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1 – 10 of over 75000The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the relative effects of supply chain integration, supply chain information sharing and supply chain design on supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the relative effects of supply chain integration, supply chain information sharing and supply chain design on supply chain performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collected from 125 manufacturing firms in Turkey are used for analyzing the relationships between the study variables. Regression analyses are used to find the relative impacts of predictor variables (design, integration and information sharing) on flexibility, resource and output performances of a supply chain.
Findings
According to the results of regression analyses, the only significant effects on resource and output performances belong to supply chain design. Integration and information sharing are correlated with performance measures, but their relative effect sizes are lower than supply chain design.
Originality/value
The construct of supply chain design developed in this study reveals a significant impact on resource and output performances of a supply chain. Therefore, this study can be viewed as an attempt to increase the level of awareness on supply chain design issues.
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A.K.W. Lau and R.C.M. Yam
Modular product design is a practice manufacturers frequently adopt to develop new products. Some literature has reported the importance of the modular product design and its…
Abstract
Purpose
Modular product design is a practice manufacturers frequently adopt to develop new products. Some literature has reported the importance of the modular product design and its effect on supply chain management. However, until now, very few empirical researches have examined the relationship of product modularisation and supply chain design and coordination. Furthermore, the exploration on how manufacturers capitalize upon product modularization with supply chain design and coordination is rarely reported. This paper addresses this gap.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper conducted a case study to review the experience of an Audio Consumer Electronics Manufacturer (ACEM) in Hong Kong and China. This company has successfully integrated modular product design with supply chain design and coordination for more than five years.
Findings
Results indicate that product modularization affects supply chain design, whereas product innovation influences on supply chain coordination.
Originality/value
This study explores new relationships between supply chain and modular product design into three propositions for further studies. The first proposition shows that supply chain for modular product design has one more level than integrated product design in multiple‐tier supply chain. The second proposition shows that, regardless of either a modular or integrated product, an innovative product requires closer supply chain coordination than a conventional product in new product development. The final proposition shows that product modularization with close supply chain design and coordination brings down the inventory level, improve the quality of conformance and reduce development lead time.
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Antonio K.W. Lau, Richard C.M. Yam, Esther P.Y. Tang and H.Y. Sun
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between product modularity (PM) and supply chain integration (SCI), and to identify factors influencing this relationship.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between product modularity (PM) and supply chain integration (SCI), and to identify factors influencing this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach involving in‐depth interviews on three modular and two non‐modular design projects in the Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta region was conducted. Within and cross‐case analyses were adopted.
Findings
Results support the current view that modular design is related to a loosely coordinated supply chain, whereas integrated design is associated with a tightly coordinated supply chain. However, this relationship is affected and explained by four contingency factors: new module/component development, technological knowledge leakage and creation, project team size and supply chain efficiency.
Research limitations/implications
The paper used a case study approach so the generalizability of the study is limited. This approach, however, enabled us to examine explicitly the relationship between PM and SCI, where empirical research was lacking. The rich content of each case suggested how and why modular design affects supply chain management.
Originality/value
The findings of this paper increase the understanding of the dynamics of modular product design and supply chain management. The paper also explores four contingency factors affecting the relationship.
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Supply chain risk management can effectively reduce the loss of retailers. In this regard, retailers need to consider the competition risks of competitors in addition to the…
Abstract
Purpose
Supply chain risk management can effectively reduce the loss of retailers. In this regard, retailers need to consider the competition risks of competitors in addition to the disruption risks. This paper designs a resilient retail supply chain network for perishable foods under the dynamic competition to maximize retailer's profits.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-stage mixed-integer non-linear model is presented for designing the supply chain network. In the first stage, an equilibrium model that considers the characteristics of perishable foods is developed. In the second stage, a mixed integer non-linear programming model is presented to deal with the strategic decisions. Finally, an efficient memetic algorithm is designed to deal with large-scale problems.
Findings
The optimal the selection of suppliers, distribution centers and the order allocation are found among the supply chain entities. Considering the perishability of agri-food products, the equilibrium retail price and selling quantity are determined. Through a numerical example, the optimal inventory period under different maximum shelf life and the impact of three resilient strategies on retailer's profit, selling price and selling quantity are analyzed.
