Consumer Goods Research Articles

Enhancing FMCG supply chain traceability and efficiency with blockchain technology implementation

Enhancing supply chain traceability and efficiency in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector is critical for mitigating counterfeit losses and ensuring product integrity. This study proposes a comprehensive model for the implementation of blockchain technology tailored to the unique demands of the FMCG supply chain. The model emphasizes transparency, accountability, and real-time data sharing among stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. By integrating blockchain, the FMCG industry can create a tamper-proof record of each transaction and product movement, significantly improving traceability from production to point-of-sale. Key components of the proposed model include a decentralized ledger that captures product information, provenance data, and transaction history. This approach facilitates efficient tracking of products, enhances supply chain visibility, and enables stakeholders to authenticate goods at any stage. Moreover, by employing blockchain’s smart contract functionality, the model allows for automated compliance verification and streamlined processes, reducing the time and resources required for audits and inspections. The study further explores potential extensions of blockchain technology to incorporate smart contracts that can automate various supply chain operations. These contracts can facilitate automatic payments upon delivery confirmation, trigger inventory replenishment orders based on real-time data, and enforce compliance with regulatory requirements without human intervention. By leveraging these technological advancements, FMCG companies can significantly reduce counterfeit losses and improve overall supply chain efficiency. This not only protects brand reputation but also fosters consumer trust, which is vital in an increasingly competitive market. The implications of this research highlight the transformative potential of blockchain technology in the FMCG sector, paving the way for future innovations in traceability and efficiency. In conclusion, this study presents a robust framework for blockchain implementation in the FMCG supply chain, addressing critical issues of traceability and counterfeiting while offering pathways for future enhancements through smart contracts.

Matching Is Best: Enhancing Effects of Future Orientation and Construal Level on Green Consumption

The 2024 Report on the Work of the Chinese Government promotes trade in consumer goods and green consumption. Therefore, better understanding is needed of consumer attitudes and behaviors toward environmental protection and sustainable development. The relationships among future orientation, construal level, and green consumption were explored using a delayed-effect design to conduct two surveys at one-month intervals with 160 participants (100 women and 60 men). The results showed that (1) future orientation positively predicted green consumption intention and green consumption behavior, and (2) the construal level significantly moderated the influence of future orientation on green consumption. Specifically, a high construal level and high future orientation predicted the greatest green consumption intention, green consumption behavior, and green consumption decisions, while at a high construal level, future orientation positively predicted green consumption intention and behavior, with a greater tendency to purchase environmentally friendly rather than hedonic products. At a low construal level, future orientation had no significant effect on green consumption intention, behavior, and intention to purchase environmentally friendly products. This study is important for promoting public awareness of the importance of green consumption and encouraging green consumption behaviors to achieve the goals of sustainable development and protect the environment and social well-being.

A targeted review on occurrence, remediation, and risk assessments of bisphenol A in Africa.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a vital raw material used to manufacture various household and commercial goods. However, BPA is a contaminant of emerging concern (CEC) and an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) capable of migrating and bio-accumulating in environmental and biological compartments. At threshold levels, they become toxic causing adverse health and environmental issues. BPA's occurrence in food, food contact materials (FCMs), beverages, water, cosmetics, consumer goods, soil, sediments, and human/biological fluids across Africa was outlined. Unlike most reviews, it further collated data on BPA remediation techniques, including the human and ecological risk assessment studies conducted across Africa. A systematic scrutiny of the major indexing databases was employed extracting relevant data for this study. Results reveal that only 10 out of 54 countries have researched BPA in Africa. BPA levels in water were the most investigated, whereas levels in cosmetics and consumer goods were the least studied. Maximum BPA concentrations found in Africa were 3,590,000ng/g (cosmetic and consumer goods), 154,820,000ng/g (soils), 189ng/mL (water), 1139ng/g (food), and 208.55ng/mL (biological fluids). The optimum percentage removal/degradation of BPA was within 70-100%. The potential health and ecological risk levels were assessed by comparing them with recommended limits and were found to fall within safe/low risks to unsafe/high risks. In conclusion, this study revealed that there is still little research on BPA in Africa. Levels detected in some matrices call for increased research, stricter health and environmental regulations, and surveillance.

Multiscale Manufacturing of Recyclable Polyimide Composite Aerogels.

