RFID and ERP systems in supply chain management

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of enterprise systems (ESs), in particular radio frequency identification (RFID) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, on supply chain management (SCM). The results of this conceptual paper demonstrate that ERP and RFID systems contribute to SCM by improving supply chain integration. Supply chain integration occurs to facilitate the flow of financing, products, and information throughout the chain. In this regard, ERP and RFID contribute to integration by enhancing the information flow across the supply chain. Design/methodology/approach - This paper proposes a conceptual model developed from the findings of literature review within the research domains of SCM, ESs, and supply chain integration. Findings - This conceptual study contributes to the existing theory by linking the concept of information technology, ESs to SCM. The conceptual model in this paper may provide insights for executives who wish to implement ERP or RFID systems in their businesses in order to achieve higher integration, both within internal sectors and also with supply chain partners. Originality/value - The findings in this study contribute to the theory base by linking the concept of information technologies, ESs to SCM. The conceptual model presented in this paper can provide insights for executives who wish to implement ERP or RFID systems in their businesses in order to achieve higher integration within internal sectors and with supply chain partners. This study offers new understandings by investigating the impact of ERP and RFID together on SCM

“The role of country of origin and psychic distance on Swedish consumers´ perception of the quality of American, German and Japanese automobiles”

In this study, we intended to analyze the quality perception of Swedish consumers on American, German and Japanese automobiles, and the impact of psychic distance and country of origin concepts by addressing questions below: What is the national consumer perception towards German, Japanese and American automobile quality in Sweden? How do country of origin and psychic distance concepts determine consumer quality perception?To be able to answer questions above, we conducted qualitative and deductive approaches by means of focus group, and interview methods. The focus group consists of 6 members and 6 personal interviews were carried out in addition. The result of the study gave us insights on how Swedish consumers perceived quality and confirmed that country of origin and psychic distance impact the consumers' perceived quality. Country of origin (COO) effect was most positive for German cars and least positive for Japanese cars and it had middle effect on American cars. Psychic distance was shortest and most positive for German cars and longest and most negative for Japanese cars. Psychic distance had medium level and effect for American cars

Limited upstream dyadic integration of the Supplier Relationship Management process within the construction equipment industry in Sweden : An analysis of the sub-process integration from the manufacturer’s perspective

The supplier relationship manager is one of the eight business processes of Supply chain management. There have been many researches carried out about the supply chain processes integration. However, a lack of theory has been noticed on the integration of the supplier relationship management process and no research has coped with a case study of the integration of this process between the manufacturer and its first upstream tier. The lack is also consequent when studying the obstacles to the supplier relationship management integration in Swedish construction equipment companies.