Suchergebnisse

Modern day market places are highly varied and cannot be serviced effectively by a single supply chain paradigm. Consequently products and services must be provided to the end consumer via tailored supply chain strategies. This article categorises consumer products and details the specific supply chain management tools and techniques required to service each. A comparison of lean and agile strategies is provided along with a detailed explanation of the integration of the two within a Leagile supply chain. The application of such a strategy for electronic products is provided via a four stage case study. A route map for engineering supply chains to match customer requirements is developed in order to avoid costly and ineffective mismatches of supply chain strategy to product characteristics.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the appropriateness of using the 12 previously published material flow simplicity rules (SRs) to shape the successful design and implementation of improvements in a casting company product delivery process (PDP).Design/methodology/approachThe business process improvement (BPI) project described in this case study was actively supported by the UK knowledge transfer partnership initiative. Hence, the outcome in terms of gain in the key performance indicators has been subjected to close and independent scrutiny. The dynamics of process change observed (and displayed on the factory floor) can thereby be exploited as signatures showing actual rates of improvement. It is then straightforward to highlight the qualitative impact of SR relevance to the likely outcomes.FindingsThe 12 SRs were originally posited based on published research (particularly by Jay Forrester and Jack Burbidge) and many others. This case study independently tests their detailed application in one specific environment.Research limitations/implicationsNone emerged during this case study. Other investigations may subsequently lead to prioritisation of the rules.Practical implicationsOn this evidence the 12 material flow SRs are directly relevant and highly effective in the planning and execution of industrial PDP improvement programmes. They provide structure and build confidence during execution of this important task.Originality/valueThe paper has originality and values primarily due to new proven application of a recent published technique for BPI auditing.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the uptake of supply chain integration (SCI) principles internationally and the resultant integration maturity.Design/methodology/approachA rigorous supply chain diagnostics methodology called the Quick Scan is used to assess the integration maturity of 72 value streams located in New Zealand, Thailand and the UK.FindingsThe majority of the organisations studied are struggling to turn the SCI concept into reality. Supply chains on average are poorly integrated. However, there exist a handful of exemplar cases that provide guidance; levels of integration maturity appear not to differ internationally.Research limitations/implicationsOnly three nations are compared, hence the sample is not fully representative of all countries and industries. There is a significant gap between supply chain rhetoric and practice; clear guidance on how to enable effective integration is required. National settings do not appear to affect the extent of application of supply chain management concepts.Practical implicationsSCI is a very difficult undertaking. Indifferent practice is the norm. If organisations can attain even the middle ground of internal integration they will outperform many of their competitors.Originality/valueThe paper presents an international benchmark of SCI maturity involving three triangulated measures of supply chain performance.