Showing papers in "International Journal of Operations & Production Management in 2009"
TL;DR: A framework that captures the key characteristics of operations for product-centric servitized manufacture is presented, providing an essential platform for manufacturing firms to configure their internal production and support operations to enable effective and efficient delivery of products and their closely associated services.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to present a framework that will help manufacturing firms to configure their internal production and support operations to enable effective and efficient delivery of products and their closely associated services. Design/methodology/approach – First, the key definitions and literature sources directly associated with servitization of manufacturing are established. Then, a theoretical framework that categorises the key characteristics of a manufacturer's operations strategy is developed and this is populated using both evidence from the extant literature and empirical data. Findings – The framework captures a set of operations principles, structures and processes that can guide a manufacturer in the delivery of product-centric servitized offering. These are illustrated and contrasted against operations that deliver purely product (production operations) and those which deliver purely services (services operations). Research limitations/implications – The work is based on a review of the literature supported by data collected from an exploratory case study. Whilst it provides an essential platform, further research will be needed to validate the framework. Originality/value – The principal contribution of this paper is a framework that captures the key characteristics of operations for product-centric servitized manufacture.
422 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate internal and external factors that may influence the performance of a manufacturing plant in a Lean and Agile manufacturing environment and propose two initiatives that are used by manufacturing plant managers to improve operations capabilities.
Abstract: Purpose - Lean and agile manufacturing are two initiatives that are used by manufacturing plant managers to improve operations capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate internal and ...
417 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a structural equation model (SEM) is estimated using data provided by 121 US manufacturing executives to examine how utilization of non-financial manufacturing performance (NFMP) measures impacts the lean manufacturing/financial performance relationship.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how utilization of non‐financial manufacturing performance (NFMP) measures impacts the lean manufacturing/financial performance relationship.Design/methodology/approach – A structural equation model (SEM) is estimated using data provided by 121 US manufacturing executives. In addition to examining direct effects, the study examines whether NFMP measurement mediates or moderates the lean manufacturing/financial performance relationship.Findings – The results provide substantial evidence that utilization of NFMP measures mediates the relationship between lean manufacturing and financial performance.Research limitations/implications – The study's findings regarding NFMP measurement suggest that the mixed results of prior studies of the lean manufacturing/financial performance relationship may be due in part to a failure to account for NFMP measurement. Limitations of the study are the non‐random sample and its small sample size, relative to the SEM estimated....
350 citations
TL;DR: A hierarchical interrelationship between the terms flexibility, agility and responsiveness is proposed, which refers to a system behavior involving timely purposeful change in the presence of modulating stimuli.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the often overlapping use of the related terms flexibility, agility and responsiveness in the operations management literature to clarify differences between the terms.Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on the notion of the ladder of abstraction, a conceptual differentiation between the three terms is proposed.Findings – Based on the most common associations of the terms in the literature, the paper proposes a hierarchical interrelationship between the terms in that: flexibility is most commonly associated with the inherent property of systems which allows them to change within pre‐established parameters; agility is predominantly used to describe an approach to organizing that provides for rapid system reconfiguration in the face of unforeseeable changes; and responsiveness commonly refers to a system behavior involving timely purposeful change in the presence of modulating stimuli.Practical implications – As managers of manufacturing firms strive to impr...
336 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, two manufacturing firms entering condition-based maintenance business reveals the complex nature of establishing integrated solutions and existing literature on integrate solutions, and analyzes two companies entering condition based maintenance business.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper analyzes two manufacturing firms entering condition based maintenance business reveals the complex nature of establishing integrated solutions. Existing literature on integrate ...
319 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the suitability of lean production methodologies in the pure service context is assessed. But, despite the validation of lean approaches in the product-service context, the application of lean approach in a pure service environment remains largely untested.
Abstract: Purpose – Service businesses are struggling with customer demands for better quality service and managerial demands for cost reduction. There is evidence to suggest that service businesses are in practice failing on both these counts, seeing increased costs and reductions in service quality. The application of lean production approaches to the service context has been suggested as a means to resolve these problems, reducing costs and improving quality. Despite the validation of lean approaches in the product‐service context, the application of lean approaches in the pure service environment remains largely untested. The purpose of this paper is to assess the suitability of lean production methodologies in the pure service context.Design/methodology/approach – Three financial service companies in the UK were followed through a common programme of lean transformation. The improvements observed in each company were recorded. The change programme is evaluated to determine the “leanness” of the initiatives. Th...
