The major challenge in the development of sustainable freight transportation systems (SFTSs) is due to the involvement of numerous dynamic uncertainties and intrinsic sustainability risks. Sustainability risks are potential threats that can have undesirable impacts on the sustainability of a system. The main objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the sustainability risks associated with freight transportation systems (FTSs). Accordingly, a risk analysis approach is developed by innovatively integrating the intuitionistic fuzzy set theory and D-number theory to quantitatively model the sustainability risks. Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers can examine both the membership and non-membership degrees of an element while the D-number theory increases the objectivity of assessments by fusing multiple expert judgments. The proposed risk assessment model facilitates the managers in the development of SFTSs by ensuring visibility, predictability and measurability in freight operations. Unlike the conventional perception, the findings indicate that most of the high priority sustainability risks in FTSs are socially induced rather than financially driven and consciousness in people's conduct is must to attain the positive results. The analysis alerts the freight managers toward the high priority sustainability risks and guides in pro-active strategy formulation and optimum allocation of mitigation resources to minimize disruptions in SFTSs.

Increasing amount of wastes is posing great difficulties for all countries across the world. The problem of waste management is more severe in developing countries such as India where the rates of economic growth and urbanization are increasing at a fast pace. The governments in these countries are often constrained by limited technical and financial capabilities, which prevent them from effectively addressing these problems. There is a limited participation from the private players too in terms of setting up of waste recycling units. The present study aims at identifying various barriers that challenge the establishment of these units, specific to India. Further, it attempts to identify the most influential barriers by utilizing multicriterion decision-making tools of interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and decision-making trail and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). The findings of the study suggest that the lack of funds, input material, and subsidy are the most influential barriers that are needed to be addressed for the development of waste recycling infrastructure in India. Implications: This work has been carried out to address the problem of proper waste management in India. To deal with this problem, the method of waste recycling has been felt appropriate by the government of various countries, including India. Therefore, the barriers that play vital role in waste recycling for private players have been identified and their importance has been established with the help of ISM and DEMATEL methods. Doing so will assist the government to take appropriate steps for the betterment of waste recycling infrastructure in India and enhance waste management.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the diverse literature on board demographic diversity and to provide avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach: The study provides a comprehensive literature review of theoretical and empirical studies published in leading management journals from 1989 to 2015. Findings: The literature review revealed several aspects that are related to board demographic diversity. These aspects have been classified into: definitions and types of board diversity, dimensions of board demographic diversity, measurement and outcomes of board diversity, reasons for existing conflicting empirical findings about the relationship between board diversity and firm dynamics, and research on mediators and moderators. Originality/value: Issues pertaining to board demographic diversity identified in this paper have theoretical and practical implications, and include avenues for future research.

This article focuses on the determinants influencing organizational adoption of vendor-supported open-source software applications or open-source office applications (OSOAs). We employed a plural investigation with QUAL/QUAN sequence. Empirical analysis of the data obtained from 257 IT managers identified various technological, organizational, and environmental determinants that influence the OSOA adoption either positively or negatively. These findings offer valuable insights for IT managers and OSOA vendors which can guide them in formulating appropriate strategies for OSOA adoption.

Purpose: In the wake of inconsistent findings between board diversity and firm performance, the purpose of this paper is to advance the research by examining the linear and non-linear nature of the relationship between board demographic diversity (gender, age, tenure, and education) and firm performance in Indian knowledge-intensive firms (KIFs). Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a panel data set of top KIFs in India that is listed in National Stock Exchange's Top-200 list for the period 2010-2014. Findings: Results indicate that there exists a positive linear relationship between the overall board demographic diversity index (board gender, age, tenure, and education) and firm performance. Among the effects of individual board diversity variables, the authors have found that board age diversity positively whereas education diversity negatively influences firm performance. Furthermore, gender diversity and tenure diversity do not significantly influence the firm performance. Research limitations/implications: This study is based on the following demographic factors: gender, age, tenure, and level of education. The authors did not include other demographic variables such as nationality and language. Practical implications: This research would help knowledge-intensive companies in designing their corporate boards. The results indicate that companies should have more diverse boards to enhance firm performance. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first research to examine the effect of the overall board diversity index and individual board demographic diversity indices (gender, age, education, and tenure) on firm performance in the context of KIFs in India.

