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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2002

Roger D.H. Warburton and Roy Stratton

The last 20 years has seen a relentless shift to offshore manufacturing as retailers chase ever‐lower labor costs. The results of this strategy can now be evaluated and we propose…

3206

Abstract

The last 20 years has seen a relentless shift to offshore manufacturing as retailers chase ever‐lower labor costs. The results of this strategy can now be evaluated and we propose that some adjustments are in order. We analyze the case of a North American apparel manufacturer (Griffin Manufacturing, Inc.) that has successfully emerged from a period of major change with a strong and strategic position in the apparel supply chain. This case study documents Griffin’s survival through evolution in capabilities, technology, and especially attitude. The Griffin case study suggests that keeping a portion of the manufacturing onshore at an agile, quick response factory is cost effective: it increases sales and improves margins. However, the new relationship between the parties is much more complex and requires commitment on both sides.

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Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

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Publication date: 18 October 2016

Amanpreet Kaur and Sumit Lodhia

This study examines the factors that influence the uptake of stakeholder engagement in the sustainability accounting and reporting process. The chapter addresses the scarcity of…

Abstract

This study examines the factors that influence the uptake of stakeholder engagement in the sustainability accounting and reporting process. The chapter addresses the scarcity of research in the area of stakeholder engagement by highlighting the factors that accelerate involvement of stakeholders in the sustainability accounting and reporting process. Case study research was used to explore the influences on stakeholder engagement practices of three Australian local councils. Data collection methods included interviews and document analysis.

This research highlights external as well as internal factors that can encourage meaningful stakeholder engagement in the sustainability accounting and reporting process in public sector organisations. The findings of this research recognise government regulations as the key driver behind the uptake of stakeholder engagement policies and practices. However, managerial commitment and professional bodies’ support is observed as necessary to encourage and sustain creative and meaningful engagement. These findings also have implications for stakeholder engagement in the private sector.

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Corporate Responsibility and Stakeholding
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-626-0

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Article
Publication date: 12 February 2018

Huthaifa AL-Khazraji, Colin Cole and William Guo

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of applying two classical controller strategies, including two proportional (P) controllers with two feedback loops and one…

452

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of applying two classical controller strategies, including two proportional (P) controllers with two feedback loops and one proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller with one feedback loop, on the order and inventory performance within a production-inventory control system.

Design/methodology/approach

The simulation experiments of the dynamics behaviour of the production-inventory control system are conducted using a model based on control theory techniques. The Laplace transformation of an Order–Up–To (OUT) model is obtained using a state-space approach, and then the state-space representation is used to design and simulate a controlled model. The simulations of each model with two control configurations are tested by subjecting the system to a random retail sales pattern. The performance of inventory level is quantified by using the Integral of Absolute Error (IAE), whereas the bullwhip effect is measured by using the Variance ratio (Var).

Findings

The simulation results show that one PID controller with one feedback loop outperforms two P controllers with two feedback loops at reducing the bullwhip effect and regulating the inventory level.

Originality/value

The production-inventory control system is broken down into three components, namely: the forecasting mechanism, controller strategy and production-inventory process. A state-space approach is adopted to design and simulate the different controller strategy.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

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Article
Publication date: 29 November 2017

Huthaifa AL-Khazraji, Colin Cole and William Guo

The purpose of this study is to propose a new dynamic model of a production-inventory control system. The objective of the new model is to maximise the flexibility of the system…

546

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a new dynamic model of a production-inventory control system. The objective of the new model is to maximise the flexibility of the system so that it can be used by decision makers to design inventory systems that adopt various strategies that provide a balance between reducing the bullwhip effect and improving the responsiveness of inventory performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed production-inventory control system is modelled and analysed via control theory and simulations. The production-inventory feedback control system is modelled through continuous time differential equations. The simulation experiments design is conducted by using the state-space model of the system. The Automatic Pipeline Inventory and Order-Based Production Control System (APIOBPCS) model is used as a benchmark production-inventory control system.

Findings

The results showed that the Two Automatic Pipelines, Inventory and Order-Based Production Control System (2APIOBPCS) model outperforms APIOBPCS in terms of reducing the bullwhip effect. However, the 2APIOBPCS model has a negative impact on Customer Service Level. Therefore, with careful parameter setting, it is possible to design control decisions to be suitably responsive while generating smooth order patterns and obtain the best trade-off of the two objectives.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to the dynamics of single-echelon production-inventory control systems with zero desired inventory level.

