Supplier selection problem in IoT solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonal Agarwal ◽  
Vidushi Sharma ◽  
Anuradha Pughat
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Cost Optimization ◽  
Vendor Selection ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Product Cost ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Constraints ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The use of Internet of Things (IoT) and networks has built a potential impact on the product cost and time in a company’s manufacturing process. These IoT solutions provide end-to-end visibility and faster introduction of merchandise and supplier in the market. The main aim of this research paper is to supply products with improved quality and cheaper price, whereas the rising response and quality of the client service. Design/methodology/approach This paper designs and develops two cases for selecting the most efficient vendor while keeping in mind the profit and cost constraints in optimization. Findings Outsourcing is a vital parameter to cut back the price and maximize the profit of the manufacturer. Therefore, the integration of supply chain with IoT can provide a solution to the cost optimization and supplier/vendor selection problems in supply chain management. Research limitations/implications The results show that the models are quite realistic and can help the IoT-based manufacturing units to make strategic decisions regarding product manufacturing and distribution. Practical implications The authors can further extend the model to derive the retailer’s profit function and develop the end product cost to the consumers and hence make it a n-level multi-vendor selection model for IoT-based systems. Originality/value The right choice of vendor for IoT-enabled business is a crucial concern. In this paper, the authors designed and developed multi-vendor models with in-house production and outsourcing decisions to meet the demand along with the vendor selection. The variable demands and designed variable unit cost function and batch order are set to make vendor selection more realistic.

Balqis restaurant: how to move on?

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Farzana Quoquab ◽  
Shazwani Binti Ahmad ◽  
Wan Nurul Syazwani Binti Wan Danial ◽  
Jihad Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Subject Area ◽  
Marketing Mix ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Gradual Improvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
To Come ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Cost

Subject area This case can be used in marketing management as well as consumer behaviour courses. Study level/applicability This case is suitable to use in advanced undergraduate levels, MBA and MSc in marketing courses that cover topics related to market segmentation and marketing mix strategies. Case overview This case highlights the dilemma of an entrepreneur and a manager of a restaurant who were to take a decision about the sustainability of their restaurant business. Balqis Restaurant was owned by Danny who was a retiree from Telekom Malaysia. He wanted to open a restaurant business after he came back from his long holiday trip. He conducted market research to find a suitable place to open his Arabic restaurant. He assigned Waleed Masood Abdullah as the manager of Balqis Restaurant. Finally, in June 2010, he opened his long awaited restaurant at Gombak, Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant was known as Qasar before the name was changed to Balqis in 2015 because of copyright issues related to Saba’ restaurant at Cyberjaya. The restaurant was well managed under Danny’s supervision for 4 years and successfully won customers’ hearts and loyalty before he decided to give full responsibility to Waleed in March 2014. Danny trusted Waleed because he taught and trained him. However, under Waleed’s management, Balqis started to lose its customers. Waleed also started to branch out the restaurant to different places in different states; one in Ipoh, and the other in Perak. He invested much money on renovation for all three branches, but one of the restaurants closed down in September 2014. This is because of the fact that they could no longer bear the cost of operations for the restaurant. However, he failed to learn from the mistake; they set up another restaurant, which was in Kuantan, in the same month. The sales were not that encouraging but it did show gradual improvement; yet, they once again sold it to another Arab businessman. Waleed realized his failure in managing the restaurant business in August 2015. He again opted to open another new branch which was questioned by Danny. He was in a rush to open it by the end of December 2015 to ensure that the additional profits from the current restaurants could cover the variables costs if the new restaurants were launched. Based on that, the owner had to make a decision about whether a new branch should be opened or whether they should just retain their restaurant in Gombak. Expected learning outcomes The learning objectives of using this case are as follows. 1. Knowledge enhancement: to help students in understanding the problems faced by a restaurant in expanding its market; to make students aware that a properly blended marketing mix is the key to business success and to broaden students’ views and understanding in targeting the proper market segment in formulating an effective marketing strategy. 2. Skills building: to be able to identify the best marketing strategic decisions to manage the restaurant business for its survival and to develop students’ ability to analyse the existing situation to come up with a viable and effective solution. 3. Attitudinal: to help the students to have intellectual openness in accepting different ways of finding solutions for a particular problem and to assist students in making the right move at the right time. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 8: Marketing.