The present study is an effort to develop an e-tailer personality scale. Subsequently, we check the impacts of e-tailer personality on self-congruity and behavioral intentions such as intention to re-shop and intention to recommend. We have followed a traditional scale development method-item generation, purification, and dimension assessment. A structure questionnaire has been used to collect primary data online. A structure equation model was used to analyze the data. This study has developed a e-tailer personality scale of five dimensions: sophistication, competence, excitement, sincerity, and convenience. The results of a structural equation model largely support the propositions that e-tailer personality is positively related to self-congruity. The results also show that e-tailer personality, behavioral intentions and self-congruity are positively related. A comparison of the developed scale with the existing brand personality scales, results in a unique dimension of e-tailer personality scale. Arguably, this study may be seen as a first study in an emerging economy and online retailing domain. The results have both academic and managerial implications.

This study attempts to compare 'the ethical value positioning' of students of Business and Management studies from India and Germany. A complete enumerative survey was conducted for management students using the Ethical Positioning Questionnaire (EPQ) of Forsyth (1980). There were 134 respondents from India and 57 from Germany. The objective was to confer the differences in ethical positioning of students of two economically and culturally diverse nations. By the end of the research, it was constituted that both German and Indian students demonstrate a high degree of Idealism and Relativism and can be qualified as situationists. Exploratory analysis of the responses resulted in extraction of four factors (values): Non-Violence, Individualism, Non-Consequential, and Situational value. Within the analysis, Indian students displayed a higher preference for Individualism compared to their German counterparts. This study contributes to the literature in cross-cultural ethical value positioning of young managers. This study also opens a window for future research in the factors such as educational qualification, closed social groupings, and background of the students.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to conduct a five-country study of consumers' need for uniqueness (CNFU) and examine its research and practical implications. Most studies examining CNFU have used single country or US-based samples. To promote cross-cultural research, the authors test the cross-cultural reliability and validity of the CNFU scale using data from the USA, a developed economy, Brazil, India, Thailand, and Mexico, all emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach: The original CNFU scale was developed in the USA. Therefore, to cross-validate the scale, data were collected from consumers in the USA, Brazil, India, Thailand, and Mexico as these countries demonstrate important socio-economic and cultural differences. The scale was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Findings: The scale was estimated and validated in all five countries and the analysis reveals that the CNFU scale has sound psychometric properties. Further, the authors find that CNFU is a cross-cultural phenomenon that has a significant impact on market mavenism (MM), and this relationship is moderated by usage variety (UV). Research limitations/implications: The results indicate generality of all the scale items, and demonstrate that CNFU is a cross-cultural phenomenon. Greater nomological validity of the CNFU construct could be established by investigating its relationship with more constructs. Originality/value: The authors provide empirical evidence on the cross-cultural validity of the CNFU scale; examine its effect on MM; and role of UV on the relationship between CNFU and MM.

