Showing papers in "Industrial Management and Data Systems in 1998"
TL;DR: In this article, the extent of involvement that purchasing managers in Germany, the UK, and the USA have in environmental issues, versus the level they believe they should have, was explored.
Abstract: Purchasing and supply chain management have a critical role, and significant influence, in a firm’s environmental performance. This study explores the extent of involvement that purchasing managers in Germany, the UK, and the USA have in environmental issues, versus the level they believe they should have. The environmental issues addressed in this paper are: hazardous materials, investment recovery, product design, and supply chain relationships. Overall findings suggest that purchasing managers want greater levels of participation in these environmental issues. The study also describes differences according to country. Future research is suggested to explore how purchasing managers can influence the supply chain to improve corporate environmental performance.
215 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the historical competitive environment and changes in strategic responses; review relevant research on competitive capabilities and suggested trade-offs in these capabilities; and offer a model which suggests how firms may build cumulative and lasting improvements in strategic competitive capabilities including agility.
Abstract: Historically, US firms have increased production volumes to gain economies of scale and operating efficiencies. Quality, dependability, and flexibility have more recently become competitive weapons. In today’s dynamic, global marketplace, some have suggested that the next competitive dimension will be agility. Current research suggests cumulative and lasting improvements of strategic capabilities can be achieved if they are developed in a specific sequence. This paper reviews the historical competitive environment and changes in strategic responses; reviews relevant research on competitive capabilities and suggested trade‐offs in these capabilities; and offers a model which suggests how firms may build cumulative and lasting improvements in strategic competitive capabilities including agility.
164 citations
TL;DR: The main purpose of this paper is to provide a clearer understanding about the approaches to international markets using the Internet, and understanding the marketing decisions and challenges that a company will face in a global environment selling through Internet.
Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to provide a clearer understanding about the approaches to international markets using the Internet, and understanding the marketing decisions and challenges that a company will face in a global environment selling through Internet. In order to achieve this purpose, this paper is organized in the following sections: introduction to Internet; adopting marketing decisions to the Internet; and marketing via the Internet.
94 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the 84 fastest growing businesses in New England and New York were surveyed and 27 variables associated with location decisions were analyzed using principal component extraction method and varimax rotation.
Abstract: Most previous studies dealing with business site selection decisions have been theoretical and mainly concerned with cost factors. There are many variables other than cost, some of which are qualitative and intangible in nature. This study attempts to provide empirical evidence on the importance of cost and other location‐related variables. The 84 fastest‐growing businesses in New England and New York were surveyed utilizing 27 variables associated with location decisions. Most of the 27 variables are industry‐specific and their importance varies from industry to industry. Factor analysis, using principal component extraction method and varimax rotation showed that there are six underlying dimensions considered in business site selection decisions. Cities and towns can benefit from utilizing the findings of this type of research in attracting new businesses and preventing the existing businesses from leaving for other locations.
89 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss some concepts regarding technological forecasting techniques (TFTs) and competitive intelligence (CI) and present some links between them in a strategic approach based in a theoretical review.
Abstract: This paper aims at discussing some concepts regarding technological forecasting techniques (TFTs) and competitive intelligence (CI) and presents some links between them in a strategic approach based in a theoretical review. These techniques are considered as tools for improving the innovation process within firms. This paper analyzes, via a business case, how a Brazilian electronic company, Digitel SA, which produces modems and multiplexers for internal and global markets, deals with these techniques as a way of improving its process of innovation to achieve competitive advantage.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the experiences of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in ISO 9000 certification and find that the pursuit of ISO helps Taiwanese SMEs gain benefits in internationalization, quality improvement, sales enhancement, and cost reduction.
Abstract: Drawing on the results from a questionnaire survey conducted in Taiwan, this paper discusses the experiences of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in ISO 9000 certification. The empirical results indicate that the pursuit of ISO helps Taiwanese SMEs gain benefits in internationalization, quality improvement, sales enhancement, and cost reduction. The effects of motivation and implementing the process on benefits from ISO are statistically significant. Implementing ISO with either passive or active motivations leads to more internationalization. Active motivation and documentation through auditing lead to quality improvement with the passage of time. Consulting private consultants in implementing ISO decreases quality improvement. Employees’ active participation in implementing ISO leads to sales increases and cost reduction. A consensus regarding how to implement ISO leads to cost reduction. These empirical results show that implementing ISO with the TQM spirit of continuous improvement and company‐wide employee participation could result in significant benefits for small and medium‐sized enterprises.
