Field Of Operations Management Research Articles

Exploring the Relationship Between Performance Management and Em-ployee Motivation: Case Study of Serbian Railways

Purpose – It aims to emphasize the importance of effective performance management practices in today's competitive business landscape, highlighting how they contribute to organizational success through enhanced employee motivation, engagement, and productivity. Aims(s) –The aim of this paper is to investigate various aspects of performance management, focusing on goal setting, feedback mechanisms, performance appraisals, recognition, and coaching. By examining the relationship between performance management and employee motivation, the paper aims to provide insights for organizations to design strategies that foster a motivated workforce and drive performance. Design/methodology/approach – it examines real-world examples and best practices to illustrate how organizations can implement these strategies to enhance employee motivation and ultimately achieve organizational success. Findings – The findings underscore the significance of goal setting within performance management, highlighting that specific and challenging goals increase employee motivation and performance levels. Moreover, performance management systems that emphasize goal alignment and regular feedback are found to further enhance motivation. Limitations of the study – Despite the comprehensive review of literature and empirical evidence, this paper acknowledges several limitations. Firstly, the findings are primarily based on existing research and may not encompass all possible perspectives or developments in the field of performance management and employee motivation. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by synthesizing various theories and empirical evidence on performance management and employee motivation. It provides a comprehensive overview of key components of effective performance management practices and their impact on employee motivation and organizational success.

Envisioning the Invisible: Unleashing the Interplay Between Green Supply Chain Management and Green Human Resource Management: An Ability-Motivation-Opportunity Theory Perspective Towards Environmental Sustainability

The topics of green human resource management (GHRM) and green supply chain management (GSCM) have gained significant popularity within the fields of HRM and operations management (OM), respectively. Scholars in various fields have been making progress in exploring the contributions of GSCM and GHRM towards the development of sustainable firms. However, it is worth noting that integrating these two cutting-edge topics has been significantly delayed, mostly due to a substantial gap in the integration of SCM and HRM. The objective of this study is to present a comprehensive framework that combines and enhances the interaction between these two elements, as well as to suggest a research agenda for further exploration of this integration. This study employs the ability-motivation-opportunity theory framework to examine the influence of GHRM, GSCM, and environmental strategy on firm performance. The researchers employed a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the hypotheses, utilizing a sample of 640 survey questionnaires obtained from manufacturing firms. The findings indicate that there is a positive relationship between GHRM and firm performance. Additionally, the findings indicate that GSCM serves as a positive and significant mediator in the association between GHRM and firm performance. Ultimately, the study's results and ramifications are revealed to serve as valuable policy tools for various entities such as manufacturing firms, administrations, and other relevant parties of supply chain.

Including gender dimension in operations management teaching

Purpose: This paper aims at introducing the importance and the relevant concepts and tools for including gender dimension in teaching, with a special focus in the Operations Management knowledge field.Design/methodology/approach: The methodology is based on a literature review and on the knowledge and experience of the authors in teaching in the field of Operations Management and designing and implementing trainings and pilot programs for including gender dimension in teaching and.Findings: Even if there already exist some general guidelines for including gender dimension in teaching and in some countries the law requires the inclusion of gender dimension in high education, the effective inclusion of gender dimension in teaching is still in a very preliminary stage. Moreover, there are not specific studies focused on the Operations Management field.Research limitations/implications: Even if the authors have wide experience in the field, the proposals have not been applied to many courses so there is no empirical evidence of the achieved results.Practical implications: The paper can be useful for people teaching in Industrial Engineering and Operations Management courses’, as it gives not only some general guidelines and concepts but also specific examples that can be directly applied to their courses.Social implications: Including gender dimension in Industrial Engineering and Operations Management courses, which are still male dominated, can help achieving the SDG 5, which is focused on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Specifically, including gender dimension in teaching allow breaking stereotypes, changing the image of the knowledge field, empowering female students and giving both men and women tools for including the gender dimension in their professional careers.Originality/value: There exist some general guidelines for including gender dimension in teaching but, to the best of our knowledge, there is no any specific work that is focused on the Operations Management knowledge field.

