Jack G.A.J. van der Vorst, Stephan J. van Dijk and Adrie J.M. Beulens
The concepts of hybrid supply chain strategies and the decoupling point are applied to a poultry supply chain experiencing high demand uncertainty in an inflexible production…
Abstract
The concepts of hybrid supply chain strategies and the decoupling point are applied to a poultry supply chain experiencing high demand uncertainty in an inflexible production environment. Several solutions are proposed for this supply chain to cope with high demand uncertainty. The customer order decoupling point, the product differentiation point and the information decoupling point play a central role in these solutions. Because of specific characteristics of the poultry supply chain, the opportunities for a leagile supply chain design are limited.
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Jack G.A.J. van der Vorst and Adrie J.M. Beulens
Dynamic demands and constraints imposed by a rapidly changing business environment make it increasingly necessary for companies in the food supply chain to cooperate with each…
Abstract
Dynamic demands and constraints imposed by a rapidly changing business environment make it increasingly necessary for companies in the food supply chain to cooperate with each other. The main questions individual (food) companies face are whether, why, how and with whom they should start supply chain management activities. Presents a qualitative research method for analyzing a supply chain network and for identifying effective chain redesign strategies. Presents a generic list of supply chain redesign strategies based on a multi‐disciplinary literature review. Proposes that in order to identify the most effective strategies in a specific chain scenario one should focus on the identification and management of the sources of uncertainties in the supply chain’s decision‐making processes. The application of the research method in three food supply chains resulted in a valuable tool that can be used in supply chain redesign projects, as it indicates potentially effective redesign strategies when a specific source of uncertainty is encountered in a supply chain.
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Floor H. W. Ambrosius, Gert Jan Hofstede, Bettina B. Bock, Eddie A.M. Bokkers and Adrie J.M. Beulens
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that models farmers’ strategic decision making, taking into account that farmers adapt to institutional changes, given the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that models farmers’ strategic decision making, taking into account that farmers adapt to institutional changes, given the social structure in which they are embedded.
Design/methodology/approach
First, a theoretical framework was developed using the reasoned action approach, innovation diffusion research, identity research, and the theory of structuration. Second, the framework was refined based on insights gained through semi-structured interviews with seven pork farmers and six pork farming experts on innovation decisions in general and added-value market adoption in particular.
Findings
The farmer decision-making framework distinguishes personal characteristics, social influence related to reference groups, and the institutional context that determines the space for manoeuvre. The interviews reveal the importance of context specific factors, such as trust in policy and market requirements, and point at general mechanisms of path dependency as a result of previous decision making and social influence related to identity reference groups.
Originality/value
The authors include feedback mechanisms between on the one hand social structure and institutional context, and on the other, farmer decision making. The framework is designed to explore the combined influence of factors of decision making on sector behaviour and study the relation between individual and collective behaviour.
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John Dilworth and A.K. Kochhar
This paper aims to describe the creation of an e‐business functional requirements definition model using a case study process.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the creation of an e‐business functional requirements definition model using a case study process.
Design/methodology/approach
The creation of this model was the subject of a research project, the hypothesis of which is that it is possible to produce a model that can be used in real life situations to specify, using objective reasoning, the e‐business requirements of an organisation.
Findings
The research demonstrated a practical method of creating and refining this model and further was able to demonstrate that there were reasonable prospects of converging towards a stable model.
Research limitations/implications
The paper has demonstrated that it has produced an acceptable model by using a case study process that gives sound results. It is also felt that it has validated the basic research method that was adopted.
Practical implications
An innovative tool has been created whereby a specification of e‐business requirements can be created in a matter of a few hours, compared with the weeks' or months' worth of effort often involved in the use of the traditional business systems analysis process. Based on the operating characteristics of a company and the concerns of its management, the specification avoids the prejudices of consultants and vested interests of salesmen.
Originality/value
The computerised rule‐based system is easy to use and leads to a significant reduction in the time taken to generate an accurate functional specification. In addition, it provides a useful way of generating overall insights and communicating an e‐business requirements picture at a management summary level.