Costs and benefits of using cross-docking in the retail supply chain

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yassine Benrqya
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Actual Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Docking ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the costs/benefits of implementing the cross-docking strategy in a retail supply chain context using a cost model. In particular, the effects of using different typologies of cross-docking compared to traditional warehousing are investigated, taking into consideration an actual case study of a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company and a major French retailer. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on a case study of an FMCG company and a major French retailer. The case study is used to develop a cost model and to identify the main cost parameters impacted by implementing the cross-docking strategy. Based on the cost model, a comparison of the main cost factors characterizing four different configurations is made. The configurations studied are, the traditional warehousing strategy (AS-IS configuration, the reference configuration for comparison), where both retailers and suppliers keep inventory in their warehouses; the cross-docking pick-by-line strategy, where inventory is removed from the retailer warehouse and the allocation and sorting are performed at the retailer distribution centre (DC) level (TO-BE1 configuration); the cross-docking pick-by-store strategy, where the allocation and sorting are done at the supplier DC level (TO-BE2 configuration); and finally a combination of cross-docking pick-by-line strategy and traditional warehousing strategy (TO-BE3 configuration). Findings The case study provides three main observations. First, compared to traditional warehousing, cross-docking with sorting and allocation done at the supplier level increases the entire supply chain cost by 5.3 per cent. Second, cross-docking with allocation and sorting of the products done at the retailer level is more economical than traditional warehousing: a 1 per cent reduction of the cost. Third, combining cross-docking and traditional warehousing reduces the supply chain cost by 6.4 per cent. Research limitations/implications A quantitative case study may not be highly generalisable; however, the findings form a foundation for further understanding of the reconfiguration of a retail supply chain. Originality/value This paper fills a gap by proposing a cost analysis based on a real case study and by investigating the costs and benefits of implementing different configurations in the retail supply chain context. Furthermore, the cost model may be used to help managers choose the right distribution strategy for their supply chain.

Strategic supplier relationships and supply chain resilience: Is digital transformation that precludes trust beneficial?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murtaza Faruquee ◽  
Antony Paulraj ◽  
Chandra Ade Irawan
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Resilience ◽  
Joint Problem ◽  
The Right ◽  
Joint Problem Solving

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the role that communication, trust and digital transformation can play in the relationship between joint problem-solving and supply chain resilience. More specifically, the authors try to examine the possibility of digital transformation as a replacement for trust within a joint problem-solving context.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was developed and administrated to manufacturing firms within the United Kingdom and the United States. Based on data collected from 291 senior managers, multiple linear regressions were conducted through a customized process model to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe results point to the actual impact of digital transformation being far more complicated than the initial benefits that it appears to bring within a supply chain. Thus, technology is only effective when applied within the right context. The authors showcase that the trio of digital transformation, trust and joint problem-solving can be highly valuable to establish supply chain resilience and that further investigation on the interrelationships between these concepts is warranted.Practical implicationsManufacturing firms that aim to adopt new technologies should not consider advanced digital technologies as an alternative to trust. While digital transformation can improve resource sharing and integration, governance mechanisms–such as trust–will remain the cornerstones of strategic supplier relationships. Therefore, supply chain partners must strive to achieve a balance between trust and the right type of digital technology.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing literature focusing on the role that digital transformation can play in developing supply chain capabilities. It adds an early empirical insight on the role of technology and governance in joint problem-solving and supply chain resilience.

Supply resource management: Salomon and his network of subcontractors in Romania

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Author(s):  
Richard Calvi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
The One ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose According to Christopher (2000), in a lot of sectors, the competition is a question of supply chain against supply chain. The winner in term of competitive advantage should be the one, who is able to obtain more than the competitor from the available resources. In strategic literature, Dyer and Singh (1998) are the first who introduced the concept of “relational competency” to explain why some companies gain their competitive advantage not directly from their internal resources but mainly because they are able better to combine external resources. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a case study. Findings The author describes the different phases and strategic decisions in the building of a real supplier eco-system. Research limitations/implications It is a sole case study. Practical implications This study is a description of a success story. Originality/value This study is a description of an external resource management in action.

