S. Wadhwa, K.S. Bhoon and F.T.S. Chan
To demonstrate how postponement strategy can be applied in an automotive company by using business process redesign in the knowledge innovation context.
Abstract
Purpose
To demonstrate how postponement strategy can be applied in an automotive company by using business process redesign in the knowledge innovation context.
Design/methodology/approach
A demonstrative case was developed using simulation of alternative scenarios of cycle service levels (CSL) and product flexibility, etc. to determine the value of postponement (VOP) in a manufacturing process integrated with a supply process.
Findings
It was shown that by managing the knowledge on existing processes and developing an innovative mindset for managers, it is possible to derive significant benefits by redesigning the processes. The financial benefits in terms of the VOP showed significant savings even at high service levels desired in automotive supply chains. The need to identify judicious level of flexibility to benefit from postponement strategy was observed to be important.
Research limitation/implications
A pragmatic data set reflecting the operating conditions was used to show the potential benefits. There is a need to generalize the results with alternative data sets. Additional research will be expedient to enrich some of the useful possibilities identified in this industry research effort.
Practical implications
Postponement strategies can offer significant benefits if the knowledge of existing supply chain and manufacturing processes is used to innovate new integrated process redesigns. These benefits may be usefully measured by the industrial managers as the VOP. The VOP is dependent on CSLs as well as the flexibility requirements due to the multiple automotive models.
Originality/value
In the knowledge and innovation context this is a useful industrial research effort in the organization to redesign the external (supply chain) processes with proper collaboration and redesign of the internal (manufacturing) processes leading to significant potential benefits as shown by the VOP under various scenarios.
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Antonio K.W. Lau, Richard C.M. Yam and Esther P.Y. Tang
This paper aims to examine how an organization can achieve higher performance through integrating supply chain product co‐development (SCPC) and modular product design.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how an organization can achieve higher performance through integrating supply chain product co‐development (SCPC) and modular product design.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a comprehensive review of literature on product development, supply chain management and system theory, the four proposed hypotheses concerning the relationships among SCPC, product modularity (PM), manufacturing capabilities and product performance (PP) were tested empirically through a sample of 251 Hong Kong manufacturers.
Findings
SCPC is found to have a direct and positive relationship with PM and PP. PM improves flexibility and customer service and in turn PP.
Research limitations/implications
Given the cross‐sectional nature of the study and the focus on manufacturing industry, future research should replicate this study in different industries with more longitudinal studies.
Practical implications
The study provides solid evidence that managers should involve their suppliers, internal functional units and customers early in their design stages, especially in the decisions relating to PM. The study has also demonstrated that product co‐development affects PP in both direct and indirect ways.
Originality/value
The present study empirically verifies the relationships between supply chain integration and modular product design by means of SCPC and PM. Similar empirical research is absent from the literature on relevant disciplines.
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Veera Pandiyan Kaliani Sundram, VGR Chandran and Muhammad Awais Bhatti
The purpose of this paper is to employ a newly developed framework to examine the complex relationship between different components of supply chain practices, supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to employ a newly developed framework to examine the complex relationship between different components of supply chain practices, supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) in the Malaysian electronics sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilizes survey data of 156 electronics firms in Malaysia and tested the research framework and hypotheses. In addition to the traditional approach of Barron and Kenny (1986), the Sobel test as well as a bootstrapping approach, which is deemed for small sample size, is used to formally test the indirect effects of SCI in the model.
Findings
SCI has fully and partially mediated the relationship between supply chain management practices (SCMPs) and SCP. SCI fully mediates the relationship between SCP and three of the SCMPs, namely, information quality, agreed vision and goals and postponement strategies. The relationship of supply strategic partnership, customer relation management, information sharing with SCP were partially mediated by SCI. Risk and reward sharing is found to be non-significant. These insights allow managers to effectively utilize the different components of SCMPs for SCI and performance.
Practical implications
For supply chain practitioners, the results of the study can be useful in integrating SCMPs and SCI on improving SCP. Practitioners should take into account the mediating effect of SCI in designing their supply chain management approach to production.
Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, this paper is one of the first to address the mediating effect of SCI between SCMPs and overall performance of the supply chain.
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Karine Araujo Ferreira and Rosane Lúcia Chicarelli Alcantara
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of postponement strategies in companies that produce tomato-derived products in order to identify the types of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of postponement strategies in companies that produce tomato-derived products in order to identify the types of postponement adopted by these companies, the implementation process, and the major changes after their adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
Three exploratory case studies were carried out in manufacturers of tomato products, where interviews were conducted with general managers in the manufacturing and logistics sectors.
Findings
The application of time and form postponement was verified in the companies studied, and the implementation of the postponement strategy led to changes in the productive process of tomato-derived products. These changes involved the movement of the decoupling point and the increase in the make-to-order production, which had positive impacts on the businesses.
Research limitations/implications
This paper analyzed the application of postponement in a specific sector of the food industry. Future research must analyze the application of this strategy in other segments of the food industry and other sectors as well.
Practical implications
The information acquired in this can contribute to a more adequate application of postponement in a little-known industry sector.
Originality/value
In addition to further discussion on the issue and verification of postponement application in food companies, this research presents information to assist the adoption, use, and consolidation of the postponement strategy.
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Manoj Kumar Paras, Lichuan Wang, Rudrajeet Pal and Daniel Ekwall
This study proposes a garment modularization model based on an interactive genetic algorithm. The suggested model consists of extraction and identification of parts and the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study proposes a garment modularization model based on an interactive genetic algorithm. The suggested model consists of extraction and identification of parts and the determination and implementation of connections. Rules and corresponding mathematical equations have been formulated for the part's extractions from the discarded products and connections for the redesigned products.
Design/methodology/approach
Sustainability entices scholars and practitioners while referring to reducing waste to control environmental degradation. One of the ways to safeguard natural resources is to increase the reuse of old or discarded products. The current study focuses on the redesign process to improve the reuse of products.
Findings
The intelligent system proposed based on the modularization techniques is expected to simplify and quantify the redesign process. The model can further help in the minimization of wastage and environmental degradation.
Originality/value
Presently, manual decisions are taken by the designers based on their memory, experience and intuition to extract and join the parts.
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Eugenia Y. Huang and Shu‐Chiung Lin
This paper seeks to identify the variables that affect the innovation performance of R&D teams, and to investigate the interactions between these variables.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to identify the variables that affect the innovation performance of R&D teams, and to investigate the interactions between these variables.
Design/methodology/approach
A research framework is first established through a literature review, and is then adjusted according to case studies of five high‐tech companies in Taiwan. The adjusted model is then tested through a survey of high‐tech companies in Taiwan.
Findings
It is concluded that the style of the upper management team and the leadership of the R&D manager are the main forces that determine R&D management practice, but that the educational background, work experience, and expertise of R&D managers do not distinguish the level of discipline or the sophistication of R&D management practice. Some aspects of R&D management practice, for example, the generation and utilization of technical reports and the cultivation of professional knowledge, can be reinforced by office support and alliance. With adequate resource support, more sophisticated R&D management practice does lead to better innovation performance as measured by the number of new products, patents, and technical reports.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are derived only from the high‐tech industry in Taiwan. This regional limitation is inevitable in a single study. In the future, more regions can be investigated and compared.
Practical implications
R&D management practice links closely to innovation performance. Disciplined and sophisticated practice improves innovation performance in many ways under different contingencies.
Originality/value
R&D management practice was never a focus of study. This paper approaches the topic of innovation performance from this perspective and confirms its importance in many ways.
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Karine Araujo Ferreira, Mylena Letícia Toledo and Lásara Fabrícia Rodrigues
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of the postponement strategy by wineries in the state of Minas Gerais (Southeastern Brazil), in order to identify the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of the postponement strategy by wineries in the state of Minas Gerais (Southeastern Brazil), in order to identify the types of postponement adopted by these companies, the implementation process and the results obtained after their adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
Twelve exploratory case studies were conducted in wine-producing companies, as well as on-site visits and semi-structured interviews with the managers of the companies surveyed.
