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Businesses are increasingly exposed to dynamic market conditions due to changing legislation, societal values, and consumer preferences. While society and stakeholders hold companies accountable for respecting principles of sustainable development in their business conduct, it is essential to understand how individual, organizational, and supply chain capabilities for implementing sustainability in corporate structures and operational processes have evolved over the years. By applying well-accepted, theoretical frameworks regarding practices and dynamic capabilities for sustainability, the present study analyzed food processing companies in Germany using an exploratory research design. Data were collected through interviews with key informants and audit reports from sustainability standards in place at these companies in a period of seven years. While we found recursive relationships between dynamic capabilities and sustainability practices, our findings uncovered how dynamic capabilities are built and diffused within and across different levels and during different phases of the sustainability integration process. Thereby, the study investigated practices necessary to facilitate dynamic capabilities’ building such as cross-functional knowledge sharing practices for re-configuration capabilities. We contribute to the understanding of how practices are modified and reconfigured over time and on multiple levels to open pathways of transition toward sustainability. Managerial implications and avenues of future research are provided for decision-makers in the food processing industry accordingly.
Tim Gruchmann; Verena Timmer; Stefan Gold; Christian Geßner. Dynamic capabilities for sustainable change in the food processing industry: A multilevel perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production 2021, 311, 127534 .
AMA StyleTim Gruchmann, Verena Timmer, Stefan Gold, Christian Geßner. Dynamic capabilities for sustainable change in the food processing industry: A multilevel perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021; 311 ():127534.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTim Gruchmann; Verena Timmer; Stefan Gold; Christian Geßner. 2021. "Dynamic capabilities for sustainable change in the food processing industry: A multilevel perspective." Journal of Cleaner Production 311, no. : 127534.
The role of sustainability has made it a vital point to measure companies’ financial performances and sustainability practices along the overall supply chain. Logistics service providers (LSPs) are among the supply chain actors that need to consider sustainability practices to present a better sustainable service. Therefore, we studied LSPs in Egypt, as Egypt has set sustainability goals in the logistics sector to be achieved by 2030. This research proposes a new sustainable logistics service quality (SLSQ) scale through reviewing the literature on sustainable service quality (SSQ) and logistics service quality (LSQ). While additional semi-structured interviews were conducted with LSP companies in Egypt to formulate the SLSQ scale for this specific region, the Q-sorting technique was used to confirm SLSQ measurements. Hence, we present a scale to evaluate Egypt’s overall LSPs’ service quality. Our research thereby contributes to the theory by proposing a new framework that measures the SLSQ in LSP companies in emerging countries and to the practice by tying the framework to accompany Egyptian law. The results are discussed against previous literature and concluded by showing limitations and potential future research avenues.
Ahmed Ali; Ani Melkonyan; Bernd Noche; Tim Gruchmann. Developing a Sustainable Logistics Service Quality Scale for Logistics Service Providers in Egypt. Logistics 2021, 5, 21 .
AMA StyleAhmed Ali, Ani Melkonyan, Bernd Noche, Tim Gruchmann. Developing a Sustainable Logistics Service Quality Scale for Logistics Service Providers in Egypt. Logistics. 2021; 5 (2):21.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAhmed Ali; Ani Melkonyan; Bernd Noche; Tim Gruchmann. 2021. "Developing a Sustainable Logistics Service Quality Scale for Logistics Service Providers in Egypt." Logistics 5, no. 2: 21.
Subcontracting represents a popular business model in supply chains across industries. In the case of hidden subcontracting, subcontractors are beyond the visible horizon of the (focal) buying firm. Hence, buyers must rely on a cascading effect for diffusing practices such as compliance with labor standards through their supply networks. Motivated by the case of the Bangladeshi garment industry, we constructed an agent‐based model with buyers, first‐tier suppliers, and subcontractors as agents in a supply network in order to study the impact of network characteristics on the diffusion of labor standards. Our model followed a power‐based diffusion rule that emphasized the coercive power that buyers use to pressure their suppliers into adopting labor standards. This rule is a key underlying assumption of compliance‐based supplier management. Hypotheses regarding power asymmetries through centrality and density of specific network components, as well as structural elements of the network, such as complexity and distance, were tested for different industry scenarios. Our analysis demonstrated that network asymmetries have ample negative effects on the adoption of labor standards, whereas complexity plays a minor role. Moreover, the impact of the tested structural determinants for sustainability diffusion was found to be contingent on specific industry types in the garment industry. This paper discusses its findings in light of previous research on subcontracting and multitier supply chain management. Among others, we highlight how subcontracting increases horizontal complexity at each supply chain tier, and how intermediaries such as sustainability nexus suppliers may crucially affect the adoption of labor standards within industries.