Literature, heretofore, has assumed the relationship between lean systems and their sustainable performance as direct and static. Researchers have explored this relationship from various perspectives and have taken clear sides, as to whether lean practices are favourable or inimical to the sustainable performance of a firm. We argue that the for (or) against debate has been overstretched and has assumed some contingencies that are uncalled for. This study offers a novel perspective of gauging the relationship between lean practices and a firm's sustainable performance from a dynamic stance. It recognizes that this relationship has both, synergistic and discordant phases. Synergistic phase revs up the sustainable performance and discordant phase is inimical to the sustainable performance of the firm. We propose that lean processes can positively (or) negatively affect a firm's sustainable performance depending upon the state of innovative capability of the firm. In this regard, we present an iterative and recursive two-phase framework which draws upon the principles of a metaheuristics and is undergirded in dynamic capability theory. This framework discusses the switching behaviour' of the firm controlled by decoupling point. Switching behaviour determines how a firm should manoeuvre its innovation strategy. The framework was tested by using primary and secondary data (content analysis) in order to triangulate the results. This framework puts forth a set of generic guidelines, which the firms can decipher in their own idiosyncratic environments to bring about the required synergy between their lean processes and innovative capabilities. This synergy shall ensure that the the engines of their sustainable growth' are always fired up.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the factors inhibiting the internet adoption among base of pyramid (BoP) and to develop further insights of such factors. Design/methodology/approach: Researchers used a mixed-method study with QUAL/QUAN sequence in this research. Given the dearth of research on the internet usage by the BoP segment in India, the authors began with the exploratory qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews in local language were carried out with the people belonging to the BoP segment in India using common interview protocol. Face-to-face interviews were conducted for 20-30 min with ten people. Thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) was conducted on the interview transcripts which lead to five themes. These themes were identified as the potential inhibitors to the internet adoption by the BoP segment in India. This step was further followed by a confirmatory quantitative study. Findings: The results confirm that the factors such as lack of digital literacy, complexity and language barrier play a significant role in inhibiting the internet adoption by the BoP segment. However, there is no impact of perceived risk and cost on the internet adoption. The significant relationship between lack of digital literacy and intention to use implies that if the BoP segment is capable to locate, evaluate and use digital information, it is more likely to use the internet. Similarly, the relationship between complexity and the intention to use suggests that if the BoP segment finds it easy to use and understand the internet, it is more likely to use it. Practical implications: This research has the implications for government departments and policymakers that are responsible for promoting use of the internet. Therefore, such departments and policymakers are advised to channelize their effort on resting the digital literacy, especially in terms of internet adoption. Findings of this study show that digital literacy, complexity and language barriers are major inhabitants in the internet adoption. Directed and focused government policies and initiatives such as subsidized seminars and training programmes specially designed for the BoP segment can help in increasing internet adoption. Social implications: The adoption and use of the internet services by BoP have major implications for digital equality. Therefore, it would be important to explore the factors inhibiting the internet adoption among BoP. Originality/value: This paper not only explores the factors inhibiting internet adoption among BoP in developing countries such as India but also provides deeper insights to these factors by collecting first-hand information from target segment. The finding of this research provides meaningful inputs to policymakers and also to industry to remove digital divide in the target population. This is how this research adds value to the existing knowledge available in this domain and it also provides agenda for future research.

Purpose: This paper aims to elucidate and extend the concept of power and fairness in the context of franchisor-franchisee relationship. Design/methodology/approach: On the basis of Dul and Hak's (2007) recommendations, the conceptual model is developed from closely related domains (e.g. channel relationship) using pertinent theories. On the basis of this comprehensive analysis, new propositions about fairness in a franchisee-franchisor context are drawn. The primary purpose of this research is to conceptually and theoretically further the understanding of antecedents and consequences of fairness in a franchisor-franchisee relationship context by proffering a framework. Finally, this study examines the concept of fairness of its antecedents and moderators that have received scant attention in the context of franchising research. Findings: This study contends that non-coercive power is perceived fairly. Also, coercive power that is legitimate is perceived fairly. However, coercive power that is illegitimate can be detrimental to relationships between franchisee and franchisor. Furthermore, a franchisee who perceives the relationship to be fair is likely to place more trust in relationship, is more satisfied with relationship and is less likely to be opportunistic. Finally, the study contends that these relationship outcomes are dependent on the franchisee's personality traits. Research limitations/implications: One major limitation of this study is that the propositions have not been empirically tested. However, this paper cites several business cases that have been used to support the propositions proffered in the study. Our conceptual model supported by previous theoretical findings and industry cases suggests that it is important to focus on social dimensions along with economic costs of a franchisor-franchisee relationship. Future researchers may empirically examine the relationships posited in this study by using the primary industry data. Originality/value: This paper takes a comprehensive view of various social constructs affecting a franchisor-franchisee relationship. It also highlights the role of individual personality factors in a franchisor-franchisee relationship, extends prior work on relational dimensions from channels to the franchising context and provides managerial conclusions.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to inquire how and when the CSR efforts of an organization can generate positive organizational outcomes by influencing individual employees at the workplace. Theorizing perceived first-party justice as psycho-cognitive and affect-based organizational trust as psycho-affective processes, respectively, in interpreting employees' perception of organizational CSR initiatives provided a valid rationale behind this research. Design/methodology/approach: Following a two-phase longitudinal research design, sample was drawn from six subsidiary organizations of a multinational conglomerate. Findings: The findings indicated that the perceived internal image of CSR predicts employees' deep organizational identification through the mediation of affect-based organizational trust, conditional on perceived first-party justice as a moderator. Research limitations/implications: This study contributed to extant research by investigating the hitherto unexplored question of how and when employees' perceived image of CSR delineates to their deep identification with the organization supported by affect-based organizational trust and self-experienced first-party justice. The collection of survey responses within six group organizations could limit the generalization of the findings from this study in other contexts. Practical implications: This study offers significant implications in terms of the managers' role in involving employees in the organization's CSR activities, using CSR as a platform for corporate branding to internal stakeholders, and attracting talent in knowledge intensive competition. Originality/value: The study advances the emerging micro-level approach of CSR by exploring an employee centric, personalized view of organizational CSR and estimating its effect at the level of individual employees.