Originality/value

This present model is an extension and improvement to Towill’s (1982) and John et al.’s (1994) work, since it presents a new dynamic model of a production-inventory control system which utilises an additional flow of information to improve the efficiency of order rate decisions.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 46 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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Article
Publication date: 24 March 2020

Ahmadali Asefi and Amir Ghanbarpour Nosrati

Sports facilities can play a vital role in encouraging physical activity and sport. Also, just the distribution of sports facilities is very important for better access to these…

722

Abstract

Purpose

Sports facilities can play a vital role in encouraging physical activity and sport. Also, just the distribution of sports facilities is very important for better access to these facilities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate spatial justice in the distribution of built outdoor sports facilities in the city of Isfahan, Iran and provide insight for planning in terms of equitable accessibility.

Design/methodology/approach

All facilities located in the 15 areas of the city, whether private or public, built for the purpose of physical activity and sports programs were considered in this study (107 cases). To obtain information on the locations of the outdoor sports facilities, Isfahan Atlas data, which has been compiled by Isfahan Municipality was used. Arc geographic information systems environment and its different algorithms were also used to perform different calculations and prepare maps.

Findings

The results indicated the unfair distribution of built outdoor sports facilities in the city of Isfahan in terms of spatial justice based on the number of built outdoor sports facilities in each area, the population, land area, population density and the spatial pattern of the facilities.

Practical implications

In this regard, urban authorities and sport managers should make an effort to decrease or obviate inequity in access to outdoor sports facilities for the purpose of promoting participation in physical activity and sport and providing residents with numerous other benefits.

Originality/value

This paper has concluded that spatial justice in the distribution of built outdoor sports facilities for the improvement of access to these facilities is very important.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

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Article
Publication date: 21 November 2022

Qiang Wang, Min Zhang and Rongrong Li

This study aims to explore the gap between research and practice on supply chain risks due to COVID-19 by exploring the changes in global emphasis on supply chain risk research.

443

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the gap between research and practice on supply chain risks due to COVID-19 by exploring the changes in global emphasis on supply chain risk research.

Design/methodology/approach

This work designed a research framework to compare the research of supply chain risks before and during the COVID-19 pandemic based on machining learning and text clustering and using the relevant publications of the web of science database.

Findings

The results show that scholars' attention to supply chain crisis has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, but there are differences among countries. The United Kingdom, India, Australia, the USA and Italy have greatly increased their emphasis on risk research, while the supply chain risk research growth rate in other countries, including China, has been lower than the global level. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, the research of business finance, telecommunications, agricultural economics policy, business and public environmental occupational health increased significantly during the pandemic. The hotspots of supply chain risk research have changed significantly during the pandemic, focusing on routing problem, organizational performance, food supply chain, dual-channel supply chain, resilient supplier selection, medical service and machine learning.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations in using a single database.

Social implications

This work compared the changes in global and various countries' supply chain risk research before and during the pandemic. On the one hand, it helps to judge the degree of response of scholars to the global supply chain risk brought about by COVID-19. On the other hand, it is beneficial for supply chain practitioners and policymakers to gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain risk, which might provide insights into not only addressing the supply chain risk but also the recovery of the supply chain.

Originality/value

The initial exploration of the changing extent of supply chain risk research in the context of COVID-19 provided in this paper is a unique and earlier attempt that extends the findings of the existing literature. Secondly, this research provides a feasible analysis strategy for supply chain risk research, which provides a direction and paradigm for exploring more effective supply chain research to meet the challenges of COVID-19.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

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Book part
Publication date: 4 August 2017

Gwendolyn Whitfield

Companies must adapt their strategies to changing market conditions. Global supply strategies have become the source of competitive advantage over the last several decades…

Abstract

Companies must adapt their strategies to changing market conditions. Global supply strategies have become the source of competitive advantage over the last several decades, particularly in the manufacturing industry, as US firms offshored manufacturing operations to low-cost locations such as China. The rationale was based on cost savings and other location opportunities. In the quest for a cost advantage, many firms departed from conventional outsourcing wisdom and began offshoring higher value and specialized activities such as engineering, design, testing, and research and development. As market conditions changed and cost advantages eroded, firms who offshored high value activities discovered strategic costs and unintended consequences. The extent of the challenges became more apparent as US firms began reshoring manufacturing to reposition in rapidly changing market conditions. The purpose of this research is to provide insight into the decision making process of offshoring and reshoring, to introduce a new concept to understand progressive offshoring, and to build supply chain knowledge by establishing a theoretical understanding for reshoring and strategic costs.