Mitigating embodied emissions is becoming increasingly crucial as the energy supply shifts toward more sustainable sources. Bio-based materials present a potentially more sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers; however, it often do not yet match the performance of synthetic materials. Given the ongoing reliance on high-performance, high-environmental-impact materials, it is essential to ensure their complete recyclability. Aerogels, recognized by IUPAC as one of the top ten emerging technologies, are witnessing rapid market growth in thermal insulation and thermal protection applications. In certain applications, synthetic and composite aerogels exhibit superior performance, particularly under high temperatures. Here, molecular simulation tools are employed to elucidate the interaction forces between polymers and solvents, develop a recycling strategy for polyimide-based aerogels, and demonstrate their application in thermal protection for firefighter textiles and thermal runaway protection for Li-ion battery packs. These composites are engineered for disassembly, allowing for the complete recovery of starting materials without any degradation of components after multiple recycling cycles. The recyclable composites can be fabricated using various manufacturing techniques to produce fibers (1D), membranes (2D), and complex structures (3D). This unique combination of outstanding performance and excellent recyclability facilitates the sustainable utilization of aerogels in protective clothing, electric mobility, consumer goods, and aeronautics.

COVID-19 and Market Response: Evidence From Listed Firms in Tanzania and Kenya

This study investigates the effects of COVID-19 on the financial performance of listed firms in the financial and consumer goods industries in Tanzania and Kenya. The choice of Tanzania and Kenya as focal points is motivated by their contrasting responses to the pandemic and their roles as economic powerhouses in the region. Using data from the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange and Nairobi Stock Exchange spanning the period from 2015 to 2022, the study employs the Dynamic panel-data model, the two-step system GMM, to quantify the impact of the pandemic. The research has two specific objectives: to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on the financial performance of listed firms in the financial industry and to assess its impact on the consumer goods industry in both countries. Key findings reveal that in the financial sector, firms showed resilience with a positive impact on profitability during the pandemic, driven by the adoption of digital financial services and effective risk management. In contrast, the consumer goods sector experienced a significant negative impact, highlighting severe disruptions in supply chains and consumer demand. Notably, firms in Tanzania outperformed those in Kenya, due to less restrictive COVID-19 measures. These findings suggest policymakers should support digital innovations, prudent leveraging, and economic growth to sustain and improve firm profitability during future disruptions.

An artificial intelligence-enabled consumables tracking system for medical laboratories

Abstract The medical laboratory plays a crucial role within a hospital setting and is responsible for the examination and analysis of patient specimens to accurately diagnose various ailments. The burden on medical laboratory personnel has significantly increased, particularly in the context of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Worldwide, the implementation of comprehensive and extended COVID-19 screening programs has placed a significant strain on healthcare professionals. This burden has led to exhaustion among medical employees, limiting their ability to effectively track laboratory resources, such as medical equipment and consumables. Therefore, this study proposed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution that contributes to a more efficient and less labor-intensive workflow for medical workers in laboratory settings. With the ultimate goal to reduce the burden on healthcare providers by streamlining the process of monitoring and managing these resources, the objective of this study is to design and develop an AI-based system for consumables tracking in medical laboratories. In this work, the effectiveness of two object detection models, namely, YOLOv5x6 and YOLOv8l, for the administration of consumables in medical laboratories was evaluated and analyzed. A total of 570 photographs were used to create the dataset, capturing the objects in a variety of settings. The findings indicate that both detection models demonstrate a notable capability to achieve a high mean average precision. This underscores the effectiveness of computer vision in the context of consumable goods detection scenarios and provides a reference for the application of real-time detection models in tracking systems within medical laboratories.

Board Characteristics and Dividend Pay-Out Policy in Nigerian Consumer Good Firms

This study interrogates the interplay between board attributes and dividend payout policy amongst listed in Nigerian manufacturing firms. The research focuses on various board attributes, including board size, board independence, gender diversity, and board ownership, to determine their influence on the dividend decisions of firms. Using panel data from a sample of Nigerian manufacturing companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2013 to 2022, the study employs multiple regression analysis to evaluate the effect of these variables on dividend per share. The results indicate that board independence positively influence dividend payouts, while board diversity and board ownership have negative non-significant effect on the criterion variable using t-statistics. These findings suggest that a well-structured board can enhance firm decision-making, leading to higher shareholder returns. The study recommends that policymakers and firm managers should consider the composition and governance of boards when devising strategies related to dividend payouts to optimize corporate performance and shareholder value.

