An empirical study of the relationships among strategy, flexibility, and performance in the supply chain context

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamel Aissa Fantazy ◽  
Vinod Kumar ◽  
Uma Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Canadian Manufacturing ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the relationships among strategy, flexibility, and performance in the supply chain context.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey and personal interviews from a total of 175 small and medium‐sized Canadian manufacturing companies. The identified constructs have been utilized to test a theoretical model using the path analysis technique.FindingsFirst, the findings provide evidence of direct effects of strategy on flexibility and flexibility on performance. Second, innovative strategy firms must invest time and resources in developing new product and delivery flexibility; while customer‐oriented strategy firms are required to invest heavily in developing sourcing, product, and delivery flexibility and follower strategy firms need no investment in any specific type of flexibility. Third, results demonstrated that Canadian manufacturers must reconsider how they use information technology to enhance information systems flexibility and improve overall performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe measures of flexibility and strategy dimensions used to rate the supply chain organizations are a possible limitation of the research study.Practical implicationsManagers need to think seriously about which type of flexibility they implement and that they should not increase all dimensions of flexibility in their power; some dimensions of flexibility may not significantly contribute to the overall performance. Considering that small and medium‐sized enterprises have limited resources, it is important for managers to carefully assess their strategic needs before getting involved in any flexibility program; otherwise the result can be competitively negative.Originality/valueNo empirical study was found in the supply chain literature that specifically investigates the relationships among strategy, flexibility and performance in the supply chain context; the paper fills an important gap in the supply chain literature.

Supply chain strategy, flexibility, and performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Awais Ahmad Tipu ◽  
Kamel A. Fantazy
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
And Performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the supply chain strategy, flexibility, and performance relationships in the context of SMEs in Canada and Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey from a total of 170 small and medium-sized Pakistani manufacturing companies. The current study draws upon the earlier work of Fantazy et al. (2009) for comparative purpose and employs path analysis technique. Findings – The results partially confirm the findings of previous study on Canadian SMEs with regard to the relationships among strategy, flexibility, and performance in the context of supply chain. The survey results revealed that SMEs in Pakistan adopt followers strategy in order to achieve financial and non-financial performance. Whereas in the previous study, Canadian SMEs adopted innovative strategy and customer-oriented strategy in order to enhance their performance. Originality/value – The literature did not reveal any study which attempted to compare supply chain strategy, flexibility, and performance of SMEs in developed and developing countries. The current study fills this important gap in the literature.

Manufacturing capabilities and performance improvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 25-27
Keyword(s):  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Operating Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Capabilities ◽  
Market Requirements ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds his/her own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Aligning key competitive capabilities with market requirements offers organizations scope to improve productivity and overall performance. Any positive outcome can be further enhanced when appropriate focus is placed on capabilities that have the greatest relevance and potential impact within the firm’s specific operating environment. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

scholarly journals Improving retail supply flexibility using buyer-supplier relational capabilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Obayi ◽  
S.C. Koh ◽  
David Oglethorpe ◽  
Seyed M. Ebrahimi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Supply Chain Flexibility ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Relational Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of three important relational capabilities – absorptive capacity (AC), transactive memory systems (TMS), and organisational interoperability (OI); on the flexibility of buyer-supplier relationships and performance in retail supply chains. Drawing on the relational view of strategic management, the impact of relational capabilities on two forms of supply chain flexibility is examined – configuration flexibility (CF) for switching suppliers with minimal penalties, and planning and control flexibility (PCF) for altering supply schedules, quality, and delivery lead-time. Design/methodology/approach Strategic- and tactical-level managers from 211 retail stores in the UK were surveyed. The authors validated a measurement model with structural equation modelling and tested four hypotheses on the mediating role of relational capabilities on supply chain flexibility and retail performance, controlling for size, duration of relationship, and market segment. Findings Results showed that the three relational capabilities partially mediated the positive effect of CF and PCF on operational performance in big middle and niche retailers. Examining the interaction effect of the forms of flexibility on the relational capabilities and performance, the authors found positive interaction effects on TMS and OI but a non-significant effect on AC. Practical implications In addition to providing novel theoretical insights on supply chain flexibility, the findings have practical implications for supplier selection and buyer-supplier relationship management. Originality/value Overall, the study highlights the impacts of relational capabilities on adopted operational strategies such as flexibility, buyer-supplier relationships, and retail performance.

