Corporate Intersections
International Supply Chain Sustainability: Crisis and Opportunity
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ralph G Kauffman, Jeffery Adams
The current situation regarding generation of waste has reached what has been termed “crisis proportions.” Currently, nations generate 1.2 billion metric tons of waste annually and projected to increase to 3.6 billion tons by 2100. The United States, China, Brazil, Japan, and Germany are the leading generators of trash, indicating that the more urbanized a country becomes, the more trash it produces. This paper focuses on the relationship between the generation of waste or trash in supply chains and its impact on environmental sustainability. The concept of sustainability is briefly introduced using the three pillars definition: economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Because the primary impact on sustainability from supply chain activities is on environmental sustainability, supply chain activities are linked to this impact. Benefits and barriers to improving supply chain sustainability are discussed. The supply chain cycle and its integral relation to the product cycle (as related to production and use of products in general) are described and their sustainability impacts discussed. The current state of supply chain related environmental sustainability in various countries is summarized, focusing on waste and trash. Opportunities for companies and individuals to benefit from reuse/recycling of trash are presented. Results of recent research concerning the status of supply chain sustainability in small and medium-size companies are presented. Examples of successful reuse/recycling of waste materials are described. A way forward to improve supply chain sustainability is presented in the form of the “6 Rs”: Rethink/reinvent, Refuse (to use), Reduce (usage), Reuse/repair, Recycle, Replace/rebuy.
Global Sustainable Supply Chain Improvement Potential for End of Life Cell Phones: A System Dynamics Approach
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Dirk Inghels
After four decades of growth, the cellular mobile phone market shows limits to behavior. Although cell phones have typically a short life span, ranging around two years, the components could last much longer. Therefore cell phones are very suited for reuse and recycling. However it is estimated that less than sixteen percent of end-of-life cell phones are currently recovered. A lot of primary materials, which are sometimes difficult to ore, could be saved from oring and a lot of energy could be saved in case successful strategies could be developed for reuse and recycling of end-of-life cell phones. In this paper we demonstrate using system dynamics, that a successful strategy is one that takes the cultural differences into account together with global flows of end-of-life cell phones. A one-size fits all global strategy is less successful.
The Impacts of Apple's Environmental Progress Report on Product Users’ Satisfaction and Loyalty: The Moderating Effects of Environmental Concern and Green Knowledge
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Shih Mei Chan
People are gradually increasing their environmental awareness and concern, coupled with the issue of climate change; most of companies and businesses are seeking to catch the opportunities and committed to developing green products. Building the good green brand image to gain competitive advantages and approach corporate social responsibility may benefit company reputation. Apple Inc. published the 2018 environmental progress report to make the company's commitment to clean energy, and prove that 100% renewable is 100% doable, and also introduced a new recycling robot, called Daisy, which can recover more of the valuable materials stored in old devices. This research intends to examine the positive impact of environmental friendliness of products and the company, green brand image, and green perceived value on environmental satisfaction among users of Apple products, while customer environmental satisfaction would lead to customer loyalty. Moreover, the moderating effects of environmental concern and green knowledge are also included in the study. The target sample will focus on the people who have Apple products. This study collected fifty-six samples for the pre-test from July 2 to July 5, 2018 by online survey in Taiwan. The reliability analysis was conducted to ensure the items of each studied construct have internal consistency before distributing the formal online questionnaires to the respondents. Structural equation model analysis was conducted to examine the proposed hypotheses in this study. The research findings provide marketers a better understanding of the environmental electronic products market.
Guest Motivation for Sustainable Hotel Practices and the Effect on Guest Satisfaction and Loyalty
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Magnus Thorsson
Sustainable hotel practices focus on minimizing the negative impact of hospitality operations on the environment and the global climate. Hotels are resource demanding - utilizing more water and electricity and generating more solid waste per person than in a residential setting. Public concern over environmental degradation is growing in step with consumer demand for sustainable business practices. Structural equation modeling was used to empirically investigate what drives guest motivations toward participation in sustainable hotel practices and what the effect is on guest satisfaction and loyalty formation. This study reveals customers’ intrinsic motivations were more significant in motivating them to engage in sustainable activities than external rewards. The discussion includes reflections on managerial and theoretical implications.
