Showing papers in "Journal of Business Logistics in 2001"
TL;DR: A management construct cannot be used effectively by practitioners and researchers if a common agreement on its definition is lacking as discussed by the authors, which is the case with the term "supply chain management".
Abstract: A management construct cannot be used effectively by practitioners and researchers if a common agreement on its definition is lacking. Such is the case with the term “supply chain management”—so many definitions are used that there is little consensus on what it means. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the existing research in an effort to understand the concept of “supply chain management.” Various definitions of SCM and “supply chain” are reviewed, categorized, and synthesized. Definitions of supporting constructs of SCM and a framework are then offered to establish a consistent means to conceptualize SCM. Antecedents and consequences of SCM are identified, and the boundaries of SCM in terms of business functions and organizations are proposed. A conceptual model and unified definition of SCM are then presented that indicate the nature, antecedents, and consequences of the phenomena.
4,451 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors suggest that collaborating with customers and suppliers is a first step toward effective collaboration within the firm, and that this relationship may be the key to helping managers understand how best to facilitate behavioral change.
Abstract: Collaboration with external supply chain entities influences increased internal collaboration, which in turn improves service performance. This relationship may be the key to helping managers understand how best to facilitate behavioral change. The implication is that collaborating with customers and suppliers is a first step toward effective collaboration within the firm.
1,040 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a working definition of reverse logistics is developed, and a key reverse logistics management methodologies are discussed, as well as their benefits and the barriers to successful implementation.
Abstract: Managing reverse logistics is becoming an important element of supply chain management and, in some cases, a profit generating function. In this paper, reverse logistics activities and key reverse logistics management methodologies are discussed, as well as their benefits and the barriers to successful implementation. Economic and supply chain issues related to reverse logistics are examined, and a working definition of reverse logistics is developed.
785 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the abilities practicing logisticians need to work in a supply chain management (SCM) world using two complementary methods: survey research and qualitative research interviews (case studies).
Abstract: Despite the growing interest in supply chain management (SCM), there is little literature on the abilities practicing logisticians need to work in a SCM world. This paper studies these SCM abilities using two complementary methods: survey research and qualitative research interviews (case studies). The surveys yielded importance ratings of 45 SCM skill areas and a three-factor skill model (interpersonal/managerial, quantitative/technological, and SCM core). Teamwork emerged as the skill area rated most important for SCM. Moreover, the case studies discovered additional critical skill areas for SCM such as gathering and sharing information. The interviews also enabled deeper understanding of skills within organizational contexts.
277 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate a set of strategies for information systems utilization in supply chain integration initiatives and argue that there might be a recommended sequence in using information systems for supply-chain integration.
Abstract: This paper investigates a set of strategies for information systems utilization in supply chain integration initiatives. We argue that there might be a recommended sequence in using information systems for supply chain integration. Support is provided through an analysis of structural relationships of ways in which information systems are utilized for supply chain integration, i.e., Infrastructural Support, Value Creation Management, Logistical Operations, and Supply Chain Management Performance.
272 citations
TL;DR: This article presented a model that portrayed customer-focused and information-focused capabilities as interrelated predictors of firm performance, and found that customer focused capabilities are directly related to performance, but that informationfocused capabilities are not.
Abstract: The research presents a model that portrays customer-focused and information-focused capabilities as interrelated predictors of firm performance. Results show that customer-focused capabilities are directly related to performance, but that information-focused capabilities are not. Rather, the latter relationship is indirect: information-focused capabilities are linked to performance via the interrelationship with customer-focused capabilities.
256 citations
TL;DR: In response to increasing volumes of returned products, firms are establishing programs to guide the reversal of flows in the supply chain, i.e., reverse logistics as mentioned in this paper, which seeks cost savings and efficiencies related to reclamation, redistribution, and disposal of products returned “upstream” to the retailer or manufacturer.
