Showing papers on "Supply chain management published in 2005"

Do green supply chains lead to competitiveness and economic performance

Abstract: Purpose – Green supply chain management is a concept that is gaining popularity in the South East Asian region. For many organizations in this region it is a way to demonstrate their sincere commitment to sustainability. However, if green supply chain management practices are to be fully adopted by all organizations in South East Asia, a demonstrable link between such measures and improving economic performance and competitiveness is necessary. This paper endeavors to identify potential linkages between green supply chain management, as an initiative for environmental enhancement, economic performance and competitiveness amongst a sample of companies in South East Asia.Design/methodology/approach – For this purpose a conceptual model was developed from literature sources and data collected using a structured questionnaire mailed to a sample of leading edge ISO14001 certified companies in South East Asia followed by structural equation modelling.Findings – The analysis identified that greening the differen...

Performance measurement for green supply chain management

Abstract: Purpose – To introduce and provide an overview of the various issues related to environmental (green) supply chain management performance measurement.Design/methodology/approach – The work relies on experiences, case studies and other literature related to performance measurement in environmental supply chains. It seeks to integrate works in supply chain management, environmental management, and performance management into one framework. A systems framework forms the discussion outline with a focus on controls/pressures, inputs, tools, and outputs as major categories for evaluation and review.Findings – Provides an integrative framework for study, design and evaluation of green supply chain management performance tools. The findings also identify a number of issues that need to still be addressed.Research limitations/implications – We have only one design of the issues in which numerous categorizations could be provided. There is limited research in this area and new and current models/developments can pr...

Green supply chain management in China: pressures, practices and performance

Abstract: Purpose – Green supply chain management (GSCM) has emerged as a key approach for enterprises seeking to become environmentally sustainable. This paper aims to evaluate and describe GSCM drivers, practices and performance among various Chinese manufacturing organizations.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review, four propositions are put forward. An empirical study using survey research was completed. The survey questionnaire was designed with 54 items using literature and industry expert input. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to derive groupings of GSCM pressures, practice and performance from the survey data which included 314 responses. A categorical and descriptive nature of the results is then presented with an evaluation and comparative analysis with previous research findings.Findings – Chinese enterprises have increased their environmental awareness due to regulatory, competitive, and marketing pressures and drivers. However, this awareness has not been translated int...

Supply chain risk management: Understanding the business requirements from a practitioner perspective

Abstract: – This paper seeks to understand business requirements for supply chain risk management (SCRM) from a practitioner perspective., – Based on the findings from an exploratory quantitative survey and qualitative focus group discussions with supply chain managers, some issues of SCRM are derived and structured along the three conceptual levels of “philosophy”, “principles” and “processes”., – The survey showed that 44 per cent of all eight responding companies expect the vulnerability of their supply chains to increase in the next five years. However, the concept of SCRM is still in its infancy., – The paper contributes to our knowledge on SCRM by presenting the business requirements from a practitioner perspective and by deriving a structure for an integrated approach to SCRM which can guide further research.

