Luiz Felipe Scavarda, Jens Schaffer, Annibal José Scavarda, Augusto da Cunha Reis and Heinrich Schleich
The purpose of this paper is to develop a product variety multi‐market study in the auto industry and to conduct a benchmarking analysis of the practical findings against the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a product variety multi‐market study in the auto industry and to conduct a benchmarking analysis of the practical findings against the theoretical ones obtained in a European Community Research Project (Intelligent Logistics for Innovative Product Technologies – ILIPT) that aims to rethink the automotive supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conduct an exploratory research including an empirical multi‐market study, which embraces many significant passenger car models from a global vehicle manufacturer in relevant automotive markets. To provide a rich dataset, the authors utilize a combination of data collection techniques including interviews, contextual performance data and a detailed analysis of product offerings available from the vehicle manufacturer's regional web sites. This paper also shares the experience of a European Community Research Project benchmarking the results for the automobile industry.
Findings
In this paper, product variety in the auto industry is classified into four general categories. The empirical results suggest that the platform (most aggregated form of variety) follows the same logic worldwide while all the other product variety categories (in particular variants) are restricted in emerging markets and very refined in Europe. The benchmarking shows that the European variety offered exceeds the “appropriate” level of variety considered best in class by the ILIPT project while the emerging countries variety offered is below this level. This fact points to space for improvement in the product variety management of both supply chains.
Originality/value
This is a valuable empirical research study that examines the current behaviour of the auto product variety in significant markets and gives an overview where the variety is created world wide. A benchmarking analysis is also offered, which gives an idea of how far vehicle manufacturers are in terms of providing the “appropriate” level of variety.
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Antônio Márcio Tavares Thomé, Luiz Felipe Scavarda, Nicole Suclla Fernandez and Annibal José Scavarda
This paper aims to improve upon the highly dispersed sales and operations planning (S&OP) research by integrating the findings of existing studies to identify and measure the size…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to improve upon the highly dispersed sales and operations planning (S&OP) research by integrating the findings of existing studies to identify and measure the size of the effect of S&OP on firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology adopted was a systematic literature review of 271 abstracts and 55 papers. Three databases were selected for the search – Emerald, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect.
Findings
Although empirical evidence of the effects of S&OP in the supply chain is described, relatively few of the 55 papers reviewed estimate the effect of S&OP on firm performance. The research findings indicate a lack of unifying frameworks for the measurement of S&OP and constructs related to firm performance. The review offers partial evidence of the effect of S&OP on firm performance, suggesting the need for additional scientifically sound survey or case study research on S&OP.
Practical implications
Practitioners will benefit from insights related to the intermediate role of S&OP in mediating the effects of structural changes on firm performance. There is at least partial evidence that cross‐functional planning processes can mitigate the negative effect of misaligned organisational structures and contradictory incentives schemes on firm performance. Formal and informal communications between functions, networking and internal integrating roles can boost performance. Furthermore, internal alignment seems to facilitate supply chain integration with both suppliers and customers, particularly when inter‐organisational information systems favour supply chain integration.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to providing a better understanding of the role of S&OP as a determinant of firm performance in the supply chain.
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Peter O'Neill, Annibal José Scavarda and Zhenhua Yang
This research seeks to undertake a comparative study of Chinese distribution centers (DCs) with UK DCs in order to explore the relationship between the supply chain, logistics and…
Abstract
Purpose
This research seeks to undertake a comparative study of Chinese distribution centers (DCs) with UK DCs in order to explore the relationship between the supply chain, logistics and distribution functions, and the gap between the countries. The study has been undertaken in light of Chinese corporate standardization programs in distribution channels. The main goal of the standardization programs has been to create efficient supply chains to be able to control the flow of information, capital, product and other resources. The focus of the study was Fujian Province where the standardization program has meant that functional areas such as marketing and distribution are measured by key performance indicators (KPI), under specific evaluation keys. The study highlights benchmarked KPIs where supply chain entrepreneurship can be brought to bear.
Design/methodology/approach
The method used in this research is quantitative via a small scale sample. Questionnaires were sent to Chinese DCs in Fujian Province with additional quantitative information sought through telephone follow‐up.
Findings
The data have been analyzed and compared to UK DCs for inventory level, order lead‐times, customer segmentation, value‐added activities, and floor area utilization. DCs are a long way from internationally competitive best practice across complex product categories. This provides opportunity for entrepreneurial third party inventory storage and management. DCs also exhibits low transportation efficiency due to low vehicle loading factors, also affecting DC order lead‐time efficiency and value‐added activities. There is opportunity here for entrepreneurial activity in offering efficient (lean) and responsive (agile) third party transport services. There is also evidence of poor process management implying opportunity for the application of entrepreneurial consulting capability to resource and reengineer end‐end process chains.
Research limitations/implications
The research generalisability is limited due its small scale sample in a single Chinese province.
Practical implications
Despite a modernization program the implications of this study are that Chinese DCs are not ready for traditional international competition, but in the short‐term entrepreneurs may be able to design sustainable lean and agile supply chains that are at least as good as those in the UK.
Originality/value
The study's originality is its comparative benchmark of Chinese with UK DCs.
