Challenges in Product Lifecycle Management - Evidence from the Automotive Supply Industry

Against the backdrop of a steady shift in value added from the automotive original equipment manufacturers to the automotive suppliers, product lifecycle management in the automotive supply industry gains importance. Prior literature has acknowledged product lifecycle management as paradigm for manufacturing industries, yet little is known about the specific characteristics and boundary conditions in this emerging industry branch. Grounded on extensive empirical evidence from a typical and revelatory case study at a global leader for mechatronic assemblies, this exploratory paper identifies, visualizes, and discusses challenges in product lifecycle management in the automotive supply industry. With the limitation of an exploratory and interpretive single-case study approach, we (1) supply scholars and practitioners with grounded, stakeholder-related insights and (2) link the field of product lifecycle management with information systems

Elements of the industrial operation model in the Iranian construction industry

Abstract. The construction industry is notorious for its conservatism and low levels of productivity. During the previous decade, this industry lagged behind other efficient and profitable industries, such as the automobile industry, and was slow to adopt its best practices. The rate of development in this industry is not very encouraging. This research aims to adopt best practices and efficient systems from other industries into the construction industry. This research aims to create a model for a case study of Iranian construction companies to achieve the objective of a productive construction industry. In this study, several important Iranian construction companies that mostly operate as contractors were chosen for the case study. The author prepared the semi-structured interview to collect empirical data. The interview topic and questions were derived from a survey of the relevant research literature to determine the main elements of the industrial operation model (IOM). Following the interview, the data was evaluated to illustrate the existing status of Iranian construction companies, and then a model was developed for IOM. The data indicate that Iranian construction companies are well behind other industries, such as automotive, in terms of industrial operation model and productivity. The research reveals the limited product lifecycle engagement, simple portfolio management, limited data strategy, lack of advanced visualization, and marketing and sales processes. This study employs empirical data to establish a methodology for Iranian construction companies to maximize their IOM benefits. In the created model, construction companies are present throughout the product lifecycle, from the feasibility study through the sale, marketing, and operation stage. According to this model, organizations could profit from improved alliance contracts, more income from more work, effective data strategy and knowledge management, and enhanced production processes. To accomplish this, they must reorganize their business operations and place greater emphasis on portfolio management, data strategy, and marketing and sales processes, resulting in enhanced productization

Purchasing for a Better Future: Sustainable Procurement in the County of Santa Clara

In brief, this study aims to address sustainable procurement in SCC and its Procurement Department (PRC). A multi-varied analysis and discussion of market industries and the vendor community, present SCC policies and programs, and the overarching feasibility and environmental impact of sustainable procurement is provided to assist SCC in meeting its vision of sustainability. Procurement is a dynamic process, and for that reason, requires transformation and strategic decision-making about how to best pursue and achieve long-term sustainability aims and goals through SCC\u27s purchasing vehicles (SCC OOS, 2018c, para. 4). Today, SCC, like many other governments, is grappling with the problems and threats of a weaker economy, a growing income divide, a degraded environment, and a broken economy (Pew Research Center, 2019, p.1). This study can potentially help PRC navigate sustainability as well as guide the department as it joins SCC in its cross-collaborative efforts to prevent and mitigate costs to the social welfare of its constituents via sustainable policies, programs, and practices. Accordingly, the central research question that will direct this study is as follows: Research Question: Do SCC purchasing practices promote sustainability initiatives, support sustainability policies, and leverage sustainability practices employed by its vendor community

Product data management practices in a Bangladeshi agrochemical company

Abstract. As businesses are relying more on information systems to carry out their processes, data is becoming an increasingly important factor for success. In particular, product data is necessary for tasks such as producing, selling, delivering, and invoicing a product within these systems. In the past, studies on product data and product data management management have primarily focused on product development and related activities, with little emphasis on PDM in other stages of a product’s lifecycle. The aim of this Master’s thesis is to explain the contribution of PDM in enhancing a company’s performance by improving its operational and business processes as well as the difficulties and requirements involved in implementing Product Data Management (PDM) practices in a Bangladeshi agrochemical company. The research encompasses overall comprehension of PDM as a company-wide initiative and suggests possible strategies for establishing company-wide PDM practices. To improve their data management practices for handling a broad range of varying products, the case company was surveyed and analyzed in this study. The author utilized a case study approach and conducted interviews to gather data from practitioners with firsthand experience and perspectives. This empirical data has contributed to a better understanding of company-wide PDM. The findings of this research suggest that standardized understanding of products throughout a company is necessary to facilitate effective management of product data. To establish effective PDM practices throughout a company, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the nature of product data, which encompasses both product master data and general product data from different stakeholder viewpoints. When dealing with a wide range of products that need to be effectively managed, higher level product decisions have a considerable influence on product data management, and general guidelines may be vital for ease of management. The study emphasizes the significance of adopting a top-down approach for creating effective PDM practices, and the need for a generic product structure to facilitate consistent product management. The main contribution of this research is its guidance for managers in establishing true company-wide practices for managing product data