Logistics and supply chain management : creating value-adding networks

Abstract: ToC (new and updated chapters in bold) Chapter 1 : Logistics & Competitive Strategy This chapter will look at how logistics capabilities and supply chain excellence can help companies gain a competitive advantage. It will also look at the relationship between logistics and financial performance. Case Study : Dell (updated from 1998 version) Chapter 2 : Logistics & Customer Value This chapter focuses on the ways in which customer value can be created and delivered through the supply chain. The theme will be demand-driven and responsive supply chain strategies. Case Study : Zara (updated from 1998 version) Chapter 3 : Measuring Logistics Costs and Performance The content of this chapter will be about the need to understand the 'costs-to-serve'. Issues such as customer profitability analysis and benchmarking will be included. Case Study : Wal-Mart/K-Mart (new) Chapter 4 : Creating the Agile Supply Chain The concept of the agile supply chain is developed in this chapter and the building blocks of the agile paradigm explained. The differences between 'lean' and 'agile' will be discussed. Case Study : The challenge of the 3-day car (new) Chapter 5 : Strategic Lead-Time Management Time compression is the focus of this chapter including the search for ways in which non-value adding time can be removed from the pipeline. Case Study : Hewlett Packard CD/RW (new) Chapter 6 : Managing the Global Pipeline The particular challenges of global supply chains will be discussed in this chapter. The pros and cons of global sourcing and offshore manufacturing will be presented. The need to understand the total supply chain impact of globalisations will be emphasised. Case Study : Dyson (new) Chapter 7 : Managing the Supply Chain in an Era of Uncertainty This chapter will examine the ideas of supply chain risk and vulnerability and will explore ways in which supply chain resilience can be improved. Case Study : Nokia/Ericsson (new) Chapter 8 : Managing Networks and Relationships The idea of the supply chain as an interdependent network of organisations that jointly combine to deliver customer value is introduced. The idea of supply chain 'orchestration' is discussed. Case Study : Li & Fung (new) Chapter 9 : Overcoming the Barriers to Supply Chain Integration The fundamental business transformations that are required to enable supply chain integration to become a reality are examined. The characteristics of effective supply chains will be presented. Case Study : GM/Vectra (new)

Global supply chain design: A literature review and critique

Abstract: In this paper, we review decision support models for the design of global supply chains, and assess the fit between the research literature in this area and the practical issues of global supply chain design The classification scheme for this review is based on ongoing and emerging issues in global supply chain management and includes review dimensions for (1) decisions addressed in the model, (2) performance metrics, (3) the degree to which the model supports integrated decision processes, and (4) globalization considerations We conclude that although most models resolve a difficult feature associated with globalization, few models address the practical global supply chain design problem in its entirety We close the paper with recommendations for future research in global supply chain modeling that is both forward-looking and practically oriented

RFID: a technical overview and its application to the enterprise

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) offers tantalizing benefits for supply chain management, inventory control, and many other applications. Only recently, however, has the convergence of lower cost and increased capabilities made businesses take a hard look at what RFID can do for them. This article offers an RFID tutorial that answers the following questions: i) what is RFID, and how does it work? ii) What are some applications of RFID? iii) What are some challenges and problems in RFID technology and implementation? iv) How have some organizations implemented RFID?.

Just in Time, Total Quality Management, and Supply Chain Management: Understanding Their Linkages and Impact on Business Performance

Abstract: In recent years, numerous approaches have been proposed to improve operations performance. Three in particular, just in time, supply chain management, and quality management, have received considerable attention. While the three are sometimes viewed and implemented as if they were independent and distinct, they can also be used as three prongs of an integrated operations strategy. This study empirically examines the extent to which just in time, supply chain management, and quality management are correlated, and how they impact business performance. Results demonstrate that at both strategic and operational levels, linkages exist between how just in time, total quality management, and supply chain management are viewed by organizations as part of their operations strategy. Results also indicate that a commitment to quality and an understanding of supply chain dynamics have the greatest effect on performance.

Drivers of supply chain vulnerability: an integrated framework

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to report on findings of a cross‐sector empirical study of the sources and drivers of supply chain vulnerability.Design/methodology/approach – The research was undertaken in accordance with the realist tradition. It begins with a descriptive exploratory stage involving an in‐depth exploratory case study of aerospace industry supply chains, validated through in‐depth interviews with managers representing other “critical sectors” of the UK economy. This is followed by an explanatory theoretical stage. The work is supported throughout with reference to relevant literature sources.Findings – The findings highlight the absence of any widespread understanding of the scope of and dynamic nature of the problem, which should be considered from multiple perspectives and at four levels of analysis: value stream/product or process; asset and infrastructure dependencies; organisations and inter‐organisational networks; and social and natural environment.Research limitations/implications – The...

