Implementation of lean supply chain: an empirical research on the effect of context

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Luz Tortorella ◽  
Rogério Miorando ◽  
Diego Tlapa
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Contextual Variables ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lean Supply Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effect of a set of contextual variables on the implementation of lean supply chain (LSC) practices. The authors do that by investigating one main research question: “how do the contextual variables (i.e. plant size, supply chain level, level of onshore suppliers and age of the LM initiative) influence on the degree of adoption of LSC practices?” Design/methodology/approach To this end, the authors collected data from 115 companies from different sectors located in Southern Brazil. Data collected was analyzed by means of multivariate techniques. The authors tested if the frequency of observations for each contextual variable was associated to the implementation levels of the LSC practices. Findings The evidences suggest that supply chain context significantly impacts the likelihood of implementing LSC practices. In particular, the influence of tier level, plant size and larger experience in implementing LM seems to be substantial across a wide mix of practices. On the other hand, results indicate that contexts in which companies are still beginners at the lean journey and their level of onshore suppliers appear to be less pervasive than previous empirical researches imply. Originality/value The implementation of LSC practices entails a different business model, in which improved profits arise from the cooperation rather than bargaining or imposing power over supply chain partners. However, not all organizations should implement the same set of practices, since the adoption of any specific management practice depends upon a set of contextual variables. The understanding of the relationship between the level of adoption of LSC practices and the contextual variables helps to anticipate occasional difficulties and sets the proper expectations along the implementation.

Analysis of the relationship between barriers and practices in the lean supply chain management

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satie Ledoux Takeda-Berger ◽  
Guilherme Luz Tortorella ◽  
Carlos Manuel Taboada Rodriguez ◽  
Enzo Morosini Frazzon ◽  
Tamie Takeda Yokoyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Effect Analysis ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Lean Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lean Supply Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to classify the main barriers related to the implementation of lean supply chain management (LSCM) and prioritize its main practices. A case study approach was conducted to obtain values for the intensity of the relationship between LSCM practices and barriers to mitigate or even anticipate difficulties in its implementation. Design/methodology/approach The case study in a company in southern Brazil that is in lean implementation is used for conducting this research. The methodology was structured in three steps, namely, classification of the main barriers through risk analysis, selection of LSCM practices appropriate to the company context and ranking and prioritization of the main practices of LSCM related to the barriers to lean implementation. Findings As a result, with the combination of two approaches, failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and analytical hierarchical process (AHP), it was possible to obtain values for the intensity of the relationship between LSCM practices and barriers. From the 12 barriers, 5 reached a high-risk degree that can be mitigated, and among the 18 practices found, 7 have the potential to be implemented. Originality/value This research allows direct efforts to continuously improve the supply chain to mitigate or even anticipate difficulties in its implementation. The proposed methodology, combining FMEA and AHP is easy to apply and understand, allowing managers and professionals to replicate it in the context of their supply chain and verify results similar and comparable to those obtained here.

Mapping the lean supply chain management research through citation classics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noelia Garcia-Buendia ◽  
José Moyano-Fuentes ◽  
Juan Manuel Maqueira
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Lean Supply Chain ◽  
Citation Classics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to systematically identify the key intellectual developments of the lean supply chain management (LSCM) field from its very first beginning by analyzing the publications that have been highly cited. Design/methodology/approach The citation classics method has been used to examine the origins and evolution of the research field. In total, 74 articles have been identified as having the highest impact on LSCM research published from its beginnings to the present day. Key aspects and links among the scientific contributions are studied by descriptive, bibliometric, network and content analysis. Findings Publication and citation trends, methodologies used, top journals, most influential authors, institutions and countries, collaboration patterns and evolution of the most used keywords are some of the aspects studied. Three main research areas are identified: LSCM foundations and implementation, lean-agile supply chain and performance assessment and the role of sustainability, which offers a holistic view of the field and enables the identification of potential avenues for future research susceptible to contribute to advancing the knowledge on LSCM. Originality/value This study provides a useful insight into the development of the LSCM field and can help researchers as it explores the state-of-the-art of LSCM by identifying the most relevant contributions in the area, the main research lines addressed by the scientific community in this topic and opportunities for further research on LSCM for years to come.

