Charu Chandra and Sameer Kumar
One of the common problems encountered in managing a supply chain is that of synchronisation of activities throughout the life cycle of its products. Among several initiatives in…
Abstract
One of the common problems encountered in managing a supply chain is that of synchronisation of activities throughout the life cycle of its products. Among several initiatives in the US textiles industry to deal with the problem, one in particular aims to achieve quick response (QR) in the supply chain through accurate response (AR). AR is an approach to forecasting, planning, and production that builds on QR capabilities within the supply chain organisation. In order to achieve this, a total systems perspective is necessary requiring analysis of activities. This paper describes a formal system analysis methodology utilising design principles that builds on activities, and utilises models that achieve synchronisation through waste management in inventory for a textile garment supply chain. The generic features of this activity‐based problem representation methodology hold promise for its common application across supplier/consumer class of system problems.
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Shivam Gupta, Sameer Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Cyril Foropon and Charu Chandra
Cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) enables an organization to pay for the services they need and removes the need to maintain information technology infrastructure…
Abstract
Purpose
Cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) enables an organization to pay for the services they need and removes the need to maintain information technology infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the role of cloud-based ERP services on the performance of an organization. Here, the performance is categorized as supply chain performance and organizational performance that comprises of financial performance and marketing performance. Contingent resource-based view (RBV) theory was used to develop a theoretical framework in which supply base complexity (SBC) acts as a moderating variable on the relationship between cloud ERP and the performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Contingent RBV theory is used to explain the relationship between all identified variables in this paper. Partial least squares (PLS) based on structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to empirically test our theoretical framework.
Findings
The PLS-SEM analysis of 154 respondents supports the contingent RBV theory. Six hypotheses – out of the eight hypotheses formulated in this paper – are supported by data.
Research limitations/implications
Given this study was conducted in India where the potential of cloud ERP has not been fully implemented yet, the results may reflect more of perceived usefulness of this technology. The authors have attempted to understand the effect of SBC as a moderator in the relationship between cloud ERP and organizational performance which may not be the only moderator affecting this relationship among other potential moderators.
Originality/value
This paper empirically validates the theoretical framework based on the contingent RBV theory as it mitigates the static nature of the resource-based view approach suggested in the seminal article of Barney (1991).
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Charu Chandra and Sameer Kumar
The concept of taxonomy is applied to inventory management in a supply‐chain using the example of the US textile industry. Through classification and standardisation of issues…
Abstract
The concept of taxonomy is applied to inventory management in a supply‐chain using the example of the US textile industry. Through classification and standardisation of issues related to inventory management problems, it is shown how inventory models and techniques can be generalised across diverse application environments represented by autonomous business entities that form the supply‐chain. Three generic models that implement inventory decision rules to address constant (or level), time varying (or chase), and mixed demand patterns associated with stock keeping unit (SKU) categories are proposed. Applications of these inventory models to a textile supply‐chain are discussed.
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Sameer Kumar, Bharti Ramtiyal, Gunjan Soni, Lokesh Vijayvargy, Charu Chandra and Ishaan Dey
Traceability is predicted to usher in a fundamental shift in the way transactions in supply chains (SCs) are carried out. By reducing the negative aspects of trust-related issues…
Abstract
Purpose
Traceability is predicted to usher in a fundamental shift in the way transactions in supply chains (SCs) are carried out. By reducing the negative aspects of trust-related issues in a SC, traceability enables improved visibility and transparency.
Design/methodology/approach
We advance research on traceability adoption in the perishable products supply chain by developing and validating an integrated model that combines the technology acceptance model (TAM), the technology readiness index (TRI) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A quantitative approach was employed, collecting data through an online survey of 174 supply chain professionals in major Indian cities using a five-point Likert scale. Participants were selected via LinkedIn, each with at least two years of SCM experience. Nonresponse bias was assessed by comparing early and late respondents, revealing no significant differences. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test various research hypotheses derived from literature. Composite reliability and discriminant validity of constructs were verified before examining the relationships among the constructs within the structural model.
Findings
The study found that the TRI components of optimism and innovation did not impact perceived ease of use or perceived utility. Additionally, behavioral intention is shaped by perceived utility, attitude and perceived behavioral control.
Practical implications
This research provides valuable insights for managers aiming to adopt traceability in supply chains (SCs). It helps identify critical factors for effective traceability adoption, showing that perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness are pivotal in shaping practitioners’ intentions. Managers should prioritize developing intuitive, user-friendly traceability applications that demonstrate clear value in optimizing SC efficiency. The study also reveals that while practitioners are generally optimistic about traceability, they may feel indifferent or lack a sense of control over it. Therefore, companies should focus on marketing strategies that empower decision-makers, highlighting the ease of use and practical benefits of traceability. Additionally, the findings suggest that perceived behavioral control, combined with intention, can effectively predict traceability adoption. By understanding these dynamics, managers can better guide their firms in successfully implementing traceability, ensuring both technological acceptance and operational efficiency.