Stefan Gold; Thomas Chesney; Tim Gruchmann; Alexander Trautrims. Diffusion of labor standards through supplier–subcontractor networks: An agent‐based model. Journal of Industrial Ecology 2020, 24, 1274 -1286.
AMA StyleStefan Gold, Thomas Chesney, Tim Gruchmann, Alexander Trautrims. Diffusion of labor standards through supplier–subcontractor networks: An agent‐based model. Journal of Industrial Ecology. 2020; 24 (6):1274-1286.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefan Gold; Thomas Chesney; Tim Gruchmann; Alexander Trautrims. 2020. "Diffusion of labor standards through supplier–subcontractor networks: An agent‐based model." Journal of Industrial Ecology 24, no. 6: 1274-1286.
The motivations for clothing companies to implement dedicated certification schemes as sustainability practices has received limited attention in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) research so far. Therefore, it is important to understand how different rationales for the implementation of certification schemes have developed in the past because they considerably influence the overall success of sustainability management efforts. This paper picks up on this gap and presents the results of an in-depth comparative case study drawing on interviews conducted with five managers of three companies from the clothing sector in 2018 and abductive content analysis. By applying such a qualitative approach, this study explores motivations and benefits as well as elaborates on the implementation of certification schemes in apparel supply chains. It outlines that certification in the clothing sector is driven by strategic factors, marketing considerations, and information considering sustainability aspects. The study also shows that certification schemes may strengthen the marketing and competitive position of clothing companies as well as sustainability awareness in textile and apparel supply chains in general. Finally, a framework conceptualized from the findings of the interviews presents relevant SSCM practices in the clothing industry. Therefore, the present study contributes to theory building in SSCM by confirming and extending previous research on the implementation of certification schemes for sustainability, as well as to practice by examining reasons to apply certification schemes and potential performance outcomes.
Nelly Oelze; Tim Gruchmann; Marcus Brandenburg. Motivating Factors for Implementing Apparel Certification Schemes—A Sustainable Supply Chain Management Perspective. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1 .
AMA StyleNelly Oelze, Tim Gruchmann, Marcus Brandenburg. Motivating Factors for Implementing Apparel Certification Schemes—A Sustainable Supply Chain Management Perspective. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (12):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNelly Oelze; Tim Gruchmann; Marcus Brandenburg. 2020. "Motivating Factors for Implementing Apparel Certification Schemes—A Sustainable Supply Chain Management Perspective." Sustainability 12, no. 12: 1.
In many industrial countries, demographic changes towards an aging society go hand in hand with the need for ergonomic workplaces. Therefore, it is necessary to rethink workplace designs and work processes, particularly in industrial professions, such as logistics. As logistics activities are still characterized by a high amount of manual effort, they represent a suitable field for gaining empirical insights into the implementation of automation and ergonomic practices to inform social sustainable warehousing logistics strategies. By assuming a paradox perspective, this study accordingly examines the research question to which extent tensions arise in the context of sustainable warehousing regarding the implementation of technical automation and improved ergonomic processes. To answer this question, automation and ergonomics practices are studied at two logistics service providers and an industrial manufacturer in Germany. By applying a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes empirical data derived from semi-structured interviews with logistics and human resource managers at four warehouse sites of these companies. Besides identifying relevant criteria and paradoxical tensions in improving handling processes in the specific cases, technology alternatives were evaluated from blue-collar employees’ perspectives using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) survey. The present study provides evidence that paradoxical tensions with regard to belonging and performing, as well as between organizational levels and through the change process itself are most important in this context. In this line, the current study contributes to theory and practice by providing insights into paradoxical tensions in warehousing logistics and discussing how automation and ergonomic transformational processes can be successfully managed through addressing interrelated demands of blue-collar workers, managers, and customers.
Tim Gruchmann; Annika Mies; Thomas Neukirchen; Stefan Gold. Tensions in sustainable warehousing: including the blue-collar perspective on automation and ergonomic workplace design. Journal of Business Economics 2020, 91, 151 -178.
