An investigation on the direct and indirect effect of supply chain integration on firm performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse papers studying the link between supply chain integration (SCI) and performance, and to discuss reported empirical evidence relating to this fundamental question for logistics and supply chain management.Design/methodology/approach – A systematic analysis of 38 papers published in nine important journals in logistics, supply chain and operations management during the period 2000‐2006 is offered. Using a multidimensional framework to sort and classify selected papers, structured results are provided for the purpose of contributing to discussion of the topic.Findings – More SCI does not always improve performance. Definitions and measures of SCI and performance are diverse to the extent that a conclusion such as “the more (SCI) the better (the performance) cannot be drawn”. On the contrary more empirical research, with use of clear definitions and good measures, are needed. The conclusions drawn from the analytical literature review provide a basis from whic...

Supply chain integration and performance: a review of the evidence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse papers studying the link between supply chain integration (SCI) and performance, and to discuss reported empirical evidence relating to this fundamental question for logistics and supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic analysis of 38 papers published in nine important journals in logistics, supply chain and operations management during the period 2000-2006 is offered. Using a multidimensional framework to sort and classify selected papers, structured results are provided for the purpose of contributing to discussion of the topic. Findings – More SCI does not always improve performance. Definitions and measures of SCI and performance are diverse to the extent that a conclusion such as "the more (SCI) the better (the performance) cannot be drawn". On the contrary more empirical research, with use of clear definitions and good measures, are needed. The conclusions drawn from the analytical literature review provide a basis from which further research can be developed, both in respect of research approaches, definitions of main concepts and the choice of theoretical basis. Research limitations/implications – Additional journals could be included. The framework could be more detailed. More details on SCI and performance measures, as well as the items used in the papers, could be provided and discussed. Practical implications – Results encourage researchers and practitioners to be more cautious concerning SCI and its impact on performance and to have a more conscious and differentiated view of SCI. Originality/value – Through a rigorous analysis of prevailing research, the paper questions a common assumption in business logistics and SCM. Propositions for further research are suggested.

Supply Chain Integration and Performance - A Review of the Evidence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically test a framework which identifies the relationships between supply chain management (SCM) practices, operational performance and innovation performance of Malaysian manufacturing and service firms.Design/methodology/approach – Data for the study were collected from a sample of 163 Malaysian manufacturing and service firms. The research model was tested using structural equation modeling.Findings – The results show that SCM practices in both the upstream and downstream supply chain have a direct and significant impact on organizational and innovation performance of Malaysian firms. Innovation improvement caused by SCM also results in better organizational performance. The findings also reveal that manufacturing and service firms in Malaysia do not have a significant difference in their SCM practices.Research limitations/implications – The time sequence of the association between the variables could not be concluded given that cross‐sectional data were u...

Can Malaysian firms improve organizational/innovation performance via SCM?

Purpose – Considering the importance of supply chain integration (SCI) in literature and the increasing outsourcing of logistics, this paper aims to study the role of logistics service providers (LSPs) in supporting SCI and clients' performance.Design/methodology/approach – This research is based on a two‐step approach: a literature review on supply chain integration (SCI) and performance regarding how LSPs are taken into account; and an analysis of web sites of LSPs concerning how they communicate their role and whether they themselves consider they have a role in improving the SCI and performance of their clients. Results are then discussed in view of some major works on third party logistics.Findings – Some surprising conclusions are drawn. Among the analysed articles very few take LSPs into consideration. The web site analysis shows LSPs varying in their communication. Some do not consider SCI as part of their job, others balance between being pure “resource providers” and taking the riskier role of “...

Supply chain integration: the role of logistics service providers

Purpose – This paper aims to examine how creative industries can adopt supply chain management (SCM) approaches to achieve business excellence.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on case research of supply chain (SC) integration in a jewellery‐manufacturing organisation.Findings – Organisations in the creative industries such as jewellery can achieve superior performance through systematic supply chain planning and implementation. Integrating SC planning with business planning, persistent commitment of the top management and making use of cross‐functional teams for implementation are some of the key determinants of SCM.Research limitations/implications – The paper presents a basis for understanding the scope for adopting SCM approaches in creative industries. Future research may be directed to identify and evaluate the parameters of successful adoption of SCM approaches in other creative industries. The research has the generic limitation of generalisability. However, it provides an insight i...

Saumen Bhaumik

Papers

Corporate turnaround through effective supply chain management: the case of a leading jewellery manufacturer in India