Supply chain uncertainty:a review and theoretical foundation for future research

Supply-chain uncertainty is an issue with which every practising manager wrestles, deriving from the increasing complexity of global supply networks. Taking a broad view of supply-chain uncertainty (incorporating supply-chain risk), this paper seeks to review the literature in this area and develop a theoretical foundation for future research. The literature review identifies a comprehensive list of 14 sources of uncertainty, including those that have received much research attention, such as the bullwhip effect, and those more recently described, such as parallel interaction. Approaches to managing these sources of uncertainty are classified into: 10 approaches that seek to reduce uncertainty at its source; and, 11 approaches that seek to cope with it, thereby minimising its impact on performance. Manufacturing strategy theory, including the concepts of alignment and contingency, is then used to develop a model of supply-chain uncertainty, which is populated using the literature review to show alignment between uncertainty sources and management strategies. Future research proposed includes more empirical research in order to further investigate: which uncertainties occur in particular industrial contexts; the impact of appropriate sources/management strategy alignment on performance; and the complex interplay between management strategies and multiple sources of uncertainty (positive or negative)

The applicability and impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems:results from a mixed method study on Make-To-Order (MTO) companies

The effect of a Make-To-Order (MTO) production strategy on the applicability and impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is investigated through a mixed method approach comprised of an exploratory and explanatory survey followed by three case studies. Data on Make-To-Stock (MTS) companies is also collected as a basis for comparison. The exploratory data demonstrates, for example, that MTO adopters of ERP found the system selection process more difficult than MTS adopters. Meanwhile, a key reason why some MTO companies have not adopted ERP is that it is perceived as unsuitable. The explanatory data is used to test a series of hypotheses on the fit between decision support requirements, ERP functionality, and company performance. In general, a poor fit between the decision support requirements of MTO companies and ERP functionality is identified, although certain modules can lead to performance improvements – most notably for Customer Enquiry Management (CEM). MTS companies make more use of planning tools within ERP systems, and it is concluded that production strategy is an important contextual factor affecting both applicability and impact. Follow-up cases with two MTO adopters and one MTO non-adopter develop a deeper understanding of the survey results. For example, in one adoption case, a system was rented to minimise the consequences of making a poor selection decision. Future research could explore how more MTO-specific planning concepts can be embedded within ERP systems to improve alignment

A contingency-based approach to internationalization:a multi-case study analysis in Argentina

Purpose: This paper takes a contingency-based approach to internationalization, exploring how global operations are configured (e.g., the path and pace of internationalization) and coordinated (e.g., supply chain coordination). It also considers how internationalization decisions, such as the offshoring of previously home-based operations, can impact performance. Design/methodology/approach: Multi-case study research involving 15 Argentine subsidiaries of Italian-owned companies, with data collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews in Argentina with senior representatives from each company. Findings: Global operations can be successfully configured through both incremental and nonincremental paths, while the pace of internationalization can also vary. A number of coordination mechanisms are evident but centralization modes appear particularly effective for integrating the role of a subsidiary’s operations with the parent company. The need to revise or adapt an organization’s internationalization strategy over time is also identified, and an initial conceptual model developed based on both the Operations & Supply Chain Management and International Business literature is later revised using case study evidence. Research limitations/implications: Further research is required to assess whether the results are valid for other emerging economies. Practical implications: A variety of internationalization practices that lead to good performance are observed in relation to different needs and specific contextual factors - such as competitor behavior, product features and production cost structure. Originality/value: The global Operations & Supply Chain Management literature is largely acontextual, static in nature and considers either strategic or tactical internationalization decisions only. In contrast, this research: adopts a contingency-based approach to the study of internationalization decisions, examines changes over time, and considers both strategic and tactical decisions

SISTEM INFORMASI ALUMNI SMP N 1 DAYUN MENGGUNAKAN FRAMEWORK LARAVEL DI KAB. SIAK

Alumni data is one example of an information system designed to be able to help the work of an agency or company both in processing data to provide complete data through the availability of information services. Similarly, SMP N 1 Dayun which has approximately 5800 alumni and forms a large family bond of alumni which has a vision of realizing the extended family ties of SMP N 1 Dayun as an alumni institution that can accommodate the aspirations of its members and can contribute to the development of the quality of education as school partners. But the alumni data management system that still uses printed documents, resulted in data management that cannot be done effectively and efficiently, and writing errors often occur, it is difficult to find alumni data that has been damaged, and the data is difficult to update because information about alumni can only be accessed through grupchat on social media, whatsapp. With this problem the researcher raised the title of the thesis that is Alumni Information System of SMP N 1 Dayun Using Laravel Framework in Kab. Siak The design of this information system uses usecase diagrams, activity diagrams, class diagrams. Application of the waterfall method as a system development process. Using the programming language Framework Laravel, PHP and MySQL as a database. This information system is expected to help the school and alumni of SMP N 1 Dayun in managing data and as a bridge of hospitality