An integrated AHP and ISO14000, ISO26000 based approach for improving sustainability in supply chains

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Talib ◽  
Saheim K Josaiman ◽  
Mohd. Nishat Faisal
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy Process ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeTypically, adoption of sustainability in organizations are often done in an unstructured way without the consideration of other partners in the supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a coherent plan to improve sustainability in the supply chains utilizing ISO standards for environment and social responsibility.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on literature on ISO14000 and ISO26000 to derive a set of variables applicable to supply chains, which are then prioritized for real organizations utilizing analytic hierarchy process.FindingsThe findings highlight that not all the variables of environmental, social and economic responsibility are equally important. Besides, the work reported in this paper justifies the application of multi-criteria decision-making (AHP) to prioritize elements of sustainability in context supply chains. The suggested method is illustrated using inputs from large manufacturing companies in Qatar.Practical implicationsISO14000 and ISO26000 are well known standards; however, there was no effort to integrate these standards to improve sustainability in supply chains. The suggested methodology provides invaluable help to the managers to implement sustainability in a coherent manner across the supply chain.Originality/valueThe research contributes to the extant literature by proposing a new methodology based on the integration of three-approaches: Analytic Hierarchy Process, ISO14000 and ISO26000 systems.

A model for measuring the performance of the meat supply chain

2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1090-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faranak Fattahi ◽  
Ali S. Nookabadi ◽  
Mahdi Kadivar
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Meat Industry ◽  
Performance Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Delphi Approach ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
And Performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics and performance of the meat supply chain by focusing on developing a model for measuring the meat supply chain's performance in the province of Isfahan, Iran.Design/methodology/approachUsing a combination of literature review, Delphi approach and case study research, the paper examines part of the meat supply chain that consists of three industrial slaughterhouses, two cold rooms, three factories and more than 20 supermarkets and it then presents a framework to assess the performance of the industry in the region.FindingsThe methodology suggests indices for strategic and tactical levels in a meat industry as a case study. The proposed framework for the performance measurement of the chain was applied in strategic and tactical levels in which the ranking of indices are also among the achievements of this study. Results show that there are six main criteria required to measure the meat industry's performance.Originality/valueLiterature shows no record of an integrated measurement system for the entire food supply chain where indicators are combined into a performance function to assess the overall performance of the industry.

scholarly journals In search of supplier flexibility performance measurement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Forslund ◽  
Stig-Arne Mattsson
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Delivery Reliability ◽  
Purchasing Logistics ◽  
Measurement Practices ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify, characterize and assess supplier flexibility measurement practices in the order-to-delivery process.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved a survey; participants were 224 purchasing managers at Swedish manufacturing companies that had more than 20 employees.FindingsScrutiny of the details of measurement practices revealed that most respondents actually do not specifically measure supplier flexibility. Instead they measure other measures like delivery reliability, conduct qualitative follow-ups, or cannot specify how supplier flexibility is measured. It was acknowledged that they measure different supplier flexibility aspects, and the applied measures were characterized, e.g. in terms of which flexibility dimension they represent.Research limitations/implicationsConceptual clarifications and adaptations to measuring supplier flexibility in the order-to-delivery process are provided. The identified measures can be a contribution in further developing literature on flexibility performance measurement.Practical implicationsPurchasing, logistics and supply chain managers in search of supplier flexibility performance measurement can find ways to measure and an extended flexibility vocabulary. This has the potential to improve flexibility in the supply chain.Originality/valueEven though flexibility is claimed as being an important competitive advantage, few empirical studies and operationalized measures exist, particularly in the order-to-delivery process.

An ICT-based framework to improve global supply chain integration for final assembly SMES

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Cragg ◽  
Tom McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Performance Monitoring ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Assembly ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Frame Work ◽  
And Performance

Purpose To access new markets and improve sourcing practices small to medium sized manufacturing companies (SMEs) increasingly seek suppliers and customers in distant countries. Yet these new relationships with global partners often pose problems of an agency nature. The purpose of this paper is to directly address these challenges through the proposal of an information and communication technology (ICT)-based framework. Design/methodology/approach There has been very little research into how lead SMEs manage their global supply chains and the challenges they face. This paper uses a case study investigation to analyze how four French SMEs – final assemblers of machinery in the farming and agri-business sector – manage their international supply chains. Findings It was observed that the relationships and interactions between the SMEs and their immediate upstream and downstream partners were dominated by the agency problem and fell into six distinct categories (termed “barriers” to effective supply integration), namely; asymmetries, contractual design, supplier dependence, product specifications, supply chain complexity and performance monitoring. Originality/value The contribution of this paper is that a conceptual frame work was developed in which ICT solutions are offered to help address the barriers to supply chain integration, thus reducing the overall risk exposure due to externalities and problems of agency.