Originality/value
This research offers a novel and in-depth exploration of traceability as an emerging concept in supply chains, particularly in India, where adoption remains limited. It highlights that while SC practitioners recognize traceability’s potential, they lack practical expertise, often driven by curiosity about decentralized databases. It underscores the critical role of artificial intelligence, IoT devices and big data in ensuring precise data collection and analytics, essential for successful traceability. The research also introduces a predictive model combining TAM, TRI and TPB constructs, identifying perceived usefulness, attitude and perceived behavioral control as key factors influencing traceability adoption.
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Surya Prakash, Sameer Kumar, Gunjan Soni, Vipul Jain, Saty Dev and Charu Chandra
Collaboration methods are unique strategies that can help organizations hedge against external and internal supply chain risks without stressing their relationships with supply…
Abstract
Purpose
Collaboration methods are unique strategies that can help organizations hedge against external and internal supply chain risks without stressing their relationships with supply chain partners. However, selecting the most appropriate collaboration method from a given set of strategies is a multifaceted challenge. This paper aims to address this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The decision maker's dilemma of fighting data uncertainty in input parameters to check the efficacy of a given collaboration or mitigation approach is tackled by the integration of Grey theory with the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. The proposed technique is applied and tested for an Indian diesel generator-set manufacturer to identify the most apposite set of sustainable collaboration strategies.
Findings
The results showed that when a firm is bidding for different horizontal collaboration strategies across its supply chain system technology and resource-sharing-centered collaboration strategies are the prominent option. In the case of the company's vertical collaboration deployment, the focus should be kept on information sharing to achieve impactful collaboration. The outcome of the analysis helped the Indian manufacturer to adopt transparent order and production information sharing with its regional distributors and core suppliers within its supply chain.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates from a methodological perspective the successful application of the Grey-TOPSIS approach that effectively captures data uncertainty. It also integrates sustainability parameters in collaboration strategy criteria selections.
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Xiangyang Li and Charu Chandra
Large supply and computer networks contain heterogeneous information and correlation among their components, and are distributed across a large geographical region. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Large supply and computer networks contain heterogeneous information and correlation among their components, and are distributed across a large geographical region. This paper aims to investigate and develop a generic knowledge integration framework that can handle the challenges posed in complex network management. It also seeks to examine this framework in various applications of essential management tasks in different infrastructures.
Design/methodology/approach
Efficient information and knowledge integration technologies are key to capably handling complex networks. An adaptive fusion framework is proposed that takes advantage of dependency modelling, active configuration planning and scheduling, and quality assurance of knowledge integration. The paper uses cases of supply network risk management and computer network attack correlation (NAC) to elaborate the problem and describe various applications of this generic framework.
Findings
Information and knowledge integration becomes increasingly important, enabled by technologies to collect and process data dynamically, and faces enormous challenges in handling escalating complexity. Representing these systems into an appropriate network model and integrating the knowledge in the model for decision making, directed by information and complexity measures, provide a promising approach. The preliminary results based on a Bayesian network model support the proposed framework.
Originality/value
First, the paper discussed and defined the challenges and requirements faced by knowledge integration in complex networks. Second, it proposed a knowledge integration framework that systematically models various network structures and adaptively integrates knowledge, based on dependency modelling and information theory. Finally, it used a conceptual Bayesian model to elaborate the application to supply chain risk management and computer NAC of this promising framework.
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Sameer Kumar, Charu Chandra and Mike Stoerzinger
Describes research to identify and pilot an improved planning and fulfilment process at Noramco, a manufacturing division of General Pump. The focus was to develop a synchronized…
Abstract
Describes research to identify and pilot an improved planning and fulfilment process at Noramco, a manufacturing division of General Pump. The focus was to develop a synchronized system from source to consumption with continuous flow of information and materials for one of Noramco’s main product lines. System‐wide changes were accomplished using a cross‐functional team with the goal of reducing waste and investment in inventory. Traditional measures of manufacturing efficiency and utilization were compared with proposed measurements of through‐put (T), investment in inventory (I), and operating expense (OE). Although traditional measures showed actual decline, proposed measures showed improvement and increased profitability of 200 per cent for this product line. These new performance measures reflected a change from local to global thinking. Improved capacity management in the system was achieved by sharing information between suppliers and customers.
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Charu Chandra and Sameer Kumar
The concept of supply chain is about managing coordinated information and material flows, plant operations, and logistics. It provides flexibility and agility in responding to…
Abstract
The concept of supply chain is about managing coordinated information and material flows, plant operations, and logistics. It provides flexibility and agility in responding to consumer demand shifts without cost overlays in resource utilization. The fundamental premise of this philosophy is; synchronization among multiple autonomous business entities represented in it. That is, improved coordination within and between various supply‐chain members. Increased coordination can lead to reduction in lead times and costs, alignment of interdependent decision‐making processes, and improvement in the overall performance of each member as well as the supply chain. Describes architecture to create the appropriate structure, install proper controls, and implement principles of optimization to synchronize the supply chain. A supply‐chain model based on a collaborative system approach is illustrated utilizing the example of the textile industry.