Advancing optical transparency in 3D‐printed PLA parts using chemical post‐processing

AbstractFused filament fabrication (FFF) is an increasingly popular three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology known for its ability to produce complex 3D models at a low‐cost using polymer materials. Despite its advantages, the poor surface finish and high layer resolution in FFF‐printed parts have hindered its wider adoption, particularly for applications requiring high transparency. Thus, the current study investigates the transparency evaluation of chemically post‐processed 3D‐printed transparent polylactic acid (PLA) parts, focusing on enhancing optical transparency. Fused Filament Fabrication was employed to produce transparent parts made from PLA filament, which were subsequently treated at various time settings using various solvents, including tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform or trichloromethane (TCM), and ethyl acetate (EA). This study examines the impact of chemical post‐processing on the surface roughness, transparency, mechanical properties, and dimensional accuracy of solvent treated parts. It has been found that the THF solvent with 40 s of immersion time resulted in a maximum transmittance of 74.66% and minimum surface roughness of 1.777 μm. Based on this finding a case study was also conducted to apply the findings of the current investigation to a practical application. The findings highlight the potential of chemical‐based post‐processing techniques to improve the optical properties of 3D printed PLA, offering a promising approach for applications in optics, medical devices, and consumer goods requiring transparent components.Highlights Effect of chemical post‐processing on 3D‐printed PLA parts was investigated. Tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and ethyl acetate were used as solvents. Surface roughness, transparency, hardness, and dimensional accuracy were analyzed. Reported a maximum transmittance of 74.66% and minimum surface roughness of 1.777 μm.

Influences on Consumer Behaviour Regarding the Purchase Intention of Poultry Products

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify factors influencing effective purchasing behaviours in the context of poultry products. Theoretical Framework: The investigation into agricultural product purchases remains a relatively under-researched area within academic literature, particularly concerning detailed analyses of consumer behaviour. This study responds to the theoretical need raised by Pang et al. (2021) to apply their research methodology to different contexts. Method: The methodology adopted for this research was an online survey with a sample of 358 individuals in Colombia. The data analysis was carried out using Structural Equations Modelling with structures in variance. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that aspects such as Trust, Corporate ability, Brand positioning, Consumer cognition and Health consciousness are crucial for consumers of these products. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed indicate that aspects such as Trust, Corporate ability, Brand positioning, Consumer cognition and Health consciousness are crucial for consumers of these products. These factors are considered critical for consumers engaged in purchasing these types of products and provide substantive insights for the broader market of primary consumer goods. Originality/Value: The findings contribute to the scarce literature on consumer behaviour in agricultural product purchasing, offering a nuanced understanding of the determinants that drive consumer choices in this sector.

Microstructural analysis of AA8079 alloy sheets formed by friction stir incremental forming

Friction Stir Incremental Forming (FSIF) is an innovative solid-state metal-forming technique that uses frictional heat and mechanical deformation to create complex shapes without dyes. It has found applications in industries like aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods. In this study, FSIF was applied to AA8079 alloy sheets to form cone and pyramid geometries. A detailed investigation of process parameters such as spindle speed, table feed, step size, and coatings was conducted to assess their effects on surface roughness and forming forces. Optimal parameters were identified using the Taguchi L27 orthogonal array and the TOPSIS method, which determined the best settings as a wall angle of 20°, a step size of 1 mm, a spindle speed of 1500 rpm, and a table feed of 2400 mm/min. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to study surface roughness, texture, and defects, revealing the influence of these parameters on surface quality. Additionally, Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis, performed using ABAQUS software, was used to predict formability and stress distribution during the forming process. Key results showed successful formation of cone and triangular pyramid shapes on AA8079 sheets, with FEM accurately predicting stress levels. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into optimizing FSIF for improved material performance and structural integrity. The findings emphasize the importance of fine-tuning FSIF parameters to enhance surface finish and reduce defects, offering potential improvements for various industrial applications.

Supply Chain Integration and Coordination Applying SAP-ERP: A Case Study in the Fast-moving Consumer Goods Industry

In today’s competitive environment, the pursuit of effective approaches and novel technologies is a key driver for business success. Meanwhile, the coordination of internal and external processes with suppliers and customers is an effective solution for cost reduction, continuous quality improvement, and comprehensive risk management. Therefore, this study proposes a conceptual framework for coordinating and improving supply chain planning workflows using the capabilities of the SAP-ERP solution. The framework encompasses a joint vendor-buyer mathematical model to determine the optimal lot size and purchase quantities. It also provides a heuristic procedure for determining dead-stock in the distribution network. The recommended approach has been applied in a company in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. Key performance indicators, such as inventory volume and inventory turnover rate, were meticulously measured before and after the implementation of the framework. The results show a significant improvement in performance measures, including average total inventory and average inventory turnover, and a considerable impact of using the proposed framework.

