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It has been proposed that the just‐in‐time (JIT) philosophy can be effectively integrated systemwide to yield increased efficiencies and excellence throughout an organization. Greater understanding is needed as to what this entails. The researchers empirically test and attempt to validate a previously developed basic functional model of JIT comprising three components – respect for people in the system, the execution system and planning process prerequisites – needed to support JIT′s goal of elimination of waste through a process of continual improvement. Regression model results support the hypothesized relationships between the model components and the JIT waste‐elimination goal.

The management of a warehouse facility has often been viewed as a problem in facility layout, inventory management, or logistics. Seldom has the management of a warehouse been viewed as a process of succeeding operations that can be analyzed as a unique operating production system. Yet, warehouses are process oriented and can show significant improvements in productivity by applying methods usually used in production environments. One such method if called V‐A‐T analysis. This method examines the process, determines the logical structure of the process and defines critical control points for management to use to improve the overall process performance. This article describes the V‐A‐T analysis and applies the method to three different types of warehouse facilities.

Successful manufacturing applications of the Just‐in‐time (JIT) management philosophy have been well documented in the literature. Utilisation of JIT techniques within manufacturing offers the potential for significant operational improvements beyond inventory reduction. JIT‐related improvements include increases in quality, improved employee productivity, decreases in stockouts, and reductions in customer response time. Relatively little research has focused on the transferability of JIT concepts to other functional areas. The article explores the application of JIT concepts to a specific logistics function – transportation. Although review of the literature suggests that JIT systems significantly impact on the transportation function, no methodology was identified for incorporating the just‐in‐time philosophy within a transportation firm in a totally integrated manner. Therefore, two models are proposed illustrating the authors′ conceptualisation of the phased development and implementation of JIT.

The positive impact of just‐in‐time (JIT) programmes on production performance is well documented. JIT programmes consist of a number of different elements including change‐over reduction, kanban methods, and preventive maintenance programmes. Some researchers have proposed lists of elements they believe are critical to JIT success. However, there is a lack of consensus among researchers as to which items should be included in the list of critical elements. Reports research, consisting of a survey of manufacturers known to be active in JIT exploration, and an in‐depth case study to improve the understanding of the critical components in JIT programmes. Results from the survey were compared with existing research to determine better the elements critical to JIT success.

As an operating philosophy, TQM has crossed departmental and disciplinary boundaries as a way to increase productivity and improve quality. Information Systems Managers, particularly those supporting legacy systems,face substantial challenges in an organization implementing TQM. A principle philosophy of TQM is that of continuous improvement resulting in a continuous stream of change requests for the IS department. IS managers must understand this as a source of the increase in change requests and seek ways to successfully manage them. In the short run, one method is active participation on the quality teams suggesting such changes. The long run, however, requires a proactive stance by the IS department that includes implementation of the TQM philosophy throughout its own ranks. Otherwise, the IS department will continue to be stressed by an avalanche of change requests and viewed as a roadblock to successful TQM implementation.

The article examines trends in the market power relationship between UK grocery manufacturers and retailers over the past 10‐15 years. It identifies the underlying causes of trends in this area, the implications for consumer welfare, and the legislative framework relating to these relations. Contributory factors to the changed market‐power relationship are relative manufacturer and retailer firm size and market share, individual manufacturing firm market dependence upon particular retailers, information technology, private label merchandise and product development activities, logistics arrangements and other vertical links between manufacturers and retailers. Aspects of welfare economics are examined as a basis for assessing consumer outcomes in this area, and past and present government legislation in the matter is considered, together with some reference to international comparisons. A case is made for some further strengthening of the relevant legislation in the UK.

A family business founded by Chinese immigrants grew into a $133 million toy and costume maker by exploiting seasonal niche segments in the highly competitive, global toy industry. Sales of traditional toys stagnated when replaced by game consoles and electronic toys. Unable to compete in high tech toys, MegaToys moved instead toward seasonal products. In 2007, brothers Peter and Charlie Woo were about to pitch what they hoped would be $63 million in Easter basket sales to Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart took the full order, it would come to represent over half of MegaToys' revenue.

The company was faced with the dilemma of how to grow, and at what pace. Charlie Woo knew that MegaToys could continue to grow as long as it was able to satisfy Wal-Mart's demands. Peter Woo wondered if this was the smartest way to grow the business. “Growth is a good thing as long as you don't sell your shirt to get it,” he noted. Should MegaToys continue to increase its sales to Wal-Mart, or would dependence on Wal-Mart eventually threaten the firm's success? Were there other, untapped opportunities for MegaToys that were well aligned with its strengths, resources, and capabilities?

The practice of law is under pressure from various sources. Economics is one such source. The number of licensed lawyers is growing rapidly at a time when other disciplines are threatening areas of practice that were once the sole province of lawyers. Another pressure on the profession comes from the courts which are in some instances attempting to reduce legal fees. Thus, a question arises as to whether law firms may be implementing TQM techniques developed by other disciplines and by the few law firms which are leading the way for change. To answer that question a survey of Iowa law firms was conducted. The survey was sent to 100 law firms in Iowa in an attempt to determine the extent to which these firms are adopting TQM in an effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The research in this exploratory study shows that Iowa lawyers are not embracing even simple means of increasing efficiency such as employing paraprofessionals and upgrading employees’ skills.

Reports that pressures to address citizens’ needs amid growing financial constraints have led government agencies to consider adopting total quality management (TQM) philosophy as a change agent in the public sector. Examines one state agency’s attempt to institutionalize TQM and explores the effectiveness of TQM implementation in the agency by assessing the perceptions of management and employees. Also, offers a conceptual model that identifies TQM elements essential for success in both implementation and post‐implementation phases in all federal, state, and local government agencies. Believes that by examining the TQM elements identified in the model (internal/external environment, learning, and teamwork), public administrators can anticipate opportunities, avoid barriers to change, and improve agency performance.

Just‐in‐time (JIT) systems have evolved from a few selected implementations in the automobile industry into a widespread business practice. Early understanding of JIT models indicated that JIT can reduce inventory in the production system through the elimination of wasteful activities. This understanding led some researchers to suggest that JIT warehousing or JIT logistics are contradictions in terms since JIT′s purpose is to eliminate warehousing by delivering components just as they are needed. However, more recent studies of JIT practices indicate that an opportunity exists to use JIT benefits. Discusses the benefits of outsourcing logistics functions to external suppliers in order to enhance JIT performance. Additionally, a survey of services provided by JIT logistics suppliers is presented as well as criteria for selecting the “best” logistics supplier.