Within supply chains activities, selecting appropriate suppliers based on the sustainability criteria (economic, environmental and social) can help companies move toward sustainable development. Although several studies have recently been accomplished to incorporate sustainability criteria into supplier selection problem, much less attention has been devoted to developing a comprehensive mathematical model that allocates the optimal quantities of orders to suppliers considering lot-sizing problems. In this research, we propose an integrated approach of rule-based weighted fuzzy method, fuzzy analytical hierarchy process and multi-objective mathematical programming for sustainable supplier selection and order allocation combined with multi-period multi-product lot-sizing problem. The mathematical programming model consists of four objective functions which are minimising total cost, maximising total social score, maximising total environmental score and maximising total economic qualitative score. The proposed model is developed based on the parameters achieved through the preprocessing of suppliers' social, environmental and economic data by a rule-based weighted fuzzy approach and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process. The proficiency and applicability of the proposed approach is illustrated by a case study of packaging films in food industry. Considering sustainability criteria in the proposed model reveals that a higher value of sustainable purchasing is achievable in comparison with a single-objective cost-based model.
Purpose-To date, critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing knowledge management (KM) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have not been systematically investigated. Existing studies have derived their CSFs from large companies' perspectives and have not considered the needs of smaller businesses. This paper is aimed to bridge this gap. Design/methodology/approach-Existing studies on CSFs were reviewed and their limitations were identified. By integrating insights drawn from these studies as well as adding some new factors, the author proposed a set of 11 CSFs which is believed to be more suitable for SMEs. The importance of the proposed CSFs was theoretically discussed and justified. In addition, an empirical assessment was conducted to evaluate the extent of success of this proposition. Findings-The overall results from the empirical assessment were positive, thus reflecting the appropriateness of the proposed CSFs. Practical implications-The set of CSFs can act as a list of items for SMEs to address when adopting KM. This helps to ensure that the essential issues and factors are covered during implementation. For academics, it provides a common language for them to discuss and study the factors crucial for the success of KM in SMEs. Originality/value-This study is probably the first to provide an integrative perspective of CSFs for implementing KM in the SME sector. It gives valuable information, which hopefully will help this business sector to accomplish KM.
This paper presents a review on Knowledge Management (KM) performance measurement in the past two decades. Various tools and techniques that have been developed are discussed and presented chronologically to show how KM performance measurement has changed during this period. Each tool and technique is evaluated and classified based on the types of measures and approaches used. This paper also proposes six new categories: traditional, advanced, deterministic, stochastic, general result oriented, and specific result oriented, to complement the previous classification schemes. Future research directions for KM performance measurement are identified and presented in a holistic framework to act as a guideline for new researchers who wish to embark on this field.
Purpose
– This paper aims to address the lack of previous studies and to propose a reliable and valid knowledge management performance measurement (KMPM) model for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
– A survey instrument containing 13 constructs and 49 items was initially developed and posted to small and medium-sized consultancy firms in Malaysia. Reliability and validity analysis was performed to ensure the quality of the instrument.
Findings
– The developed survey instrument was shown to be reliable, valid and suitable to be applied in SMEs to evaluate their knowledge management (KM) performance.
Research limitations/implications
– The present study is limited to SMEs in the service sector. The results are not suitable to be generalized to the manufacturing sector or larger organizations without further research.
Practical implications
– This study would provide SMEs with a better understanding on KMPM and also a guideline to refer to when measuring their KM performance. Academics can use this study as a basic model to explore KMPM in SMEs and develop new measurement models.
Originality/value
– This study is believed to be the first that has scientifically developed and empirically tested the constructs that represent a comprehensive KMPM model tailored for SMEs.
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AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of knowledge management (KM) on manufacturing performance and the relationships among three KM measures, namely, knowledge resources, KM processes and KM factors. It also determined a collective set of KM metrics based on these three measures. Design/methodology/approach -Data were collected using questionnaires posted to 700 manufacturing companies in Malaysia from which 206 usable responses were obtained. The analysis and hypotheses testing were implemented using structural equation modeling. Findings -The results showed that the constructs of knowledge resources, KM processes and KM factors have significant and direct effects on manufacturing performance. In terms of covariance, the results also indicated that these three constructs were correlated with each other.
Research limitations/implications -The sample over-represented large firms and the study was a cross-sectional approach that collected data at a single point in time.Practical implications -The results obtained would help managers to better understand the linkage between KM and manufacturing performance. They could use the results to manipulate their KM practices to improve their manufacturing performance. The proposed set of KM metrics could also act as a common language and provide directions for future research. Originality/value -This paper is one of the first empirical studies that has examined the relationship between KM and manufacturing performance. Furthermore, it has investigated the relationships among knowledge resources, KM processes and KM factors.
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