scholarly journals The different impact of inter-organizational and intra-organizational ICT on supply chain performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 803-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Zhang ◽  
Dirk Pieter Van Donk ◽  
Taco van der Vaart
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Supply Chain Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
Positive Direct

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify the different roles of intra- and inter-organizational information and communication technology (ICT) in improving supply chain performance. It proposes different mechanisms to explain how intra- and inter-organizational ICT interact with supply chain integration, and contribute to supply chain performance. The main research question is: What are the distinctive roles of inter-organizational ICT and intra-organizational ICT in improving supply chain performance? Design/methodology/approach – The paper builds on original survey data of 320 Chinese manufacturing firms gathered in China. Findings – The paper shows that inter-organizational ICT has a positive direct relationship with supply chain performance and this relationship is mediated by supply chain integration. Intra-organizational ICT has no direct relationship with supply chain performance. However, intra-organizational ICT moderates the effect of the supply chain integration on supply chain performance. Research limitations/implications – The paper argues that more research into the specific roles and interaction of ICT with business processes is needed in order to better understand its role in improving supply chain performance. Practical implications – For managers the findings show that inter- and intra-organizational ICT play a different role in the improvement of supply chain performance: the first leading to more supply chain integration, which in turn improves performance, while the second needs additional investment in integrative practices to help improve supply chain performance. Originality/value – This paper adds to the debate on the role of ICT in improving supply chain performance and shows that a detailed investigation into underlying mechanisms, and the interaction of ICT with other business processes is valuable.

Lean supply chain practices: an exploratory study on their relationship

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 1049-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Tortorella ◽  
Ricardo Giglio ◽  
Diego Castro Fettermmann ◽  
Diego Tlapa
Keyword(s):  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Partial Correlation ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Partial Correlations ◽  
Implementation Effect ◽  
Adoption Level ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lean Supply Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the relationships among the implementation of LSC practices. Particularly, the authors examine the adoption level of 27 LSC practices, which were identified in a literature review, within 113 manufacturing companies from different sectors located in Southern Brazil. Design/methodology/approach Data collected were analyzed by means of multivariate techniques (partial correlation analysis) and two control variables were used: level of onshore suppliers and company’s experience on lean manufacturing implementation. Findings The results showed that the relationship among practices may not always be synergic, since there are pairs of practices that, when concurrently implemented they tend to conflict, hindering their benefits. Originality/value The use of partial correlations between pairs of LSC practices provides means to better understand specific associations, disregarding the implementation effect of the whole set of practices. The research also provides managers and practitioners arguments to better comprehend how practices interact with each other under specific contexts.

Effects of cloud computing assimilation on supply chain financing risks of SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Lu ◽  
Jinliang Chen ◽  
Hua Song ◽  
Xiangyu Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Financing ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how cloud computing assimilation reduces supply chain financing (SCF) risks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study also investigated the mediating roles of internal and external supply chain integration between cloud computing assimilation and the SCF risks of SMEs, as well as the moderating role of environmental competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from surveys of SMEs located in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to validate the proposed theoretical model and research hypotheses. Findings The findings show that cloud computing assimilation could reduce the SCF risks of SMEs directly. The results also indicate that both internal and external supply chain integration mediate the relationship between cloud computing assimilation and SCF risks. Furthermore, environmental competitiveness inhibits the effects of cloud computing assimilation on SCF risks. Originality/value To our best knowledge, this is the preliminary study to explore the role of cloud computing assimilation in reducing the SCF risks of SMEs. Also, this study attempted to investigate the process by which cloud computing assimilation affects the SCF risks of SMEs.

