Voici les éléments 1 - 7 sur 7
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    How to model the impact of operations management decisions on business sustainability during a growth
    The research aims at exploring how decisions made by managers of growing firms influence the growth trajectory of their firms and guide them towards sustainable business growth. Based on empirical data of a Swiss family-owned wood construction company, a multi-method model is developed to simulate a growth phase and decision-making process. The expected results suggest that the speed at which decisions are made as well as the diversity of decisions considered influence positively the sustainable growth trajectory. The use of simulation-modelling sheds new light on the study of the dynamic concept of growth in operations management and guide business practice.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    What is the impact of operations management on sustainable business growth?
    The research aims at exploring how decisions made by managers of growing firms influence the growth trajectory of their firms and guide them towards sustainable business growth. For this end, during five consecutive years, we analyze all decisions made by a high-growth firm by means of a longitudinal case study of a Swiss family-owned wood construction company. We observe that firms can take advantage of their growth periods to improve their efficiency and responsibility towards stakeholders. The empirical analysis and theory development pave novel ways for research and business practice towards sustainable business growth.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Sustainable business growth in SMEs: How may decision-­making guide the transition journey?
    The research aims at (1) exploring new theory at the interface of business growth and sustainable development while (2) providing managerial implications for growing firms. For this end, we propose typologies of decisions to be considered by growing firms; by means of a longitudinal case study of a Swiss family-owned SME wood construction company (that is in a process of intense growth), we identify, visually represent and analyze the sequences of selected managerial decisions. The empirical analysis and theory development pave novel ways for research and companies towards sustainable business growth.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Managing international agrifood supply chains - Pathways towards a sustainable paradigm
    (2012-6-8) ; ;
    Akwen, Patience
    ;
    Drawing on academic literature concerning supply chain management and, more specifically, (global) agrifood chains, the extant paper proposes a conceptualization of factors of supply chain design and operations as well as effective governance mechanisms that facilitate holistic performance of agrifood supply chains. Furthermore, tradeoffs that probably emerge when aiming at comprehensive multi-dimensional performance are attributed to different supply chain strategy types. Asking why businesses and supply chains still postpone integration of sustainability and other non-financial performance measures into global agrifood supply chains, we point out that these measures represent in fact credence attributes not to be verified by the (final) consumer. This implies the propensity of businesses to engage both in hidden action concerning actual supply chain/operations management and conspicuous public relations. From these considerations we derive some research propositions to be tested in follow-up empirical and modeling/simulation research on global food supply chains.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Bio-energy supply chains and stakeholders
    What are the management challenges and opportunities of bio-energy chains for both running their business efficiently and effectively and fostering the relationships with most relevant external stakeholders? This question is approached by systematically reviewing papers at the interface of bio-energy and supply chain or logistics issues. The review conducted as content analysis is based on an analytic framework that conceives bio-energy chains between challenges and benefits of bio-energy production with simultaneous internal supply chain management and external stakeholder management needs. Smartly designed and operated bio-energy projects hold promising potentials of contributing to sustainable development by both mitigating climate change and strengthening adaptation capabilities. Our analysis distils specific strategies and success factors for tapping this potential on two levels: On a supply chain level, individually adapted and designed supply chain systems relying on trustful information exchange, cooperation and relational governance safeguard profitability while holding adverse ecological and social impacts of operation down; they allow, for instance, minimising costs and emissions, implementing new technologies, and coping with environmental uncertainties such as crop failures and volatile prices. On a stakeholder level, governments as key actors for designing the future legal framework of bio-energy are primary targets for lobbying activities of bio-energy representatives. Respective arguments may focus on economic development and job generation. By minimising its adverse impacts on society and eco-systems and by communicating these efforts credibly, bio-energy warrants its superiority over fossil energy systems. Involving NGOs and residents in early stages of bio-energy projects via transparent two-way communication considerably increase societal acceptance.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Consumer attitudes towards timber as a construction material and towards timber frame houses – selected findings of a representative survey among the German population
    (2009) ;
    Rubik, Frieder
    This paper presents selected findings from a representative consumer survey of the German population exploring the image of timber as a construction material in general, and of timber frame houses in particular. The study found that prejudice regarding the deficiency of timber as a construction material and of timber frame houses, in terms of fire resistance, durability and stability, persists in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, timber as a construction material and timber frame houses have a positive association with well-being, aesthetics and eco-friendliness. Although these ‘‘soft’’ criteria are important factors in the choice of a certain building construction mode, these attributes are not sufficient, on their own, to trigger the choice of timber as a construction material.