Evaluation of lean practices in warehouses: an analysis of Brazilian reality

© 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: This article aims to investigate the most applied lean warehouse practices in Brazilian warehouses. Design/methodology/approach: To perform this research, three phases were conducted: a literature review, a multiple case study, and an analysis of lean warehouses practices implementation by an engineering committee. Thus, both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Additionally, the study has an applied nature, with an exploratory and descriptive character. Findings: Results showed that regardless of the type of criterion used, the most implanted practices are those that do not involve investments in technology. On the other hand, practices like RFID and Cross Docking systems were not found in any of the operations, which shows numerous possibilities for improvement. Originality/value: The main contribution of this article is to initiate a debate about the management and productivity of Brazilian warehouses, a theme still little explored by the academic community despite the importance that the logistic scenario represents for Brazil as an emerging country and leader in Latin America, participating actively in several global supply chains

Empirical Evidence of RFID Impacts on Supply Chain Performance

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the actual benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) on supply chain performance through the empirical evidence. Design/methodology/approach - The research reviews and classifies the existing quantitative empirical evidence of RFID on supply chain performance. The evidence is classified by process (operational or managerial) and for each process by effect (automational, informational, and transformational). Findings - The empirical evidence shows that the major effects from the implementation of RFID are automational effects on operational processes followed by informational effects on managerial processes. The RFID implementation has not reached transformational level on either operational or managerial processes. RFID has an automational effect on operational processes through inventory control and efficiency improvements. An informational effect for managerial processes is observed for improved decision quality, production control and the effectiveness of retail sales and promotions coordination. In addition, a three-stage model is proposed to explain the effects of RFID on the supply chain. Research limitations/implications - Limitations of this research include the use of secondary sources and the lack of consistency in performance measure definitions. Future research could focus on detailed case studies that investigate cross-functional applications across the organization and the supply chain. Practical implications - For managers, the empirical evidence presented can help them identify implementation areas where RFID can have the greatest impact. The data can be used to build the business case for RFID and therefore better estimate ROI and the payback period. Originality/value - This research fills a void in the literature by providing practitioners and researchers with a better understanding of the quantitative benefits of RFID in the supply chain

Improving visibility using RFID – the case of a company in the automotive sector

The purpose of this paper is to present some results of an ongoing project that intends to improve internal logistics visibility using RFID at an electronics company of the automotive sector. The first step of this project was to identify the traceability problems of raw materials at the company and to design an RFID–based solution to solve such problems. Additionally, the main challenges related to the implementation of that solution were identified and discussed. Through interviews, documental analysis, and observation, the current internal logistic processes are described and the main traceability problems identified. This paper is, mainly, concerned with presenting the problems and the difficulties found by the project team. Additionally, the RFID based solution is proposed (prototype description) as also the key challenges, expected results and advantages (e.g. more increased control of raw materials and automatization of handling and storing processes).This work has been financially supported by the Portugal Incentive System for Research and Technological Development in scope of the projects in co-promotion nº 002814/2015 (iFACTORY 2015-2018).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Getting Access Into the EU Market: A Coordination Challenge for the Brazilian Beef Chain

Brazil is the world beef export leader since 2004, when he Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis in the United States and the severe draught in Australia dropped those countries beef exports and gave Brazilian beef chain a unique opportunity to enter in new markets. Brazil is facing now a major challenge in terms of aggregating value, since its export volume is already stabilizing. The European Union (EU) represents the most demanding market in terms of quality and one in which Brazil can get a better remuneration for its products, as long as the country beef chain can develop new relationship strategies to provide such a specific product. This study aims to present some trends in the European market as well as to discuss them as opportunities for the Brazilian beef chain, especially in terms of coordination forms, following New Institutional Economy principles. It shows that new forms of relationship within the network are emerging (like alliances and associations) and that new strategies should be focused on the consumer desires.Beef chain, Brazil, Relationship strategies, Coordination forms, International Relations/Trade, Livestock Production/Industries,

The Brazilian Air Force Uniform Distribution Process: Using Lean Thinking, Statistical Process Control and Theory of Constraints to Address Improvement Opportunities