58 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide some practical implementation strategies to work at each stage of the Web site life cycle in an effort to help small businesses implement successful Internet commerce programs, which is one of the very few places where small businesses are able to effectively compete with their bigger rivals.
Abstract: Online buying is expected to hit $4.8 billion in 1998, and is estimated to reach the $12 billion mark by the end of this century. This is one of the very few places where small businesses are able to effectively compete with their bigger rivals. All sites on the Internet are equal, and the small businesses can launch complex sales programs and implement effective globalization strategies on the Internet just like the bigger companies. However, certain guidelines must be observed by owners of small businesses in order to enjoy the benefits of the Internet commerce. This study provides some practical implementation strategies to work at each stage of the Web site life cycle in an effort to help small businesses implement successful Internet commerce programs.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the nature of Web-based feedback forms is compared to corresponding features of conventional (paper) comment cards, and future prospects for Webbased feedback collection are discussed.
Abstract: For many years companies have collected feedback from customers through means such as comment cards and toll‐free telephone numbers. The feedback data can be used by companies to track quality, locate quality problems, and identify suggestions for improvement. Gathering feedback from customers has become a recent but prevalent phenomenon on the Internet. Many companies designate an e‐mail address for submitting comments and questions. Companies with information on the World Wide Web frequently include a feedback form that customers can complete on screen and send at the click of a mouse. This article considers current practice and the potential for customer feedback collection over the Internet. The nature of Web‐based feedback forms is compared to corresponding features of conventional (paper) comment cards. Explanations for differences are supposed, and future prospects for Web‐based feedback are discussed.
53 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a case study of how the extranet has been used by one specific company to significantly reduce operating costs is presented, where the activities of the company are analyzed within the framework of the value chain concept developed by Porter.
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to show through a case study how the extranet has been used by one specific company to significantly reduce operating costs. The activities of the company are analyzed within the framework of the value chain concept developed by Porter. This, it is felt, will provide a greater insight into how the extranet can be used to improve profit margins. Prior research in this area has either been of a conceptual nature (explaining theoretically how the extranet should be employed) or of a survey nature (examining, by means of a survey instrument, the benefits accruing to companies that have adopted the extranet). This study is different in that it examines in detail, by means of a case study, how the extranet influences a retail company’s chain of activities and reduces the attendant costs thereon.
46 citations
TL;DR: In Hong Kong, the government industry department has promoted the 5-S practice since 1994 as discussed by the authors, and they were all very well received by the business community, and as a result of the success, the department invited the author to commission a 5-'S practice workbook with ten successful case studies from the manufacturing, services and public sectors.
Abstract: It has been recognised that Japanese firms are clean and orderly. The same is true for high quality Western firms. Over the last two decades, the Japanese have formalised the technique and named it as 5‐S practice. They believe that it is the base‐line for industrial management. As the name is new to most Western societies, the objective of this paper is to explain the intricacy of the 5‐S so that it can be understood easily and adopted readily by those who may find the tool useful. In Hong Kong, the government industry department has promoted the 5‐S practice since 1994. Many seminars and workshops have been conducted and they were all very well received by the business community. As a result of the success, the department invited the author to commission a 5‐S practice workbook with ten successful case studies from the manufacturing, services and public sectors. The experience will also be shared in this article.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this information age, business leaders who are able to access more information and make use of it will likely be the winners in the marketplace as mentioned in this paper, and the astonishing growth of WWW users is clear evidence of this.
Abstract: In this information age, business leaders who are able to access more information and make use of it will likely be the winners in the marketplace. Among the different information sources and media, the Internet is a leading technology which facilitates information exchange internationally. Furthermore, the World Wide Web (WWW) is the most popular application on the Internet, used for many diversified business purposes including direct sales, advertisement, customer support, etc. The astonishing growth of WWW users is clear evidence of this. This study investigates how far electronic commerce, and in particular business use of the WWW has actually progressed in Hong Kong. The correlation between companies’ business types and their purposes of using Web pages through the WWW are also studied. By physically visiting the Web sites of Hong Kong’s commerce, a survey is conducted and the results are summarized.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on three important aspects of operational capability: flexibility, speed, and the ability to serve the customer, which are achieved by the manufacturer's ability to excel in product development, production operations, customer order processing and delivery.