A cost evaluation model for IoT-enabled prefabricated construction supply chain management

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wennan Zhang ◽  
Kai Kang ◽  
Ray Y. Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Input Data ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Construction Cost ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
System Boundary ◽  
Supply Chain System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper proposes an evaluation model for prefabricated construction to guide a supply chain with controllable costs. Prefabricated construction is prevalent due to area limitations. Nevertheless, the development is limited by budget control and identifying the factors affecting cost. The degree of close collaboration in the supply chain is closely interconnected with cost performance that includes direct and indirect factors. This paper not only quantizes these factors but also distinguishes the degree of influence of various factors.Design/methodology/approachSystem dynamics is applied to simulate and analyze the construction cost factors through Vensim software. It can also clarify the relationship between cost and other influencing factors. The input data are collected from an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled system under a Building Information Modeling (BIM) system and Hong Kong government reports.FindingsSimulation results indicate that prefabricated construction cost is mainly influenced by government promotion degree (GPD), working pressure from on-site construction (WPOSC), prefab quality (PQ), load-bearing capacity per vehicle (LBPV) and mold quality (MQ). However, it is more sensitive toward GPD, which indicates that the government should take measures to promote this construction technology. On-site worker management is also essential for the assembly process and indirectly influences the construction cost.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper quantifies indirect influential factors to clarify the specific features for prefabricated construction. The investigated factors are limited.Practical implicationsThe contractor can identify all factors and classify the levels of influence to make decisions under the supply chain system boundary.Social implicationsThe input data are collected from an IoT-enabled system under a BIM system and Hong Kong government reports. Thus, the relationship between construction cost influential factors can be investigated.Originality/valueThis paper quantifies indirect influencing factors and clarifies the specific features in prefabricated construction. The contractor could identify these factors to make decisions and classify the levels of influence under the supply chain system boundary.

The mediating effect of supply chain flexibility on the relationship between supply chain integration and supply chain performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anurodhsingh Khanuja ◽  
Rajesh Kumar Jain
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Supply Chain Performance ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supplier Integration ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeSupply chain integration (SCI) and flexibility (SCF) are recognised as crucial business practices and capability in the global competitive market. However, limited research has paid attention to study the relationship between SCI, SCF and their impact on supply chain performance (SCP). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to establish a relationship between integration, flexibility and performance.Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse the 187 data collected from Indian organisations through the survey methodology.FindingsFindings indicate that external integration contributes significantly to realise SCF and SCP. Sourcing and logistics flexibility also help to improve the SCP. The mediation analysis showed that the association of customer and supplier integration with SCP is partially and fully mediated by logistics flexibility, respectively. This study suggests that integration influences the SCP when the firm has a strong association with downstream partners and enough capability for logistics flexibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has collected cross-sectional data to analyse the relationship between SCI, SCF and SCP. However, as integration requires an effort of the years, longitudinal data and industry-specific studies may provide comprehensive views to validate the results of this study.Originality/valueBuilding on relational view theory and dynamic capability theory, the study has proposed the SCP assessment framework based on the relationship between SCI and SCF.

The role of digital economy in China's sustainable development in a post-pandemic environment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Song ◽  
Chenbin Zheng ◽  
Jiangquan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Digital Economy ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic is still raging, which calls for an exploration of how to prevent and control pandemics to promote sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the digital economy in sustainable development, the relationship between the two, the impacts of the outbreak on economic and social development, and changes in China's digital economy.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the time-series data from 2002 to 2019 and an unconstrained VAR model to examine the relationship between the digital economy and sustainable development before the pandemic.FindingsChina's digital economy has promoted the country's sustainable economic and social development; it has advanced rapid economic growth, improved people's living standards, increased efficient utilization of resources, and strengthened environmental protection.Research limitations/implicationsAmid the pandemic, China's digital economy developed effectively; it showed strong resilience because of its unique advantages. The digital economy in China has helped the country to control the pandemic in a short period, reduced the risk of supply chain disruption, promoted China's economic growth, and ensured the orderly operation of society. Therefore, countries worldwide are encouraged to prioritize their digital economies.Originality/valueCompared with the extant literature, this study explores the sustainable supply chain in a broader sense in the context of a pandemic, and how the supply chain is influenced by the digital economy. It not only includes the stability, resilience, and viability of the supply chain in economic development but also involves aspects of people's life, resource utilization, and environmental protection.