The cost competitiveness, competitiveness and sustainability of the hospitality industry in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhu Vij
Keyword(s):  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Cost Optimization ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Present Context ◽  
Cost Competitiveness ◽  
Internal Operations ◽  
The Cost

Purpose This study aims to provide a comprehensive treatment of the various issues surrounding the concept of the cost competitiveness, competitiveness and sustainability of the hospitality industry. We also investigate how innovations in the Indian hospitality industry can optimize costs without compromising the quality of the product or the services offered. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used is mainly survey-based with the use of both structured and unstructured questionnaires. In addition, some interviews were conducted with policy-makers and academics to explore from their perspectives what might be the innovations and sustainability issues in the next decade. Findings The paper helps to identify the essential aspects of cost competitiveness, competitiveness and sustainability in the hospitality industry and to better understand if cost optimization can be accomplished simply by realigning process or cost. These issues have become very important in India in the present context of globalization. Practical implications With growing competition on a global level, the hospitality industry needs to proactively manage its internal operations and focus on reducing costs and raising service quality. In this context, the paper helps to reveal sustainable cost effective practices that are geared to today’s competitive environment. Originality/value The inspiration to write this paper arises from the recent global economic slowdown and the fact that the hospitality industry is confronted with growing competition on a global level. This study highlights how value can be created for customers by applying suitable strategies.

scholarly journals Mathematical modeling for optimizing the blood supply chain network

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Rahimzadeh Dehaghani ◽  
Muhammad Nawaz ◽  
Rohullah Sultanie ◽  
Tawiah Kwatekwei Quartey-Papafio
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Blood Supply ◽  
Supply Chain Network ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Nsga Ii ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Networks ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Blood Supply Chain ◽  
The Cost

PurposeThis research studies a location-allocation problem considering the m/m/m/k queue model in the blood supply chain network. This supply chain includes three levels of suppliers or donors, main blood centers (laboratories for separation, storage and distribution centers) and demand centers (hospitals and private clinics). Moreover, the proposed model is a multi-objective model including minimizing the total cost of the blood supply chain (the cost of unmet demand and inventory spoilage, the cost of transport between collection centers and the main centers of blood), minimizing the waiting time of donors in blood donating mobile centers, and minimizing the establishment of mobile centers in potential places.Design/methodology/approachSince the problem is multi-objective and NP-Hard, the heuristic algorithm NSGA-II is proposed for Pareto solutions and then the estimation of the parameters of the algorithm is described using the design of experiments. According to the review of the previous research, there are a few pieces of research in the blood supply chain in the field of design queue models and there were few works that tried to use these concepts for designing the blood supply chain networks. Also, in former research, the uncertainty in the number of donors, and also the importance of blood donors has not been considered.FindingsA novel mathematical model guided by the theory of linear programming has been proposed that can help health-care administrators in optimizing the blood supply chain networks.Originality/valueBy building upon solid literature and theory, the current study proposes a novel model for improving the supply chain of blood.

Supply chain, geographical indicator and blockchain: provenance model for commodity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohita Gangwar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Value Distribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
The Right ◽  
Theory Framework

PurposeMany commodity supply chains suffer from an unfair value distribution across the supply chain like “Coffee Paradox.” This study explores the coffee supply chain to determine how the country of origin–geographical indicator can be used as a method of fair distribution of value and provenance across the supply chain effectuated by the blockchain technology. By looking at an exemplar case study for India, this study provides insights into diverse research streams and practice.Design/methodology/approachBased on the case method, analyzing the implementation of blockchain in the coffee industry by a leading Indian software implementation of the logic, dynamics and forces for a provenance model has been devised. It further adopts a stakeholder cum institutional theory framework to understand the logical implementation of a blockchain project embedded in a territorial logic for a commodity supply chain.FindingsThis study specifically looks at coffee which is representative of a commodity supply chain. It also explores how the malaise of unfair value distribution gets addressed by bringing farmers and the consumers on a common platform facilitated by blockchain technology. This study contributes to the literature on blockchain, territory, commodity and supply chain. Using stakeholder cum institutional theory, this study helps to explore how the implementation is successful by different actors in the supply chain through collaboration.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides a new stream of multi-disciplinary study at the interface of supply chain, technology, international trade and geography.Practical implicationsBlockchains are embedded in the supply chain, and supply chains are embedded in territories. This linkage is paramount and the ability to make these blockchain projects successful requires the deep study of the interaction of territory, technology and actors from the provenance angle. De-commodification of coffee can be actualized through blockchain.Social implicationsThe coffee paradox and skewed value distribution is also a social problem wherein the farmers do not get the right price of their produce and are exploited. This case also highlights how this social malaise can be addressed and rightful and equitable distribution of value happens across the value chain.Originality/valueThis linkage between territory, blockchain, commodity supply chain and institutions has not been discussed in the literature. Adopting the territorial design approach, this study is an attempt to stimulate inter-disciplinary conversations and thereby create a provenance framework for commodity and research questions for scholars from different disciplines and divergent disciplinary perspectives.