Research limitations/implications
As for future research, the research can be extended in a number of directions. First, this paper studies the retail supply chain network design problem under competition among retailers. It can be an interesting direction to consider retailers competing with suppliers. Second, the authors can try to linearize the non-linear model and solve the large-scale integer programming problem by exact algorithm. Finally, the freshness of perishable foods gradually declines linearly to zero as the maximum shelf life approaches, and it would be a meaningful attempt to consider the freshness of perishable foods declines exponentially.
Originality/value
This paper innovatively designs the resilient supply chain network for perishable foods under dynamic competition. The retailer's dynamic competition and resilient strategies are considered simultaneously when designing supply chain network for perishable foods. In addition, this paper gives insights into how to obtain the optimal inventory period and compare the retailer's resilient strategies.
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Mohamed M. Naim and Jonathan Gosling
The systems approach is an exemplar of design science research (DSR), whereby specific designs yield generic knowledge. DSR is increasingly being adopted in logistics and…
Abstract
Purpose
The systems approach is an exemplar of design science research (DSR), whereby specific designs yield generic knowledge. DSR is increasingly being adopted in logistics and operations management research, but many point to neglect of the human aspects of solutions developed. The authors argue that it is possible to look back at the history of the systems movement to seek precedent for ‘dealing’ with the social components, providing a methodologically pluralistic ‘research design’ framework. Thereby, systems approaches are foundational to providing a design-based ‘science’ to progressing the logistics and supply chain management field, dealing with contemporary topics such as resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors undertake a discursive assessment of relevant streams of engineering, social science and systems research, with a conceptual development of how the latter influences supply chain design approaches.
Findings
Building on a phenomenological framework, the authors create a generic design science research design (DSRD) that enables researchers to choose and integrate the right tools and methods to address simple, complicated and complex problems, dealing with technological, process and social problems.
Research limitations/implications
The DSRD provides a framework by which to exploit a range of methodological stances to problem solving, including quantitative modelling perspectives and ‘soft’ systems social science approaches. Four substantive gaps are identified for future research – establishing the root cause domain of the problem, how to deal with the hierarchy of systems within systems, establishing appropriate criteria for the solution design and how best to deal with chaotic and disordered systems.
Originality/value
The authors argue that the systems approaches offer methodological pluralism by which a generic DSRD may be applied to enhance supply chain design. The authors show the relevance of the DSRD to supply chain design problems including in reducing supply chain dynamics and enhance resilience. In doing so, the study points towards an integrated perspective and future research agenda for designing resilient supply chains.
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New product design is an established field in the literature. It is either analysed inside the firm; or when using a value chain perspective it is limited to the interactions…
Abstract
Purpose
New product design is an established field in the literature. It is either analysed inside the firm; or when using a value chain perspective it is limited to the interactions between manufacturers and suppliers (in producer‐driven commodity chains). The current research adopts a downstream perspective, analysing the relationships between manufacturers and retailers in relation to the new product design process. Seeks to conduct research in the clothing industry; that has the specificity of being a buyer‐driven commodity chain where fashion makes design a key dimension for the success of a product.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was empirical in nature, involving 50 semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews in France, the USA and the UK at all points along the clothing value chain.
Findings
In the clothing industry, the strategy of integrating design and retail has resulted in a more flexible design process and therefore, in an increased product performance. This strategy has been developed by both retailers and designers. The strategy of integrating design and retail has resulted in a change of boundaries in the clothing value chain.
Research limitations/implications
Results are currently limited to the clothing sectors, and they are yet to be generalised to other buyer‐driven commodity chains.
Practical implications
Managers in clothing retail firms or in clothing design firms, wanting to increase product performance, should implement the strategy of integrating design and retail.
Originality/value
The paper opens a new field of research, namely: the focus on new product design with a value chain perspective that concentrates on downstream in the chain.