Findings
The adoption of form postponement was verified in the companies studied mainly for table wine production, occurring most commonly during the bottling and labeling stages.
Research limitations/implications
This paper analyzed the application of the postponement strategy in Southeast Brazil. Future research should analyze the application of this strategy in other regions of the country and abroad.
Practical implications
The information acquired in this research can contribute to a more adequate practical application of the postponement strategy in a little-known industry sector.
Originality/value
In addition to discussing and verifying the application of the postponement strategy in the wine industry, this research presents information to assist in its implementation, use and consolidation.
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Christopher A. Boone, Christopher W. Craighead and Joe B. Hanna
The purpose of this paper is to assess and document the progress of postponement research, identify current gaps, and provide direction for future research efforts.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess and document the progress of postponement research, identify current gaps, and provide direction for future research efforts.
Design/methodology/approach
Postponement literature published from 1999 to 2006 was reviewed.
Findings
The review revealed a significant increase in the number of postponement research efforts, many of which at least partially addressed past challenges noted in previous research. Several opportunities to continue addressing these past challenges were identified. Future researchers are challenged to validate new postponement concepts and extend postponement research beyond its manufacturing context. Other challenges call for the continued assessment of the relationship between postponement and uncertainty and the investigation into the slow rate of postponement adoption among practitioners.
Research limitations/implications
This effort is not an exhaustive review of all postponement research. This review does not consider unpublished papers, papers in non‐academic journals, or papers presented at conferences.
Practical implications
This review is a useful resource for supply chain researchers interested in supply chain strategies and the evolution of postponement as a supply chain concept.
Originality/value
This paper uses the challenges of past research as a measure of the progress of postponement thought and theory. The gaps identified and challenges made will serve as a foundation upon which future researchers can build.
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This paper proposes a value configuration approach for managing information technology in enterprises.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper proposes a value configuration approach for managing information technology in enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual research paper is concerned with industrial management and data systems from the perspective of value configurations. The value configuration approach consists of value shop, vale chain and value network.
Findings
The contingent approach to information technology management can be applied to value configurations.
Originality/value
Traditionally, data systems in industrial management have been supporting value chains. Recently, alternative value configurations have emerged. Specifically, the value shop and the value network are alternative value configurations. This paper makes an important contribution to insights into information systems depending on value configurations. The final section of this paper suggests that industrial management might expand from value chain management to value shop management, as firms become electronic businesses.
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Andrew Lyons, Adrian Coronado and Zenon Michaelides
To investigate the opportunities provided by proximate supply to support build‐to‐order (BTO) capability and to provide empirical analysis to identify the extent to which supplier…
Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the opportunities provided by proximate supply to support build‐to‐order (BTO) capability and to provide empirical analysis to identify the extent to which supplier parks as a means of facilitating proximate supply can improve supply chain performance and enhance BTO capability in the automotive sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A case‐based approach was employed to analyse the relationship between proximate supply and BTO.
Findings
The key results of the research demonstrate how proximate supply in the automotive sector achieved through the presence of supplier parks situated adjacent or close to vehicle assembly plants, has provided the means for moving the customer‐order decoupling point upstream and, therefore, increase the percentage of a vehicle that is BTO. BTO is generally regarded as a qualitative concept yet the results are demonstrated by adopting measures that act as a proxy for building to a unique order. In addition, first‐rate performance is seen to be achieved in inventory levels and lead time with the proximate supply arrangement.
Research limitations/implications
The research presented in this paper considers day‐to‐day, transactional supply chain performance. No attempt is made in this work to cost the implications of setting up a supplier park or to evaluate such arrangements on a life‐cycle basis.
Practical implications
The results have practical implications for the future of supply chain design and location strategies in the automotive and other industries.
Originality/value
To date, the relationship between proximate supply and BTO capability has not been documented.