Enhance Supply Chain Performance Research Articles

Business process innovation on quality and supply chains

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the role of business process innovation on the relationship between social quality management (SQM) and supply chain performance. To address this issue, this paper distinguishes SQM from soft quality management. This paper further refines the impact of two levels of business process innovation (radical vs incremental) on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a survey of manufacturing firms throughout the USA. Hierarchical moderated regression analyses were performed in order to examine the hypotheses.FindingsThis study confirmed the positive association between SQM and supply chain performance. While the results confirm a positive moderating relationship with incremental business process innovation between SQM and supply chain performance, radical process innovation was found to have a negative moderating role on this relationship.Originality/valueThis paper distinguishes SQM from soft quality management thus making it easier to determine which aspects of soft quality management enhance supply chain performance. This study also provides evidence of the differing ways in which business process innovation moderates the relationship between SQM and supply chain performance specifically identifying the positive and negative moderating role of incremental and radical business process innovations.

Lean vs. Agile Supply Chain: The Effect of IT Architectures on Supply Chain Capabilities and Performance

The widespread use of information technology (IT) has changed the nature of supply chain management. However, it is still unclear whether different IT infrastructure design may affect supply chain capabilities and firm performance. In this study, we investigated the impacts of a supply chain’s IT architecture, which could be integration-based or standardization-based, on supply chain capabilities and firm performance. We also examined the effects of lean and agile supply chain strategies. We tested our research model against data collected from 162 companies, 97 based in China and 65 in Taiwan. Our findings indicate that firms with different supply chain strategies focus on different aspects of IT architectures. In addition, supply chain capability is an enabler to enhance supply chain performance through well-suited supply chain IT.

Enhancing supply chain performance through supplier social sustainability: An emerging economy perspective

Sustainability is gaining interest among academics and practitioners due to increased stakeholder awareness of environmental and social issues. However, relatively little research has been conducted on the extent to which firms have integrated social sustainability aspects into the management of their supply chains in emerging economies. The purpose of this article is to explore the social issues pertinent to suppliers and to identify measures and dimensions related to social sustainability in emerging economies. Further, it explores the benefits suppliers and buyers gain by effectively managing such social issues. For this purpose, first, in-depth interviews were conducted with 27 supply chain managers. Further, a survey was conducted in Indian manufacturing industries and co-variance-based structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. The findings reveal that there are 18 validated supplier social sustainability measures underlying five social dimensions: labor rights, safety and health, societal responsibility, diversity, and product responsibility. The results also suggest a positive relationship between supplier social sustainability practices and supply chain performance mediated by supplier performance. In addition, the role of the buyer's commitment and investment moderates both suppliers and supply chain performance. These results are relevant because they not only identify the social issues plaguing supply chains in emerging economies, but also have practical implications for organizations trying to build socially sustainable supply chains for competitive advantage.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISKS MONITORING & CONTROL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between risks monitoring and control management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in Kenya.Methodology:The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature .The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis.Results: The study findings revealed that the constructs of risk identification management strategy combined together influenced supply chain performance as supported by a p value of 0.000.Further, most of the companies had risk analysis and evaluation management strategy in place.Policy recommendation:the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISKS MONITORING & CONTROL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between risks monitoring and control management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in Kenya.Methodology:The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature .The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis.Results: The study findings revealed that the constructs of risk identification management strategy combined together influenced supply chain performance as supported by a p value of 0.000.Further, most of the companies had risk analysis and evaluation management strategy in place.Policy recommendation:the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEDGING RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine therelationship between hedging risk management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in KenyaMethodology:The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature .The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis.Results: The study findings revealed that the companies that increased buffer stock at various levels in the supply chain. Increasing buffer stock at various levels in the supply chain resulted to decreased lead time, improved quality and reduced cost. Results also showed that most of the companies ‘conducted reduce order cycle times. Conducting reduce order cycle times resulted to decreased lead time, improved quality and reduced cost. Further, the results revealed that most of the companies shared supply chain costs with partners. Sharing supply chain costs with partners resulted to decreased lead time, improved quality and reduced cost.Policy recommendation:the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance. In particular, companies should consider conducting whole life costing of suppliers and also internal quality of suppliers.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISK IDENTIFICATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine relationship between risk identification management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in KenyaMethodology:The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature .The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis.Results: The study findings revealed that the constructs of risk identification management strategy combined together influenced supply chain performance as supported by a p value of 0.000.)Policy recommendation: the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance. In particular, companies should consider conducting whole life costing of suppliers and also internal quality of suppliers.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISK IDENTIFICATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine relationship between risk identification management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in KenyaMethodology:The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature .The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis.Results: The study findings revealed that the constructs of risk identification management strategy combined together influenced supply chain performance as supported by a p value of 0.000.)Policy recommendation: the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance. In particular, companies should consider conducting whole life costing of suppliers and also internal quality of suppliers.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEDGING RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine therelationship between hedging risk management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in KenyaMethodology:The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature .The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis.Results: The study findings revealed that the companies that increased buffer stock at various levels in the supply chain. Increasing buffer stock at various levels in the supply chain resulted to decreased lead time, improved quality and reduced cost. Results also showed that most of the companies ‘conducted reduce order cycle times. Conducting reduce order cycle times resulted to decreased lead time, improved quality and reduced cost. Further, the results revealed that most of the companies shared supply chain costs with partners. Sharing supply chain costs with partners resulted to decreased lead time, improved quality and reduced cost.Policy recommendation:the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance. In particular, companies should consider conducting whole life costing of suppliers and also internal quality of suppliers.

