High Value Manufacturing in the UK: Case studies and focus group insights

This paper studies the internal mechanisms that allow organisations to become High Value Manufacturing (HVM). Using a qualitative methodology, three UK manufacturing companies formed in-depth case studies with semi-structured interviews, observations and historical data. The HVM value matrix of Martinez and co-workers is used to categorise each organisation’s value proposition. Wider benchmarking of the three organisations was carried out against a focus group with an additional seven manufacturing organisations. Thus, data from ten manufacturing organisations are included in this research. The cases follow the “customer intimacy” HVM discipline. The business processes supporting these value propositions were identified. Interestingly, each organisation’s desired value proposition differs from their current one. “Technological integrators” predominantly rely on New Product Development (NPD) and Strategy processes, whereas “Socialisors” rely predominantly on Strategy and Customer Relationship processes. Companies can use the findings to better understand their current HVM value proposition and, where necessary, plan their transition to a future desired HVM value proposition

Supply chain management and firm performance: An analysis of the literature

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a systematic literature review carried out for the period (1996-2015) for the theme of ‘supply chain management and firm performance’. A systematic literature review process was conducted by which two databases were consulted and after filtering the data, 183 papers were selected for analysis. The findings point out that the research is conservative in its selection of theories, methodologies and topics, with the RBV, survey questionnaire and ‘SC integration and its impact on financial and operational performance’ being a typical research title. Future research avenues are identified as counteracting this trend, i.e. by the use of more novel theories, methods and topics, which could illuminate future research directions

Simulation analysis of the sustainability performance of a supply chain subject to disruption

In recent years, two main concerns have surfaced in relation to improving manufacturing supply chains; one is their sustainability and the other is their resilience to major disruptions. This first concern relates to the optimal use of ever-scarcer natural resources. Hence, supply chains need to be assessed and re-designed to accommodate this trend and take in to account the triple bottom line of environmental, economic and social measures. The second concern stems from the globalisation of supply chains which increases complexity and vulnerability to major disruptions. To survive, organisations within supply chains must be resilient in the face of such disruptions. This paper’s study addresses these two concerns, i.e. sustainability and resilience, by using computer simulations to explore the effects of disruptions on the sustainability performance of a supply chain

Mapping the Operations and Supply Chain Management field: a journal governance perspective

Purpose The paper addresses the research questions: how do the interlocking editorial advisory boards (EABs) of operations and supply chain (OSCM) journals map out the field’s diverse academic communities and how demographically diverse is the field and its communities? Design/methodology/approach The study applies Social Network Analysis to web-based editorial advisory board data for 38 journals listed under Operations Management in the 2010 ABS academic journal quality guide. Findings Members of editorial advisory boards of the 38 journals are divided in to seven distinct communities which are mapped to the field’s knowledge structures and further aggregated in to a core and periphery of the network. A burgeoning community of supply chain management (SCM) academics forms the core along with those with more traditional interests. Male academics affiliated to USA institutions and to business schools predominate in the sample. Research limitations/implications A new strand of research is opened up connecting journal governance networks to knowledge structures in the OSCM field. OM is studied separately from its reference and associated disciplines. The use of the ABS list might attract comments that the study has an implicit European perspective - however we do not believe this to be the case. Practical implications The study addresses the implications of the lack of diversity for the practice of OM as an academic discipline. Originality/value As the first study of its kind, i.e. SNA of editorial advisory board members of OSCM journals, this study marks out a new perspective and acts as a benchmark for the future