Circular production operations – A management system's framework for seamless transition from linear to circular

Production companies’ ambition to reach sustainable development goals, has resulted in a rapid strategic movement towards circularity in production. Previous studies have indicated that a transition to circular production is affirmed and a prioritised action. However, few studies describe how to operate a circular production, and how to perform the transition from linear to circular. To fill this gap, this paper aims to explore strategies for a seamless transition and to add new knowledge in this area. A multiple case study was employed for this purpose, based on production companies located in Sweden. Collected data were analysed by an inductive coding process. The coding process generated managerial themes that characterise the transition process in production operations. From the themes, three main incubators: management systems, standards and strategy, form together with drivers and blockers a framework called Integrated Circularity Management Systems (ICMS). The research presented in this study adds new knowledge to the field of circular production operations management as well as gives practical guidance for decision-makers in the manufacturing industry on how to initiate a circularity transition in an established production system.

Research on Flexible workshop Scheduling Based on harmony search Algorithm

The purpose of this paper is to use the harmony search algorithm to solve the scheduling problem of flexible job shop, with the goal of minimizing the maximum completion time. The issue of flexible workshop scheduling is an important research content in the field of production operation management. It involves how to rationally arrange the processing sequence of different jobs on different machines to optimize production efficiency. As a heuristic optimization algorithm, the harmony search algorithm performs well in solving complex optimization problems with its good global search ability and robustness. This paper first establishes a mathematical model of the scheduling problem of flexible job shop, and expounds in detail the basic principle and process of the harmonic search algorithm. Subsequently, we designed a scheduling strategy based on the harmony search algorithm, and by adjusting the algorithm parameters and strategies, we realized the effective optimization of the maximum completion time. The experimental results show that the algorithm can significantly reduce the maximum completion time and improve production efficiency when solving the scheduling problem of flexible work workshops. The research in this paper not only provides a new solution method for the scheduling problem of flexible job shop, but also provides a useful reference for the application of harmonic search algorithm in similar problems.

Retail Platform Analytics: Practice, Literature, and Future Research

The explosive growth of retail platforms over the past decade has resulted in a significant amount of customer and seller data that can be leveraged for advanced business analytics. As a result, the management of retail platforms with business analytics capabilities has garnered increased attention in the field of operations management. Despite the recognition of the importance of business analytics techniques for retail platforms, a systematic study of their operations is lacking in the literature. Based on our observations of the industrial practice and understanding of the academic literature, we attempt to address this gap by proposing a framework that broadly categorizes retail platform management into three key themes: demand-side management, supply-side management, and matching. For each theme, we identify critical topics, discuss the current practices of platforms, and review relevant literature. We also propose future research questions with directions for the initial modeling and solution strategy, together with applicable data sources and potential insights. At last, to facilitate future research, we provide a roadmap and datasets for further exploration of business analytics applications of retail platforms. Overall, this paper lays a strong foundation for researchers to delve deeper into the exciting and constantly evolving field of retail platform analytics.

How Socially Perceived Threat Shapes Preventive Behavior in the Context of COVID-19

Social technologies have revolutionized global connectivity, enabling instant sharing of information and virtual experiences of real-time events. In the context of natural disasters, including pandemics like COVID-19, these technologies can facilitate the dissemination of crucial localized information via social connectivity, enhancing awareness and preventive behavior even in areas not immediately threatened by the disaster or virus. Our paper investigates the relationship between socially perceived threats, shaped by social technologies and shared information on social media, and individuals’ preventive behavior, while controlling for immediate virus threats in local and neighboring areas. In Study 1, we establish that socially perceived threats, measured by the volume of COVID-19-related tweets in socially connected areas, positively correlate with preventive behavior after accounting for immediate virus threats. Study 2 delves into this phenomenon, revealing a notable association between COVID-19-related communication, particularly tweets regarding self-infection or severe symptoms, and increased preventive behavior. Intriguingly, subjective expressions of this social information are found to correlate with a heightened socially perceived threat, further promoting preventive behavior. Our paper contributes to the emerging field of operations management and information systems by highlighting the pivotal role of social technologies in shaping public perception and response during disaster early stages. We achieve this through the integration of diverse datasets, advancing our understanding of societal resilience and sustainability in the face of catastrophic events.