305 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new approach to operations and supply strategy in the light of recent developments in the analysis of the respective roles of products and services in delivering benefits to customers is proposed.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper proposes a new approach to operations and supply strategy in the light of recent developments in the analysis of the respective roles of products and services in delivering benefits to customers.Design/methodology/approach – Reviews and synthesises concepts from operations management (OM), marketing, economics and related areas. Examples of product and service combinations are considered, drawing attention to the ways in which services may be distinguished from products. An institutional basis for defining services is favoured over IHIP. A corollary of this is how services are made tradable: the modularity theory of the firm is used to do this. The paper then outlines, considers and compares various approaches to the combination of products and services: “service‐dominant logic”, support services, product‐service systems, systems integration, performance‐based logistics, bundling and, finally, the notion of “the offering”.Findings – It is found that the notion of the business model is...
292 citations
TL;DR: Creating value requires the simultaneous design of product, service and organisation – the PSO triangle and is found that value can be most effectively delivered by networks of collaborating firms, integrating the products and services they offer to create the value which customers seek.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of product‐service systems (PSS). It uses a multiple method approach to analyse literature and cases and synthesise a framework for the understanding and investigation of PSS. It demonstrates the need to consider the “organisation” or network, of firms involved in defining, designing and delivering value through the PSS. This is conceptualised as a product‐service‐organisation (PSO).Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses three complementary methodologies: a road‐mapping analysis, investigating industrial challenges for collaborating enterprises, a multidisciplinary literature review of PSS concepts and analysis of two cases.Findings – The paper finds that value can be most effectively delivered by networks of collaborating firms, integrating the products and services they offer to create the value which customers seek. In short, creating value requires the simultaneous design of product, service and organisation – the PSO triangle.R...
260 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the critical success factors of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and identified factors that appeared to explain variation between successful and unsuccessful implementations at SMEs.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the critical success factors (CSFs) of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – Five case studies of Canadian SMEs were conducted. They included interviewing individuals from five roles at each organization and gathering project documents. Following an evaluation of each project's success (within‐case analysis), cross‐case analysis was conducted to elicit influential and distinctive factors.Findings – Factors were identified that appeared to explain variation between successful and unsuccessful implementations at SMEs, besides factors that appeared to be innovative or counter‐intuitive in light of the established literature.Research limitations/implications – The study reinforces the need for more research that is focused on SMEs. All cases were of Canadian SMEs with either a manufacturing or distribution focus, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings t...
213 citations
TL;DR: The bundling of manufactured goods to downstream-available services was led by companies with new products but with no great manufacturing strengths, as a way to establish barriers to entry as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain why the historical integration of manufacturing with service was quickly seen as advantageous in some circumstances, but not so in others.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the history of manufacturing companies in the USA during the last half of the nineteenth century, categorizes them, and ties them to theory.Findings – The bundling of manufactured goods to downstream‐available services was led by companies with new products but with no great manufacturing strengths, as a way to establish barriers to entry. Companies with significant manufacturing capabilities were not as quick or as complete in their integration of manufacturing and service.Originality/value – This paper shows that servitization has antecedents that go back 150 years.
211 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a case study of an international aerospace original equipment manufacturer, referred to as "JetCo", was conducted with key actors involved in the operationalisation of Product-Service (P•S) strategy within defence aerospace and civil aerospace divisions.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of “product‐service” (P‐S) strategies in the aerospace sector. Despite the widespread perception that aerospace organisations are advanced in terms of P‐S integration, little is known about the realities of P‐S provision in the sector. Much of the existing literature is normative and prescriptive, focusing upon what organisations aspire to do, but offers little insights into how attempts to integrate products and services occur or the challenges organisations encounter.Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents an in‐depth case study of an international aerospace original equipment manufacturer, referred to as “JetCo”. A total of 18 interviews were conducted with key actors involved in the operationalisation of P‐S strategy within defence aerospace and civil aerospace divisions. In addition, analysis of internal company documentation was also undertaken.Findings – This paper reveals that current P‐S strategy, which builds upon a long h...