Abstract: To stay competitive in future global markets, manufacturers must face the challenge to sustain superior performance in three important aspects of operational capability ‐ flexibility, speed, and the ability to serve the customer. These capabilities are achieved by the manufacturer’s ability to excel in product development, production operations, customer order processing and delivery, and the development of supply networks. The specific requirements for each of these systems are described. Examples of techniques that will be beneficial in achieving excellence in each of these critical areas of operations are given.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors attempted to conceptualize the intensity of global information technology usage by constructing a new instrument measuring IT investment, strategic importance of the IT and degree of IT training.
Abstract: With the increasing convergence of international markets, a greater number of firms are entering the global arena. As these firms compete in the global marketplace, they utilize information technology to formulate and implement strategies and to control and coordinate their resources. This increased dependence on information technology by the firm leads to the following question: how do firms measure the value of a global information system to the performance of the firm? Ideally, information technology would be evaluated based on its degree of strategic use through a firm’s performance. However, the resulting benefits of IT as a utility in performance are generally difficult to identify. First, this paper attempts to conceptualize the intensity of global information technology usage by constructing a new instrument measuring IT investment, strategic importance of the IT and degree of IT training. Second, the paper formulates and submits a pilot test of a holistic model of the relationship between the intensity of global information technology usage and a firm’s global strategy and performance.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of an exploratory investigation of the level of importance that firms place on several business and technical objectives when they are considering AMT adoption.
Abstract: Presents the results of an exploratory investigation of the level of importance that firms place on several business and technical objectives when they are considering AMT adoption. Mail survey data obtained from 125 manufacturing firms in the USA that had adopted a wide variety of AMT are used in this analysis. On average, these firms had placed the highest levels of importance on improving product quality, reducing manufacturing leadtimes, reducing per unit production costs and improving responsiveness to changing customer needs. Lower levels of importance were reported for the market‐based objectives of increasing market share and gaining earlier entrance to market. In addition, although firms had also ascribed lower levels of importance to the organizational adaptation benefits of developing an integrated organization and developing management expertise, they were satisfied that implementation of the technologies had a positive influence on achieving these benefits. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the 15 benefits that were investigated in this study can be viewed as representing three interdependent dimensions: technical/operational objectives, total quality management‐based objectives, and business or marketing‐based objectives.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used survey data gathered from 79 operations managers holding positions in 55 companies to test extrinsic and intrinsic motivation for using microcomputers in the workplace.
Abstract: Survey data gathered from 79 operations managers holding positions in 55 companies were utilized to test extrinsic and intrinsic motivation for using microcomputers in the workplace. Three motivators for usage were investigated: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment. Usefulness is an example of extrinsic motivation whereas enjoyment is intrinsic. The results suggested that the three studied motivators were interrelated and that perceived enjoyment is an important factor for considering microcomputers useful. Perceived enjoyment and perceived ease of use had significant direct effects on perceived usefulness. In addition, managers reported less anxiety in using computers when they perceived them to be easy to use.
TL;DR: This paper introduces a software agent approach into scanning support systems and made a review of software agent fundamentals to understand what an agent is; what it can do and cannot do; what are the components of an agent; and how an agent can be constructed.
Abstract: Executive information systems, or strategic management support systems for senior managers, have traditionally addressed how to satisfy some predefined information needs of managers and how to help them in analyzing or solving predefined problems. They are usually not flexible enough to capture messages and signals from the business world that indicate impending opportunities or problems. In this paper we introduce a software agent approach into scanning support systems. We made a review of software agent fundamentals to understand what an agent is; what it can do and cannot do; what are the components of an agent; and how an agent can be constructed. We then examined its relevance in offering active scanning support to managers. An agent‐based support system is proposed. Useful software agents needed to constitute the system are identified. Tasks of the agent components are analyzed.
TL;DR: This research aims to provide a support tool that would be able to contribute to a more systematic, intensive, extensive and faster scanning process than the human process alone.
Abstract: As the business environment increases in its scope, dynamics and complexity, the task of grasping its changes becomes increasingly demanding. The increased availability of electronic data threatens to exceed the human capacity to cope with and assimilate them. This research aims to provide a support tool that would be able to contribute to a more systematic, intensive, extensive and faster scanning process than the human process alone. This paper serves to build the foundations of such a support system by giving a detailed examination of both the domain and the technology. It is presented in two parts. The first part analyzes the concept of strategic scanning and presents a comprehensive review of its context. It helps us to understand the complicated, interrelated phenomena and reveals useful observations that are relevant to the construction of the system. A scanning‐based strategic management framework is formulated, which guides the system design. The second part will introduce the fundamentals of software agent approach, examine its relevance in offering the needed support, and describe an agent system that is currently under development.