In developing countries, truck purchase cost is the dominant criteria for fleet acquisition-related decisions. However, we contend that other cost factors such as loss due to the number of en route truck stoppages based on a truck type and recovery cost associated with a route choice decision, should also be considered for deciding the fleet mix and minimizing the overall costs for long-haul shipments. The resulting non-linear model, with integer variables for the number and type of trucks, and the route choices, is solved via genetic algorithm. Using real data from a bulk liquid hazmat transporter, the trade-offs between the cost of travel, loss due to number of truck stoppages, and the long-term recovery cost associated with the risk of exposure due to a hazmat carrier accident are discussed. The numerical experiments show that when factors related to public safety and truck stoppages are taken into account for transportation, the lowest total cost and optimal route choice do not align with the cheapest truck type option; rather, the optimal solution corresponds to another truck type and route with total costs significantly less than the total costs associated with the cheapest truck type. Our model challenges the current truck purchasing strategy adopted in developing countries using the cheapest truck criteria.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant literature on low carbon supply chain management (LCSCM) and classify it on contextual base. It also aims at identifying key decision-making issues in LCSCM. This paper also highlights some of the future challenges and scope of research in this domain. Design/methodology/approach - A content analysis is carried out by systematically collecting the literature from major academic sources over a period of 18 years (2000-2017), identifying structural dimensions and classifying it on contextual base. Findings - There is an increasing trend of research on LCSCM, but this research is still in a nascent stage. All supply chain functions such as supplier selection, inventory planning, network design and logistic decisions have been redefined by integrating emissions-related issues. Research limitations/implications - Limitation of this study is inherent in its unit of analysis. Only peer-reviewed journal articles published in English language have been considered in this study. Practical implications - Findings of prior studies on low carbon inventory control, transportation planning, facility allocation, location selection and supply chain coordination have been highlighted in this study. This will help supply chain practitioners in decision making. Originality/value - Though there are an increasing number of studies about carbon emission-related issues in supply chain management, the present literature lacks to provide a review of the overarching publications. This paper addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive review of literature on emissions-related issues in supply chain management.

