emission minimisation is more significant. In terms of short-sea shipping prices and service capacity, the scenario analysis shows a slight positive impact on cost minimisation but no positive or negative impact on GHG emission minimisation. Results also confirm that in terms of economic advantages, distribution network restructuring provides greater benefit to the industry than does capacity development for the transportation service.

Downlod : http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/104649

Abstract : The main objective of this research is to answer the following research question “How should a company design their reverse logistics network in a more efficient or responsive way?” In this research, a conceptual framework has been developed based on several key factors for network design. Through the analysis of each key factor affecting network design decision, we have built a conceptual framework for reverse logistics network for companies to decide on whether to centralize versus decentralize their reverse logistics operations, and whether to outsource or insource some of their operations? Some existing studies are able to fit well in our proposed framework, giving us better insights to decision making in reverse logistics network design. The proposed conceptual framework is helpful for the companies or organizations to make better decisions when designing their reverse logistics operations to achieve a lean or responsive network.

Download : DOI: doi.org/10.1108/ijlm.10.2013.0121

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to take the first step in solving environmental supply chain management issues. It proposes a green supply chain management (GSCM) model which would provide environmental benefits to the Thai rubber industry. To this end, a GSCM optimisation model was formulated, whereby the manufacturing processes of rubber products, along with their distribution and transportation, could be improved. The expected result is that total greenhouse gas emissions would be minimised and environmental performance maximised.

Design/methodology/approach
Linear programming was chosen as the mathematical programming for investigation into the problem of finding the association of quantity of rubber product flow between the supply chain entities (farmer, trader group, and factory) and the transportation mode and route, with a view to minimise total greenhouse gas emissions.

Findings
The results indicate that by using the proposed model, GHG emissions could be minimised to 1.08 tons of GHGs per ton of product.

Practical implications
A GSCM model developed in this research can be used as a decision support tool for Thai rubber policy makers. This would allow them to better manage the Thai rubber industry to achieve environmental benefit.

Originality/value
This research is among the first attempts to develop a GSCM model for the Thai rubber industry. It can contribute to providing a basis for a GSCM modelling framework, along with a formulation for research development in this area.

Download : DOI: 10.1109/IEEM.2012.6837994

Abstract : As today’s global rubber markets continue to be more complex in term of cost, the objective to design effective rubber supply chain needs to address this challenge. Therefore, this paper aims to develop an optimization based decision support model for the Thai rubber industry formulated by incorporating the distribution, production and transportation of rubber products in a manner to minimize the total costs. The purpose of the model is to support the analysis of rubber supply network flows, the factory locations, the outbound distribution of transportation mode and route choices. Preliminary results based on cost minimization objective are presented and discussed.