TL;DR: In this paper, a manager's guide to implementing a total quality process during a systems development life cycle is provided, and tools integration can make a complicated TQM-based software development environment easier.
Abstract: Applying total quality management (TQM) to the software development process can control software quality and productivity. Selecting suitable tools for the TQM process can strengthen the capability of software quality assurance. This article provides a manager’s guide to implementing a total quality process during a systems development life cycle. Also, tools integration can make a complicated TQM‐based software development environment easier.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate managerial practices that are conducive to the management of flexibility in manufacturing plants and find that managers who pursue flexibility, emphatically engage in team building, employee empowerment, and other relationship oriented practices that generate enthusiasm among employees.
Abstract: This paper investigates managerial practices that are conducive to the management of flexibility. Using data from manufacturing plants in the USA, this paper identifies managerial practices that manufacturing managers strongly demonstrate in plants that place a high emphasis on flexibility. The results indicate that managers who pursue flexibility, emphatically engage in team building, employee empowerment, and other relationship oriented practices that generate enthusiasm among employees. These practices seemingly motivate workers to deal with the uncertainty and changes, in the form of product mix, customer delivery schedule, capacity adjustments, etc., that characterize manufacturing flexibility. Furthermore, workers are entrusted with the traditional responsibilities of manufacturing managers, such as monitoring and problem solving.
TL;DR: In this article, the applicability and actual implementation of operations strategy elements by small and large West Michigan manufacturing organizations was examined by evaluating the performance of seven operations strategies and finding that large firms were more advanced when it comes to the implementation of six of the seven strategies.
Abstract: This study was initiated to develop insights into the strategic directions and operational priorities West Michigan manufacturing organizations are setting for themselves. Specifically, this study examines the applicability and actual implementation of operations strategy elements by small and large West Michigan manufacturing organizations. Sixty‐seven West Michigan firms participated in this study. The results indicate that large firms are more advanced when it comes to the implementation of six of the seven operations strategies.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors outline how the Internet can be used as a competitive knowledge tool to provide senior management with needed information on a real-time basis, and present obstacles to top managers' use of the Internet and to obtaining needed information from the Internet.
Abstract: In today’s dynamic marketplace, top managers need information available at their fingertips. The Internet can provide this information at little cost and with little training, eliminating the “middleman” effect present today in most organizations. This paper outlines how the Internet can be used as a competitive knowledge tool to provide senior management with needed information on a real‐time basis. Included are obstacles to top managers’ use of the Internet and to obtaining needed information from the Internet, as well as Web sites of potential use to most top managers.
TL;DR: Today’s society has seen a dramatic increase in the use of computers; as a result, businesses must take even more precautions to guard against the introduction of computer viruses into their systems.
Abstract: A computer virus is a program that can infect other programs by modifying them to include a copy of itself. When the infected programs are executed, the virus spreads itself to still other programs. Today’s society has seen a dramatic increase in the use of computers; as a result, businesses must take even more precautions to guard against the introduction of computer viruses into their systems.
TL;DR: By applying EXPRESS to the task of managing product and market information, retail data are integrated in a central database and are accessible in real time by members of the distribution channel Point of Sales systems at the store level.
Abstract: EXPRESS (a language used to define standard data models) is used to develop data models for products, categories, and chain stores allowing for ISO‐integrated product data management. By applying EXPRESS to the task of managing product and market information, retail data are integrated in a central database and are accessible in real time by members of the distribution channel Point of Sales (POS) systems at the store level provide the streams of data from retail stores. These data are collected and kept in a central database used for dynamic sales analysis and merchandise planning. The decision models for automated shelf layout, continuous sales analysis, and real‐time logistic management are incorporated into the marketing information system (MIS), which can be utilized by store managers through an easy‐accessed Web‐based interface. The WWW is the communicators’ medium used to link the retail headquarters with the distributed retail chain. The central object‐oriented database is based on the proposed EXPRESS data model and provides a means to manage large amounts of rapidly‐changing information. Stores that implement retail information systems of this nature can easily expand to suitable and profitable economies of scale without loss of information and control.
TL;DR: In this paper, a preliminary study of a new work environment, the home office (HO), was conducted to investigate a set of variables that might influence the corporate decision to relocate employees from the employer's office space to the employees' homes.
