scholarly journals Environmental Sustainability in the Follow-Up and Evaluation Stage of Logistics Services Purchasing: Perspectives from UK Shippers and 3PLs

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Witold Bahr ◽  
Edward Sweeney
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Logistics Services ◽  
Evaluation Stage

The purpose of the research described in this paper is to investigate the role played by the green agenda and sustainability in the follow-up and evaluation stage of the purchasing of logistics services. This stage is relatively under-explored in the extant academic literature. However, there is some evidence of a divergence between the perspectives of shippers and forwarders in this area. In this context, therefore, two carefully selected groups of UK-based supply chain management professionals—from shippers (i.e., manufacturers and retailers) and third-party logistics (3PLs)—were investigated using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were based on a data collection guide informed by the authors’ three overall research objectives. Data from the interviews were analysed using a combination of content analysis and grounded analysis. The findings suggest that, while shippers and 3PLs recognise a positive link between cost savings and the development of green initiatives, there is considerable room for improvement in this area in order to reorient the focus of the follow-up and evaluation stage from price and service levels towards sustainability. The authors’ exploratory research leads to the identification of a number of potentially fruitful areas for future research.

scholarly journals Direct environmental impacts of solar power in two arid biomes: An initial investigation

2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Rudman ◽  
Paul Gauché ◽  
Karen J. Esler
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Total Power ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Areas

According to recent national energy plans and policy documents, the number of renewable energy developments is expected to increase in South Africa, thus contributing to the diversification of the country’s energy system. Consequently, numerous solar power developments are being deployed in the sunny arid interior – areas generally represented by the Nama-Karoo and Savanna Biomes. These developments come with a range of novel environmental impacts, providing opportunities for multidimensional exploratory research. Here, a mixed-method approach was used to identify and investigate possible environmental impacts associated with two types of solar power plants: concentrating solar power and photovoltaic. Structured interviews conducted with experts and experienced professionals, together with observations from site visits generated complementary findings. In addition to the risk of cumulative ecological impacts associated with individual solar plant developments, landscape impacts of multiple power plants and the direct impact on avifauna were found to be the most significant environmental impacts. These direct impacts appear to be most significant during the construction stage, which represents an intensive 10% of the total power plant lifespan. This investigation provides an early, broad and informative perspective on the experienced and expected impacts of solar power in South African arid regions as well as insights to possible future research areas.

Practices and perceptions of German itinerant teachers in the field of visual impairment: Exploratory research focussing on three types of itinerant services

2020 ◽  
pp. 026461962097214
Author(s):  
Hisae Miyauchi ◽  
Wiebke Gewinn
Keyword(s):  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Dual Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
School Based ◽  
Itinerant Teachers ◽  
Scant Attention ◽  
Collaborative Skills

This study aimed to clarify the practices and perceptions of itinerant teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) in inclusive education following three different types (i.e., school-based, school-based single role, and centre-based), identifying the salient factors that enable them to fulfil their roles. To date, the majority of the existing research has focussed on centre-based itinerant TVIs, with scant attention paid to the other itinerant types. This study mitigates this lack of research. Designed as an exploratory study to provide a useful reference for future research, the study employed a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with nine German TVIs. The results showed more similarities than differences among the three types of TVIs in their daily tasks, needed qualities and skills, and overall perceptions of the job. Two crucial elements enabled these TVIs to work effectively: the existence of a large community of TVIs and TVIs possessing good ‘collaborative skills’. The school-based dual role seemed to provide much-needed emotional and technical support. Further investigations are needed on the factors that contribute to a good ‘team’ or a ‘community’ of TVIs and on the effectiveness of the school-based dual role.

scholarly journals The psychological impact of agency worker utilisation

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 622-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Toms ◽  
David Biggs
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Job Security ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Permanent Staff ◽  
Ethnographic Analysis ◽  
Organisational Level