AMA StyleTim Gruchmann, Annika Mies, Thomas Neukirchen, Stefan Gold. Tensions in sustainable warehousing: including the blue-collar perspective on automation and ergonomic workplace design. Journal of Business Economics. 2020; 91 (2):151-178.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTim Gruchmann; Annika Mies; Thomas Neukirchen; Stefan Gold. 2020. "Tensions in sustainable warehousing: including the blue-collar perspective on automation and ergonomic workplace design." Journal of Business Economics 91, no. 2: 151-178.
For years, the freight forwarding industry has been facing high levels of global competition. Accelerating this development, new and digital competitors are entering the market, striving to make freight logistics even faster, cheaper, and more predictable. Digitalization processes change traditional logistics businesses, leading to more efficient, flexible, and de-centrally organized logistics services. Sea freight operations, in particular, have the potential to better fulfill customer-specific requirements in competitive and complex environments by integrating digital technologies. Therefore, it is essential to understand how automating informational processes, such as freight brokering, affect business models in the logistics service industry. The present study qualitatively analyzed the case of FreightHub, a fourth-party logistics (4PL) sea freight agency, and compared its business model with traditional third-party logistics (3PL) business models. Applying a digital business model conceptualization, the present paper presents an extended framework for digital sea freight business models. In this line, the study contributes to theory and practice by refining business model research in the maritime transportation context, and providing managerial implications about the opportunities and threats of a digital transition in this industry.
Tim Gruchmann; Nadine Pratt; Jan Eiten; Ani Melkonyan. 4PL Digital Business Models in Sea Freight Logistics: The Case of FreightHub. Logistics 2020, 4, 10 .
AMA StyleTim Gruchmann, Nadine Pratt, Jan Eiten, Ani Melkonyan. 4PL Digital Business Models in Sea Freight Logistics: The Case of FreightHub. Logistics. 2020; 4 (2):10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTim Gruchmann; Nadine Pratt; Jan Eiten; Ani Melkonyan. 2020. "4PL Digital Business Models in Sea Freight Logistics: The Case of FreightHub." Logistics 4, no. 2: 10.
Current trends related to increased sustainability requirements, the application of new digital technologies, and changes in consumer behavior have disrupted conventional food supply chains, entailing challenges for the last mile logistics and distribution of food products. The main aim of this study is to develop a toolset for exploring the sustainability potential of last mile logistics and distribution strategies, employing (1) a centralized distribution network with a click & collect option, (2) a decentralized distribution network with a home-delivery option, and (3) a distributed network based on a crowd logistics concept. For this, a system dynamics (SD) simulation and a multi-criteria decision aid (MCDA) were applied to assess the sustainability performance of these distribution channel options for a case study of a local food cooperative and a logistics service provider in Austria. The sustainability potential of developing a new logistics system in collaboration with these players has been estimated for the first time, while considering the dynamic interplay of all relevant sustainability elements within operational, tactical, and strategic planning. The results show that an integration of the two players into a distributed network strategy based on a crowd logistics concept is the most viable and sustainable option. This highlights the significant role of the logistics sector in proactively innovating services to make sustainable choices easier for the customer.
Ani Melkonyan; Tim Gruchmann; Fabian Lohmar; Vasanth Kamath; Stefan Spinler. Sustainability assessment of last-mile logistics and distribution strategies: The case of local food networks. International Journal of Production Economics 2020, 228, 107746 .
AMA StyleAni Melkonyan, Tim Gruchmann, Fabian Lohmar, Vasanth Kamath, Stefan Spinler. Sustainability assessment of last-mile logistics and distribution strategies: The case of local food networks. International Journal of Production Economics. 2020; 228 ():107746.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAni Melkonyan; Tim Gruchmann; Fabian Lohmar; Vasanth Kamath; Stefan Spinler. 2020. "Sustainability assessment of last-mile logistics and distribution strategies: The case of local food networks." International Journal of Production Economics 228, no. : 107746.