On tasks and soft skills in operations and supply chain management: analysis and evidence from the O*NET database

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to identify the soft skills and abilities that are crucial to success in the fields of operations management (OM) and supply chain management (SCM), using the O*NET database and the classification of a set of professional figures integrating values for task skills and abilities needed to operate successfully in these professions.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the O*NET database to identify the soft skills and abilities required for success in OM and SCM industries. Correlation analysis was conducted to determine the tasks required for the job roles and their characteristics in terms of abilities and soft skills. ANOVA analysis was used to validate the findings. The study aims to help companies define specific assessments and tests for OM and SCM roles to measure individual attitudes and correlate them with the job position.FindingsAs a result of the work, a set of soft skills and abilities was defined that allow, through correlation analysis, to explain a large number of activities required to work in the operations and SCM (OSCM) environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe work is inherently affected by the database used for the professional figures mapped and the scores that are attributed within O*NET to the analyzed elements.Practical implicationsThe information resulting from this study can help companies develop specific assessments and tests for the roles of OM and SCM to measure individual attitudes and correlate them with the requirements of the job position. The study aims to address the need to identify soft skills in the human sphere and determine which of them have the most significant impact on the OM and SCM professions.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in its approach to identify the set of soft skills and abilities that determine success in the OM and SCM industries. The study used the O*NET database to correlate the tasks required for specific job roles with their corresponding soft skills and abilities. Furthermore, the study used ANOVA analysis to validate the findings in other sectors mapped by the same database. The identified soft skills and abilities can help companies develop specific assessments and tests for OM and SCM roles to measure individual attitudes and correlate them with the requirements of the job position. In addressing the necessity for enhanced clarity in the domain of human factor, this study contributes to identifying key success factors. Subsequent research can further investigate their practical application within companies to formulate targeted growth strategies and make appropriate resource selections for vacant positions.

Evaluasi dan Perbaikan Proses Pengiriman dan Pengantaran Pos untuk Mengurangi Tingkat Keluhan Pelanggan PT Pos Indonesia (Persero) Kcu Surabaya 60000

Evaluation and Improvement of the Postal Delivery Process to Reduce the Level of Customer Complaints PT Pos Indonesia (Persero) Kcu Surabaya 60000. This study aims to evaluate and improve the POS delivery and delivery process to reduce the level of customer complaints. A high level of customer complaints can be an indicator of problems in the POS delivery process that can interfere with customer satisfaction and company reputation. Once the problems are identified, improvement measures are proposed and implemented. These improvement measures involve increased coordination between relevant departments, improved training and supervision of employees involved in the POS shipping and delivery process, as well as more effective and efficient use of technology and optimized supply chain management. The results of this study show that by implementing the proposed improvement measures, the level of customer complaints can be significantly reduced. Customers experience increased satisfaction with the POS shipping and delivery process, which in turn can have a positive impact on the company's reputation. This research makes an important contribution in improving the POS shipping and delivery process to reduce the level of customer complaints. The practical implication of this research is that companies can implement the proposed improvement measures to enhance their service quality and strengthen customer relationships. In addition, this study also provides direction for further research in the field of operations management and service delivery.

Impact of Employee Performance Appraisal System On Employee Productivity A Study of Selected of Educational Institutes

The Employee performance is the strength of organization and Employee performance has traditionally been accorded prime focus by human resource managers. As a result, a number of performance appraisal techniques have over time been devised to help establish employee„s performance. In the contemporary times, the use of performance appraisals has been extended beyond the rating of the employee„s performance to aspects such as motivation. Accordingly, by the sought to investigate effectiveness of performance appraisal systems and its effect on employee motivation.
 Performance appraisal is a widely discussed concept in the field of performance management. The importance accorded to performance appraisal systems in part arises from the nature of the current business environment, which is marked by the need to achieve organisational goals as well as remain relevant in intensely competitive markets through superior employee performance. The organisations can however control how employees perform their jobs. In addition, performance management research shows that a significant number of employees tend to have the desire to perform their jobs well as part of their individual goals as well as a demonstration of loyalty towards the organisation.