On the role of provenance in NFT trades

This study explores the role of provenance in bidding behavior in a blockchain marketplace for NFTs. We analyze how the information inferred from the ownership chain of NFTs affects valuation. The products we study are a hybrid of consumption goods and collectibles, and so provenance is expected to manifest in both use value (how the item is used) and collectible value (how the item can resell) inferred from the ownership chain. We conduct our empirical analysis using a trading dataset of an online card game on OpenSea, a blockchain marketplace for NFTs. We find that provenance of NFTs passes through past owners, dating back to the first owner, largely as collectible value in our context

The Effect of Independent Commissioners and Capital Intensity on Tax Planning

This study aimed to examine the effect of independent commissioners and capital intensity on tax planning by manufacturing companies in the consumer goods industry sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange 2020-2023. This study has a sample of 40 consumer goods industry manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) with predetermined criteria during the 2020-2023 period. The independent variables of this study are independent commissioners and capital intensity. The dependent variable in this study is tax planning, which is measured using ETR. This study uses secondary data from the company's financial statement and annual report. The analysis used in this study is panel data regression with the EViews-12 program. Partially, the results show that independent commissioners and capital intensity do not affect tax planning.

Exploring the role of packaging in the formation of brand images: a mixed methods investigation of consumer perspectives

Purpose This study aims to explore consumers’ perspectives on how packaging plays a role in their consumption experience and how it contributes to the formation of brand images. By adopting a consumer’s perspective, the authors identify the criteria that consumers apply to evaluate packaging and reveal how packaging relates to consumers’ overall brand associations. Design/methodology/approach Through a sequential exploratory mixed methods design, the authors explore brand packaging of chocolate bars as emotionally laden, well-known fast-moving consumer goods. First, the authors conduct a qualitative focus group study to explore how consumers perceive package design, and how it relates to their brand impressions. Second, the authors test the constructs and attributes with an independent sample through a quantitative survey. Findings The qualitative findings reveal the different roles of packaging and highlight how packaging provides value for consumer experiences not only at the point-of-sale but also during later consumption. More specifically, the authors identify 12 main criteria that consumers use to evaluate packaging. The authors unwrap how packaging is embedded in consumers’ brand image networks by mapping out its connections to other brand associations pertaining to product attributes, the brand itself and personality impressions. The quantitative findings confirm the importance of practical and symbolic packaging criteria and the brand image comparisons. Originality/value Taking a consumer’s perspective, this study contributes to a more holistic understanding of how packaging supports brand building as we reveal the various ways in which packaging relates to consumers’ overall brand image associations. This study further directs attention to the roles that consumers themselves assign to packaging and how they evaluate packaging based on its practical, symbolic and social value.

What I Like! The Joint Impact of Attitude, Perceived Quality, and Experience on Brand Loyalty: Semi-Parametric Additive Mixed Modeling

Abstract Several psychological brand performance indicators that predict a brand’s intermediate market share have been identified. So far, rating studies have exclusively investigated brand effects in terms of linear relationships, and their specific and possibly nonlinear interactions have yet to be examined in comparison. Hence, we investigated the relative importance of three well-established psychological performance indicators, attitude toward the brand, perceived quality, and brand experience, in predicting brand loyalty. A sample of 1,077 participants completed an online survey and rated subsets of 105 international brands from various product and service industries. Relations between attitude, perceived quality, and experience in predicting loyalty toward a brand were analyzed using semi-parametric additive mixed regression models. We replicated that all three predictors significantly impacted brand loyalty and revealed a pronounced nonlinear relationship between attitude and loyalty. The inclusion of nonlinear interactions between predictors improved model fit. In particular, the nonlinear interaction between perceived quality and attitude substantially impacted brand loyalty. In addition, these effects differ by type of industry, specifically fast-moving consumer goods, automotive, fashion, electronics, and finance/insurance. These findings draw attention to nonlinear patterns between specific psychological features of brands. Future research should address nonlinear effects and the specific interactions of other essential predictors of brand equity.

Peningkatan Ekonomi Desa Sidorejo Kabupaten Bojonegoro melalui Industri Kreatif Berbahan Batang Pisang dan Komersialisasinya

Lecturer service is an activity that disseminates research and innovation results to village communities. The program's main objective is to improve the economy of village communities in the creative consumer goods industry made from banana stem fiber. The implementation of the service includes interactive discussions and training in production and commercialization. The partner for this activity is the farmer group Karya Tani, which includes youth and homemakers in Sidorejo Village, Sukosewu District, and Bojonegoro Regency. The activity results are analyzed based on the increased knowledge and skills observed before and after the activity. The results show that society has experienced increased handicraft production to produce products with designs and variations that have high selling value. This can increase sales and the household economy by using local natural resources, especially banana stem waste.

