Ananda Jeeva

Halal logistics is a global business, and the objective of this study is to analyse the general environment of Halal logistics in Malaysia by using the PEST Analysis. This study is exploratory in nature and applies literature survey and the External Factors Evaluation (EFE) Matrix methodology. The results generated 20 factors that externally influencing the Malaysia Halal logistics scene. Plus, from the analysis, the opportunities and threats are also showcased. This study is the first attempt to analyse the external environment of Malaysia Halal logistics industry, and it is hoped that this study will be a platform or future reference for more academic and professional research in Halal industry.

Purpose: Low-carbon economy requires the pursuit of eco-efficiency, which is a win-win situation between economic and environmental efficiency. In this paper the question of trading off the economic and environmental effects embodied in eco-efficiency in the hybrid manufacturing/remanufacturing logistics network design in the context of low-carbon economy is examined. Design/methodology/approach: A multi-objective mixed integer linear programming model to find the optimal facility locations and materials flow allocation is established. In the objective function, three minimum targets are set: economic cost, CO2 emission and waste generation. Through an iterative algorithm, the Pareto Boundary of the problem is obtained. Findings: The results of numeric study show that in order to achieve a Pareto improvement over an original system, three of the critical rates (i.e. return rate, recovery rate, and cost substitute rate) should be increased. Practical implications: To meet the need of low-carbon dioxide, an iso- CO2 emission curve in which decision makers have a series of optimal choices with the same CO2 emission but different cost and waste generation is plotted. Each choice may have different network design but all of these are Pareto optimal solutions, which provide a comprehensive evaluation of both economics and ecology for the decision making. Originality/value: This research chooses carbon emission as one of the three objective functions and uses Pareto sets to analyze how to balance profitability and environmental impacts in designing remanufacturing closed-loop supply chain in the context of low-carbon economy.

This paper explores the requirements for long term sustainable procurement practices. In the procurement of very expensive plant and equipment, MRO and the very long term continued availability of parts and components is very critical. Sustainable procurement practices are also critical in the continued non-disruption of critical parts and components in a manufacturing process. It proposes that procurement personnel and practices must have appropriate information and data of their prime suppliers of critical components, sub-assemblies and parts. Current research and literature search indicates there is very little publication and research investigating supplier intelligence (SI) in the context of the suppliers' suppliers' financial health, corporate governance, operating environment, capability, capacity and basic long term survival. This paper proposes the need for a conceptual model for gathering supplier's suppliers' intelligence for long term supplier relationship management; negotiation and contract management. The impetus for such information of a trading partner is becoming more critical since the collapse of large multi national corporations. Supplier intelligence is a fitness evaluation that enables the buyer to operationalise their long term procurement strategies with more certainty and lower risk. This paper also proposes how long term contractual terms and conditions may be designed taking into consideration of supplier's suppliers' profile to build superior supply chains and increase competitive advantage, hence a sourcing strategy.

Physical asset management has been described from a variety of different perspectives including management, engineering, operations and finance. Regardless of the increased attention paid to physical Asset Management by practitioners, academic literature still has gaps in identifying the challenges and obstacles for Asset Management. Few studies have been conducted in the area of physical Asset Management and little attention has been received on the Oil & Gas sector. This conceptual paper proposes the development of a physical Asset Management framework from two perspectives: Supply Risk (SR), and Strategic Procurement (SP). It focuses on how both perspectives can create value for Asset Management. This proposal will also examine how SR and SP can overcome the challenges and obstacles in Asset Management. It combines Reliability Theory (RT) and Business Continuity Theory (BCT) to build a theoretical foundation to formulate a physical Asset Management framework.