Developing an information system to integrate a manufacturing firm and its supplier base

A manufacturing firm is encouraging their suppliers to achieve the goal of zero-defects. However, due to the high expectations set by the manufacturing firm, the suppliers are finding it quite challenging to be able to immediately react to the quality requirements of the manufacturing firm. The manufacturing firm wants to ensure that the suppliers take the necessary actions to eliminate the reoccurrence of specific non-conformities. This thesis illustrates the application of an information system that integrates the manufacturing firm with their supplier base. The information system is developed based on the framework of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). It utilizes the concept of Grey theory and Defective Opportunities per Part (DOPP) to rank the non-conformities based on the priorities of the manufacturing firm. This will align the supplier’s response to the requirement of the manufacturing firm. The information system will not only provide transparency in the flow of information between the manufacturing firm and its suppliers but will also ensure that the manufacturing firm will be able to easily monitor the effectiveness of supplier’s action. A future worth cost analysis demonstrates the benefit of employing the new approach

Relational Research between China’s Marine S&T and Economy Based on RPGRA Model

To make up the defect of the existing model, an improved grey relational model based on radian perspective (RPGRA) is put forward. According to the similarity of the relative change trend of time series translating traditional grey relational degree into radian algorithm within different piecewise functions, it greatly improves the accuracy and validity of the research results by making full use of the poor information in time series. Meanwhile, the properties of the RPGRA were discussed. The relationship between China’s marine S&T and marine economy is researched using the new model, so the validity and creditability of RPGRA are illustrated. The empirical results show that marine scientific and technological research projects, marine scientific and technological patents granted, and research funds receipts of the marine scientific research institutions have greater relationship with GOP, which indicates that they have more impact on China’s marine economy

Analysis of Decision Support Systems of Industrial Relevance: Application Potential of Fuzzy and Grey Set Theories

The present work articulates few case empirical studies on decision making in industrial context. Development of variety of Decision Support System (DSS) under uncertainty and vague information is attempted herein. The study emphases on five important decision making domains where effective decision making may surely enhance overall performance of the organization. The focused territories of this work are i) robot selection, ii) g-resilient supplier selection, iii) third party logistics (3PL) service provider selection, iv) assessment of supply chain’s g-resilient index and v) risk assessment in e-commerce exercises. Firstly, decision support systems in relation to robot selection are conceptualized through adaptation to fuzzy set theory in integration with TODIM and PROMETHEE approach, Grey set theory is also found useful in this regard; and is combined with TODIM approach to identify the best robot alternative. In this work, an attempt is also made to tackle subjective (qualitative) and objective (quantitative) evaluation information simultaneously, towards effective decision making. Supplier selection is a key strategic concern for the large-scale organizations. In view of this, a novel decision support framework is proposed to address g-resilient (green and resilient) supplier selection issues. Green capability of suppliers’ ensures the pollution free operation; while, resiliency deals with unexpected system disruptions. A comparative analysis of the results is also carried out by applying well-known decision making approaches like Fuzzy- TOPSIS and Fuzzy-VIKOR. In relation to 3PL service provider selection, this dissertation proposes a novel ‘Dominance- Based’ model in combination with grey set theory to deal with 3PL provider selection, considering linguistic preferences of the Decision-Makers (DMs). An empirical case study is articulated to demonstrate application potential of the proposed model. The results, obtained thereof, have been compared to that of grey-TOPSIS approach. Another part of this dissertation is to provide an integrated framework in order to assess gresilient (ecosilient) performance of the supply chain of a case automotive company. The overall g-resilient supply chain performance is determined by computing a unique ecosilient (g-resilient) index. The concepts of Fuzzy Performance Importance Index (FPII) along with Degree of Similarity (DOS) (obtained from fuzzy set theory) are applied to rank different gresilient criteria in accordance to their current status of performance. The study is further extended to analyze, and thereby, to mitigate various risk factors (risk sources) involved in e-commerce exercises. A total forty eight major e-commerce risks are recognized and evaluated in a decision making perspective by utilizing the knowledge acquired from the fuzzy set theory. Risk is evaluated as a product of two risk quantifying parameters viz. (i) Likelihood of occurrence and, (ii) Impact. Aforesaid two risk quantifying parameters are assessed in a subjective manner (linguistic human judgment), rather than exploring probabilistic approach of risk analysis. The ‘crisp risk extent’ corresponding to various risk factors are figured out through the proposed fuzzy risk analysis approach. The risk factor possessing high ‘crisp risk extent’ score is said be more critical for the current problem context (toward e-commerce success). Risks are now categorized into different levels of severity (adverse consequences) (i.e. negligible, minor, marginal, critical and catastrophic). Amongst forty eight risk sources, top five risk sources which are supposed to adversely affect the company’s e-commerce performance are recognized through such categorization. The overall risk extent is determined by aggregating individual risks (under ‘critical’ level of severity) using Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) is then used to obtain structural relationship amongst aforementioned five risk sources. An appropriate action requirement plan is also suggested, to control and minimize risks associated with e-commerce exercises

Determining Multi-Criteria Supplier Selection towards Sustainable Development of IT Project Outsourcing