Product lifecycle management with knowledge management as a strategic approach for innovative enterprise environment

Process planning knowledge (PPK) is one of the most important knowledge in production manufacturing enterprise. This paper analyzes the PPK and the concept of process planning information model (PPIM) implemented in production enterprise. In second part of the paper, there is done the basic information about PLM concept as a business strategy for product development where are included PPK and PPIM approaches, strategy which offer possibilities for innovation. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is the process of managing the whole life cycle of a product starting from generating an idea, concept description, business analyzes, product design, solution architecture and technical implementation, to the successful entrance to the market, service, maintenance and innovative product improvement

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AN ORIGINAL AND A POST-HOC APPLICATION OF LEAN SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGY

Current society develops faster and faster every day with customers\u27 demands increasing rapidly. Decreasing time for product development and enhancing customer satisfaction are becoming more significant. In the business world, there is no industry that could exist without an efficient supply chain. In the fierce competitive environment of today, the supply chain must address potential problems and risks that may exist and assure continuous improvement. One common supply chain management practice in many industries is to apply lean methodology to the supply chain model in order to maximize the customers\u27 value and eliminate waste. By eliminating waste, the process can be expedited, a company\u27s costs reduced and profitability improved. Today, in many industries, applying other principles to the supply chain is very popular. Information Technology software flow synchronizes the physical flow with the data flow and in order to expedite the supply chain process. Application of information technology and Six Sigma philosophy has also become a part of supply chain management. Lean Six Sigma principles utilize analytical methods to optimize each link of the supply chain to promote a winning customer/supplier model. Poor supply chain management will harm the health of any business process and could lead to high losses while a well managed and structured supply chain will support a positive direction furthering a company\u27s success. This study analyzes Lean and Six Sigma support of the Supply Chain from multiple angles and addresses certain issues that potentially exist. It is based on an original case study to reduce package Engineering Change lead time and details the revisions the author has taken to improve on that work. The corresponding data analysis from the refined project results show how the package EC process could be improved, the value add based upon the post hoc analysis and the methodology used to benefit the high technology supply chain and overall business performance

Improving the Use of Experimental Auctions in Africa: Theory and Evidence

Experimental auctions have not been widely used in Africa. However, auctions are important tools for evaluating new products and technologies. To increase the quality of these experiments, we explore an alternative first-price bidding mechanism that is more similar to African market exchanges and we analyze factors likely to affect bidding. Experiments with African consumers show that the proposed first-price mechanism has no advantage over conventional second-price mechanisms. Results show high and significant cash-in-hand, experimenter, and time of day effects in main rounds, and significant ordering effects in test rounds. These effects need to be carefully considered when applying the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak mechanism in Africa.Africa, BDM mechanism, experimenter effect, first-price auction, income effect, order effect, time of day effect, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Investigating the Impact of Procurement Alignment on Supply Chain Management Performance

AbstractThe increasing emphasis that organizations are placing on purchasing and supply chain management over the past decade, has set the spotlight on the potential of procurement systems. However, the majority of studies still examine IT adoption enablers despite the fact that procurement systems are perceived as a commodity in modern enterprises. Studies that examine the post-adoption conditions that facilitate performance gains in the supply chain management domains still remain scarce. In this paper we investigate the effect of business/IT-alignment within the procurement domain in order to determine if it affects procurement performance. Additionally, we examine the impact that supply chain management governance centralization has in attaining procurement alignment. In order to answer these questions, a sample of 172 European companies was analyzed by means of Partial Least Squares (PLS) modeling. Our results empirical support our hypotheses that procurement alignment leads to increased performance over time and in relation with competitors, with the effect of the former being greater than the latter. Additionally, we find that contrary to empirical evidence supporting the statement that a decentralized structure enables e-procurement adoption, governance centralization of supply chain management decisions fosters procurement alignment