Articles
Journal of Modelling in Management (17465672)18(2)pp. 285-317
Purpose: This paper aims to minimize the total carbon emissions and costs and also maximize the total social benefits. Design/methodology/approach: The present study develops a mathematical model for a closed-loop supply chain network of perishable products so that considers the vital aspects of sustainability across the life cycle of the supply chain network. To evaluate carbon emissions, two different regulating policies are studied. Findings: According to the obtained results, increasing the lifetime of the perishable products improves the incorporated objective function (IOF) in both the carbon cap-and-trade model and the model with a strict cap on carbon emission while the solving time increases in both models. Moreover, the computational efficiency of the carbon cap-and-trade model is higher than that of the model with a strict cap, but its value of the IOF is worse. Results indicate that efficient policies for carbon management will support planners to achieve sustainability in a cost-effectively manner. Originality/value: This research proposes a mathematical model for the sustainable closed-loop supply chain of perishable products that applies the significant aspects of sustainability across the life cycle of the supply chain network. Regional economic value, regional development, unemployment rate and the number of job opportunities created in the regions are considered as the social dimension. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking (14606739)13(1)pp. 145-156
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is an effective quality improvement program. The deployment of LSS in organisations is done with significant investment as it has many benefits. As to higher education institutes (HEIs), this system has not been applied in the manner it should be. Identifying an appropriate project requires a precise analysis of the data to make all the selected projects in line with the organisation strategy objectives, and with the least uncertainty rate in implementation. Actually, the concern is not merely the application of LSS, but also the successful implementation of the best improving project. In this study, 133 main processes were identified in the determined four zones of the University of Isfahan, and assessed using the five Lean Six Sigma indicators clustered in SPSS Clementine 12.0 S/W based on the viewpoints of the managers and professionals of the zones. 19 out of 133 processes were found critical, with higher priorities in defining the Lean Six Sigma projects. While clustering is an appropriate approach for the identification of higher education institutes, it is not possible through the common methods. Based on the evaluation of the involved managers and professionals, the proposed approach is efficient, practical, and dynamic. Copyright © 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
