International Journal of Business and Systems Research (9 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• A Literature survey on application of MCDM approaches for the sustainable supplier selection in manufacturing industries  
  by Jerin Joseph, Rajeshwar S. Kadadevaramath, Akarsha Kadadevaramath, Immanuel Edinburgh 
  Abstract: Organisations need to entertain and motivate their ability on sustainable supply chain activities based on environment protection regulation activities. GSCM needs multi-dimensional techniques and methods. Thus multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques adopted for performance assessment of suppliers in green supply chain management (GSCM). Supplier selection is important and it is one of the important operational function for the development of GSCM. In order to select the most suitable suppliers, many economic and environmental criteria must be taken account in the decision process. Green supplier choice is a very hard work that needs to consider sustainable factors incorporated into the traditional supplier selection. This paper aims to survey the existing different MCDM approaches which are applied in GSCM for supplier selection and evaluation and identify most significant and effective MCDM approach in comparison with some other MCDM approaches.
  Keywords: multi-criteria decision-making; MCDM; green supply chain management; GSCM; supplier selection; sustainable supply chain.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10061056
   
  
• A prototype for intelligent diet recommendations by considering disease and medical condition of the patient  
  by Suvendu Kumar Nayak, Mamata Garanayak, Sangram Keshari Swain, Bijay Kumar Paikaray 
  Abstract: The patient must follow a good diet to lessen the risk of health conditions. The body needs vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for illness prevention. When the human body does not receive the right amount of nutrients, nutritional disorders can develop, which can cause a number of different health issues. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension can be brought on by dietary deficiencies. The human body receives the nutrients from a balanced diet to function properly. This research has a prototype that enables patients to find nutritious food in accordance with their health preferences and suggests meals based on the patient’s preferences for nutrients such as protein, fibre, etc., diets such as high-fibre, low-fat, etc. and diseases such as pregnancy, diabetes, etc. The process implements the recommendation based on the patient’s profile (content-relied, K-NN), recommendation relied on patients with similar profiles, and recommendation based on the patient’s past or recent activity.
  Keywords: recommendation prototype; disease; patient’s preferences; nutrition.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10064043
   
  
• Stock market response to mergers and acquisitions: comparison between China and India  
  by Jianyu Ma, Yun Chu 
  Abstract: This research delves into the wealth effect of shareholders from bidding firms created by Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in China and India, two of the world's most populous nations. The study reveals that on average, M&A deals create wealth for shareholders of the acquiring firms, as determined by abnormal percentage returns in a five-day event window. Regarding the further classification of acquiring firms based on industry, the abnormal percentage returns vary in different sectors in both countries. In China, shareholders benefit in seven out of ten industries, while in India, they gain in five out of nine industries. Moreover, the stock markets' responses vary depending on the type of M&A in each country. Cross-industry M&A deals in China generate higher gains for shareholders than within-industry deals, whereas, in India, within-industry M&A deals generate higher gains.
  Keywords: mergers; acquisitions; abnormal return; within-industry M&A; cross-industry M&A; India; China; market response; industry comparison; stock market.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10064110
   
  
• Demand forecast for bike sharing rentals  
  by Ahana Chowdhury, Shruti Sawant, Puja Padiya, Shamal Salunkhe 
  Abstract: For decades, data analytics has been instrumental in helping companies enhance their performance and achieve growth. By leveraging data analytics and visualisation, businesses have reaped numerous benefits, including the ability to identify emerging trends, analyse relationships and patterns within data, conduct in-depth analysis, and gain valuable insights from these patterns. Given the current demands of the industry, it is crucial to thoroughly explore these concepts to capitalise on the advantages they offer. This research specifically focuses on examining a dataset from Capital Bikes in Washington DC, providing a comprehensive understanding of data analytics and visualisation.
  Keywords: analysis; visualisation; ride; share; rental; Ola; pattern; bike; dataset.
  
  
• A study on value chain of mushroom for value addition: challenges, opportunities and prospects of cultivation of mushroom  
  by B. Latha Shankar , T. R. Veena , Suman Pawar, Asha Gowda, Akarsha R. Kadadevaramath 
  Abstract: This research was carried out with an objective of studying the existing mushroom value chain, identifying demand-supply gap, carrying out SWOT analysis to explore challenges, proposing action plan and presenting finally standard operating procedure for enhancing value chain effectiveness. Data was collected from 71 actors identified in the Oyster mushroom value chain in Tumakuru Taluk, Karnataka State, India and analysed. Analysis showed that there were five different models of value chain and the shortest value chain was the most profitable one. Based on the respondents’ perceptions, mushroom cultivation offers many opportunities such as; creating employment, improving economic condition and diet. Meanwhile they face challenges like; pest attack, hike in input materials’ prices, lack of technical guidance during farming, finance support, inefficient marketing system. There is a need to address demand-supply gap, invest more on facilities and related research, integrate all the actors in value chain to enhance productivity.
  Keywords: value chain; oyster mushroom; Tumakuru; demand-supply gap; SWOT; standard operating procedure; SOP.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10065429
   
