Value chain

About: Value chain is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 7206 publications have been published within this topic receiving 224183 citations.

Manufacturing-based relatedness, synergy, and coordination

Abstract: This paper explores the basic question of whether manufacturing-based relatedness between business units within a multibusiness firm serves as a basis for a competitive advantage at the business unit level. We developed a system for describing manufacturing relatedness that combines the study of value chain activities with 4-digit SIC codes, then we assessed presence of manufacturing synergies. We found no evidence that, on average, organizations involved in manufacturing-related businesses are reaping financial benefits from shared resources in manufacturing. However, some firms, through explicit commitment to coordination, do realize performance benefits from such involvement. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aligning product design with the supply chain: a case study

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the alignment between product design and the supply chain and to identify how this alignment impacts on a firm's supply chain responsiveness and resilience.Design/methodology/approach – An in‐depth case study methodology was adopted to uncover the strategies undertaken by one of the UK's fastest growing fashion retailers to create a competitive advantage through its management of the product design/supply chain alignment.Findings – The findings of this case illustrate that not only is the alignment of product design with the supply chain important in improving competitive advantage for the focal company, but it also has a significant impact in improving supply chain resilience and supply chain responsiveness. This case illustrates how fundamental shifts in the organisation, particularly in integrating product design and supply chain have enabled the repositioning of the company from a low priced fashion store to becoming a leading global fast fashion r...

Seeing ecology and “green” innovations as a source of change

Abstract: States that over the last few years, the growing importance of the ecological question has led many executives to modify their business policies. The integration of “green” issues in the process of strategy formation has significant financial, managerial and organizational implications for the corporate system, thus requiring firms to re‐design their value chain activities and processes. This paper aims at: analysing current patterns of environmental behaviour adopted by firms; discussing whether and how the ecological challenge must be seen as a major source of change, thus identifying specific implications on the corporate system of environmental entrepreneurship; presenting the basic triggers which may foster the introduction of innovative environmental programmes.

Dimensions of sustainable value chains: implications for value chain analysis

Abstract: Purpose – Value chain analysis (VCA) can expose strategic and operational misalignments within chains, and the consequential misallocation of resources, and hence opportunities for improvements which create value and economic sustainability. This paper's purpose is to argue why and how VCA needs to integrate the social and environmental aspects of sustainability in pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a review of existing methods and case studies, the paper proposes three dimensions of VCA, which illustrate the flaws in narrow tools, and the need to broaden the boundaries of VCA, the interpretation of “value” and relationships along the chain in order to highlight opportunities for creating sustainable value chains.Findings – To date VCA has largely focused on economic sustainability and paid inadequate attention to social and environment consequences of firm behaviour and the (re) allocation of resources within and between firms in the chain. This risks prod...