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between inventory performance, both total inventory and its discrete components (raw material (RMI), work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods (FGI)), and financial performance in manufacturing companies was studied.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between inventory performance, both total inventory (INV) and its discrete components (raw material (RMI), work‐in‐process (WIP), and finished goods (FGI)), and financial performance in manufacturing companies.Design/methodology/approach – Statistical analysis is applied to the financial information of US‐based manufacturing firms over the 26‐year period from 1980 to 2005.Findings – The paper finds a significant positive correlation between inventory performance (total as well as the discrete components of inventory) and measures of financial performance (at both the gross and operating levels) for firms in manufacturing industries. The correlation between the performance of discrete types of inventory and financial performance varies significantly across inventory types. RMI performance has the highest correlation with all financial performance measures. Between WIP inventory and FGI performance, the former is more highly correlated with gr...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the possible linkage between strategic alignment and traditional competitive priorities in the supply chain, and the type of interactions with suppliers, by measuring the difference between customer's requirements and the emphasis that the organization puts on these same requirements in dealing with its suppliers.
Abstract: Purpose – Over the last decade, competition in the manufacturing sector has increased as globalization and customer requirements have evolved. Now, organizations are competing not only with their internal capabilities but also on their abilities to leverage capabilities in the supply chain. Recent studies suggest that strategic alignment in the supply chain, assessed by the degree of matching between supply management and market requirements, is critical for the success of organizations in the global marketplace. The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible linkage between strategic alignment (or lack of) in the supply chain, based on the traditional competitive priorities (i.e. cost, quality, flexibility and delivery), and the type of interactions with suppliers.Design/methodology/approach – Strategic alignment in the supply chain was measured by the difference between customer's requirements and the emphasis that the organization puts on these same requirements in dealing with its suppliers. The...
TL;DR: In this article, a case study approach was taken to examine the performance measurement practices used in six nonprofit organizations and their associated funders and regulators, and the authors found that performance measurement system design principles developed for the private and public sectors were applicable to the nonprofit sector.
Abstract: Purpose
– Nonprofit performance measurement is receiving increasing academic and practitioner attention, but the design of nonprofit measurement systems has received limited consideration. This is in contrast to the well‐established body of knowledge that focuses on performance measurement in private and public sector organisations. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether this body of knowledge can be used to inform the design of nonprofit performance measurement systems.
Design/methodology/approach
– A case study approach was taken to examine the performance measurement practices used in six nonprofit organisations and their associated funders and regulators. A total of 24 managers from 18 organisations took part in the study.
Findings
– The study found underdeveloped and resource intensive performance measurement systems in the majority of organisations that were examined. The performance measurement literature from the private and public sectors advocates the development of relevant, balanced, integrated, strategic and improvement‐oriented performance measurement systems; concepts that have received limited consideration in the nonprofit literature. This research found that performance measurement system design principles developed for the private and public sectors were applicable to the nonprofit sector.
Research limitations/implications
– Whilst a range of stakeholders was included in the research, further work is required to validate the applicability of the findings to the diverse nonprofit sector. Nevertheless, given the dearth of operations management focused research on nonprofit performance measurement systems this study makes a useful contribution.
Practical implications
– The study presents empirical evidence of the myriad criteria and processes that are used to measure nonprofit performance. The paper shows that current measurement practice is detracting from the performance of nonprofit organisations.
Originality/value
– Despite the perceived uniqueness of the nonprofit sector, this paper shows that learning from the private and public sectors can be used to inform good practice in nonprofits. As relatively little research has been done in this area, the findings make a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the actual benefits of RFID on supply chain performance through the empirical evidence and found that RFID has an automational effect on operational processes through inventory control and efficiency improvements.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the actual benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) on supply chain performance through the empirical evidence.Design/methodology/approach – The research reviews and classifies the existing quantitative empirical evidence of RFID on supply chain performance. The evidence is classified by process (operational or managerial) and for each process by effect (automational, informational, and transformational).Findings – The empirical evidence shows that the major effects from the implementation of RFID are automational effects on operational processes followed by informational effects on managerial processes. The RFID implementation has not reached transformational level on either operational or managerial processes. RFID has an automational effect on operational processes through inventory control and efficiency improvements. An informational effect for managerial processes is observed for improved decision quality, production control and the effe...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present and empirically support a theoretically sound, operational, and easy-to-implement supplier risk management framework that focuses on supplier development using a benchmarking approach.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to present and empirically support a theoretically sound, operational, and easy‐to‐implement supplier risk management framework that focuses on supplier development using a benchmarking approach.Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops a five stage framework for supplier risk management, entailing supplier risk identification, assessment of supplier risks, reporting and decision of supplier risks, supplier risk management responses, and supplier risk performance outcomes, that builds on the conceptual approach of Ritchie and Bridley and the approach of the Association of Insurance and Risk Managers (AIRMIC). The operation of the framework is illustrated in a single case study of a UK firm.Findings – The paper contributes to research in operations management and particularly in risk management in the specific field of supplier risk management. The study presents details of one of the later stages of the risk framework (i.e. management responses stage) and enhan...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the contemporary research themes published in IJOPM in order to contribute to current debates about the future directions of operations management (OM) research and present the main research themes and research methods inherent in the 310 published papers.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the contemporary research themes published in IJOPM in order to contribute to current debates about the future directions of operations management (OM) research.Design/methodology/approach – All 310 articles published in IJOPM from volume 24 issue 9 in 2004 through volume 29, issue 12 in 2009 are analysed using content analysis methods. This period of analysis is chosen because it represents all the articles published in issues for which the authors are able to have full control, during their period of tenure as Editors of the journal. This analysis is supplemented by data on all 1,853 manuscripts submitted to the journal during the same time period and further, by analysis of reviews and feedback sent to all authors after review.Findings – The paper reports the main research themes and research methods inherent in the 310 published papers. Statistics on the countries represented by these papers and the size and international composition of author teams a...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an empirical study of supply chain flexibility, asking what specific inter-firm practices are used to achieve increased flexibility in buyer-supplier pairs and in the wider supply chain or network, and how do these practices and effects interact?
