Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore last mile delivery (LMD) to the bottom of the pyramid in Brazilian slums, its challenges and how practitioners overcome them. Urban logistics in precarious circumstances is central to the conceptualization. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, grounded theory methodology is developed, gathering data from companies delivering to slums in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Field notes, documents and interviews led to conceptual categories for LMD to slums. Findings The study indicates that while some standard urban logistics practices can be effective for LMD to slums, such unusual contexts often call for unusual solutions. A model is developed using grounded theory categorization, resulting in five dimensions for LMD to slums: employing locally, giving back, acknowledging criminals, vehicle and location. Research limitations/implications The model is a qualitative proposition representing LMD to slums in two major Brazilian cities. Even though slums in different cities/countries may face similar conditions, additional studies are needed to confirm and replicate the model. Practical implications Companies that successfully engage in LMD to slums must adapt and develop idiosyncratic practices. Social implications LMD to slums enables a larger portion of bottom of the pyramid consumers to access a wider range of products and work opportunities, contributing to their social inclusion. Originality/value The study provides an understanding of LMD in a new context. The model encourages companies to question their current practices, learning from effective LMD experiences implemented by successful practitioners.

Evolução na utilização e nos gastos de uma operadora de saúdeEvolution in the use and the expenditures of a healthcare provider

No abstract

The resource‐based view explains why some firms outperform others, obtaining superior rents from strategic resources. The challenge is in the measurement of strategic resources, for example, knowledge, and their effects on firm performance. Moreover, results may differ depending upon the unit of analysis (supply chains versus individual firms, manufacturing‐oriented versus service‐oriented companies), the moderating variables used (e.g., turbulence), and the ways data was collected (e.g., different questionnaires in different countries). To systematically address these challenges in the existing knowledge, this paper measures the role of knowledge development and culture of competitiveness on firm performance. Empirical evidence is collected from a survey with 843 valid responses from Brazilian firms, tested through linear regressions. The importance of knowledge on firm performance is reaffirmed; however, under turbulent market conditions, performance is impacted differently: while product‐oriented firms have to increase efforts on knowledge development (specially through process management), service‐oriented focus on their culture of competitiveness (specially through process flexibility). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PurposeThis study aims to identify the relationship between different maintenance practices and productive efficiency in continuous process productive plants as well as the moderating effect of good training practices.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data were drawn from a database containing 609 observations of 29 productive units. Scales were validated using the Q-sort method. The panel data technique was used as the analysis methodology, with the inclusion of fixed effects for each productive plant.FindingsMaintenance practices can effectively contribute to increasing the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) of firms. Application of predictive maintenance practices should be considered as the primary training tool.Research limitations/implicationsThis study used a secondary database, limiting the research design and data manipulation.Practical implicationsThe article provides practitioners with an analysis of maintenance practices by category (predictive, preventive and corrective), and the impact of each practice on the OEE of continuous process productive plants. Moreover, it explores the importance of training for extracting more results from maintenance practices.Social implicationsCompanies are investing in new technologies, but it is also essential to invest in training people. There is a demand for Industry 4.0 through the introduction of upskilling and reskilling programs.Originality/valueThis study used practice-based view (PBV) theory to explain how maintenance practices help firms achieve greater OEE. Furthermore, it introduced training practice as a moderating variable in the relationship between maintenance practices and OEE.