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Henrique Luiz Corrêa, Lisa M. Ellram, Annibal José Scavarda and Martha C. Cooper
To develop and propose a framework, termed here as the value package prism, for assessing the kinds of management processes and flexibility available in providing a range of value…
Abstract
Purpose
To develop and propose a framework, termed here as the value package prism, for assessing the kinds of management processes and flexibility available in providing a range of value packages (services and goods offering mix).
Design/methodology/approach
The literature is examined and a set of highly‐visible Latin‐American examples are presented to support the development of the proposed framework.
Findings
Provides an additional perspective to the traditional set of characteristics (intangibility, inseparability, heterogeneity, and perishability) for differentiating services and goods. The proposed framework (stockability, intensity of interaction, simultaneousness of consumption, and ease of performance assessment) and the value prism may be useful to operations managers in developing, planning, organizing, or controlling the production and delivery of services or goods.
Originality/value
Offers a new framework and an applied way to improve operations management by moving away from the extremes of pure services and pure goods to embrace how businesses compete and operate today, by delivering value packages. Provides an approach that facilitates operations managers' understanding and ability to manage substantial changes in the value packages offered to customers.
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Fang Zhao, Annibal José Scavarda and Marie‐France Waxin
The purpose of this paper is to identify and study the key issues and challenges facing e‐government development from an integrative perspective, and to provide strategies and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and study the key issues and challenges facing e‐government development from an integrative perspective, and to provide strategies and policy recommendations to address them in a broad and holistic way.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the key issues in e‐government development, the authors took an integrative approach built on several existing theories and research. The authors conducted an empirical case study of Dubai. The data collection methods included documentary research; reviewing the major websites of Dubai government entities; and interviewing 22 e‐government stakeholders.
Findings
The authors have identified a variety of important issues and challenges facing e‐government development in Dubai. Of them, they focus on language issues on websites, e‐integration, uptake of e‐government services and the digital divide, and quality of Dubai e‐government websites and e‐services.
Practical implications
Given that Dubai was ranked the number one eCity in the Arab World and the eighteenth in the world in e‐government implementation, this insightful case study has wider implications. It contributes to a better understanding of the key issues in e‐government development in the Arab nations. The broad and holistic strategies developed through this study address the root causes of the issues, which could help governments not only in Dubai but also in other countries in their policy making.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first integrative and empirical study that explores the key issues and challenges in e‐government development through studying e‐government experiences of Dubai from both supply and demand perspectives.
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Diego A. de J. Pacheco, Julie Hvid Borgvardt and Isaac Pergher
Recent geopolitical and economic tensions have caused instabilities in food supply chains (FSCs), affecting their performance and integration. These challenges have significantly…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent geopolitical and economic tensions have caused instabilities in food supply chains (FSCs), affecting their performance and integration. These challenges have significantly impacted the sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes of companies operating in global networks. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding effective strategies for enhancing S&OP processes in response to these supply chain challenges in different sectors. To address this gap, the purpose of this study is to develop and test an integrated maturity model that assists companies in this sector in assessing and improving their execution of S&OP processes in global supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a case study conducted in a multinational food company operating in a global supply chain in Europe, the results shed light on the role of S&OP maturity assessment in guiding focal companies into internal and supply chain decisions.
Findings
Findings suggest that the developed model has the potential to enhance the integration among actors in the FSC. Findings provide insights for developing supply chain solutions that align with the functions of the food industry and supply chain dynamism. The study offers actionable insights that address some limitations of the existing empirical literature, which has provided limited support for the role of S&OP activities in facilitating effective integration in FSCs.
Research limitations/implications
The study highlights qualitative benefits associated with S&OP implementation, enabling food industries to establish more realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of S&OP initiatives.
Practical implications
This study enhances the understanding of S&OP maturity phenomena in FSCs and provides practical insights for companies to manage the volatile conditions in this sector’s supply chains.
Originality/value
The paper makes a theoretical contribution by developing and testing an integrated model designed explicitly for FSCs, providing valuable guidance for decision-makers.
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Priscila Cembranel, Luiza Gewehr, Leila Dal Moro, Paulo Guilherme Fuchs, Robert Samuel Birch and José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Andrade Guerra
This study aims to investigate the contribution of higher education institutions (HEIs) to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and propose strategies to cultivate a culture…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the contribution of higher education institutions (HEIs) to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and propose strategies to cultivate a culture centred on the SDGs in HEIs.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used encompassed an integrative literature review, combining bibliographic analysis on how HEIs incorporate the SDGs into their practices, adopting a qualitative approach for the analysis and categorization of the results.
Findings
The multifaceted contributions of HEIs in promoting the SDGs stand out, through their roles in teaching, research, management and integration and communication between university and society.
Research limitations/implications
While influencing policies at various levels, HEIs encounter challenges in the effective integration of SDGs into their strategies. This underscores the need for contextualized governance, understanding students’ perspectives on sustainability and active external collaboration in policy formulation.
Practical implications
There is an urgent need to integrate SDGs into academic programmes, emphasizing the importance of redesigning curricula, actively involving teachers, researchers and students, establishing partnerships and promoting research applied to SDGs.
Social implications
The social relevance of the study lies in the emphasis on an SDG-centred culture, involving teaching, research, outreach, community engagement and governance practices.
Originality/value
The study’s uniqueness lies in identifying persistent challenges during the transition to an SDG-centred culture, necessitating multisectoral collaboration and educational programmes that integrate sustainability principles into the strategy of HEIs.