Purpose – Agency work represents a unique form of employment that has received increased attention in recent years. Supporters of the agency employment industry have cited increased accessibility and flexibility at an individual and organisational level, yet critics have highlighted disparities in treatment and the limited protection afforded by the contract. Previous psychological studies into the working experiences of these employees have forwarded a series of findings that have frequently conflicted, so this paper begins by exploring research into the areas of motive, job satisfaction, job security, and organisational support. The purpose of this paper is to better understand how this form of employment can psychologically affect agency workers by focusing upon these key areas. Design/methodology/approach – The study's research design incorporated 25 semi-structured interviews with agency workers, recruitment consultants, and representatives from third-party employers. These interviews were then supplemented by longitudinal data from follow-up interviews conducted with agency workers from the initial sample. During the study, the researcher undertook a number of agency working assignments, and ethnographic analysis of diary extracts represented a third source of data. Findings – Results highlighted the importance of motive, as it was found to influence how agency workers viewed their employment. The lack of obligation in temporary contracts was perceived to lead to isolation from permanent colleagues, increase vulnerability, and reduce job security and organisational commitment. Research limitations/implications – Findings strongly supported the claim that the pre-assignment motives of individuals had a significant impact upon their resulting experiences. Agency workers employed in longer-term assignments reported greater integration into the organisation, resulting in increased commitment towards the third-party employer, and improved relationships with permanent staff. Originality/value – The current research incorporated multiple perspectives to create an increased understanding of the agency employment industry and its impact upon individuals.

scholarly journals Purchasing Green Transport and Logistics Services

2013 ◽  
pp. 86-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Evangelista ◽  
Maria Huge-Brodin ◽  
Karin Isaksson ◽  
Edward Sweeney
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Environmental Attitude ◽  
Critical Position ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Logistics Services ◽  
Different Levels

Environmental sustainability is an area of increasing importance for third party logistics (3PL) companies. As the design and implementation of services requires interaction between buyer and 3PL, the 3PLs are in a critical position to support the efforts towards greening operations of different supply chain participants. However the literature in this field reflects a gap between the perspectives of buyers and 3PLs. This chapter attempts to fill this void through an explorative case study analysis on the environmental attitude of 3PLs in order to derive implications for buyers’ behavior. The results indicate that the buyer’s role is critical in different ways in the development of green initiatives among 3PLs. An increased orientation towards longer-term contracts and joint development would likely enhance the level of green initiatives. Indirectly, the buyer has the opportunity to influence its 3PLs through interaction with employees on different levels in the company, including top management.

Sharia disclosures

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Che Azmi ◽  
Norazlin Ab Aziz ◽  
Normawati Non ◽  
Rusnah Muhamad
Keyword(s):  
Financial Statement ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Full Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to examine the reasons behind the low level of Sharia-related disclosures, particularly Sharia-compliant companies, to gain an understanding on how these companies disclose Sharia-related information in their annual reports, and how professional users of these reports search for such disclosures. Design/methodology/approach The study is an exploratory research based on structured interviews with individuals involved in the preparation of annual reports of Sharia-compliant companies and professional users of annual reports. Findings Most Sharia-compliant companies and professional users interviewed agree that the most relevant Sharia-related information is most commonly understood as the information found in the financial statement and its notes (accounting-related disclosures). Their responses indicate that there is a disjoint between the conventional disclosure practices on corporate social responsibility items and the Sharia-related information. Research limitations/implications The idea of full disclosure needs to be further understood from the perspectives of Sharia. This study provides insights into the types of Sharia-related information that are important for disclosure. Future research should focus on examining a larger number of companies and interviewing more professional users from different jurisdictions to generate more knowledge about the nature of Sharia information and its disclosure. Practical implications Users of the Sharia screening methods, especially regulators, such as the Securities Commission Malaysia should encourage the disclosure of the required aspects of Sharia in the annual reports of Sharia-compliant companies, as professional users are interested in this type of information. Originality/value This study offers insights into the reasons behind low Sharia disclosures in annual reports of Sharia-compliant companies.

Environmental sustainability in logistics and freight transportation

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 775-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gino Marchet ◽  
Marco Melacini ◽  
Sara Perotti
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Freight Transportation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Journal Title ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Third Party Logistics ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to categorise the research on environmental sustainability in logistics and transportation on the basis of the main themes and study methods and proposes directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach – The review is based on 72 papers published from 1994 to 2011 in international peer-reviewed journals. The academic papers were analysed and categorised according to both their defining characteristics (i.e. year of publication, journal title, regions addressed, and research methodology adopted) and the themes tackled. Five key themes were examined: sustainability initiatives, reasons for adoption, benefits achieved following adoption, critical issues and barriers to adoption, and the evaluation and measurement of environmental initiatives. Findings – While many studies have addressed the issue of environmental sustainability within the supply chain as a whole, papers focusing specifically on environmental sustainability within logistics and freight transportation are fewer and relatively more recent. Although researchers have started to examine the decision-making process involved in environmental sustainability adoption in recent years, many themes, such as sustainability evaluation and measurement, and the level of adoption of sustainability initiatives in the context of the third-party logistics (3PL) industry are under-represented in the literature. As far as the methodology is concerned, our review revealed that many articles are either conceptual papers or empirical studies (i.e. mostly based on surveys or case studies), while simulation and analytical modelling have rarely been addressed. Research limitations/implications – While efforts were made to be all-inclusive, some research efforts may have inadvertently been omitted. However, the authors believe that this review provides an accurate representation of the body of research on environmental sustainability in logistics and transportation published during the specified timeframe, and that the resulting assessments are reliable. Originality/value – The paper offers a guide to the previous research on this topic and identifies the most important issues that need to be addressed in future research.

