A conceptual model for sustainable supply chain operation in fashion industry

Abstract The global shifting of production insists the fashion brands and retailers to focus more on the operational efficiency to take the cost advantage and simultaneously fulfill the demand quickly. But the contemporary market urges to do it also in sustainable way. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what are the considerations for sustainable operation. A literature review is made to learn the researchers’ considerations for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). A hierarchy is constructed to classify the aspects of sustainability in different levels for social, environmental and economic compliance with the addition of product compliance as a similarly important consideration for sustainability in the fashion supply chain (FSC). A frame work presented for sustainable supply chain operation (SSCO) by highlighting the key practices in the FSC. The presented supply chain (SC) model considered the operational level topics from the hierarchy. This study is an endeavour to substantiate the significance of the integration of product sustainability at the operational level through inter-relationship in the R&D phase by multiparty in the SC who are working with the same goal. This framework provides the insights for the stakeholders in the FSC about the key relationships among the parties at operational level

Organisational maturity and functional performance

Abstract This article examines the maturity of company practises from two different perspectives. The overall management system is analysed by using the People Capability Maturity Model. The maturity of an operational function is scrutinised by using the Verification and Validation Maturity Model (V2M2). Verification and Validation (V&V) was chosen as an example as it has become a challenging function for the management of the high technology sector. Even the best performer in the managerial maturity analyses, a major Scandinavian telecom company has significant difficulties with the V&V maturity. Typically, small and medium sized companies should concentrate on developing their overall management system before they can reach high maturity in single operational functions

Learning about design and development:the roles of industrial design and concurrent engineering

Abstract This research examines a design and development process for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs have to perform this process well for business success. The study tackles the confusion over the roles of Industrial Design (ID) within this process. This confusion potentially hinders SMEs| long-term competitiveness. The study is part of the Concurrent Design in Networks (CODENET) project in Finland, which focuses on improving ID in design and development. A total of six case companies from the Oulu region are observed and studied. The findings show that the confusion highlights various perceived roles of ID, a lack of interaction and two-way communication, external design sources, etc. In an attempt to address these problems, a practical framework, derived from Concurrent Engineering (CE), is jointly proposed to case companies. This framework stresses the importance of working together across functional units within and outside an SME. It should be recognised that this framework is mainly for business-to-business circumstances

Improving the efficiency of verification and validation

Abstract The application of electronics and software technologies is spreading to new areas, because they offer new feature possibilities. Consequently, these technologies require more Validation and Verification (V&V) efforts, resulting in increased costs and slower time-to-market for new products. The ICT industry has been forced to significantly improve its V&V processes. In this study, major Scandinavian telecom companies have been interviewed to clarify the challenges of V&V, and to identify ways to tackle them. The management of traditional industrial sectors could use the experiences from the ICT sector as a benchmark, as they will face the same challenges

Manufacturing process capability and specification limits

Abstract In modern electronics, specifications for products have constantly been tightened due to performance competition. The processes for product development and manufacturing have been developed to meet the tighter specifications and quality requirements. The development of test methods and measurement devices have not been as fast, and as a consequence, the relative impact of measurement errors has increased. Traditionally, the measurement inaccuracies have been compensated by tightening the acceptance limits. This study concentrates on analysing, through simulation, how companies should minimise the failure costs by adjusting acceptance limits. The study shows, in contrast to the conventional thinking, that widening the acceptance limits makes business sense in some cases

Leagility in fashion supply chains:the potential of integration for managing complexity

Abstract Offshore manufacturing and outsourcing trend in recent days in fashion industry complicates their supply chain (SC). This study focuses to this perplexity and assesses the potentiality of leagility to achieve required competitiveness in such circumstances. The nature of the fashion supply chain is recapitulated and the aspect of leagility is observed within existing literature and through case studies. The tendency of global sourcing, e.g., quick supply of manufacture economically obliges them to rethink the SC strategy and leagility is beneficent in this context in absorbing the turbulence. This research provides a direction to the retailers unsure about the apt strategy by demonstrating the relevance of leagility in fashion SC. It also builds the base for further deeper study for implement the concept in different part of manufacturing chain

Improving product development in different types of ICT companies

Abstract The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is facing continuous changes in its New Product Development (NPD) as products become increasingly complicated and customer segments more fragmented. Price erosion is also an escalating challenge for the management in the ICT sector. The automotive sector was chosen as a benchmark as it has been a large-volume and competitive business sector for decades, and has streamlined its processes to meet severe price targets. This study utilises Toyota|s product development model as a learning platform and presents improvement ideas for three different types of ICT companies: large, small and suppliers

Maturity of verification and validation in ICT companies

Abstract This paper examines the maturity of Verification and Validation (V&V) activities in the different phases of a New Product Development (NPD) chain. A Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)-based Verification-Validation Maturity Model (V2M2) is utilised for the analysis. In this study, the maturity of V&V activities is analysed based on interviews conducted in major Scandinavian telecom companies. The study highlights how the maturity of V&V in production is higher than in earlier NPD phases. The overall maturity of V&V activities is found to require significant improvement

Spatial health and life sciences business ecosystem:a case study of San Diego

Abstract Purpose: Increasing competition in global markets requires many countries to seek new growth sectors. In addition, the nature of competition is changing. This paper applies the business ecosystem concept and studies San Diego as a spatial health and life sciences ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to identify issues that should be considered in design of innovation policies and regional industry development. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach is built on a literature review of business ecosystems and spatial innovation. The empirical study is based on semi-structured interviews, observations, and information gathering and verification during field research. Findings: The results include a description of the ecosystem structure and dynamics. This paper demonstrates the bottom-up nature of San Diego’s health and life sciences ecosystem without a dominant lead actor, and presents prerequisites for fostering spatial ecosystems. Research limitations/implications: A single case may not be able to offer a generalized picture of this topic. However, the study raises several considerations for researchers and decision-makers involved in innovation policy design. Future work should extend the study and involve other spatial and substance contexts to compare findings and to pursue a more generic picture of innovation ecosystems and networks. Originality/value: This paper demonstrates that applying the concept of business ecosystems to the spatial context provides new insights in terms of dynamic mechanisms and factors contributing to economic growth in a particular location. Understanding how to facilitate the creation of successful spatial ecosystems is in the focal point of innovation policies

Analysing telecom companies using the Toyota NPD model

Abstract The telecom sector is facing great challenges in its New Product Development (NPD) as products are getting increasingly complicated and customer segments more fragmented. This study uses a benchmark from the automotive industry to obtain ideas for improving NPD and requirements management in the telecom sector. Toyota was chosen as the benchmark as the automotive industry has been a large volume, mature and competitive business sector, and Toyota has been successful in streamlining its business processes and in meeting customer needs. The study clarifies the similarities and the main differences between interviewed telecom companies and NPD practices at Toyota