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical study of supply chain flexibility, asking: what specific inter‐firm practices are used to achieve increased flexibility in buyer‐supplier pairs and in the wider supply chain or network, and how do these practices and effects interact?Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken is a qualitative study of a network of 16 inter‐related manufacturing companies Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews with senior representatives from each companyFindings – A wide range of supply chain flexibility practices are identified, some confirming existing research, some additional These are grouped into ten categories, and two over‐arching themes are found First, firms use various forms of outsourcing and subcontracting to reduce their own need for internal flexibility The second related insight is that, having externalised the need for flexibility, firms improve flexibility of the whole chain by engaging in committed relationships with counterparts
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between supplier capabilities, supply chain collaboration and buyer responsiveness and found that suppliers' capabilities (flexibility, responsiveness and modularity) directly impact buyer responsiveness but that the level of buyer-supplier collaboration moderates this relationship.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between supplier capabilities, supply chain collaboration and buyer responsiveness.Design/methodology/approach – The sample is drawn from UK manufacturing firms across eight industry sectors. Data are analysed using a three‐step hierarchical regression model to investigate main, interaction and quadratic effects.Findings – The results indicate that suppliers' capabilities (flexibility, responsiveness and modularity) directly impact buyer responsiveness but that the level of buyer‐supplier collaboration moderates this relationship. Furthermore, the results show a curvilinear relationship directly between collaboration and buyer responsiveness, whereby there is an optimal point beyond which returns on the relationship decline.Research limitations/implications – The method adopted is a cross‐sectional design and therefore cannot imply causality. Nonetheless, the findings suggest a number of implications. The paper identifies empirical eviden...
TL;DR: In this article, a multi-variable conceptual model is developed based on literature and on a series of dyadic mini-cases in the electronics, fashion and consumer packaged goods industry.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents of close supply chain collaboration and to develop a multi‐variable conceptual model of factors that drive the need for close supply chain collaboration.Design/methodology/approach – A multi‐variable conceptual model is developed based on literature and on a series of dyadic mini‐cases in the electronics, fashion and consumer‐packaged goods industry.Findings – This paper confirms that close supply chain collaboration is influenced by a multitude of factors. It reveals a need to integrate findings from analytical and empirical disciplines that study supply chain collaboration. The results suggest that collaborative initiatives are predominantly initiated with suppliers and not with customers, and that close supply chain collaboration may lead to inertia in business relations.Research limitations/implications – This paper is based on dyadic case studies in three different make‐to‐stock industries; future research may include a large‐scale...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the parallels between supply management roles and the entrepreneurial skill sets and mechanisms that have been identified in prior research, and find that entrepreneurial behaviours contribute to integration within the firm and with suppliers, in order to drive performance improvement.
Abstract: Purpose – The role of supply managers in driving corporate performance is changing, with an increased emphasis on supply market intelligence, collaboration, inter‐organizational partnerships, and operational integration with supply partners. These traits are also mirrored in the research on entrepreneurial settings and firms. The purpose of this paper is to explore the parallels between supply management roles, and the entrepreneurial skill sets and mechanisms that have been identified in prior research.Design/methodology/approach – A structural equation model, using a sample of 151 manufacturing and service firms based in the UK, tests this hypothesised model.Findings – The theoretical framework was supported, with results indicating that entrepreneurial behaviours (supply market intelligence and supply management influence) contribute to integration within the firm and with suppliers, in order to drive performance improvement.Practical implications – The results provide support for purchasing managers s...
