A. Ramesh

Bio: A. Ramesh is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. The author has contributed to research in topics: Supply chain & Supply chain management. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 30 publications receiving 871 citations. Previous affiliations of A. Ramesh include Indian Institute of Technology Delhi & National Institute of Technology Calicut.

A robust hybrid multi-criteria decision making methodology for contractor evaluation and selection in third-party reverse logistics

Abstract: Due to green legislations, industries track the used products through reverse logistics contractors. A reverse logistics programme offers significant cost savings in procurement, transportation, disposal and inventory carrying. Since reverse logistics operations and the supply chains they support are considerably more complex than traditional manufacturing supply chains, it can be offered to third party contractors. But availability of more number of contractors make evaluating and selecting the most efficient Reverse Logistics Contractor (RLC) a challenging task and treated as a multi-criteria decision making problem. In this paper, a hybrid method using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS) is proposed. AHP is used to obtain the initial weights and Fuzzy TOPSIS is used to get the final ranking. A case study demonstrates the application of the proposed method. Finally sensitivity analysis is carried out to confirm the robustness.

Identification and prioritization of coordination barriers in humanitarian supply chain management

Abstract: In the wake of disaster, several organizations work for the welfare of the disaster victims, although lack of coordination among them hampers the performance of relief operations. This study sets out to explore and prioritize the coordination barriers in the humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM), particularly in the Indian context to enhance the performance of relief operations. The study is divided into three phases. Initially, barriers to coordination were identified through an extensive literature review, allied to brainstorming sessions with experts. These were then grouped into 5 categories, i.e. management barriers, technological barriers, cultural barriers, people barriers and organizational barriers. Secondly, a survey questionnaire was designed, tested and refined to incorporate the views of the managers involved in the relief operations of the disaster that occurred in the Uttarakhand (a Northern state in India) on June 14, 2013 in order to empirically verify the barriers to coordination. Finally, barriers were prioritized on the basis of their severity using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) which considers the uncertainty of the data and impreciseness rather than crisp value. The results indicate that lack of top management commitment, improper organizational structure to create and share knowledge and lack of policy for coordination are the major barriers. These are the areas that need to be handled first in order to remove coordination barriers. The findings of the study throw some new light on the coordination issues in HSCM and provide a more effective, efficient, robust and systematic way to overcome coordination barriers.

Modeling the barriers of supply chain collaboration

Abstract: Purpose – Supply chain collaboration (SCC) amongst independent firms often provides larger benefits from effectively satisfying end customer's needs than working alone. However, lack of awareness about the existence of barriers of collaboration hinders the realizing of the benefits of collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers of SCC in the Indian apparel retail industry and how these barriers are interacting with one an other so that the decision makers can focus on overcoming these barriers and realizing the benefits of SCC.Design/methodology/approach – Using interpretive structural modeling the research presents a hierarchy‐based model and the mutual relationships among the barriers of SCC.Findings – This research shows that there exists a group of barriers having a high‐driving power and low dependence requiring maximum attention and of strategic importance while another group consists of those variables which have high dependence and are the resultant actions.Practical impli...

Analyzing drivers and barriers of coordination in humanitarian supply chain management under fuzzy environment

Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers to coordination in humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM), proposes solutions and prioritizes them to overcome the barriers particularly in the Indian context. , – This study adopts a comprehensive and rigorous procedure to explore the barriers and solutions to coordination in HSCM. The research design is divided into three phases; first, the barriers and solutions are collected through an extensive literature review; second, barriers and solutions were verified with experts involved in relief operations of the disaster that occurred in Uttarakhand (a Northern state in India) on June 14, 2013 and finally, based on the weight of barriers estimated by fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, solutions to overcome the barriers are prioritized using fuzzy technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution that considers uncertainty and impreciseness rather than a crisp value. , – This study explored 23 barriers to coordination in HSCM and grouped into five categories i.e., strategic barriers, individual barriers, organizational barriers, technological barriers and cultural barriers, and finally 15 solutions were proposed and prioritized to overcome the barriers so decision makers can focus on overcoming these barriers and realize the benefits of coordination in HSCM. , – This study provides a more efficient, effective, robust and systematic way to overcome barriers to coordination and improve the competencies of humanitarian supply chain (HSC). , – This is the first kind of study that prioritizes the solutions to enhance coordination in HSC based on the weight of the barriers.

A literature review and perspectives in reverse logistics

Abstract: In recent years, reverse logistics (RL) has become a field of importance for all organizations due to growing environmental concerns, legislation, corporate social responsibility and sustainable competitiveness. RL refers to the sequence of activities required to collect the used product from the customers for the purpose of either reuse or repair or re-manufacture or recycle or dispose of it. Perusal of the literature shows that research in the field of RL is in evolving phase and issues pertaining to adoption and implementation, forecasting product returns, outsourcing, RL networks from secondary market perspective, and disposition decisions have not been reviewed extensively. This study attempts to fill the existing gap through literature review on these issues, and outline the future directions for research based on research gap analysis. Total 242 published articles were selected, categorized, analyzed, and gaps in literature were identified to suggest for future research opportunities. The review may be useful for academicians, researchers and practitioners for better understanding of RL and guidance for future research.

Factors Determining the Behavioral Intention to Use Mobile Learning: An Application and Extension of the UTAUT Model.

Abstract: This study developed and empirically tested a model to predict the factors affecting students' behavioral intentions toward using mobile learning (m-learning). This study explored the behavioral intention to use m-learning from the perspective of consumers by applying the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model with the addition of perceived enjoyment, mobile self-efficacy, satisfaction, trust, and perceived risk moderators. A cross-sectional study was conducted by employing a research model based on multiple technology acceptance theories. Data were derived from an online survey with 1,562 respondents and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used for model and hypothesis testing. The results revealed that (1) behavioral intention was significantly and positively influenced by satisfaction, trust, performance expectancy, and effort expectancy; (2) perceived enjoyment, performance expectancy, and effort expectancy had positive associations with behavioral intention; (3) mobile self-efficacy had a significantly positive effect on perceived enjoyment; and (4) perceived risk had a significantly negative moderating effect on the relationship between performance expectancy and behavioral intention. Our findings correspond with the UTAUT model and provide a practical reference for educational institutions and decision-makers involved in designing m-learning for implementation in universities.

Mitigation Processes – Antecedents for Building supply chain resilience

Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to combine theory and practice to develop an integrated supply chain resilience framework by investigating the inter-dependencies between the strategic literature based concept of supply chain resilience and operational practitioner based disaster management processes. Design/methodology/approach – Utilising an in-depth qualitative case of a collaborative agency, this study identifies best practices within disaster management for insights on the operationalisation of supply chain resilience. Findings – The empirical data leads to the development of an integrated supply chain resilience framework capturing the interplay of disaster management processes and capabilities required to build supply chain resilience. The critical importance of mitigation processes in building supply chain resilience is highlighted. Practical implications – The generic supply chain resilience framework represents a valuable guide for managers when directing resources and planning for building the capabil...