  
• Omni-channel retail supply chain structures: a review of distribution and logistics  
  by Tong Liu, Syed Imran Ali, Abdul Jabbar 
  Abstract: Post-COVID-19, the retail trend shifted rapidly, with sales volumes in the online channel expanding exponentially. At the same time, omnichannel retail is increasingly entering enterprises' horizons. To provide consumers with a seamless experience in an omnichannel context, the integration and optimisation of retail channels demand significant consideration by companies. Hence, a thorough review of the topic is necessary to understand the omni-channel retail trend and its effects on the supply chain structures. This study uses a systematic literature review to extract data from three databases, i.e. Scopus, ProQuest and Taylor & Francis, for 2012-2023. Sixty-two articles were reviewed. The descriptive and thematic analysis revealed various themes and insights. In particular, it explored multiple ways of integrating information and distribution channels. Eight themes from the warehouse and logistics direction were explored that will help the practitioners to improve inventory management and optimise logistics channels to enhance the impact and reduce the disruptions caused in retail supply chains.
  Keywords: omni-channel; retail; systematic literature review; SLR; stocktaking automation; logistics channel integration.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10063684
   
  
• Impact of barriers on knowledge management and project success in IT firms: significance of knowledge worker ambidexterity  
  by Sameen Khalid, Yiyuan Li 
  Abstract: This study examines how autocratic leadership and opportunistic behaviour of knowledge workers affect the knowledge management process. While studying the impact of knowledge management on project success, the article also examines how knowledge worker ambidexterity mediates this effect. The sample consists of 450 knowledge workers from 16 prominent IT firms in Pakistan's major cities. PLS-SEM was used to analyse data gathered through questionnaires and convenience sampling. Results show that autocratic leadership and opportunistic behaviour hinder knowledge management in Pakistani IT enterprises and indirectly affect project success. The knowledge management process benefits project success, however, knowledge worker ambidexterity partially mediates this link. The study expands the knowledge-based view to emphasise identifying and removing knowledge management (KM) barriers. It integrates the organisational behaviour concepts with KM theory and project management. Finally, theoretical contributions and manager and policymaker implications are covered.
  Keywords: knowledge management barriers; autocratic leadership; AL; opportunistic behaviour; OB; knowledge management; KM; process; knowledge worker ambidexterity; KWA; project success; information technology sector Pakistan.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10063281
   
  
• Understanding critical thinking in business from an integrative text-driven approach  
  by Jorge Iván Pérez Rave, Carlos Mario Zapata Jaramillo, Gloria Patricia Jaramillo Álvarez 
  Abstract: Understanding critical thinking (CT) in business is a challenge, given that CT has been mainly studied in educational settings. In this paper, we build a thesaurus and conceptual model by using an integrative text-driven approach with a scientific corpus for contributing to this issue. Stages performed: corpus conforming, text preparation, text analysis, pattern discovery, and pattern validation. In total, 101 potential terms associated with CT are identified. Besides, 12 underlying grouping patterns of such terms are discovered. A new thesaurus and a novel conceptual model (direction, action, and contribution elements) are proposed to enable a better understanding of CT in business. The discovered patterns of CT in business are useful for developing future organisational managers/leaders.
  Keywords: critical thinking; conceptual model; thesaurus; text-driven approach; text analytics; text mining; business management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10063575
   
  
• Enhancing quality of sustainability reporting based stakeholder engagement by using big data analytics: a higher order PLS-SEM analysis  
  by Mohamed Abdelmounem Serag 
  Abstract: The paper presents a hierarchical QSR-based SEIs model based on stakeholder engagement initiatives (SEIs) and the resource-based view (RBV), as well as the literature on both big data analytics (BDA) and quality of sustainability reporting (QSR). Additionally, BDA is examined as a possible moderator between QSR-based SEIs and QSR management approach (MA) (substantive or symbolic), furthermore, reviewing the direct impacts of SEIs on QSR management approach (MA). Partially least square (PLS)-based structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test our research model. The study uses a quantitative survey to measure constructs within Egyptian firms. The findings confirm the value of the entanglement conceptualisation of the hierarchical QSR-based SEIs model, which directly impacts QSR-MA. In addition, the results confirm the strong moderating of BDA in enhancing QSR-MA. The findings might aid in developing a significant research agenda for the link between QSR-based SEIs, QSR-MA, and BDA to improve research and practice through the efficient use of information resources.
  Keywords: quality of sustainability reporting; QSR; stakeholder engagement initiatives; SEIs; big data analytics; BDA; partial least square based structural equation modelling; PLS-SEM; quantitative survey-based study.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2024.10063218