Abstract: In response to increasing volumes of returned products, firms are establishing programs to guide the reversal of flows in the supply chain, i.e., reverse logistics. With reverse logistics programs firms seek cost savings and efficiencies related to reclamation, redistribution, and disposal of products returned “upstream” to the retailer or manufacturer. This paper reports on a recent survey of electronics catalog retailers regarding reverse logistics program involvement. In addition to creating a profile of current reverse logistics activities in an industry characterized by high volumes of returns, the research also examines the relationship between investment in reverse logistics related resources and reverse logistics program performance.
230 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore how consumers react to a retail stockout and find that consumers are apparently able to insulate a recent stockout experience from their perception of other dimensions of a store's image, and that the greatest impact on the delay and leave behaviors is concentrated on two variables (perception that the store offers good prices and consumer surprise with the stockout).
Abstract: Understanding consumer reaction to stockouts is a key step in measuring the cost of a stockout, which remains one of the fundamental concepts in logistics that still lacks a usable measure. Accordingly, the goal of this research is to explore how consumers react to a retail stockout. Three types of reactions were considered: substitution of the item sought, delaying the purchase or leaving the store. Results show that consumers are apparently able to insulate a recent stockout experience from their perception of other dimensions of a store's image. In addition, a multinomial logit modeling approach is used to show that (1) no significant results were found linking demographic variables to consumer response, (2) the greatest impact on the Delay and Leave behaviors is concentrated on two variables (perception that the store offers good prices and consumer surprise with the stockout) and (3) situational variables are predominant among correlates of consumer response behavior.
188 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate whether traditional technology infrastructures, including information systems, have failed to deliver the level of support required to enable organizations to take advantage of the new extended business model.
Abstract: The emergence of the Internet and new software applications has provided an opportunity for some companies to move towards an extended enterprise business model–one that enhances value across the total supply chain. The prime driver of this trend has been the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The research investigates whether traditional technology infrastructures, including information systems, have failed to deliver the level of support required to enable organizations to take advantage of the new extended business model. The research identifies a series of new and distinctive capabilities that influence the adoption of an extended business model. Supported by innovative technologies, leading companies are exploiting these distinctive capabilities to meet the challenge of the New Economy.
144 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the congruence factors for EDI-enabled business partnerships are developed for customer-supplier EDI partnerships, which are crucial in linking suppliers and customers.
Abstract: Business partnerships are a prerequisite for an effective supply chain. EDI-enabled business partnerships are crucial in linking suppliers and customers. This paper develops congruence factors for customer-supplier EDI partnerships. Data were collected from sixty-four customer-supplier dyads of firms using a questionnaire instrument. By factor analyzing thirty-one items, six congruence factors were identified: top-level strategic commitment, trading partner flexibility, joint partnering for EDI, readiness for high-level EDI implementation, EDI infrastructure, and partner communication. Additional analysis revealed that customer firms placed significantly more emphasis on congruence factors than supplier firms except for “joint partnering for EDI.” These findings have implications for assessing business partnerships in the networked economy.
104 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of organizational structure, i.e., centralization versus decentralization, on ARP performance and information systems capabilities is examined. But no differences were found at a more global level when ARP relationship performance and profitability were examined.
Abstract: Many firms have shifted to response-based supply chain systems instead of traditional push systems. Research results are presented covering a specific type of response-based system, Automatic Replenishment Programs (ARPs), in which inventory restocking is triggered by actual sales. The paper looks at the influence of organizational structure, i.e., centralization versus decentralization, on ARP performance and information systems capabilities. Results are mixed. Decentralized firms reported higher performance relating to specific ARP-related goals. However, no differences were found at a more global level when ARP relationship performance and profitability were examined. Even fewer differences were found between centralized and decentralized firms with respect to their information systems capabilities.
TL;DR: The authors integrated the Direct Product Profitability (DPP) approach into a shelf-space optimization model, and integrated the DPP approach into the shelf space optimization model for a retailer to make an important decision on the percentage of space allocated to each product.