Supply chain management integration and implementation: a literature review

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review a sample of the literature relating to the integration and implementation of supply chain management practices from a strategic viewpoint.Design/methodology/approach – The literature is examined from three perspectives. First, supply chain integration covers issues relating to integration of core processes across organizational boundaries through improved communication, partnerships, alliances and cooperation. Second, strategy and planning examines supply chain management as a strategic matter for trading partners, along with factors relating to the amount of planning required. Third, implementation issues concern factors critical for successful implementation, as well as issues specific to inter and intra‐organizational aspects of supply chain initiatives are contained in this sub‐groupFindings – An important emergent theme from the literature is the importance of taking a holistic view, and the systemic nature of interactions between the participants. At ...

Supply chain collaboration: what's happening?

Abstract: Purpose – Collaboration has been referred to as the driving force behind effective supply chain management and may be the ultimate core capability. However, there is a fairly widespread belief that few firms have truly capitalized on its potential. A study was undertaken to assess the current level of supply chain collaboration and identify best practice.Design/methodology/approach – Supply chain executives provided insights into collaboration. Survey data, personal interviews, and a review of the collaboration literature were used to develop a conceptual model profiling behavior, culture, and relational interactions associated with successful collaboration.Findings – Positive collaboration‐related outcomes include enhancements to efficiency, effectiveness, and market positions for the respondents' firms.Research limitations/implications – The small sample size represents a limitation, but is balanced by the quality of the respondent base and their expertise/experience. Another limitation involves securin...

Supply chain flexibility and firm performance

Abstract: Purpose – To explore the relationship between the dimensions of supply chain flexibility and firm performance in a sample of automotive suppliers.Design/methodology/approach – Empirical survey of a representative sample of 126 Spanish automotive suppliers during the months of September and October 2003. Data gathered through a mail survey to purchasing managers by using a structured questionnaire. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyse the relationship between the different supply chain flexibility dimensions, between supply chain flexibility dimensions and firm performance dimensions, and between supply chain flexibility dimensions and environmental uncertainty dimensions. A multivariate analysis studied the determinants of supply chain flexibility.Findings – The research has found a positive relation between a superior performance in flexibility capabilities and firm performance, although flexibility dimensions are not equally important for firm performance. On the other hand, the result...

Integrating Environmental Management and Supply Chain Strategies

Abstract: The decisions related to managing the supply chain and supply chain strategy are already considered important in many organizations. As more executives adopt environmental practices, supply chain strategies will only increase in importance. In this paper, we review how companies develop environmental supply chain strategies. Our interviews with companies from The United States, The United Kingdom, Japan and Korea, along with prior research, are used to develop a framework for environmental supply chain strategy decision-making. We then use this framework to suggest guidelines for how companies might change their current supply chain practices to successfully integrate environmental issues into their supply chain strategy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

The collaboration index: a measure for supply chain collaboration

Abstract: Purpose – This paper proposes an instrument to measure the extent of collaboration in a supply chain consisting of two members, suppliers and retailers.Design/methodology/approach – The proposed model for collaboration incorporates collaborative practices in information sharing, decision synchronisation and incentive alignment. A collaboration index is introduced to measure the level of collaborative practices. A survey of companies in New Zealand was conducted to obtain data to test and evaluate the collaboration index.Findings – The survey results confirmed the reliability and validity of the proposed collaboration index measure for measuring collaboration. The findings also showed that the collaboration index was positively associated with operational performance.Research limitations/implications – Future research could consider larger sample sizes and cover other industry types.Practical implications – Supply chain participants will be able to measure the extent of their collaboration and seek improve...

Trust, commitment and relationships in supply chain management: a path analysis

Abstract: Purpose – The primary purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between the level of trust and several relevant constructs drawn from transaction cost analysis (such as asset specificity, behavioral uncertainty, and partner's opportunism) and social exchange theory (informational sharing).Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive questionnaire based on various theories on trust and commitment was mailed in 2001 to supply chain practitioners in the Midwest region. A total of 171 valid returns were received out of 1,800 mailings (9.5 percent). A path analysis was used to estimate parameters or relationship between relevant constructs and trust, and trust with the level of commitment.Findings – A firm's trust in their supply chain partner is highly associated with both parties’ specific asset investments and social exchange theory. Information sharing has a primary impact on reducing (improving a partner's uncertainty behavior which, in turn, would improve the level of trust. Finally, the lev...

