Supply Chain Integration: A Case-based Investigation of Status, Barriers, and Paths to Enhancement.

In a global marketplace supply chain integration is recognised to be one of today's competitive advantages; where the aim is to optimise material- and information-flows inside the focal company and also across supply chain companies. However, many academics report that such supply chain excellence is still rare, and that guidance is missing on how supply chain integration is achieved in practise. This exploratory research utilised a stepwise methodology to investigate pathways to supply chain integration. First, a suitable investigation method was identified and further developed, before being used to assess the current status of supply chain integration in New Zealand. Next, because removal of barriers is recognised to be crucial, the internal and external barriers to supply chain integration were investigated. Finally, longitudinal case studies were used to investigate ways of supply chain integration enhancement and to develop a deeper and more complete understanding of current integration status, barriers, and ways of enhancement. In total, some 240 person days were spent in eleven different companies from multiple industry sectors to investigate supply chain integration in practise. Current practises of a large sample of New Zealand value streams were evaluated using the Quick Scan Audit Methodology. The Quick Scan Audit Methodology is carried out by a team of researchers (investigator triangulation) which utilise multiple and rigorous data collection techniques and methods (data- and method triangulation). The research revealed that supply chain integration practise rarely resembles the theoretical ideal and, similarly, seldom do available supply chain integration models reflect reality. Also, New Zealand value streams are significantly less integrated on the customer side compared to the supplier side. Further, every case company was found to face significant barriers to supply chain integration. Managerial, socio-cultural factors are the major obstacles to internal supply chain integration resulting in functional silos. Similarly, power and dependency issues limit the levels of integration achieved externally. The research revealed that good top management support and favourable external dependencies offer the best setting for enhancing supply chain integration in practise. However, if a focal company lacks top management support and/or has an unfavourable dependency structure, the focal company chooses the path of least resistance when integrating its supply chain. Also, supply chain managers and change agents address people factors and cultural change first, before addressing either internal process issues or external relationship issues; after which communication technology upgrades are addressed. Finally, this exploratory study yielded some early insights that the speed of supply chain integration development in practise follows a learning curve trajectory

Impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on trust and information sharing in South African automotive supply chains

The Internet has made a considerable impact on how business is conducted. Empowered by technology consumers are using the Internet as a tool to communicate and transact online. E-commerce (electronic commerce) presents opportunities for business to gain a competitive advantage, however it also posses certain challenges. Small and Medium Hospitality Enterprises (SMHEs) sector within the tourism industry, is one of the sectors which stands to benefit from using the Internet for business. Researchers agree that the contribution made by the tourism sector in developing economies is substantial. However, SMHEs are noted for their failure to derive optimal benefits from using the Internet for business to improve their competitiveness. This study which seeks to develop a model for use by SMHEs as a guide when making the decision to adopt technology was necessitated by the importance of SMHE’s contribution in the economy of developing countries. This model is based on the examination of existing theories and models such as; the Delone and McLean IS success model (2004), and the ITGI’s (2007) IT governance focus areas model. To elicit the desired outcomes, additional data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The collected data was analysed and resulted in the development of a model that can be used by SMHEs in order to derive value from IT and to gain a competitive advantage

The Role of Knowledge Management in Supply Chain Management: A Literature Review

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine the state of knowledge management research in supply chain management from three standpoints, methodological approach, supply chain management area, and knowledge management processes. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this, a systematic review is conducted over the period 2000-2014 on the basis of a qualitative content analysis. Findings: Major results showed that knowledge management can be viewed as a leverage mechanism for: (i) supply chain integration; (ii) the enhancement of intra and inter-relations across the supply chain; (iii) supply chain strategy alignment; and (iv) the reinforcement of knowledge transfer in product development. Some supply chain management areas such as reverse logistics, inventory management, forecasting/demand planning, outsourcing, and risk management have been explored only to some extent. Furthermore, knowledge transfer is being studied in the majority of the articles, mainly by both case study and survey approach; mathematical models and simulation techniques are used in very limited articles. Findings concerning theoretical perspectives and managerial issues are also described. Research limitations/implications: The limitation of our study encompasses the aspects of search period (2000-2014), selection of search databases (Web of Science and SCOPUS and language selection (English). Practical implications: The exhibition of the KM processes within the SC context may help practitioners and managers interested in implementing KM initiatives to replicate the methodologies in order to increase the possibilities of a successful KM adoption. Originality/value: The systematic review will contribute to the understanding of the present state of research in the knowledge management theory, with focus on the supply chain, as there are no state-of-knowledge studies that report a systematic literature review approach.Peer Reviewe