ІМІТАЦІЙНЕ МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ МЕРЕЖІ МАСОВОГО ОБСЛУГОВУВАННЯ

In this work, simulation modeling of mass service network is investigated. The relevance of researching the topic lies in its potential to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across various service industries. In today's increasingly interconnected and technologically driven world, understanding how to optimize service delivery processes is paramount. By employing simulation modeling techniques, researchers and practitioners can simulate real-world scenarios, identify bottlenecks, test different strategies, and ultimately improve the overall performance of mass service networks. This research can have practical applications in areas such as transportation, healthcare, telecommunications, and customer service, where efficient management of large-scale service networks is essential for meeting demand, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Moreover, the insights gained from such research can inform policy-making decisions aimed at improving service accessibility, equity, and resilience in the face of disruptions, thus contributing to the advancement of both academic knowledge and practical applications in the field of service operations management. It is noted that simulation modeling can be considered as a methodology and not a theory of problem solving. One of the features of simulation models is the practically significant assumption that they can serve as a tool for analyzing the behavior of the system under the conditions determined by the experimenter. The elements of a mass service network are the input flow, the mass service system, and communication. The input flow is characterized by the interval of requests to the network, which can be a random or deterministic value, as well as the number of the mass service system to which the request is received. The state of the incoming stream is determined by the moment in time when the next request arrives in the mass service network. In the case when the time interval for the arrival of requirements is a random variable with a known distribution law, a random number generator is used to calculate it.

КЛАССИФИКАЦИЯ ФАКТОРОВ, ВЛИЯЮЩИХ НА ТРАНСАКЦИОННЫЕ ИЗДЕРЖИ В УПРАВЛЕНИИ МЕЖОРГАНИЗАЦИОННЫМИ СЕТЯМИ

This article conducts a thorough analysis of transaction costs arising in the process of managing inter-organizational networks. The authors focus on systematizing the factors that influence these costs and offer a comprehensive classification. The study is based on the transactional approach in economic theory, analyzing both internal and external aspects that affect the efficiency and cost of interactions between firms in the network. A definition of inter-organizational networks is provided, as well as a classification of inter-organizational networks developed. The article contributes to the theoretical and practical base of management of inter-organizational networks, providing valuable recommendations for managers and specialists in the field of strategic planning and operational management. The research results can be used to optimize transaction costs and enhance the efficiency of interaction between companies within network structures.

ІМІТАЦІЙНЕ МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ МЕРЕЖІ МАСОВОГО ОБСЛУГОВУВАННЯ

In this work, simulation modeling of mass service network is investigated. The relevance of researching the topic lies in its potential to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across various service industries. In today's increasingly interconnected and technologically driven world, understanding how to optimize service delivery processes is paramount. By employing simulation modeling techniques, researchers and practitioners can simulate real-world scenarios, identify bottlenecks, test different strategies, and ultimately improve the overall performance of mass service networks. This research can have practical applications in areas such as transportation, healthcare, telecommunications, and customer service, where efficient management of large-scale service networks is essential for meeting demand, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Moreover, the insights gained from such research can inform policy-making decisions aimed at improving service accessibility, equity, and resilience in the face of disruptions, thus contributing to the advancement of both academic knowledge and practical applications in the field of service operations management. It is noted that simulation modeling can be considered as a methodology and not a theory of problem solving. One of the features of simulation models is the practically significant assumption that they can serve as a tool for analyzing the behavior of the system under the conditions determined by the experimenter. The elements of a mass service network are the input flow, the mass service system, and communication. The input flow is characterized by the interval of requests to the network, which can be a random or deterministic value, as well as the number of the mass service system to which the request is received. The state of the incoming stream is determined by the moment in time when the next request arrives in the mass service network. In the case when the time interval for the arrival of requirements is a random variable with a known distribution law, a random number generator is used to calculate it.