Abstract: Reports the results of a preliminary study of a new work environment, the home office (HO). This study was designed to develop a test instrument that would facilitate the investigation of a set of variables that might influence the corporate decision to relocate employees from the employer’s office space to the employees’ homes. Additionally, the paper seeks to identify the variables that will affect both the employer and the employee, for example, employee productivity and costs of employment. This report does not attempt to generalize concerning the population of home office employees, nor does it attempt to generalize the current employer perspective of the telecommuting employee, but rather it attempts to identify numerous variables that should be investigated in more detail.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the ramifications of information technology on the global workforce and impact of technology on world economy and discuss complex issues facing the governments, societies, and business corporations such as changing job contents, global unemployment, and transition from human workers to machines.
Abstract: This paper explores the ramifications of information technology on the global workforce and impact of technology on the world economy. The paper discusses complex issues facing the governments, societies, and business corporations such as changing job contents, global unemployment, and transition from human workers to machines. In conclusion, the replacement of workers by machines is going to force every nation to rethink the role of technology in everyday life in the twenty‐first century.
TL;DR: It is concluded that, if properly applied, the intranet can be an effective cost reduction system.
Abstract: This paper studies how intranet technology can be used as a cost reduction tool for publishing and paper‐related expenditure. A case study was conducted by interviewing and obtaining information from the management information systems manager of a large regional telecommunications company. Considers traditional publishing practice and related publication costs as well as practice and costs related to intranet publications. Concludes that, if properly applied, the intranet can be an effective cost reduction system.
TL;DR: In this paper, a methodology for introducing computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) technology in small companies has been developed, with the aim to assess the capabilities in real applications of the proposed approach, a case study is presented in this paper.
Abstract: A methodology for introducing computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) technology in small companies has been developed. With the aim to assess the capabilities in real applications of the proposed approach, a case study is presented in this paper. The case study refers to a small Italian company (Italpneumatica Sud) producing pneumatic components under one of the leading trademarks in the world (SMC). Results of first experimental tests demonstrate ability of the developed methodology in improving overall company performances, maintaining at the same time low implementation costs.
TL;DR: A cluster concept is developed among new maquiladoras from Asia and Europe to remain competitive in an increasingly price sensitive market, to maintain consistent quality standards in a high volume environment, and to fulfill the NAFTA's rules of origin provision as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The maquiladora program is an important part of the economy in North America. A significant share of intra‐industry trade has been generated between the USA and Mexico. The imports and exports from maquiladoras to the USA continue to grow under NAFTA. However, non‐maquiladora sectors are growing at a faster pace. Non‐US foreign direct investment, particularly from Asian and European companies, is a current trend in maquiladoras. A cluster concept is now developed among new maquiladoras from Asia and Europe to remain competitive in an increasingly price‐sensitive market, to maintain consistent quality standards in a high‐volume environment, and to fulfill the NAFTA’s rules of origin provision. Maquiladora production is now shifting from lower‐skilled, labor‐intensive assembly to advanced production technologies. Obstacles still remain in Mexico’s infrastructure and regulations to its market. There are some debates on the future of maquiladoras after January 1, 2001, the theoretical expiration date of maquiladoras. However, the complementarity of the US and Mexican economies should nonetheless sustain incentives for production sharing and sourcing.
TL;DR: In this paper, an effective algorithm to identify part families and bottleneck parts, given machine groupings, rather than addressing the machine grouping problem in general, was presented, which can be used for the formation of machine-part families.
Abstract: The formation of machine‐part families is an important task in the design of cellular and flexible manufacturing systems. The formation results in the creation of many benefits for manufacturing systems. Among the many methods utilized in machine‐cells formation, the similarity coefficient method (SCM) is most widely used. When SCM is used, the rearrangement of machine and part components is required to form machine‐part families. This process of rearrangement has been considered as being subjective and difficult and may result in improper assignments to parts families, resulting in a negation of benefits promised. This paper presents an effective algorithm to identify part‐families and bottleneck‐parts, given machine groupings, rather than addressing the machine grouping problem in general.
TL;DR: To unite the system effectively in a network environment, a scheduling model has been developed, which uses an information model of the operations management process and a system clock as a basis for its functioning.
Abstract: Wide implementation of computer‐based operations management systems now faces a new information problem. In many manufacturing companies the management system consists of several disconnected subsystems. Each subsystem uses its own database, which is physically situated in a PC of a specific manager. Each subsystem represents one or several managerial problems, which are being solved regularly at given intervals of time. The multiple data transfers between the databases are performed manually, and this reduces the efficiency of the system and the possibilities for its development. Implementation of file servers only place databases under one roof but does not automatically provide transfer of data. To unite the system effectively in a network environment, a scheduling model has been developed, which uses an information model of the operations management process and a system clock as a basis for its functioning.