Information sharing in supply chains

Abstract: Supply chain is defined as a system of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and customers where material, financial and information flows connect participants in both directions. Most supply chains are composed of independent agents with individual preferences. It is expected that no single agent has the power to optimise the supply chain. Supply chain management is now seen as a governing element in strategy and as an effective way of creating value for customers. The so-called bullwhip effect, describing growing variation upstream in a supply chain, is probably the most famous demonstration that decentralised decision making can lead to poor supply chain performance. Information asymmetry is one of the most powerful sources of the bullwhip effect. Information sharing of customer demand has an impact on the bullwhip effect. Information technology has lead to centralised information, shorter lead times and smaller batch sizes. The analysis of causes of the bullwhip effect has lead to suggestions for reducing the bullwhip effect in supply chains by strategic partnership. Supply chain partnership leads to increased information flows, reduced uncertainty, and a more profitable supply chain. The cooperation is based on contacts and formal agreements. Information exchange is very important issue for coordinating actions of units. New business practices and information technology make the coordination even closer. Information sharing and strategic partnerships of units can be modelled by different network structures.

Use the supply relationship to develop lean and green suppliers

Abstract: Purpose – To investigate the relationship between a supplier and firm's level of environmental management activity and the structure of the customer‐supplier manufacturing relationship.Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a conceptual framework and looks at the literature in order to investigate this relationship. Three main concepts (supply relationship, lean manufacturing, and environmental management practices) and their relationship to one another are described and the discussion concludes with major hypotheses for further research in this area.Findings – A major literature review reveals that efforts to improve or influence a supplier's environmental management practice raises critical issues of transaction costs and efficacy of approach for the buyer. The review allowed development of a model for approaching issues of supplier environmental performance through lean supply.Originality/value – The environmental performance of suppliers to the supply function can prove to be a costly endea...

An Integrated Logistics Operational Model for Green-Supply Chain Management

Abstract: This paper presents an optimization-based model to deal with integrated logistics operational problems of green-supply chain management (G-SCM). In the proposed methodology, a linear multi-objective programming model is formulated that systematically optimizes the operations of both integrated logistics and corresponding used-product reverse logistics in a given green-supply chain. Factors such as the used-product return ratio and corresponding subsidies from governmental organizations for reverse logistics are considered in the model formulation. Results of numerical studies indicate that using the proposed model, the chain-based aggregate net profits can be improved by 21.1%, compared to the existing operational performance in the particular case studied.

Do Suppliers Benefit from Collaborative Relationships with Large Retailers? An Empirical Investigation of Efficient Consumer Response Adoption

Abstract: Collaborative manufacturer–retailer relationships based on efficient consumer response (ECR) have become ubiquitous over the past decade. Yet academic studies of ECR adoption and its impact on marketing relationships are relatively scarce. Inspired by the relational view of competitive advantage, the authors empirically investigate whether the extent to which suppliers of a major retailer adopt ECR has a beneficial impact on their outcomes. The results demonstrate that whereas ECR adoption has a positive impact on supplier economic performance and capability development, it also generates greater perceptions of negative inequity on the part of the supplier. However, retailer capabilities and supplier trust moderate some of these main effects. The overall results are robust with respect to differences in supplier size as well as between branded and private-label suppliers.

An institutional theory perspective of business continuity planning for purchasing and supply management

Abstract: Supply chains are increasingly susceptible to unplanned, unanticipated disruptions. With the implementation of the practices of lean systems, total quality management (TQM), time-based competition and other supply chain improvement initiatives, managers now realize that their supply chains are fragile, particularly to environmental disruptions outside their control. As a result of recent events including 11 September 2001, a system is now emerging in purchasing to manage supply risk characterised as having a very low probability of occurrence, difficult to predict, and with a potentially catastrophic impact on the organization. This paper presents case study research findings examining how and why firms create business continuity plans to manage this risk. Propositions are then presented from an institutional theory perspective to examine how various isomorphic pressures result in firms having similar risk management practices embedded in their supply management practices over time.