Details

Breaking up the Global Value Chain
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-071-6

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Book part
Publication date: 6 December 2018

Pablo Hernández-Marrero, Sandra Martins Pereira, Joana Araújo and Ana Sofia Carvalho

This chapter aims to provide an overview of the ethical framework and decision-making in clinical dementia research, and to analyze and discuss the ethical challenges and issues…

Abstract

This chapter aims to provide an overview of the ethical framework and decision-making in clinical dementia research, and to analyze and discuss the ethical challenges and issues that can arise when conducting clinical dementia research.

Informed consent is the most scrutinized and controversial aspect of clinical research ethics. In clinical dementia research, assessing decision-making capacity may be challenging as the nature and progress of each disease influences decision-making capacity in diverse ways. Persons with dementia represent a vulnerable population deserving special attention when developing, implementing, and evaluating the informed consent process. In this chapter, particular attention will be given to vulnerability categories and how these influence decision-making capacity. Ethical frameworks with a pragmatic contour and implication are needed to protect vulnerable patients from potential harms and ensure their optimal participation in clinical dementia research.

In addition, this chapter analyses important ethical challenges and issues in clinical dementia research. If handled thoughtfully, they would not pose insuperable barriers to research. But if they are ignored, they could slow the research process, alienate potential study subjects and cause harm to research participants. Ethical considerations in research involving persons with dementia primarily concern the representation of the interests of the participants with dementia and protection of their vulnerabilities and rights.

A core set of ethical questions and recommendations are drawn to aid researchers, institutional review boards and potential research participants in the process of participating in clinical dementia research.

Details

Ethics and Integrity in Health and Life Sciences Research
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-572-8

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Article
Publication date: 4 November 2013

Anup Kumar, Kampan Mukherjee and Narendra Kumar

– The objective of this work is to develop a model that can be used for simulation of different parameters including price, subjected to different control strategies.

822

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this work is to develop a model that can be used for simulation of different parameters including price, subjected to different control strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The entire supply chain can be modelled by combining the transfer function into a closed loop system. The transfer function of each entity in the supply chain can be obtained by using the control theory tools. The model can be approximated as a linear discrete system with various operating constants, like lead time, price, order policy and supply.

Findings

The continuous replenishment ordering policy for a distribution node in a supply chain was analyzed using the z-transform. Characteristic equations of the closed loop transfer function are obtained. The bullwhip (BW) effect is analyzed. Study proves that the BW effect is in evitable if the standard heuristic ordering policy is employed with demand forecasting; also the paper analysed price supply trade-off for dynamic demand and supply. Simulation results show that BW is less in PI and simple p-only with cascade control. Robust control and PD, PID control results are not shown in this literature, and it is subject to further research.

Originality/value

Research is original, it can be applicable in today's dynamic world, due to globalization, it is necessary to have a automated machine that can handle most of supply chain decision.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

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Article
Publication date: 18 September 2019

A.V. Thomas and Biswajit Mahanty

This study aims to examine the interrelationship between resilience, robustness and bullwhip effect using an inventory- and order-based production control system being subjected…

613

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the interrelationship between resilience, robustness and bullwhip effect using an inventory- and order-based production control system being subjected to operational disruption in the customer demand process.

Design/methodology/approach

Control engineering techniques and simulation are employed for the supply chain dynamics study.

Findings

The results show that resilience and robustness are two conflicting performance characteristics and therefore, a tradeoff can be established between them. It is also observed that improvement in resilience and reduction of bullwhip effect can be achieved simultaneously through a proper selection of control parameters.

Originality/value

The work establishes a relationship between the resilient behavior of a supply chain and bullwhip effect.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 49 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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