Conquering in emerging markets: critical success factors to enhance supply chain performance

PurposeIn the context of emerging economies, the purpose of this paper is to seek the critical success factors (CSFs) of supply chain and identify their relationships to enhance the supply chain performance (SCP) in a sample of Indian manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachOn the basis of a comprehensive literature review, the authors conducted this study and proposed a new model of antecedent and outcomes for SCP in emerging markets. The empirical data for this study were drawn from a survey of 227 Indian firms, resulting in a response rate of 52 percent. The method of confirmatory factor analysis was applied to refine the CSFs and SCP scale for empirical analysis. The data were analyzed by employing the structural equation modeling technique.FindingsThe results reveal that all the identified CSFs, namely, agility, flexibility, flexible innovation, information and communication technology, collaboration among conglomerate divisions, process structure, and training and leadership programs, are positively associated with SCP. The empirical study of 227 Indian firms lent good support to the hypotheses and validates it by the data analysis. Consequently, these findings highlight the prominence of these factors of supply chain for gaining a sustainable competitive advantage in emerging market scenario.Research limitations/implicationsThe study emphasizes on CSFs in emerging markets that will help to boost the organization’s SCP through agility and flexibility in supply chain. This study is applicable for growing markets in which there is ample amount of resources.Originality/valueAs economic growth stagnates in developed economies, emerging markets grow at near double-digit rates. Somehow, this study is pioneer in terms of enhance SCP in emerging market scenario. Moreover, the outcome of the study could provide empirical evidence of the effects of CSFs on SCPs.

Managing Collaborative Relationships in Third Party Logistics

Some supply chain management researchers have realized the potential of collaborative activities for enhancing supply chain performance while other researchers have explored the positive impact of relationship quality on supply chain performance. To date, however, no empirical research has integrated these two research streams. Drawing upon social exchange theory, the authors propose a holistic research framework to explore the relationships among collaborative activities, the inter-organizational relationship quality, and supply chain performance. Specifically, they examine the mediating effect of relationship quality on the association between collaborative activities and supply chain performance. The research model is then tested using survey data (n=219). The authors' results illustrate a positive impact of both collaborative activities and relationship quality on enhancing supply chain performance. Moreover, this paper also supports the hypothesis that relationship quality mediates the relationship between collaborative activities and supply chain performance in third party logistics.

RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine risk management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in KenyaMethodology: The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature. The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis. In trying to explain the relationship between different variables in the study, Odd ratio regression was adopted as an appropriate method of analyzing the relationship between multiple variables requiring simultaneous comparison.Results: The study findings revealed that the constructs of risk identification management strategy combined together influenced supply chain performance as supported by a p value of 0.000.Further, most of the companies had risk analysis and evaluation management strategy in place. The study also concluded that the odds of observing better lead time and odds of improved quality were higher for those companies that conducted whole life costing of suppliers (p value- 0.023) and internal controls of suppliers (p value- 0.049)Policy recommendation: the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance. In particular, companies should consider conducting whole life costing of suppliers and also internal quality of suppliers.

RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine risk management strategy and supply chain performance among manufacturing companies in KenyaMethodology: The study adopted a cross-section survey of descriptive nature. The target population comprised of the 412 manufacturing companies within Nairobi County that were registered members of KAM. The fisher et al formula for calculating the sample size was used to yield a sample size of199. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21 as a tool of analysis. In trying to explain the relationship between different variables in the study, Odd ratio regression was adopted as an appropriate method of analyzing the relationship between multiple variables requiring simultaneous comparison.Results: The study findings revealed that the constructs of risk identification management strategy combined together influenced supply chain performance as supported by a p value of 0.000.Further, most of the companies had risk analysis and evaluation management strategy in place. The study also concluded that the odds of observing better lead time and odds of improved quality were higher for those companies that conducted whole life costing of suppliers (p value- 0.023) and internal controls of suppliers (p value- 0.049)Policy recommendation: the study recommended that manufacturing companies should put in place a risk analysis and evaluation management strategy to enhance supply chain performance. In particular, companies should consider conducting whole life costing of suppliers and also internal quality of suppliers.

Impact of Information Exchange and Supply Chain Integration on Supply Chain Performance

Supply chain integration is widely used by both practitioners and researchers, because of an essential role to enhance competitive advantage in supply chain. Organizational competences, such as relational competence(RC) and information technology (IT) competence, have been recognized as influencing factors to promote supply chain integration (SCI) for obtaining supply chain performance. In this paper, we intend to extend the stream of research in supply chain management (SCM) by systematically identifying the antecedents and consequences of supply chain integration between supply chain partners. We empirically tested the research model using data collected from senior managers of 122 manufacturing firms in South Korea. The results indicate that relational competence and IT competence in supply chain are positively related to supply chain integration. Information exchange is directly related to supply chain performance, Also, it has the positive impact between organizational competences and supply chain performance through its positive effect on supply chain integration. Our results provide strong support for the notion of information exchange and supply chain integration to enhance supply chain performance. Implications for future research and practice are offered.

A Transaction Cost Framework in Supply Chain Relationships: A Social Capital Perspective

ABSTRACTFostering strong and collaborative buyer–supplier relationships is essential for enhancing supply chain performance. Therefore, buyers and suppliers both attempt to develop collaborative relationships. Sometimes these collaborative activities do not result in a happy ending, and consequently, are harmful in the form of opportunism on the part of the buyer or supplier. Opportunism has remained significant in buyer–supplier studies. However, there is a lack of research on opportunism, behavioral uncertainty, and relationship-specific investments from the perspective of social capital factors in an industrial marketing setting. The primary aim of the current study is to identify the role of social capital and transaction cost theory variables. This study integrates different research on transaction cost theory variables and also reviews the relationship of these variables to social capital factors. The current study includes 83 studies from various journal article databases such as Wiley-Blackwell, Emerald, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect. This review focuses on the most recent studies. This study identifies various perspectives regarding the effect of social capital on transaction cost variables. Conclusions and implications for managers are also discussed.

Green strategy, supplier relationship building and supply chain performance: total interpretive structural modelling approach

Green supply chain strategy is a concept that is gaining popularity rapidly in South African region. For many organisations, it is a process to exhibit their sincere commitment to sustainability. This paper endeavours to examine the critical green and supplier relationship practices on which management should focus in order to enhance supply chain performance. The systematic analysis based on total interpretive structural modelling is a better methodology to identify the inter-relationships among green strategy and supplier relationship practices. The approach extends the domain of green supply chain research and produce theories that have greater explanatory power than the current practices.