The Effect of Tax Planning, Leverage, and Profitability on Firm Value in the Consumer Goods Industry Sector Listed on the Stock Exchange Indonesia Year 2019-2023

This study aims to determine the effect of Tax Planning, Leverage and Profitability on Company Value in the Consumer Goods Industry Sector Listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2019-2023. The population in this study is the Consumer Goods Industry Sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange as many as 51 companies with a research period of 5 years (2019-2023) and obtained a research sample of 17 companies, using purposive sampling method. Based on the results of the t test, it can be seen that the t count on the Tax Planning variable is -1.774 < t table of 1.664 with a probability of t, namely sig 0.08> 0.05. Based on this value, the Tax Planning variable has no effect and is significant to the Company's Value. t test results can be seen that the t count on the Tax Planning variable is -1.774 < t table of 1.664 with a probability of t, namely sig 0.08> 0.05. Based on this value, the Tax Planning variable has no effect and is significant to the Company's Value. In the Leverage variable of -2.189 < 1.664 with a probability t, namely sig 0.03 < 0.05. Based on this value, the leverage variable has a negative and significant effect on firm value. On the profitability variable of 3.184> 1.664 with a probability t, namely sig 0.02 <0.05. Based on this value, the profitability variable has a positive and significant effect on firm value.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Auditor Switching Pada Perusahaan Consumer Goods Industry Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode 2018-2022

Companies use independent auditors to increase the credibility of financial statements in increasing public trust and reducing agency problems, so an auditor must maintain a professional attitude in auditing. The closer relationship between auditors and management can cause auditors to trust management clients more, which may manipulate financial statements or prioritise personal interests, in which case auditor switching is necessary. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that influence auditor switching in consumer goods industry companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) for the period 2018-2022. The research method used is a quantitative approach with purposive sampling method and the analytical tool used in the research is logistic regression analysis. Data processing in this study using SPSS V.20 from secondary data. The population in this study were consumer goods industry companies listed on the IDX. This study used 44 samples of companies, during 5 years of observation 220 reports were analysed. The results of this study prove that simultaneously management change, institutional ownership, leverage, and Return of Assets (ROA) affect auditor switching. Partially, leverage affects auditor switching. Management turnover, institutional ownership, and ROA partially have no effect on auditor switching.

Evaluation of Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Emissions in a Single Cylinder Four-Stroke Diesel Engine Using Biodiesel Derived from Chicken Waste with Additives

Biodiesel is a renewable, locally generated fuel made from vegetable oils, trans fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel automobiles and other diesel-powered equipment. The physical qualities of biodiesel are comparable to those of petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is used in compression-ignition engines in the same way as petroleum diesel. Biofuel can be made from biomass, but according to the Indian National Policy on Biofuels, biofuel extraction from edible oils is not permitted because it would result in a massive increase in consumer goods prices and perhaps lead to product scarcity. Hence, there is a need to search for alternative biofuel so that it does not affect our nation's national policy. Recently there has been a drastic increase in the consumption of chicken grown in farms. There is a huge problem in disposing of their waste. One major difficulty in waste treatment is poultry manure, often known as slaughter waste. This waste is sometimes dumped on wastelands, roadsides, and the banks of rivers, lakes, and ponds. This creates more sanitary problems for society. According to polls, poultry feces begin to decompose in around three hours. The odor of butcher's waste causes a lot of pollution in the air, as well as an increase in the density of bacteria in the atmosphere. Measures have been taken by the government for the safe disposal of these wastes. One of the major ways of disposal is to recycle this chicken slaughter waste in a useful manner so that it can serve society in a positive way. This could be done by converting this waste into fuel through various processes such as rendering, hydrolysis, extraction, acid esterification, alkaline transesterification, and finally by the extraction process. This produced fuel could be blended with existing diesel in varying concentrations and used in diesel engine-powered vehicles. In this work, the fuel is extracted from the chicken waste and blended with pure diesel and an Al2O3 additive in various proportions. These combinations are then tested on a single-cylinder diesel engine for fuel consumption and emission analysis. The results exhibited an overall better performance when compared to pure diesel.

Effect of Environmental Performance and Company Size on Financial Performance

This research aims to analyze the influence of environmental performance and company size on financial performance in consumer goods sub-sector companies listed on the IDX for 2018-2022. The research sample consisted of 24 companies with a total of 120 observations. The analysis method uses panel data regression. The findings of the study show that partially environmental performance has a significant positive influence on financial performance, while the size of the company does not have a significant effect. Simultaneously, environmental performance and company size significantly influence financial performance with the ability to explain variations in financial performance by 7%. The study concluded that companies with good environmental performance tended to have better financial performance, while company size was not the main factor affecting financial performance. This study advises management to pay attention to environmental factors in financial performance policies and investors to consider environmental performance in investment decisions.