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of service failures and recovery (SFR) on customer loyalty has received only limited attention in the context of e-services, despite having been widely studied in traditional (bricks-and-mortar) services.
Abstract: Purpose – Despite having been widely studied in traditional (bricks‐and‐mortar) services, the effect of service failures and recovery (SFR) on customer loyalty has received only limited attention in the context of e‐services. This paper sets out to empirically test the following set of hypotheses in an e‐service setting: H1, service failures have a negative effect on customer loyalty intentions; H2, failure resolution has a positive effect on customer loyalty intentions; H3, satisfaction with the recovery has a positive effect on customer loyalty intentions; H4, outstanding recovery results in loyalty intentions which are more favorable than they would be had no failure occurred (service recovery paradox).Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on an online survey of actual customers of a commercial e‐banking service.Findings – H1‐H3 are supported, suggesting that: the detrimental effects of failures are also present online; problem resolution leads to increased loyalty; despite the challenging n...
TL;DR: In this article, the results of an empirical study of 706 companies are analyzed using structural equation methodology and the results show that the alignment of the orientation towards quality and the approach to HRM is statistically significant for the utilization of the HRM system.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at human resource management (HRM) as a key element in the implementation of total quality management (TQM). This paper empirically tests the HRM practices that best fit this philosophy.Design/methodology/approach – The results of an empirical study of 706 companies are analyzed using structural equation methodology. The practices that are used to construct the framework for analysing approaches to HRM are based on a literature review.Findings – The results show that the alignment of the orientation towards quality and the approach to HRM is statistically significant for the utilization of the HRM system. The results also support the hypothesis that both TQM and HRM practices have a positive effect on performance.Research limitations/implications – A cross‐sectional analysis is applied, so it is necessary to be cautious in conclusions regarding causality. Single informants are used as the source of information. Although the use of single informants remains th...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an empirical investigation of firm level productivity effects of outsourcing against the background of a review of recent theoretical considerations about the topic, showing that outsourcing has a strong negative impact on a firm's labour productivity.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical investigation of firm level productivity effects of outsourcing against the background of a review of recent theoretical considerations about the topic.Design/methodology/approach – The empirical research is based on a large representative data set from the German manufacturing industries containing detailed data about almost 500 establishments. It investigates productivity effects of outsourcing under control of other relevant factors influencing firm level productivity by means of a multivariate regression analysis.Findings – In sharp contrast to common belief and prevailing management practices, outsourcing, i.e. the extent to which the vertical range of manufacturing is reduced, has a strong negative impact on a firm's labour productivity. Against the background of the theoretical considerations reviewed from the literature, this result can be explained such that mere cost‐efficiency comparisons are insufficient for appropriate decisions o...
TL;DR: In this article, a case study is described to offer insight into relevant business practices for improving relevant real word practices, showing that simple well-informed solutions result in substantial organisational savings.
Abstract: Purpose – Spare parts have become ubiquitous in modern societies and managing their requirements is an important and challenging task with tremendous cost implications for the organisations that are holding relevant inventories. An important operational issue involved in the management of spare parts is that of categorising the relevant stock keeping units (SKUs) in order to facilitate decision-making with respect to forecasting and stock control and to enable managers to focus their attention on the most “important” SKUs. This issue has been overlooked in the academic literature although it constitutes a significant opportunity for increasing spare parts availability and/or reducing inventory costs. Moreover, and despite the huge literature developed since the 1970s on issues related to stock control for spare parts, very few studies actually consider empirical solution implementation and with few exceptions, case studies are lacking. Such a case study is described in this paper, the purpose of which is to offer insight into relevant business practices.
Design/methodology/approach – The issue of demand categorisation (including forecasting and stock control) for spare parts management is addressed and details reported of a project undertaken by an international business machine manufacturer for the purpose of improving its European spare parts logistics operations. The paper describes the actual intervention within the organisation in question, as well as the empirical benefits and the lessons learned from such a project.
Findings – This paper demonstrates the considerable scope that exists for improving relevant real word practices. It shows that simple well-informed solutions result in substantial organisational savings.
