Purpose: Remote work (RW) literature is a megatrend in HRM literature, and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of RW as a concept and an organisational practice. Given the large number of papers being published on remote work, there is a need for a critical review of the extant literature using bibliometric analysis. This paper examines the literature on remote working to identify the factors crucial for managing a remote workforce. This study uses the complex adaptive systems theory as a foundation to build a framework that organisations can use to manage their remote workforce, focusing on three outcomes: employee engagement, collaboration and organisational agility.Design/methodology/approach: Bibliometric analysis was conducted on the research published in Scopus journal in the area of remote work, followed by critical literature analysis.Findings: The bibliometric analysis identified five clusters that reflect five organisational factors which the management can align to achieve the desired outcomes of engagement, collaboration and agility: technology orientation, leadership, HRM practices, external processes and organisational culture. The present findings have important implications for managing the remote workforce.Originality/value: The five factors were mapped to propose a conceptual model on engaging individual employees, fostering team collaboration and building organisational agility while working remotely. We also propose an application model for using technology to achieve the outcomes of engagement, collaboration and agility in the organisation. Practitioners could use this framework to focus on the factors that can create a conducive environment to improve work efficiency in a remote workforce.
8 May 2023 in Business Strategy and the Environment
As emphasized in multiple United Nations (UN) reports, sustainable agriculture, a key goal in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), calls for dedicated efforts and innovative solutions. In this study, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the groundnut supply chain from the region of Diourbel & Niakhar, Senegal, to the port of Dakar are investigated. The groundnut supply chain is divided into three steps: cultivation, harvesting, and processing/shipping. This work adheres to UN guidelines, addressing the imperative for sustainable agriculture by applying machine learning-based predictive modeling (MLPMs) utilizing the FAOSTAT and EDGAR databases. Additionally, it provides a novel approach using blockchain-enabled off-chain machine learning through smart contracts built on Hyperledger Fabric to secure GHG emissions storage and machine learning’s predictive analytics from fraud and enhance transparency and data security. This study also develops a decision-making dashboard to provide actionable insights for GHG emissions reduction strategies across the groundnut supply chain.
Purpose: This study aims to examine and discuss the importance and benefits of Open Innovation (OI), Transformational Leadership (TL), Innovation Strategy (IS), Creative Climate (CC), Radical Innovation (RI) and Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai. This work also examines the mediating impact of future foresight drivers (FFD) on SMEs' SCA. The study provides a theoretical framework for enhancing SMEs' organizational performance and highlights the need for future empirical research.Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a systematic literature review (SLR) approach and a bibliometric analysis approach to collect, examine and analyze data from previous research on OI, TL, IS, CC, RI and SCA. This work evaluated 110 publications from separate scholarly databases, Scopus and Web of Science (WoS).Findings: The study finds a positive relationship between OI, TL, IS, CC, RI and SCA and that future empirical research is needed. While there is limited information on the impact of these concepts on SMEs in the Middle East and especially in Dubai, the study presents new concepts to be debated. The study provides a vital tool for businesses to improve their performance by adopting OI, TL and IS and analyzing their present competitive status to develop new strategies and build competitiveness.Originality/value: The originality of this study lies in its contribution to understanding the relationships among OI, TL, IS, CC and RI and their impact on SMEs' SCA in Dubai. By emphasizing the importance of OI, TL and IS in improving SMEs' performance and competitiveness, this study provides valuable insights for SME managers seeking to enhance their organizations' sustainability and long-term success. The review also identifies a gap in the literature regarding the impact of these concepts on SMEs in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.
Due to the growing volume of e-waste in the world and its environmental impact, it is important to understand how to extend the useful life of electronic items. In this paper, we examine the remanufacturing process of end-of-life laptops for third-party remanufacturers and consider their pricing problem, which involves issues like a lack of reliable datasets, fluctuating costs of new components, and difficulties in benchmarking laptop prices, to name a few. We develop a unique approach that uses machine learning algorithms to help price remanufactured laptops. Our methodology involves a variety of techniques, which include an additive model, CART analysis, Random Forest, and Polynomial Regression. We consider depreciation and discount factors to account for the varying ages and conditions of laptops when estimating remanufactured laptop prices. Finally, we also compare our estimated prices to traditional prices. In summary, we leverage data-driven decision-making and develop a robust methodology for pricing remanufactured laptops to extend their lifespan.