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Omera Khan and Alessandro Creazza
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interface between product design and the supply chain and to develop a roadmap to the design centric business through better…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interface between product design and the supply chain and to develop a roadmap to the design centric business through better management of this interface.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach is adopted. This enabled the development of a roadmap to inform businesses on how to develop a design centric business integrated with the extended supply chain.
Findings
The research shows that successful companies will be those which seek to extend and develop the contribution of design into all aspects of their business. The roadmap to a design centric business enables firms to better position product design within their business processes and helps facilitate better integration between product design and the supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
The findings from this research have been derived from a scoping study of a relatively small sample. However, the findings are grounded by a structured literature review and are generalisable to other industry sectors.
Originality/value
Design for the supply chain is an under‐explored area. The conceptual framework highlights the importance of the product design‐supply chain management interface and offers a roadmap for companies to develop a more design centric business.
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H. Sharifi, H.S. Ismail and I. Reid
The two main constituting elements of the supply chains are “product” and “supply chain operations”, which are highly inter‐related across more than one dimension. Many of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The two main constituting elements of the supply chains are “product” and “supply chain operations”, which are highly inter‐related across more than one dimension. Many of the drawbacks in the success and sustainability of supply chains often relate to the segregation of these dimensions. This paper seeks to examine the ideas and to propose an integrated approach to facilitate the dynamic and simultaneous design and development of products and supply chains, thus contributing to the notion of agile supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Two critical areas of product design and development, and supply chain design and management have been studied, leading to the conceptual development of practical models for approaching the subject. The proposed framework then is examined in a field case study in which a number of issues raised in this paper are validated through observing these supply chains.
Findings
A detailed view of the model of simultaneous approach to “design of” and “design for” supply chain is developed and proposed.
Practical implications
The proposition made by this research work can lead to reconsideration of existing practices in design of products as well as management of supply chain where the decisions at each dimension could be impacted by the circumstances in the other and continued in a dynamic way.
Originality/value
It is expected that the research results will contribute to existing practices and approaches in product development as well as in supply chain development and management.
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Jari Collin, Eero Eloranta and Jan Holmström
This paper aims to present an approach that two leading supply chain companies have used to identify and design alternative supply chain solutions according to their customers'…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an approach that two leading supply chain companies have used to identify and design alternative supply chain solutions according to their customers' demand chains.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes industry best practice.
Findings
The supplier of telecommunications equipment found that by deploying three different supply chains that corresponded to three types of customers' demand chains it could simultaneously improve customer satisfaction and effectiveness. The supplier of fasteners found it could serve its different industrial customers with essentially two supply chain designs.
Research limitations/implications
This is a practical best practice description and does not aim to contribute to academic research. However, there are no academic contributions on procedures for supply chain re‐design according to customer demand chains. Thus, the best practice described in the paper implies a need for research on this type of supply chain customization.
Practical implications
Customer requirements and collaboration capabilities can be systematically taken into consideration in supply chain designs.
Originality/value
The paper presents a practical approach for taking both product characteristics and customer differences into account in supply chain re‐design.
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Omera Khan, Martin Christopher and Alessandro Creazza
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the alignment between product design and the supply chain and to identify how this alignment impacts on a firm's supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the alignment between product design and the supply chain and to identify how this alignment impacts on a firm's supply chain responsiveness and resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
An in‐depth case study methodology was adopted to uncover the strategies undertaken by one of the UK's fastest growing fashion retailers to create a competitive advantage through its management of the product design/supply chain alignment.
Findings
The findings of this case illustrate that not only is the alignment of product design with the supply chain important in improving competitive advantage for the focal company, but it also has a significant impact in improving supply chain resilience and supply chain responsiveness. This case illustrates how fundamental shifts in the organisation, particularly in integrating product design and supply chain have enabled the repositioning of the company from a low priced fashion store to becoming a leading global fast fashion retailer.
Practical Implications
The paper provides guidance for companies seeking to improve supply chain costs and performance by a higher alignment of product design and the supply chain.
Originality/value
This case study highlights the importance of the product design/supply chain alignment and highlights the benefits of adopting a “design centric” approach. The findings from this paper also contribute to the growing debate on supply chain risk management.
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