Originality/value – This paper provides insight into the empirical utilisation of demand categorisation theory for forecasting and stock control and provides some very much needed empirical evidence on pertinent issues. In that respect, it should be of interest to both academics and practitioners.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a framework for analyzing stakeholder management strategies in supply chain collaboration and show how prior dyadic relations with a stakeholder and perception of situational demands on the relationship determine the choice of aggressive vs cooperative strategies in managing stakeholder relationships.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for analyzing stakeholder‐management strategies in supply chain collaboration. The authors aim to show how prior dyadic relations with a stakeholder and perception of situational demands on the relationship determine the choice of aggressive vs cooperative strategies in managing stakeholder relationships.Design/methodology/approach – To develop a blueprint for predicting collaboration strategies, literature on stakeholder theory, stakeholder management strategies, field theory, and organizational mental models was surveyed. From the literature, 31 predictors of eight stakeholder management strategies were identified. To operationalize the study's constructs, results of a national survey were analyzed to determine the significant predictors of stakeholder management strategies.Findings – Factor analysis identified two groups of stakeholder strategies: aggressive strategies and cooperative strategies. Aggressive strategies feature some form of fo...
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of 257 purchasing managers in nine manufacturing industries in Sweden found that supplier relationship obstacles (lack of trust, different goals and priorities and lack of parallel communication structure) were found to significantly hinder PM process integration the most.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain to what degree supplier relationship obstacles and operational tool obstacles hinder supply chain integration of the performance management (PM) process.Design/methodology/approach – This is a hypothetical‐deductive study, where the results are based on a survey of 257 purchasing managers in nine manufacturing industries in Sweden.Findings – Supplier relationship obstacles (lack of trust, different goals and priorities and lack of parallel communication structure) were found to significantly hinder PM process integration the most, which is in accordance with previous studies. The operational tool obstacles (manual performance data management and non‐standardized performance metrics) were seen on an overall level to hinder PM process integration. However, the hypothesis that non‐standardized performance metrics hinder PM process integration was not verified, which does not accord with previous studies.Research limitations/implications – The use of single in...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify different information flow strategies to enhance integration in strategic alliances and studies these strategies with respect to contextual factors and the impact on performance, and identify three types of alliances: Silent, Communicative, and IT intensive.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify different information flow strategies to enhance integration in strategic alliances and studies these strategies with respect to contextual factors and the impact on performance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines empirical data gathered from 56 manufacturing companies, describing 112 supply chain relationships. An empirical taxonomy is created based on cluster analysis.Findings – Based on a parsimonious description of inter‐firm information flows in the literature and this paper's empirical findings, three types of alliances are identified: Silent; Communicative; and IT intensive. While Silent alliances have the poorest overall performance, substantial similarities are found between Communicative and IT intensive alliances. In particular, the analysis suggests that IT intensive alliances, albeit performing better on operational capabilities, are not performing better on relationship satisfaction compared to Communicative alliances. Additiona...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate the importance of a fit between project managers' personalities and the personalities of their projects, for project success; taking a psychological rather than a project management perspective.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of a fit between project managers' (PMs) personalities and the “personalities” of their projects, for project success; taking a psychological rather than a project management perspective.Design/methodology/approach – In total, 289 Israeli PMs responded to a specially designed questionnaire that classified projects along three dimensions: Novelty, Complexity and Technological Uncertainty, analyses PM's personality traits that were identified as relevant to these dimensions and assessed the projects' success. It was hypothesized that the greater the PM‐P fit, the greater the projects' success.Findings – Results supported the hypothesis: PMs whose personality profile was close to the ideal PM profile for a particular project type were more successful in impact on the customers, benefit to the organization and overall success.Research limitations/implications – A cross‐sectional design and a self report measure.Practical implications – The f...
TL;DR: Positive effects found in this study should be investigated further employing a larger sample of six sigma firms and including other variables such as organizational learning.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of the success of the six sigma quality management initiative by investigating the effects of six sigma teamwork and statistical process control (SPC) on organizational‐shared vision.Design/methodology/approach – The information used comes from a larger study, the data for which were collected from a random sample of 237 European firms. Of these 237 organizations, 58 have implemented six sigma. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.Findings – The main findings show that six sigma teamwork and SPC positively affect the development of organizational‐shared vision. A positive but not significant influence is also observed between shared vision and organizational performance.Research limitations/implications – Positive effects found in this study should be investigated further employing a larger sample of six sigma firms and including other variables such as organizational learning. Further, the effects of these varia...