Supply chain governance: a conceptual model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franciele Bonatto ◽  
Luis Mauricio Martins de Resende ◽  
Joseane Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Relational Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relationship History ◽  
Supply Chain Governance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to clarify ambiguous results from previous research on the relationship between contextual factors, trust and supply chain governance (SCG). Design/methodology/approach This study carried out a systematic literature review in 11 databases, with articles published until 2018. Afterward, this study conducted a thematic analysis in 60 articles to address the contextual factors, governance structures and trust approaches raised in previous research. Findings The thematic analysis revealed that seven contextual factors influence the choice of contractual and relational mechanisms in supply chains: relationship history, environmental uncertainty, perceived risk, perceived justice, asset specificity, power asymmetry and interdependence. The findings explained the ambiguous results of past research by proposing that contractual and relational governance are complementary and that the presence of trust (affective and competence-based) moderates the relationship between contextual factors and SCG. Originality/value This research advances the SCG literature by proposing trust (affective and competence-based) as a moderating variable that fosters governance mechanisms in supply chain relationships.

Stakeholders and opportunities of debt settlement as a values-based banking activity in Hungary

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Győri ◽  
Borbála Benedek
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Lessons Learnt

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the stakeholders of debt settlement programmes in general and some lessons learnt from the most significant debt settlement programmes of recent years in Hungary. The study also presents a planned debt settlement programme in Hungary. The paper explores and details behaviours and motivations of different stakeholders in debt settlement in general and also with reference to a specific case study. As for its main research question, the paper seeks to identify the preconditions of a successful debt settlement programme with specially emphasis on the poor. Design/methodology/approach Data from semi-structured in-depth expert interviews, documents and former research papers were collected for identifying previous Hungarian debt settlement programmes and potential lessons learnt. After a general discussion, based on primary and secondary sources, a case study is presented to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of opportunities and challenges of debt settlement. Findings Six preconditions of successful debt settlement targeting the poor are identified. In the case study, the existence and relevance of these preconditions are tested: the main finding is that they all are important for solving the situations, so a partial solution is not sufficient. In the scope of the case study, more precisely within the planned innovative banking solution, the motivations of the bank and the coordinator NGO are identified. On the part of the bank, motivations for solving social problems (both as far as business and moral issues are concerned) are relevant, while – as for the other party – the situation of the debtor is important to understand so that opportunities of cooperation can be identified. In addition, as other stakeholders also influence the potentials of the programme, their cooperative attitude is also needed. Research limitations/implications Limitations consist in generalisation: the study presents some cases from one single country and finally it focuses only on one specific case in one specific social and economic context in Hungary. Having recognized this risk, the author opted for basing research questions on theory, documented the process in detail, and also used triangulation through applying a multiple data collection (interview, content analysis, literature review) method. Practical implications Besides presenting an academic understanding of the phenomena, the goal of the study is to contextualize and interpret the case, to help the realization of currently frozen initiatives and to promote similar future ones. Social implications Indebtedness is a stressful situation affecting families, smaller communities and broader society as well. The planned cooperation of BAGázs and MagNet tries to help people excluded from the banking system. So that a deeper debt trap can be avoided, the goal of this programme is to purchase, partially discharge and reschedule pre-accumulated debts of carefully selected people who have regular income and are willing to undertake bearable repayment. The idea is very innovative with literally no good practice to follow. The research seeks to clarify the pitfalls and opportunities to help the realization of the project and similar future ones. Originality/value A certain form of values-based banking concerns the financial inclusion of the poor, e.g. debt settlement. Nevertheless, over-indebtedness and the settlement of existing debts as well as the relevance of such issues to the financial inclusion are not emphasized enough in the literature or in practice. Besides presenting an academic understanding of the phenomena, the goal of the study is to contextualize and interpret the case, to help the realization of currently frozen initiatives and to promote similar future ones.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document