Transparency Issues Within a Transport Buyer and Provider Relationship

2020 ◽  
pp. 78-95
Author(s):  
Eirill Bø
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Time Parameters ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Relationship

Transport is an important function in the supply chain. This chapter focuses on how to buy a transport service, how to form a transport contract, and how a transparent relationship will influence the risk and the relationship between transport provider and buyer. By developing a decision support tool (DST-model) and calculating the cost and the time parameters, the right price and the cost drivers will appear. The cases described in this chapter are a large Norwegian wholesaler for food, distribution to the retailer, and two Norwegian municipalities collecting household waste. In these cases, the buyer and the provider are acting blind in setting the transport price. This means that there is a huge risk for either a bankruptcy by the transport provider or an overpriced transport for the buyer.

Assessing the feasibility of blockchain technology in industries: evidence from Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismail Erol ◽  
Ilker Murat Ar ◽  
Ali Ihsan Ozdemir ◽  
Iskender Peker ◽  
Ali Asgary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Fuzzy Ahp ◽  
Fuzzy Topsis ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Consulting Firms ◽  
Utmost Care ◽  
The Right ◽  
Agriculture And Food

PurposeThe objective of this study is to assess quantitatively how feasible blockchain is for various industries, such as logistics and supply chain, health, energy, finance, automotive, pharmaceutical and agriculture and food using a comprehensive list of indicators.Design/methodology/approachA decision aid was applied to the problem of identifying the feasibility of blockchain in Turkish industries. To this end, first, a set of indicators was identified. Then, the fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS were utilized to assess the feasibility comparatively using the data gathered from a group of experts. Finally, a scenario analysis was conducted to ensure the consistency of our evaluation.FindingsThe findings of this study suggest that comparatively, logistics and supply chain, finance and health industries are the most feasible industries for blockchain. This study further suggests that blockchain is the least feasible for the automotive industry compared to the rest of the identified industries.Research limitations/implicationsIt is cumbersome to find out the respondents who have sufficient knowledge of both blockchain and the identified industries. Even if we took the utmost care in identifying the right respondents, we limited our search to the biggest industrial hubs of Turkey.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research may help various decision-makers employed in governments, conglomerates, software and consulting firms and national research institutions make more informed decisions and allocate their resources more effectively.Originality/valueTo this date, the current studies have solely investigated possible research opportunities in blockchain and demonstrated several blockchain applications in stand-alone cases. To the best of our knowledge, however, no single study exists that evaluates the feasibility of blockchain comparatively and holistically among a group of industries using various indicators.

Stigmatized products: how conflicting laws can influence decisions to proceed

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Stephanie Geiger-Oneto ◽  
Betsy D. Gelb ◽  
Travis Simkins
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
State Legislatures ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Laws ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Single Use ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offers the authors’ perspective on a problem rarely considered by those making strategic decisions: conflicting laws at different levels of jurisdiction, specifically those related to stigmatized products. Design/methodology/approach The authors use as examples of product categories from marijuana to single-use plastic bags, describing the conflicting laws that add to costs for marketers and consumers. Findings The authors find that conflicting laws add to the uncertainty, legal expenses, and therefore, the cost of marketing a stigmatized product, whether stigmatized because of its impact on the environment, on health or on moral grounds. Research limitations/implications The examples are not exhaustive, but their implications are significant: that as state legislatures are preempting local bans, Congress may preempt state laws. Originality/value This paper adds one more complexity to decision-making in the area of products to offer and/or merger/acquisition decisions that may bring company products that face conflicting laws.

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