Abstract: Given an assortment of k products, a retailer must make an important decision on the percentage of space allocated to each of them Optimization models for this problem have previously shown that an item's space should not simply be given in proportion to its sales or its gross margin (GM) Calculations of Direct Product Profitability (DPP) have improved upon the GM concept, but the present paper is the first (of which we are aware) to integrate the DPP approach into a shelf-space optimization model
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the on-shelf stock performance of three distinct types of retailers (mass merchandisers, category killers, and grocery retailers) and found that the overall on-shlf performance for advertised items was just 83.5% percent.
Abstract: In the retail environment, one key prerequisite to satisfying customers is to have the product available, on the shelf, when and where the customer expects to find it. The study reported here evaluated the on-shelf stock performance of three distinct types of retailers–mass merchandisers, category killers, and grocery retailers. Overall on-shelf performance for advertised items was just 83.5% percent. Follow-up interviews with store managers indicate that availability problems are often the result of merchandising or store operations issues and not necessarily logistics or warehousing problems. However, in today's supply chain world, the real measure of success is satisfaction all the way to the customer's trunk.
TL;DR: A total of 317 logistics and logistics-related dissertations were published in Dissertation Abstracts between 1992 and 1998 as discussed by the authors, with a plateauing in the number of publications.
Abstract: A total of 317 logistics and logistics-related dissertations were published in Dissertation Abstracts between 1992 and 1998. Observations about these dissertation abstracts are offered and comparisons made with earlier research studies that examined dissertations published between 1970–1986 and 1987–1991. The number of dissertations published has plateaued although the number of colleges and universities granting doctoral degrees in the area have broadened, with several “new players” entering the arena. Some traditional topics within logistics are being researched to a lesser degree, while others such as supply chain management, general logistics, customer service/satisfaction, international logistics, and human resources/organizational issues, are being examined more frequently.
TL;DR: In this paper, financial and operating results for thirteen grocery chains that adopted ECR were compared with twelve grocers that did not adopt, and the results showed that the ECR strategy was effective in improving the profitability of the retailers.
Abstract: Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) is a grocery industry strategy in which distributors and suppliers work together to improve value for consumers. It is well known and often cited in textbooks as an example of a modern approach to logistics strategy. However, little empirical research has been done on ECR and food retailers. Here, financial and operating results for thirteen grocers that adopted ECR are compared with twelve grocers that did not adopt.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a new method to model travel distances that combines the accuracy of shortest path travel with the simplicity of a distance approximation, which is developed and tested in a GIS-based decision support system for snow removal and disposal in Montreal, Canada.
Abstract: Logistics and transportation decision support systems rely on models of travel distance for evaluating scenarios and estimating costs. This paper presents a new method to model travel distances that combines the accuracy of shortest path travel with the simplicity of a distance approximation. The distance approximation was developed and tested in a geographic information system (GIS)-based decision support system for snow removal and disposal in Montreal, Canada.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a straightforward method for determining when the benefits of a more complex forecasting method outweigh the total costs required to use the method, which is a straightforward way to determine when the benefit of using a more sophisticated forecasting method is worth the cost of collecting additional data.
Abstract: Exponential smoothing (ES) and weighted moving average (WMA) are the predominant methods used to predict future demand for replacement parts. They require simple calculations and make use of information readily available. By gathering more information and doing additional calculations, more accurate forecasts can be developed. However, the cost of collecting the additional data could exceed the inventory cost savings from the better demand forecast. This paper presents a straightforward method for determining when the benefits of a more complex forecasting method outweigh the total costs required to use the method.
TL;DR: The long-term potential for the supply chain and logistics thought leadership in the country of Cuba is discussed in this article, where a strong and growing body of knowledge resident there is discussed.
Abstract: Cuba does not automatically come to mind when one considers supply chain and logistics thought leadership. There is, nevertheless, a strong and growing body of knowledge resident there. Although geopolitics and the state of the internal economy make practical application problematic, the long-term potential for Cuba is both intriguing and attractive.