Due to competitiveness in the global business, many organizations have sought alternative to improve their businesses and operations by outsourcing projects and this includes Information Technology (IT) projects. Selecting the most suitable IT supplier is important to ensure sustainable development of the projects. Supplier is selected based on a set of criteria used in the decision process. The criteria can be comprised into tangible and intangible criteria. Many studies have attempted to determine the criteria to be used in selecting IT supplier, nevertheless, it has yet to be reported on a standardize set of criteria to be used in IT outsourcing projects. Thus outsourcing decisions are often made under uncertainty and incomplete information which leads to weak decision and high risk of projects failure. Therefore, the study aimed to determine multi-criteria for supplier selection in order to ensure the sustainable development of IT outsourcing projects. The criteria were identified using comprehensive review approach that utilizes searching information related to multi criteria supplier selection in IT outsourcing and successful criteria of IT outsourcing projects. As a result, the identified criteria is proposed as a standardize criteria in selecting supplier for IT outsourcing projects. Such a contribution is hoped to benefit businesses for various IT outsourcing projects

Interactions between competition and consumer policy

This paper discusses complementarities and tensions between competition policies and consumer protection policies. The paper argues that markets will often supply adequate customer protection without the need for extra public intervention. Special areas where intervention might be needed are discussed, including the need to combat deceptive marketing and the need to provide additional market transparency (about both headline prices and shrouded product attributes). A few instances are presented of how more intense competition can worsen the outcomes for (some) consumers. Situations in which poorly designed consumer policies can harm consumers are discussed, including how they can be used to protect incumbent suppliers, how they can relax competition between oligopolists, how they can reduce consumer choice, how they can focus on one aspect of market performance at the expense of others, and how they can lead consumers to take insufficient care in the market.Competition policy; consumer protection; fraud; market transparency; add-on pricing

A Study of Dairy Heifer Rearing Practices from Birth to Weaning and Their Associated Costs on UK Dairy Farms

There are many inputs into the dairy replacement herd which impact not only on the cost of rearing heifers from birth to first calving, but also on their future longevity and production potential. This study determined the current cost of rearing dairy heifers in the UK through the calculation and analysis of individual costs on a subset of 102 UK dairy farms. Each farm was visited and an extensive heifer rearing questionnaire was completed. Current heifer rearing practices were recorded to provide insight into critical management decisions. A cost analysis workbook was developed to calculate the costs of inputs in the pre-weaning period for labour, calving, feed, housing, health treatments and vaccinations, waste storage, machinery and equipment, and utilities. The average age at weaning was 62 d. The mean cost of rearing from birth to weaning was £195.19 per heifer with a mean daily cost of £3.14 (excluding the opportunity cost of the calf). This ranged from £1.68 to £6.11 among farms, reflecting major differences in management strategies and efficiency. The highest contribution to total costs came from feed (colostrum, milk, starter and forage) at 48.5% with milk feeding making up the greatest proportion of this at 37.3%. The next major expenses were bedding and labour, contributing 12.3% and 11.2% respectively. Unsurprisingly, delaying age at weaning increased total cost by £3.53 per day. Total costs were on average 45% higher on organic farms than conventional due to higher feed costs and later weaning. Calving pattern also had a strong association with the total cost being lowest with spring calving, intermediate with autumn calving and highest in multi block and all year round calving herds.fals

The influence of inter-firm relationships and routines on service development: a study of Taiwanese convenient stores

This thesis examines how inter-firm relationships and routines influence the process and outcomes of new service development (NSD). The research questions addressed are: 1) How do inter-firm relationships and routines influence the speed of NSD? and 2) In what ways do the different types of service development affect inter-firm relationships and organisational routines associated with the speed of NSD? Prior research has emphasized the importance of cooperating with other organizations to exploit external sources of knowledge and capabilities, but relatively little is known about the specific mechanisms to achieve this and how these affect the outcomes of new service development. This research contributes to the literature on new service development and innovation networks. The research design consists of comparative case studies and draws on empirical evidence from the development of two contrasting e-commerce services in the four dominant Taiwanese convenience store chains. In total 52 interviews were conducted with members of staff of convenience store chains and suppliers. The interviews were analyzed using the thematic framework approach, which represents the patterns and relationships in the interview data. Cross-case synthesis was chosen as the analytical technique to summarize the findings from the individual cases. The present study found that trust and interdependence have positive influence on the speed of NSD. Intensity of inter-firm collaboration has a negative effect on the speed of NSD under some circumstances (e.g. task complexity and project newness). Moreover, the relationship between organizational routines for knowledge transfer and the speed of NSD may vary under different degrees of project newness. The thesis demonstrates the interaction of organizational and project level characteristics in new service development, and the multi-dimensional nature of service development compared to that of conventional product development

Firm’s Intangible Assets and Multinational Activity: Joint-Venture Versus FDI

This paper provides a theoretical formalisation of the joint-venture contract, as an alternative to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), within a Dissipation of Intangible Assets framework. In a two-period, two-country equilibrium model, we discuss how the threat of knowledge spillover shapes the boundaries of a Multinational Enterprise. Similarly to the theoretical findings on the FDI-licensing trade off, we show that Foreign Direct Investment is more likely to emerge when know-how easily spills over – i.e. when firms are endowed with more intangible assets or they belong to high tech industries. Probit estimates, from an entirely new firm-level dataset, constructed by the author, show that the experience of Italian multinationals in Asia is in line with our theoretical predictions.Intangible assets, Internalisation, FDI, Joint-venture, Asia