Purpose: Google commands approximately 70 per cent of search market share worldwide, resulting in businesses investing heavily in search engine advertising on Google to target potential customers. Recently, Google changed the way in which content and ads were displayed on the search engine results page. This reshuffling of content and ads is expected to affect the advertisers who advertise on Google and/or use it to drive traffic to their websites. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of these changes on various stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach: Data have been collected from various sources on the internet including blogs and discussion forums. Netnography has been used as it allows a detailed evaluation of the consumers' needs, wants and choices in a virtual space. Findings: The average cost-per-click for ads on the top positions is expected to increase. Advertisers whose ads usually occupy the lower positions would be adversely affected. To counter this, more emphasis should be placed on ad extensions and on product listing ads. In addition, organizations would benefit from increased efforts on search engine optimization. Practical implications: A variety of coping strategies have been developed that can help marketers to successfully navigate through the change, including the use of ad extensions and the use of product listing ads. Originality/value: This practice-focused paper offers guidelines for digital marketers to use sponsored search more effectively as part of their arsenal in light of some important changes recently made by Google. The potential of netnography as a research methodology has also been expanded by using it in a novel setting and in drawing up actionable insights.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the drivers of healthcare waste management from literature review and field survey and model these drivers for understanding the inter-relationships among the drivers to enhance healthcare waste management in the Indian context. Design/methodology/approach: In view of the need of the study, the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) method has been applied to model the drivers. The ISM method helps in depicting the relationships among the drivers and filtration of drivers on the basis of their driving and dependence power. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that the type of a healthcare facility and its management structure, size of a healthcare facility, human resource management of a healthcare facility, healthcare facility's management monitoring and control, and the effective re-enforcement of government regulation and policy implementation in a healthcare facility play a vital role in the enhancement of HCWM. Research limitations/implications: The application of the findings of this study would enhance the hospital's waste management by ultimately leading to a good ambience and satisfied patients and personnels. Additionally, the study would aid in the policy formulation by government and decision making of medical facilities, thereby strengthening HCWM scenario in the country. Practical implications: The drivers filtered in this study would be useful for ranking the hospitals' healthcare waste management in a region/country. This ranking may play a vital role in earmarking the hospitals which are managing their healthcare waste according to the guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) of a country. With the help of this study, the problem of inadequate human resource can be effectively addressed for CPCB and MoEF, in India. Originality/value: Healthcare waste management is a vital issue which needs attention from the management perspective in India. Therefore, an interpretive structural model, i.e. ISM digraph, has been developed which would help in the filtration of drivers and attaining the better healthcare waste management in an economically and timely manner.

This research explores how a firm engenders trust in and initiates relations with entities or actors lying in autonomous online communities or personal networks of its employees, but beyond the firm’s boundaries. It problematizes the boundaries of online communities and personal networks on a social media platform, and explores the engendering of trust in an Indian e-commerce firm by foreign designers who were initially reluctant to partner with it, through specific enactments of trust by diverse actors on the platform. By using the conceptual categories of network space and fluid space developed in Science and Technology Studies, this research shows that social media platforms provide integrated social contexts where spatial objects, like online communities and personal networks, occupy both network and fluid space, and hence exhibit multi-spatiality. Additionally, the transient fluidity of these objects is found to enable the enactment of trust and its subsequent import across the object’s boundaries.

The use of Technology to facilitate better learning and training is gaining momentum worldwide, reducing the temporal and spatial problems associated with traditional learning. Despite its several benefits, retaining students in online platforms is challenging. Through a literature review of the factors affecting adoption, the continuation of technology use, and learning outcomes, this paper discusses an integration of online learning with virtual communities to foster student engagement for obtaining better learning outcomes. Future directions have been discussed, the feedback mechanism which is an antecedent of students' continuation intention has a lot of scopes to be studied in the virtual community context. The use of Apps in m-learning and the use of cloud services can boost the ease and access of online learning to users and organizations.

With the proliferation of so many Bschools in India, it is becoming more and more difficult to choose a good Bschool. Over the decades since management education rankings first appeared, numerous debates have surfaced about their methodologies and objectivity. Although there has been significant research, especially by the various coaching institution magazines, about the ways in which rankings might be improved, there has been less research on providing the rankings according to the preferences of a person. In addition, there has been scant research on how rankings may impact students' access to industry interaction, and their selection of particular colleges. The objective of this paper is to provide a general ranking and a preferential ranking of top 28 Bschools in India. The approach is to provide accurate rankings by researching on a lot of existing data and by taking students preferences into consideration.