Virtual School Counseling

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 2156759X0001800
Author(s):  
Debra S. Osborn ◽  
Gary W. Peterson ◽  
Rebecca R. Hale
Keyword(s):  
School Counseling ◽  
School Counselors ◽  
Virtual Schools ◽  
Virtual School ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Traditional School ◽  
Florida Virtual School

The advent of virtual schools opens doors to opportunity for delivery of student services via the Internet. Through the use of structured interviews with four practicing Florida virtual school counselors, and a follow-up survey, the authors examined the experiences and reflections of school counselors who are employed full time in a statewide virtual school. Findings highlight how virtual school counselors differ in their activities from traditional school counselors. This article presents implications for practice, training, and future research.

Brief Psycho-Social Interventions in the Treatment of Specific Childhood Phobias: A Controlled Trial and a 1-Year Follow-Up

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Flatt ◽  
Neville King
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Waitlist Control ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Dsm Iv

AbstractForty-three youth aged 7–17 years old who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for assorted specific phobias, were randomised to a one-session exposure treatment, a psycho-education package or a waitlist control conditions. Participants were assessed using semi-structured interviews, self-report measures and an individualised behavioural avoidance test (BAT). Assessments were completed pre- and posttest. At the 1-year follow-up, self-report measures along with a generalised version of the individualised BAT were re-administered. Results exhibited that both active treatment conditions were superior to the waitlist control on the BAT, self-efficacy ratings; however, no significant differences were found on functioning levels and other self-report measures with the exception of the Fear Survey Schedule — Revised. Additionally, no significant differences were found between the two active conditions at posttest or the 1-year follow-up. Implications and future research strategies are discussed.

Guanxi and intra-organizational conflicts: evidence from Chinese logistics industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
Personal Relationship ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Business Culture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Business ◽  
Logistics Services ◽  
Organizational Conflicts

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand conflicts that develop between managers and their respective firms when a personal relationship is present between managers of buying and supplying firms in the Chinese logistics industry. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a case study methodology to allow for an assessment of the conflicts that emerge between managers and their respective firms when a personal relationship is present between them. Findings The findings reveal conflicts between managers and their respective firms as a result of personal relationship between managers buying and selling logistics services in China. Research limitations/implications This study uses semi-structured interviews with Chinese senior managers to explore intra-organizational conflicts, which develop as a result of personal relationships embedded within buyer–supplier relationships. The generalizability of the findings will have to be empirically examined in future research. Practical implications Chinese firms can use the findings to understand conflicts, which arise between managers and their respective firms when a personal relationship is present between managers engaged in the process of buying and selling logistics services. Originality/value A notable gap in buyer–supplier relationship literature, specifically in Chinese business culture, is an unfulfilled need for research examining intra-organizational conflicts, when a personal relationship is present between managers of buying and supplying firms in the logistics industry. This paper addresses this gap.

scholarly journals Examining International Students’ Attitudinal Learning in a Higher Education Course on Cultural and Language Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 664-687
Author(s):  
William R. Watson ◽  
Sunnie Lee Watson ◽  
Sarah E. Fehrman ◽  
Ji Hyun Yu ◽  
Shamila Janakiraman
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Cultural Exchange ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Instructional Activities

This study examined students’ perceptions of attitudinal learning outcomes and instructional activities within a language and cultural exchange (LACE) course at a midwestern U.S. university and explored whether perceptions differed based on students’ prior knowledge, major, and/or demographics. We utilized a mixed-methods approach to gather quantitative data from a survey sent out in Weeks 5 and 15 to 137 international students enrolled in multiple sections of a LACE course that gathered perceptions on attitudinal learning and the most impactful aspects of the course design. Follow-up structured interviews were conducted with 37 students. Results indicated students saw growth in their attitudinal learning, with the highest perceived gains regarding cognitive and then behavioral components. Data from student interviews provided specific examples of how student attitudes were changed in each of these four areas of learning. Limitations and future research are discussed.

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