Networking Innovation in the European Car Industry : Does the Open Innovation Model Fit?

The automobile industry is has entered an innovation race. Uncertain technological trends, long development cycles, highly capital intensive product development, saturated markets, and environmental and safety regulations have subjected the sector to major transformations. The technological and organizational innovations related to these transformations necessitate research that can enhance our understanding of the characteristics of the new systems and extrapolate the implications for companies as well as for the wider economy. Is the industry ready to change and accelerate the pace of its innovation and adaptability? Have the traditional supply chains transformed into supply networks and regional automobile ecosystems? The study investigates the applicability of the Open Innovation concept to a mature capital-intensive asset-based industry, which is preparing for a radical technological discontinuity - the European automobile industry - through interviewing purposely selected knowledgeable respondents across seven European countries. The findings contribute to the understanding of the OI concept by identifying key obstacles to the wider adoption of the OI model, and signalling the importance of intermediaries and large incumbents for driving network development and OI practices as well as the need of new competencies to be developed by all players.Peer reviewe

Competing in the Digital Economy?: The Dynamics and Impacts of B2B E-commerce on the South African Manufacturing Sector

ICTs, B2B e-commerce, manufacturing sector, South Africa

Collaborative improvement as an inspiration for supply chain collaboration

The battlefield of competition is today moving from the level of\ud individual firms to the one of the extended enterprises, that is, networks of customers and their suppliers. This paper discusses how learning and continuous improvement today take place in processes based on daily collaboration at intercompany level, i.e. Extended Manufacturing Enterprises (EMEs). The purpose of the paper is to present a preliminary theory on Collaborative Improvement (CoI), i.e. continuous improvement at the EME level. Based on a literature review on Supply Networks, and Continuous Improvement and on evidence from two explorative case studies, the paper proposes a model for Collaborative Improvement in EMEs and discusses a research approach based on Action Research and Action Learning to further develop preliminary theory and actionable knowledge on how to foster and sustain CoI in EMEs

Risks in circular business models innovation: A cross-industrial case study for composite materials

Circular business models (CBMs) are key enablers to implement circular economy (CE), yet they entail risks, which often discourage organisations. This work aims to explore the main risk factors perceived by the manufacturing industry in transitioning to CBMs to enable the development of appropriate risk management strategies. A cross- industrial multiple-case study research design was used to explore risk factors across seven organisations planning the transition to CBMs for composite-based products and involving three different CBM types—‘Circular Supplies’, ‘Product Life Extension’ and ‘Hybrid’. Results evidenced that risks are multi-disciplinary but are not equally per- ceived across different CBM types. Customers' perceptions of CE products, economic cycle and take-back systems were prevalent across all CBMs. Supply and technological risks were prioritised for ‘Circular Supplies’ CBM, whereas political and regulatory risks for ‘Product Life Extension’ CBM. This research contributes to the CE field by evaluating and prioritising the perceived risk factors in transitioning to CBMs and first disaggregating such risk factors according to CBM types. Critical risk patterns identified across different industries and CBM types enable mitigating actions to be prioritised

A Case Study Of E-Supply Chain & Business Process Reengineering Of A Semiconductor Company In Malaysia

Penglibatan e-perniagaan dalam rantaian bekalan telah mewujudkan e-rantaian bekalan yang baru (e-SC) di firma-firma tempatan dan global. Due to globalization and advancement in information technology (IT), companies adopt best practices in e-business and supply chain management to be globally competitive as both are realities and prospects in 21st century