The role of big data in the formation of supply chain platform for new forms of online retail

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between big data and supply chain platform in China’s retail industry. With the emergence of big data resources and technologies, the business pattern of new retail advocates the combination of online and offline channels. Supply chain platform plays a key role in the implementation of retail activities, which has gradually become a research hotspot in the cross field of operations management and information system.Design/methodology/approachThrough the method of literature review and case study, this study empirically explores how big data shapes supply chain platform to support new forms of online retail by grounded theory.FindingsThe model framework is validated by reliability test and coding method to process survey materials. The results identify the overall antecedents of supply chain platform and reveal positive effects between big data and new retail. The findings help firm managers build a big data-driven supply chain to support new retail.Originality/valueThere are insufficient studies on theoretical frameworks and interaction relationships among big data, supply chain platform and new retail.

OPERATIONAL STRATEGY: DEFINITION OF THE TERM AND ITS PLACE IN THE PYRAMID OF ENTERPRISE STRATEGIES

The article presents the main results of the conducted scientific research in the field of operational management. It was established that in order to solve the urgent tasks of achieving strategic development by enterprises and farms in difficult conditions (quite a high level of competition; functioning in conditions of uncertainty; the need for immediate response to global and local changes, which lead to the need for rapid adaptation to new realities; the need to ensure modernization, digitalization, innovative development, quality improvement, rationalization of both production and management of enterprises in general, etc.) it is absolutely necessary to form and implement an effective set of strategies, one component of which is an operational strategy. The task of clarifying its essence, types, constituent elements, approaches to formation, sequence of development and implementation are really appropriate and require detailing. First of all, the term "operational strategy" needs to be specified.
 A thorough review of modern developments and achievements of scientists and practitioners dedicated to the definition of operational strategy was carried out. Despite significant scientific work, it is concluded that the considered definitions are abstract; some of them either do not give a clear understanding of its subordination, or do not outline its place in the general system of strategic management of the enterprise.
 Thus, the main purpose of the article is to formulate a definition of the term "operational strategy" based on the emphasis of its essential features and specifying its place in the general pyramid of strategies.
 As a result of the research, based on identifying a set of essential features by using the supporting techniques of logic, as well as taking into account the content of the supporting (basic) terms (strategy and operational management), the definition of the term "operating strategy of the enterprise" was formulated and specified. The main essential features of this term have been established, such as: decisions on issues of general policy and plans for the use of resources; support/ensure long-term competitive strategy; achievement of strategic competitive advantage; a plan for using the firm's resources.
 The place of the operational strategy in the general pyramid of strategies is specified: it is developed at the third level of management in accordance with the competitive strategy and is equal to other functional strategies of the enterprise.

Toward Climate Neutrality: A Comprehensive Overview of Sustainable Operations Management, Optimization, and Wastewater Treatment Methods

Various studies have been conducted in the fields of sustainable operations management (SOM), optimization, and wastewater treatment, yielding unsubstantiated recovery. In the context of Europe’s climate neutrality vision, this paper reviews effective decarbonization strategies and proposes sustainable approaches to mitigate carbonization in various sectors such as buildings, energy, industry, and transportation and how these interlink with wastewater management. The study also explores the role of digitalization in decarbonization and reviews policies that can direct governments’ actions towards a climate-neutral society. This paper presents a review of optimization approaches applied in the fields of science and technology, incorporating modern optimization techniques based on various peer-reviewed published research papers. It emphasizes non-conventional energy and distributed power-generating systems along with the deregulated and regulated environment. Additionally, this paper critically reviews the performance and capability of the micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) process in the treatment of dye wastewater. The review presents evidence of the simultaneous removal of co-existing pollutants and explores the feasibility and efficiency of biosurfactants instead of chemical surfactants. Lastly, the paper proposes a novel Firm–Regulator–Consumer-Technology Enablers/Facilitators interaction framework to study operations, decisions and interactive cooperation considering the relationships between the four agents through a comprehensive literature review of SOM. The proposed framework provides support for exploring future research opportunities and holistic sustainability initiatives.