Sustainable operations and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) have become a highly relevant topic for scientific research and management, as well as policy-making practice. Despite surging growth in extant research, the need for theoretical and conceptual substantiation persists, and large opportunities for further research remain unexploited. This paper responds to the need for a conceptual foundation and, therefore, aims at providing a structured agenda for future research areas in SSCM. Based on an abductive reasoning approach, SSCM constructs and concepts are gathered from existing literature and recombined into a comprehensive conceptual SSCM framework. Areas and directions for future SSCM research, as suggested in earlier studies, are summarized, positioned in the framework, and outlined to stimulate further SSCM research activities. To overcome the lack of holistic research in the field, sophisticated techniques and integrated systems to support decision-making are required to tackle related issues’ complexity. Therefore, this paper’s contribution lies in the synthesis of state-of-the-art literature to provide a more comprehensive view of SSCM. Researchers may find promising recommendations and a suitable foundation for future studies, while practitioners may find helpful orientation and guidance for decision- and policy-making.
Marcus Brandenburg; Tim Gruchmann; Nelly Oelze. Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Perspectives. Sustainability 2019, 11, 7239 .
AMA StyleMarcus Brandenburg, Tim Gruchmann, Nelly Oelze. Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Perspectives. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (24):7239.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarcus Brandenburg; Tim Gruchmann; Nelly Oelze. 2019. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Perspectives." Sustainability 11, no. 24: 7239.
Supply chain effectiveness and general societal prosperity, as well as economic and ecological productivity will be highly affected in the next decades, entailing challenges for the supply chain and logistics sector. Thereby this sector plays a significant role within the transformation process of economic systems, yet the capacities of it remain up till now underestimated. This paper suggests a holistic approach to assess transformation potential of the supply chain and logistics sector towards more sustainable economic systems while defining innovative business strategies to meet future macroeconomic developments. This is achieved through an integrated assessment of production and consumption systems, considering the interests of the key stakeholders. Moreover, the paper combines advanced methods to develop future macroeconomic scenarios and to assess the strategic business opportunities of the supply chain and logistics sector addressing societal developments, e.g. new consumption patterns. The analysis relies on modern theories of Environmental and Ecological Economics, contributing to transformation theories. Moreover, the innovative role of supply chain and logistics management in achieving sustainable macroeconomic goals at regional and international levels is addressed.
Ani Melkonyan; Klaus Krumme; Tim Gruchmann; Stefan Spinler; Terry Schumacher; Raimund Bleischwitz. Scenario and strategy planning for transformative supply chains within a sustainable economy. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 231, 144 -160.
AMA StyleAni Melkonyan, Klaus Krumme, Tim Gruchmann, Stefan Spinler, Terry Schumacher, Raimund Bleischwitz. Scenario and strategy planning for transformative supply chains within a sustainable economy. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 231 ():144-160.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAni Melkonyan; Klaus Krumme; Tim Gruchmann; Stefan Spinler; Terry Schumacher; Raimund Bleischwitz. 2019. "Scenario and strategy planning for transformative supply chains within a sustainable economy." Journal of Cleaner Production 231, no. : 144-160.
PurposeAlthough research has been conducted on logistics social responsibility (LSR) on the one hand, and sustainable consumption on the other hand, the interlinkages between LSR and sustainable consumption still lack conceptualization and empirical evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study empirically the interplay between logistics services and sustainable consumer choices. Such an analysis allows an investigation of consumer-choice-centered sustainable logistics practices to promote LSR in supply chains (SCs).Design/methodology/approachBased on expert interviews and in-depth consumer interviews, the authors conducted a three-stage qualitative, exploratory study with regard to sustainable logistics practices explicitly taking a consumer-choice-centered perspective into account.FindingsAs a result, consumer-choice-centered LSR categories were identified and discussed against the consumer social responsibility (ConSR) and other disciplines’ literature. In particular, consumer communication is necessary to enhance consumers’ awareness of sustainable logistics as current consumption behavior still hardly considers logistics services. Also, context- and situation-dependent SC configurations as well as financial incentives for sustainable consumption patterns promote more sustainable logistics services choices by end consumers.Practical implicationsResolving certain frictions and rewarding positive behavior eases consumer’s decision making. By doing so, retailers need to support logistics service providers by stressing the benefits of more sustainable products and services as well as implementing more sustainable pricing schemes. Due to the consumer preferences, it is also important to achieve a context and situation dependent configurations to provide opportunities for more sustainable trade-offs.Originality/valueThe people dimension in SC management is seen as a promising field as the behavioral dynamics of consumers is rarely investigated in SC research. In this line, the study attempts to advance the theoretical underpinnings of corporate social responsibility in sustainable SCs. Therefore, this study contributes to theory by enriching the concept of LSR to include a consumer-choice-centered perspective and gives managerial as well as ethical implications on ConSR accordingly.