The role of relationship integration in supply chain agility and flexibility development

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1126-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Fayezi ◽  
Maryam Zomorrodi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Original Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the supply chain management literature by presenting the Australian practitioners’ perception of the role of relationship integration in developing supply chain agility and flexibility. Design/methodology/approach – The research takes semi-structured, indepth interviews with ten operations and supply chain practitioners in the Australian manufacturing sector. A systematic qualitative data analysis approach grounded on cross-interview synthesis was used. Findings – Findings contributed into understanding of the manufacturing companies’ implementation of relationship integration with respect to decision trade-offs involved in contract design. Moreover, the findings revealed the significant perceived importance and impact of relationship integration on supply chain agility and flexibility development. This was, however, found to be a function of things such as upstream or downstream focus and organisational size. These findings were expressed in terms of seven propositions. Practical implications – Analysis of the interviews substantiates the criticality of informed allocation of resources to relationship-intensive activities and investments across the supply chain to develop agility and flexibility. International businesses can gain insights into Australian manufacturing businesses’ perception of relationship integration, which can be invaluable for strategic planning to develop agile and flexible supply chains with their Australian partners. Originality/value – This paper takes an original approach to present operations and supply chain practitioners’ perception of manufacturing businesses’ use of relationship integration for supply chain agility and flexibility development.

An integral GSCM index for assessment of environmental performance in manufacturing companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1948-1971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Trujillo-Gallego ◽  
William Sarache
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Environmental Performance Measurement ◽  
Green Practices ◽  
Performance Dimensions ◽  
And Performance

Purpose From the green supply chain management (GSCM) approach, the purpose of this paper is to propose a green index as a benchmarking tool to assess environmental performance in manufacturing companies. The index involves 10 green practices and 46 performance dimensions, which were identified by way of an exhaustive literature review. Design/methodology/approach The GSCM index was designed as follows: survey design; experts group selection; relationship identification and green practice weighting (DEMATEL method); and GSCM index construction. The proposed GSCM index was validated at a set of ten Colombian manufacturing companies, which belong to different industrial subsectors. Findings The structural relationships between both green practices and performance dimensions (cause group vs effect group) were determined. Consequently, a set of green practices and performance dimensions on which managers must focus their environmental efforts (cause group), in order to positively affect the system as a whole, was identified. The environmental performance of a set of manufacturing companies was established. Practical implications As a decision support tool, the GSCM index provides a baseline for the deployment of environmental improvement plans. It also permits the comparison of environmental performance between companies from different industrial sectors. Further, it can be used to monitor internal operations and collaboration programs in each echelon of the supply chain. Originality/value This publication contributes to the field of environmental performance measurement by introducing a new index, from the GSCM perspective. In contrast with the existing green indicators, the proposed index is the first to consider causal relationships between green practices and between their performance dimensions.

scholarly journals Perceived understanding of supply chain integration, communication and teamwork competency in the global manufacturing companies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yudi Fernando ◽  
Puspita Wulansari
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Manufacturing ◽  
Competency Based ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
And Task

PurposeThis study empirically examines a model that describes the direct path from perceived understanding of supply chain integration (PUSCI) to perceived understanding of supply chain responsiveness (PUSCR) to leverage supply chain manager's communication and teamwork competencies. This study also examines whether knowledge and task skill and proficiency mediate the relationship between PUSCI and PUSCR to improve the communication and teamwork competency of a supply chain manager.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected using a survey questionnaire that was mailed to the 413 supply chain managers of global manufacturing companies in Indonesia.FindingsThe result from model testing shows that PUSCR significantly and positively affected the communication and teamwork competency of supply chain manager and knowledge, task skill and proficiency as mediating variables improved communication and teamwork competency. The results found that PUSCI was related to supply chain manager's competency.Practical implicationsSupply chain managers are advised to focus on PUSCI and consistently improve effective communication and teamwork competency.Originality/valueThis study will extend the literature by utilizing the competency-based theory to investigate the perceived understanding and communication capabilities of supply chain managers.

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