Consultation Proposal on Alpha College’s operations management – Investigative study

Purpose This research project examines the faulty practices adopted by Alpha college which is a distance learning center providing higher education in the UAE. The first step includes identifying the operational malpractices, the second step includes providing a consultation on how to resolve the current issues faced by the college. The college will be named under the pseudonym or alias “Alpha College” and the orthonym will not be mentioned throughout the research to protect the organization’s identity. Methodology Interviews were conducted with students. 9 students are chosen to provide primary data regarding the issues they encountered throughout their program. Implications The recommendations are proposed to solve malpractices in the field of operations management only. Findings We found out that Alpha college didn’t prioritize their capacity management function causing loss of IT resources and disturbance to their students as they used the partner college’s applications. Secondly, the college failed to forecast the programs that will be demanded in the future and ended up partnering with subpar universities. Quality wasn’t delivered to their students throughout the program. Originality: This research applies the operations management functions in the higher education scope, specifically in distance learning centers that offer undergraduate and post graduate education. To our knowledge this is the first study in the region that has examined this issue to ascertain the effectiveness of this approach.

Performance Measurement Knowledge: A Comprehensive Literature Review

This scientific article presents a comprehensive literature review on performance measurement knowledge, exploring diverse aspects of performance management and measurement practices across various organizational settings. By drawing from a selection of seminal studies, this review aims to shed light on critical dimensions and emerging trends in performance measurement within the dynamic context of contemporary business environments. Furthermore, the article identifies research gaps and proposes a comprehensive research agenda to foster further exploration in the field of performance management.

Operating and Dynamic Capabilities and Their Impact on Operating and Business Performance

This work verified, through confirmatory factor analysis, a new measurement model for measuring dynamic capabilities based on current propositions in the literature, using a database of 1008 manufacturing sites from 16 countries. The indirect and direct effects of dynamic capabilities on ordinary capabilities and operating and business performance were also checked. In particular, we tested whether there were any mediating or moderating effects between ordinary and dynamic capabilities on operating and business performance. All the tests were performed through SEM in AMOS and OLS in SPSS. Additionally, a Heckman two-step procedure was performed. The proposed measurement model shows a good fit, meaning that it can be used for further exploring the interplay of ordinary and dynamic capabilities. The mediating and moderating effects of dynamic capabilities measured showed only partial mediation and only low and nonsignificant levels of moderation, meaning that further analysis of their interrelationships on performance should be investigated. Measurement models for dynamic capabilities are especially scarce. Virtually no work deals with dynamic capabilities in the field of operations management; yet it is exactly by means of operations that one can verify the dynamic capabilities being used and what benefits they bring.

Combating extreme weather through operations management: Evidence from a natural experiment in China

In recent years, frequent extreme weather events have had serious impacts on firms' operations and supply chain management. More and more firms are taking extreme weather into consideration in their formulation of strategies and are striving to employ a range of measures to mitigate the adversity caused by extreme weather. Many of prior extreme weather-related studies focus on its socioeconomic or financial impacts in developed countries. In the operations management field, while researchers have long investigated various climate change-related issues, limited efforts have been specifically devoted to extreme weather’s operational performance implications, and it remains unclear whether operational resources or strategies employed in the firm-specific endogenous glitches or disruptions can be successfully scaled to such exogenous extreme conditions. Employing the staggered difference-in-differences approach and analyzing a large-scale panel dataset of Chinese listed firms, we find that there is a significant negative relationship between extreme weather and firms' operational performance in terms of labor productivity. Further analysis shows that firms with high levels of operational slack, digital technology deployment, and cash hedging are less significantly affected by extreme weather. Our findings remain consistent across various robustness checks including parallel trend analysis, alternative measures, Mahalanobis distance matching approach, placebo test, and adjustment of estimation window. These findings contribute to the extreme weather and disaster management literature in several ways and have significant practical implications for firms.