An integrative framework for supply chain collaboration

Abstract: Purpose – This paper proposes an integrative framework for supply chain collaboration which is based on the reciprocal approach.Design/methodology/approach – A reciprocal approach is adopted to capture the interaction phenomenon of different features of collaboration in attaining overall supply chain performance.Findings – A collaborative supply chain framework is composed of five connecting features of collaboration, namely collaborative performance system, information sharing, decision synchronization, incentive alignment, and integrated supply chain processes.Research limitations/implications – Further research could be carried out to capitalize the framework for diagnosing and improving supply chain collaboration.Practical implications – The proposed framework enables the chain members to scrutinize key features of supply chain collaboration before and during collaborative initiatives.Originality/value – Previous research on supply chain collaboration mainly assume the unilateral phenomenon of collabo...

Modeling the relationship between firm it capability, collaboration, and performance

Abstract: The development and use of information technology (IT) have been thematic in recent literature. IT has been viewed as an enabler of internal and external firm collaboration, which is the foundation of supply chain management. Firm collaboration and information sharing, in turn, are expected to improve firm performance. A model of the relationship between firm IT capability, internal and external collaboration, and firm performance is proposed and tested, using empirical data. The findings show that firm IT capability directly impacts internal and external collaboration as well as firm performance. This finding has important implications for managers as they evaluate investment in information technologies.

Supply chain integration: A European survey

Abstract: Purpose – The major goal of this study was to identify the underlying factors of supply chain integration in European firms with particular emphasis on the role of information sharing and interorganizational collaboration.Design/methodology/approach – In order to get an overall view of the state of supply chain integration in European firms, a mail survey was done to investigate the extent and nature of supply chain integration in 149 companies. Using statistical analysis, the study attempts to comprehend if increasing levels of the intensity of supply chain integration show concomitant rise of operational performance.Findings – European firms are starting to be aware of the strategic importance of integration across the boundaries of the supply chain. Both correlation analyses and multiple regression analyses have clearly shown that supply chain integration affects operational performance and the degree of integration also influences cost and efficiency. An interesting and surprising finding from our sur...

An evaluation of process‐oriented supply chain management frameworks

Abstract: Supply chain management (SCM) is implemented by integrating corporate functions using business processes within and across companies. Several process-oriented frameworks for SCM have been proposed but only two of these provide sufficient detail to enable implementation. We evaluate the Supply-Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework and The Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) framework using four criteria and identify their relative strengths and weaknesses.

The pros and cons of RFID in supply chain management

Abstract: This paper presents the pros and cons of using radio-frequency identification (RFID) in supply chain management (SCM). While RFID has a greater number of benefits than its predecessor, the bar code, it currently comes at a price that many businesses still consider prohibitive. On the one hand, RFID is advantageous because it does not require line-of-sight scanning, it acts to reduce labor levels, enhances visibility, and improves inventory management. On the other hand, RFID is presently a costly solution, lacking standardization, it has a small number of suppliers developing end-to-end solutions, suffers from some adverse deployment issues, and is clouded by privacy concerns. Irrespective of these factors, the ultimate aim of RFID in SCM is to see the establishment of item-level tracking which should act to revolutionize SCM practices, introducing another level of efficiencies never before seen.

Logistics-production, logistics-marketing and external integration: Their impact on performance

Abstract: Purpose – This paper examines the logistics‐production and logistics‐marketing interfaces and their relation with the external integration. The study also investigates the causal impact of these internal and external relationships on the company's logistical performance.Design/methodology/approach – An empirical study was conducted in the Spanish FMCG sector and the theoretical model was subjected to analysis using SEM.Findings – The generic results derived from this study are: Internal and external integration influence each other. Integration in the logistics‐marketing interface does not lead to reductions in costs, stock‐outs and lead‐times, while the integration achieved in the logistics‐production interface does improve these performance measures, if there is no external integration. The external collaboration among supply chain members does always contribute to improving firms’ logistical performance.Research/limitations/implications – The study has some limitations: other important members of the g...