Khan, Eijaz Ahmed, and Quaddus, Mohammed (2021) E-rickshaws on urban streets: sustainability issues and policies. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 41 (7/8). pp. 930-948.

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Abstract

Purpose: In urban streets of developing countries, informal e-rickshaw operation can contribute to the development of economically viable, citizen-oriented and environmentally friendly transport systems. Even though informal e-rickshaw operation is important, significant gaps are apparent in the literature in relation to e-rickshaw sustainability issues and policies, and the development of a methodology grounded in a robust theoretical base. The current paper aims to address these gaps by integrating stakeholder theory (ST) and resource dependency theory (RDT) as we consider the linkage between e-rickshaw operation and the sustainability concept.

Design/methodology/approach: We apply fuzzy quality function deployment (QFD), integrated with the 0–1 non-linear optimisation technique, to identify optimal policies for the e-rickshaw informal sector on Khulna city's urban streets in Bangladesh.

Findings: The results suggest that optimal policies should be formalised to regularise e-rickshaw operation. Appropriate supervision and monitoring; infrastructural support for battery charging, parking, battery recycling and solar panel installation; and training and development should all be provided.

Research limitations/implications: The theoretical and managerial implications of our results are discussed, with future research suggestions presented.

Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has used ST and RDT in e-rickshaw sector research. We recognised that the stakeholder settings for sustainability policies can well influence the behaviour of informal e-rickshaw operators while allotting the necessary resources to this sector. This move assists researchers and policymakers to understand the stakeholders and resource dependency sustainability requirements of this sector and the implementation of the required policies.

Item ID:	76662
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0144-333X
Keywords:	E-rickshaw, Sustainability, Stakeholder theory, Resource dependency theory, Fuzzy QFD
Copyright Information:	© Emerald Publishing Limited
Date Deposited:	06 Dec 2022 23:11
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3507 Strategy, management and organisational behaviour > 350705 Innovation management @ 100%
SEO Codes:	15 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 1503 Management and productivity > 150302 Management @ 100%
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