The Relationship between IT and Supply Chain Performance: A Systematic Review and Future Research

Many firms have spent large investments in developing and implementing information technologies and systems to enhance their supply chain performance with little benefit, while others have spent similar amount of money with great success [1]. The IT productivity paradox in supply chain performance is widely cited as a polemic that needs more investigation. This work reviews the body of knowledge related to the relationship between IT and supply chain performance through a systematic literature review study, following a pre-defined search protocol that can be used by other researchers to review other subjects in the area of information technology, to provide an overview of the state of the art and identify research challenges and gaps. 33 papers are finally selected, in which three main themes of research, nineteen IT-relates characteristics, and seventeen mediator factors to enhance supply chain performance are identified. The indirect effect of IT in SCP is the major findings in the literature. This work presents some new guidelines of research.

Horizontal logistics collaboration for enhanced supply chain performance: an international retail perspective

Purpose– The paper aims to develop a supply chain-driven model horizontal logistics collaboration (HLC). HLC initiatives can fail. To improve the chance of success, a thorough consideration of the potential issues involved, such as seeking supply chain partners’ support, ensuring access to information/data security and assessing whether an HLC model could bring improvements to a wide range of supply chain metrics rather than reductions in distribution costs only, needs to be understood before deciding to proceed with such an initiative.Design/methodology/approach– A two-stage methodology is deployed. As part of Stage 1, a series of 20 semi-structured interviews with senior managers from retailers, retailers’ suppliers and logistics service providers were undertaken. Subsequently, in Stage 2, a focus group with practitioners from retailers and logistics service providers was run to verify the findings gathered during Stage 1. Four elements of a new HLC project being considered are investigated by supply chain champions across the UK Fast-Moving Costumer Goods industry, namely, consideration factors, required synergies, enablers and anticipated output metrics.Findings– When considering whether to embark on an HLC project, the supply chain requirements need to be taken into account and potential supply chain performance benefits projected. The paper identified several consideration factors; synergies and enablers that support the development of HLC projects are identified, such as legislation, trust among partners, common suppliers and delivery bases, capable third party logistics (3PL) and an effective commercial model, including a fair sharing of benefits.Research limitations/implications– The research provides new understanding in accounting for the needs of the supply chain when considering an HLC initiative involving leading players from the retail sector.Practical implications– The importance of taking a supply chain approach when evaluating the feasibility of HLC is demonstrated. HLC arrangements among competing supply chains need to be designed and run by taking account of all supply chain partners, namely, suppliers, 3PLs and customers (in this case, retailers).Originality/value– The contribution is threefold: identification of outset consideration factors, ideal required synergies, actioning enablers and wider supply chain metrics of HLC; development of a supply chain-driven model for HLC, which includes in the decision-making whether or not to adopt a horizontal logistics collaboration model, wide supply chain metrics such as stock levels of finished products and shelf availability, inventory, working and fixed capital, and product waste in addition to distribution costs; and, the proposal of a new definition for HLC which challenges published definitions.

The effect of IT and relationship commitment on supply chain coordination: A contingency and configuration approach

This study investigates how information technology and relationship commitment, mediated by supply chain coordination, influence supply chain performance from a resource synergy perspective. The proposed model is tested using data collected from 617 manufacturing firms. Supply chain coordination with both suppliers and customers is found to enhance supply chain performance, and the effect of coordination with customers is higher. There is an interactive relationship between the supply chain coordination on the supplier and customer sides, indicating that synergizing supply chain coordination with suppliers and with customers improves supply chain performance. Furthermore, information technology and relationship commitment influence supply chain coordination.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Supply Chain Performance in the Chinese Market: A Conceptual Framework

Supply chains are becoming more international and sophisticated. With the globalization of businesses, competition between enterprises has evolved to competition between supply chains. The development of third party logistics (3PL) service can help supply chain to achieve cost reduction and shorten lead time simultaneously. For this reason, third party logistics has been integrated into supply chain to enhance supply chain performance. However, we notice that not only is the research on China’s 3PL still in its infancy, but also the role of 3PL in supply chain is not well examined from the Chinese market perspective. The intent of this study is to fill the void by providing a framework addressing how to leverage third-party logistics to improve supply chain performance in the Chinese market. The intended contribution of this study is that we hope our research constitutes a pioneer study that conceptually addresses the relationship between 3PL and supply chain performance, upon which data from the Chinese market can be tested.