In the Brazilian Air Force, all enlisted Soldiers and Corporals (corresponding to USAF ranks from Airman Basic to Senior Airman) are entitled to receive their uniforms from their assigned, respective organizations, free of charge. An important portion of the uniform s distribution process is accomplished by the Brazilian Air Force Intendancy Central Depot (ICD). This organization carries the uniform inventory and performs the selection and distribution activities, following the guidance of the Sub-directorate of Supply. ICD process performance data for the peak distribution seasons of 2012 and 2013 was collected and analyzed. Several indications of inefficiencies became apparent, exemplified by a high number of late and partially fulfilled orders. This study applied fundamental principles of Lean Thinking, Statistical Process Control and the Theory of Constraints to identify potential areas for process improvement. Through statistical analyses, a simulation effort and capacity analysis, the negative impacts of variability throughout the process were assessed and several types of waste were recognized. Potential solutions to address the problems identified were suggested, as well as areas for further researc

Implementation of a business intelligence system in a public institution

Project Work presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Knowledge Management and Business IntelligenceTechnology is capable to support companies to reach their goals by making use data to take advantages from its analysis. Concerning public institutions, it is meaningful to deliver high-quality services and products to society, and technology may lead the organizations to a more efficient service provision. The purpose of this project is the implementation of a business intelligence system in Consultoria Jurídica da União (CJU) [Consultancy Office], the institution responsible for analyzing bidding processes in Brazil. The solution proposed by this work aims to store the business data and provide an analytical tool to display information in dashboards to provide insights to stakeholders, analyzing data trends and tendencies, preventing future unnecessary events, identifying best practices, to finally improve the public tenders to a better application of public funds and provide better services to society. To reach this project main objective, the technology that surrounds the BI system to be implemented includes the development of a scalable data warehouse to store the organization data and its schema modelling, the extraction-transform-load method to populate the data warehouse tables, and create the analytical tool, named dashboard, to answer the business needs providing the institution information. This business intelligence system intends to improve the legal bidding process in public agencies by making use of technology

A Reference Matrix for Information System in Supply Chain Management

Considering the importance of information systems (ISs) in supply chain management (SCM), an attempt has been made in this paper to review the literature concerning reference models that organize the different ISs necessary for the success of a supply chain under a SCM perspective. These ISs are generally organized in a SCM matrix formed by two dimensions: decision levels (the vertical axis) and supply chain business processes (the horizontal axis). The goal of this paper is to conduct an exploratory study concerning SCM matrixes for IS in order to bring out pertinent factors that would support other researchers<br />and practitioners in understanding the organization of ISs in SCM. Several reference models based on the SCM matrix were identified and analyzed and then used to form the basis of a general framework that was applied to two supply chain cases in Brazil

Empowering Smallholder Farmers in Markets: Changing agricultural marketing systems and innovative responses by producer organizations

Though some producer organizations have enabled developing country farmers to exploit new opportunities and/or cope with emerging challenges through developing and/or taking advantage of innovative mechanisms and institutions, there are many farmers who lack sustainable access to inputs and services as well as to remunerative output markets. This paper is intended to generate a better understanding of the conditions which make producer organizations capable vehicles by which farmers, especially small-scale farmers in developing countries, can reach markets in a dynamic and demanding trading environment, and respond to the needs of their clients and members. It aims at identifying lessons on the forms of organizations as well as the innovative mechanisms and institutions that producer organizations can adopt and/or help promote in response to challenges in the changing agricultural marketing systems, in particular, to strengthen the bargaining position of farmers.agricultural marketing systems; producer organizations; innovative rural finance

Eurofrozen: international strategic implementation plan to Brazil

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economic

Applied quantitative methods in materials handling – a case study in the MPMP hospital

Quantitative methods is an important tool for a wide range of logistic processes, particularly in stock management operations such as handling and storage. Especially in a Hospital, in which it is essential to a good supply of materials and medicines that guarantee the agility required in meeting the demands of patients. The objective of the present work is to understand the process of separation and distribution of materials and medicines within a hospital storeroom and use quantitative methods for optimizing management and routing of its activities aimed at reduce the time of path between the stockroom to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Surgery, Nursery and adult Intensive Care Unit of Hospital MPMP. For this, a literature search and a case study in a Hospital. The article presents a suggestion of improvement of routing and optimization of distribution processes, using Microsoft Solver. Which might verify that the implementation of this procedure is quite simple and the Hospital can deploy it with confidence that improvements will occur at the service level