The Treatment of the Heroines in Representative Novels of François Mauriac

This study analyzes specific scenes in the novels dealt with in order to determine the type of women characters Mauriac has created. This study covers Mauriac's early, middle, and late periods as a novelist. The heroines are nearly all examined in relation to each other chronologically. The study shows that Mauriac first portrays a religious and simple heroine. The heroines become agnostic, if not atheistic in several of the subsequent novels. Through Therese, they become progressively more psychologically complex. They then become less complicated and, except for the last heroine, are religious. The last heroine is psychologically portrayed but is the least original of the heroines. The examination of Mauriac's women characters seems to show that the author is deeply sympathetic with the majority of them

Load oriented order release (LOOR) revisited:bringing it back to the state of the art

In the workload control literature, the Load-Oriented Order Release (LOOR) approach has been neglected since its robustness was questioned at the end of the 1990s. This paper revisits LOOR and evaluates whether its performance can be improved in two ways. First, an intermediate pull release mechanism is added to avoid starvation between periodic release events. This mechanism was recently shown to be effective at improving the performance of a state-of-the-art release method known as LUMS COR. Second, an integer linear programming model is used to manage the trade-off between the timing and load balancing functions of order release. The two refinements are assessed using simulations of different shop configurations, which allow us to evaluate robustness. Results demonstrate that the refinements contribute to improving the performance of LOOR such that it can even outperform LUMS COR. Perhaps counter-intuitively, putting more emphasis on load balancing than on the urgency of individual orders is shown to lead to a lower percentage of tardy orders. Overall, the improvements mean that concerns about LOOR’s robustness are no longer valid – it now appears suitable for a wide range of shops found in practice

A Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability-oriented Supplier Development

Many buying firms are implementing sustainability-oriented supplier development (SSD) projects. This paper provides a systematic literature review on the SSD process and develops a future research agenda. A total of 83 papers are analyzed according to their research content and using contingency theory variables, i.e. contingencies and response actions, and contingency forms of fit that influence performance outcomes. Although there has been a considerable focus on contingency factors in the SSD literature, explicit use of the contingency fit perspective has been limited. A conceptual framework is developed and supported by a series of research recommendations to provide a holistic view of SSD and a starting point for future research. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to focus specifically on reviewing the SSD literature. The contingency theory lens provides a promising theoretical perspective for understanding how SSD initiatives can be successfully embedded in the supply chain

The Boundary-Spanning Role of First-Tier Suppliers in Sustainability-Oriented Supplier Development Initiatives

Purpose This study aims to study how first-tier suppliers (FTs) operate as boundary-spanners between the focal firm and second-tier suppliers (STs) in extending sustainability-oriented supplier development (SSD) initiatives up the supply chain. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multi-case study approach in the apparel industry is adopted, comprised of four cases focused on occupational health and safety issues. The paper uses primary semi-structured interviews and observation data and secondary documents, and it is informed by the boundary-spanning and social capital theory. Findings The influence of downstream social capital on the upstream boundary-spanning actions of FTs is highlighted. More specifically, it is found that the cognitive and relational capital that exists in the downstream relationship between an FT and the focal firm affects whether the FT adopts compliance- or improvement-oriented boundary-spanning actions in their upstream relationships with STs. Particularly important aspects of cognitive and relational capital are highlighted while the phenomenon of FTs adding their own personal interpretation to sustainability requirements when fulfilling their boundary-spanning role is identified. Research limitations/implications A distinction is made between compliance- and improvement-oriented boundary-spanning actions. A deeper insight into the boundary-spanning role of FTs in extending SSD initiatives up the supply chain to STs is provided along with a deeper understanding of how this role is impacted by social capital. Practical implications Focal firms should seek to build adequate cognitive and relational capital with their FTs before deploying SSD initiatives to extend their reach further upstream in the supply chain. In doing so, it is also important to be cognisant of the social capital that exists between FTs and STs. Originality/value The paper contributes to the SSD literature by going beyond the buyer–FT dyad to examine the FT's boundary-spanning role in the wider buyer–FT–ST chain relationship. The study theoretically and empirically draws out the importance of relation-specific assets through the social capital lens