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1 – 10 of 96Mid-stream operation has had a significant role in Hong Kong’s economic development since the 1960s. Prior to the building of container terminals in Hong Kong, cargo was mainly…
Abstract
Purpose
Mid-stream operation has had a significant role in Hong Kong’s economic development since the 1960s. Prior to the building of container terminals in Hong Kong, cargo was mainly loaded onto and discharged from ocean-going vessels by mid-stream operations and then shipped to Europe and North America. This paper aims to reinforce mid-stream operation is considered a “must” in supporting the substantial growth of maritime industry and strengthening Hong Kong’s role as an entrepôt.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors undertake a historical review of the evolution of Hong Kong’s mid-stream operation over the past half-century and investigate the future of mid-stream operation in light of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s policy of allocating Public Cargo Working Areas through an open auction process. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews are also undertaken in this study.
Findings
The emergence of container terminals generated competition for cargo between container terminals and mid-stream operators. In addition, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s policy of allocating Public Cargo Working Areas to mid-stream operators through an open auction process intensified negative influences on the survival of the mid-stream operation sector.
Originality/value
To date, mid-stream operation has been abandoned nearly everywhere except in Hong Kong. Yet, Hong Kong’s container system has become the most advanced in the world. The authors explain how and why mid-stream operation still plays such a key role in Hong Kong and how to enhance its sustainability. The authors also discuss the academic and managerial implications of their findings.
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Peter Samuelsson, Per Storm and Thomas Lager
A robust description of the material transformation system is fundamental for understanding its capabilities and thus for communicating, prioritising and changing the system…
Abstract
Purpose
A robust description of the material transformation system is fundamental for understanding its capabilities and thus for communicating, prioritising and changing the system. Deploying a previously developed configuration model the purpose of this paper is to test the industrial usability of the model as an instrument to gain a better understanding of the material transformation system through externalising the generic production capabilities of the system.
Design/methodology/approach
In a multiple case study approach and using a prior conceptual configuration model of the material transformation system in the process industries as a research instrument, company-generic production capabilities were investigated in three companies representing the mineral, food and steel industries.
Findings
The empirical results supported the utility of the model as an instrument in providing a coherent set of elements that define operations and thus serve as a platform to model company-generic production capabilities and serve as input to strategizing though implicating needed change to the material transformation system. The theoretical contribution was mainly the empirical validation of the previously developed conceptual model as a tool in knowledge formation of the capabilities of the system and to outline the concept of “production capabilities configuration”.
Research limitations/implications
Three sectors of the process industries were studied but it is recommended that the results should be replicated in complementary case studies or a survey of larger samples from the process industries. Those studies should not only be limited to increase the empirical knowledge base, but possibly to identify additional new variables, further refine the set of variables in the present model and investigate their relationships.
Practical implications
It is argued that the model can already be used as a tool to support both horizontal and vertical communication on production capabilities, thus facilitating, e.g. manufacturing strategy development.
Originality/value
The validated conceptual model supported by the empirical evidence is new knowledge to be used in the analysis of company-generic production capabilities in the process industries.
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Fathima Nishara Abdeen, Yasangika Gayani Sandanayake and Thanuja Ramachandra
The performance of the facilities management supply chain (FMSC) in the hotel sector is challenged by the diverse nature of parties involved, their relationships and the flows of…
Abstract
Purpose
The performance of the facilities management supply chain (FMSC) in the hotel sector is challenged by the diverse nature of parties involved, their relationships and the flows of services and products. Although performance measurement systems have been endorsed by researchers worldwide as a mechanism to evaluate and improve performance, there seems lack of mechanisms to evaluate the FMSC performance in hotels. Hence, this paper aims to develop a framework that would enable to evaluate FMSC performance in hotels.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study strategy was used, where 3 five-star hotels in Sri Lanka were studied for the purpose. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 21 professionals involved in FMSC and through document reviews. A content analysis was performed and the framework was developed. This was validated with 3 subject matter experts in the field.
Findings
The study findings revealed that the FMSC process is different from manufacturing and service supply chain (SC) processes as it comprises both product and service elements and incorporates internal, as well as external customers. The developed FMSC process comprises seven sub-processes as follows: delivery of products, delivery of services, sourcing, make/fulfil, delivery of FM services and products, receipt of FM services and receipt of products by customers. Based on the derived FMSC process and the key activities, 38 key performance indicators were developed and used in the framework to evaluate the performance of FMSC.
Originality/value
The developed performance evaluation framework is expected to facilitate performance measurement of the SC and enhance its performance. Further, it would enhance cooperation among FMSC partners and assist in achieving FMSC excellence.