Tim Gruchmann; Imke Schmidt; Sarah Lubjuhn; Stefan Seuring; Martine Bouman. Informing logistics social responsibility from a consumer-choice-centered perspective. The International Journal of Logistics Management 2019, 30, 96 -116.
AMA StyleTim Gruchmann, Imke Schmidt, Sarah Lubjuhn, Stefan Seuring, Martine Bouman. Informing logistics social responsibility from a consumer-choice-centered perspective. The International Journal of Logistics Management. 2019; 30 (1):96-116.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTim Gruchmann; Imke Schmidt; Sarah Lubjuhn; Stefan Seuring; Martine Bouman. 2019. "Informing logistics social responsibility from a consumer-choice-centered perspective." The International Journal of Logistics Management 30, no. 1: 96-116.
Societal, economic and ecological prosperity will be highly affected in the next decades due to socio-demographic developments and climate change. The design of more sustainable logistics business types can address such challenges to build more resilient supply chains. Therefore, the discussion with regard to transformational potentials of logistics businesses provides valuable information to shape business strategies according to future sustainability requirements. Within the framework of this paper, a mixed-methods approach has been applied to explore and analyze drivers and barriers for sustainability transformations of logistics service providers (LSPs) and to evaluate related business strategies with optimization and simulation methods in a concrete regional context. So far, LSPs’ main obstacles are competitive pressure, focal firm orientation, and dependence on other supply chain members, while supply chain collaboration and integration, as well as the integration of sharing economy solutions and new digital technologies, have been identified as promising for sustainability transitions. Accordingly, this paper suggests a roadmap for the logistics sector while defining retention strategies such as growth, replication, mimicry, and mergence to meet future societal and environmental requirements. By doing so, this study contributes to theory by constructing the Lead Sustainability Service Provider (6PL) business model (arche)type and its role in societal transitions.
Tim Gruchmann; Ani Melkonyan; Klaus Krumme. Logistics Business Transformation for Sustainability: Assessing the Role of the Lead Sustainability Service Provider (6PL). Logistics 2018, 2, 25 .
AMA StyleTim Gruchmann, Ani Melkonyan, Klaus Krumme. Logistics Business Transformation for Sustainability: Assessing the Role of the Lead Sustainability Service Provider (6PL). Logistics. 2018; 2 (4):25.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTim Gruchmann; Ani Melkonyan; Klaus Krumme. 2018. "Logistics Business Transformation for Sustainability: Assessing the Role of the Lead Sustainability Service Provider (6PL)." Logistics 2, no. 4: 25.
Consumer attitudes toward consuming and buying locally produced food are well studied. By contrast, the topic of consumer preferences for local food, with a special emphasis on the role of norms, still lacks empirical evidence. To study the influence of norms and morals on the intention to buy local food products, a quantitative study (N = 327) focusing on external social and internalized moral norms was conducted using the constructs of the theory of planned behavior in combination with an extended norm taxonomy and the perceived consumer effectiveness measure. The norm constructs consisted of two different personal norms, integrated and introjected, and two social norms, descriptive and injunctive. In a factor analysis, two factors for social norms but only one for personal norms were obtained. Multiple regressions explained 50 percent of the variance in intentions and 29 percent of the variance in past behavior. Norm constructs were proven important in the model, as personal norms had the largest effect among all constructs on intentions, and descriptive norms strongly influenced past behavior. An additional mediation analysis showed that personal norms were internalized social injunctive norms and that intentions mediated the relationship between all constructs. The implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are given accordingly.
Julius Wenzig; Tim Gruchmann. Consumer Preferences for Local Food: Testing an Extended Norm Taxonomy. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1313 .
AMA StyleJulius Wenzig, Tim Gruchmann. Consumer Preferences for Local Food: Testing an Extended Norm Taxonomy. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (5):1313.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulius Wenzig; Tim Gruchmann. 2018. "Consumer Preferences for Local Food: Testing an Extended Norm Taxonomy." Sustainability 10, no. 5: 1313.