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Yvon Dufour, Peter Steane and Lawrence Wong
The purpose of this paper is to look into the fate of a troubled initiative in Hong Kong that was developed in the midst of discussions between Beijing and London leading towards…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to look into the fate of a troubled initiative in Hong Kong that was developed in the midst of discussions between Beijing and London leading towards the 1997 handover. It sets out to shred new light on the “forecasting gap”: the gap between the anticipated level of traffic and the real volume of traffic in the years following the opening of a new infrastructure.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses primarily qualitative methods. The data collection process comprises three main activities: documentary search, observational and ethnographic material, and interviews. The general strategy of data presentation and analysis is to develop a descriptive framework for organizing the longitudinal case‐study.
Findings
The paper puts forward that there is little basis to the claim of Machiavellian practices in the Hong Kong container handling community. The analysis suggests that the gaps are residual of prolonged decision‐making processes featuring a diversity of stakeholders strategizing in pursuing their respective agenda.
Originality/value
Contextualist analysis of the “traffic forecasting gap” challenges the popular and widespread view that traffic forecasts are intentionally biased to serve the interests of the promoters.
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Yvon Dufour, Peter Steane and Lawrence Wong
The purpose of this paper is to look into the fate of a troubled initiative in one of Hong Kong's economic engines – the container handling industry – that was developed in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to look into the fate of a troubled initiative in one of Hong Kong's economic engines – the container handling industry – that was developed in the midst of the discussions between Beijing and London leading towards the historical 1997 handover.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a qualitative in‐depth analysis of a longitudinal case study, the impact of the historical context is shown.
Findings
The data suggest that the forecasting gaps are residual of prolonged decision‐making processes featuring a diversity of stakeholders pursuing their respective agendas and making the best of the opportunities presented by powerful contextual events such as the historical 1997 restoration.
Research limitations/implications
A few aspects of the forecasting process make a difference in the likelihood that the traffic forecasts will prove more accurate: improving the interconnectedness of the forecasting tasks; eliminating the problem of assumption drag; and developing knowledge in sociopolitical forecasting.
Originality/value
The value of this longitudinal case study lies in showing that major transport infrastructure forecasts are neither a deceptive nor meaningless series of projections to cool down potential opposition, as argued by the proponents of the political approach. Building a major transport infrastructure takes place through a nest of multifarious and unpredictable processes, intertwined with patterns of other strategic decisions and actions undertaken either by the public or by the private organizations involved, and influenced by major contingencies and historical contextual events over time.
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Lihua Chen, Yi Lu and Rui Zhao
The purpose of this paper is make a significant contribution to the supply chain knowledge system through research on modern supply chain system in China, providing guidance for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is make a significant contribution to the supply chain knowledge system through research on modern supply chain system in China, providing guidance for theoretical research such as methodology of dynamic resource allocation and application of innovative small- and middle-sized service system in the supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses structural analysis of Chinese competitive advantage, and it applies comparative analysis of supply chain models in China, the USA and Japan through the factor disintegration of trading environment.
Findings
China’s supply chain model has virtual scale and virtual capabilities. The relationship with suppliers is more dynamic. The requirements for resolving uncertainty are higher. Business transfer is more frequent.
Research limitations/implications
Researchers are encouraged to propose the specific supply chain models in China further with the game theory, auction theory, etc.
Practical implications
It provides advice for government policy making and gives Chinese enterprises guidance to improve operation management.
Originality/value
This paper specifically analyzes characteristics of China supply chain and gives enlightenment for supply chain innovation.
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Kenneth K. Boyer, G. Tomas Hult and Mark Frohlich
This article examines ordering and delivery data from several home delivery grocers in both the USA and the UK. Contrary to popular perceptions, the demise of home delivery…
Abstract
This article examines ordering and delivery data from several home delivery grocers in both the USA and the UK. Contrary to popular perceptions, the demise of home delivery grocers (or Internet grocers as they were known during the artificial boom period of 1997‐2000) was exaggerated. In fact, sales for grocery home delivery are currently at least 50 per cent higher than their “peak” in 2000. This article examines the operational challenges involved in offering this value‐added service to consumers and posits the argument that prior efforts (notably Webvan) failed in large part due to poor operational execution and poorly planned business models. Closes with some insights regarding the problems which must be addressed if this extended grocery channel is to become successful in the long run.
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David P. Allen and Robert Nafius
During one of the largest process reengineering projects ever undertaken, GTE Telephone Operations management was stunned to learn that administrative bureaucracy was reducing…
Abstract
During one of the largest process reengineering projects ever undertaken, GTE Telephone Operations management was stunned to learn that administrative bureaucracy was reducing productivity by as much as 50 percent. After thoroughly examining its own processes, the GTE effort benchmarked 80 companies in a wide variety of industries. Teams then created concepts for new processes. Finally, the company is integrating everything it has learned into a customer “value‐added path.”
The J‐6000 on‐line retrievable assembly was launched in Canada in May 1985, for both high and low pressure applications, and is a patented Caproco design. It was exhibited for the…
Abstract
The J‐6000 on‐line retrievable assembly was launched in Canada in May 1985, for both high and low pressure applications, and is a patented Caproco design. It was exhibited for the first time in Europe at the Offshore Europe 1985 Oil Show in Aberdeen.