Presence Of Supply Research Articles

Graph-based operational robustness analysis of industrial Internet of things platform for manufacturing service collaboration

As industrial Internet of things (IIoT) for Manufacturing Service Collaboration (MSC) is becoming the current trend to accelerate the upgrade iteration of manufacturing capability, developing the robust IIoT platform operation mechanism for MSC is crucial to promote the continuous and stable service collaboration in the presence of supply and demand uncertainties. This paper studies the operational robustness of the IIoT platform for MSC. Firstly, the operation performances, requirements, and challenges of the IIoT platform towards manufacturing collaboration are analysed in classified platform practices, which can provide a comprehensive cognition about platform operation for manufacturing collaboration. Then, to evaluate the tolerance and persistence capabilities of MSC under supply and demand uncertainties, a graph-based operational robustness analysis method of the IIoT platform for MSC is proposed. The IIoT platform operation network for MSC is modelled as an interdependent network-of-network structure based on graph theory, which helps to characterise MSC performance properties under complexities. By combining manufacturing properties with network statistics, the evaluation metrics of operational robustness are established, which is done to quantise the MSC effectiveness under uncertainty effects. A case about customised manufacturing of automobiles illustrates the application of the proposed methods. Finally, future studies about robust MSC regulation are discussed.

The supply chain effect of monitoring cost

AbstractIn bank/trade credit financing, bank/supplier plays monitoring role and pays the fixed and variable monitoring costs. This study investigates the impact of monitoring cost on bank financing and trade credit financing in a push supply chain with a dominant supplier selling to a capital‐constrained retailer who can borrow competitively priced bank loans or trade credit. With a modified selling to the newsvendor Stackelberg game, we obtain the chain's equilibrium financing strategies. We find that bank financing is adopted only when the inefficient supplier sells to the very poor retailer. When the retailer is not very rich, the efficient supplier offers trade credit financing with trade credit rate equal to a risk‐free rate, even in the presence of supplier's monitoring cost, otherwise, the retailer uses either bank financing or self‐financing, depending on the retailer's initial capital and the bank's and the supplier's monitoring cost. There exists a chain efficiency loss region (supplier's monitoring distortion) that the poor retailer uses bank financing at the supplier's benefit, while the overall output can be improved through trade credit financing. The presence of the bank's monitoring cost might benefit the chain. When the factoring market is intensely competitive, we find that factoring can improve the channel efficiency and the supplier's profit. Through this study, we theoretically extend the delegated monitoring theory that the third‐party intermediated financing helps improve the channel performance.

Supplier Selection and Order Allocation in the Presence of Suppliers with Exact Annual Capacity

In this paper, we focus on the supplier selection and order quantity allocation for a single retailer. The retailer orders a product from multiple suppliers with capacities, adds value to the produ...

Supplier selection and order allocation in the presence of suppliers with exact annual capacity

Supplier selection and order allocation in the presence of suppliers with exact annual capacity

Using intellectual property agreements in the presence of supplier and third-party copycatting

When a manufacturer outsources the production of a product, it distributes its intellectual property (IP) into a supply chain that it may not be able to fully control. An IP agreement between a manufacturer and its suppliers is a popular solution to address the challenge of supplier-copycatting. The goal of this paper is to examine the impact of copycatting, from both the supplier and third-party firms, and the effectiveness of an IP agreement. Specifically, we use a game-theoretic approach to examine a system where a manufacturer outsources to a supplier. The supplier and a third-party firm decide whether or not to enter the market with copycat products while the manufacturer selects the level of marketing investment. The manufacturer can reduce the threat of supplier-copycatting by signing an IP agreement. However, we find that the manufacturer can be worse off from signing an IP agreement with its supplier, even if the IP agreement is costless and perfectly enforceable. We show that a manufacturer can deter copycat products through vertical integration and IP agreements and we outline the instances where each method is preferred. Furthermore, we find that the manufacturer may choose not to invest in quality improvements as a copycat deterrence strategy. We show that the supplier can benefit from the manufacturer's decision to sign an IP agreement and that the supplier and the consumers can benefit from IP regulations against copycat products. Our paper demonstrates the strengths and limitations of various copycat deterrence strategies when a supplier and third-party may produce copycat products.

Potražnja za radom u Hrvatskoj

U ovome radu opisujemo metodologiju razvoja indeksa online slobodnih radnih mjesta te dokumentiramo stanje, trendove i cjelokupno okruženje potražne strane tržišta rada u Hrvatskoj. Analizom individualnih oglasa za posao donosimo zaključke o trendovima na tržištu rada kroz više dimenzija: na razini zanimanja, geografije, razini traženog obrazovanja te vrsti ugovora koji se nudi. Rezultati pokazuju da konstruirani indeks relativno precizno pokazuje razmjere ekonomske krize koja je zahvatila Hrvatsku od 2008. do 2014. godine te da se regionalna tržišta rada značajno razlikuju. Analizirajući najtraženija zanimanja od 2015. godine na razini cijele Hrvatske zaključujemo da se najviše tražilo prodavača, konobara, kuhara, programera i vozača, što govori u prilog polarizaciji traženih zanimanja. Analizirajući dinamiku tražene razine obrazovanja dolazimo do zaključka da su radnici nižih kvalifikacija sve više traženi. Istovremeno je potražnja za visokoobrazovanim radnicima stabilna, dok udio oglasa za poslove koji traže srednju stručnu spremu značajno pada u promatranom razdoblju. Osim promjene u traženoj razini obrazovanja, tržište rada nakon krize karakterizira i rast nestandardnih tipova ugovora o radu. Analiza online oglasa slobodnih radnih mjesta pokazuje i potencijalnu prisutnost nesklada između ponude i potražnje kod određenih zanimanja, što dodatno upućuje na postojanje strukturne nezaposlenosti na hrvatskom tržištu rada.

Mineração de dados no contexto dos pregões eletrônicos

O governo tem buscado acompanhar as evoluções e tendências das tecnologias da informação e comunicação no contexto do processo licitatório. Dessa forma, o pregão eletrônico surge como um dos produtos desses esforços, caracterizando-se como uma modalidade que apresentou soluções estruturais para reduzir o excesso de burocracia na aquisição de bens e serviços comuns. Sua implantação contribuiu para o aumento da participação de fornecedores e da competitividade nos certames, pois reduziu e até eliminou, em alguns casos, a necessidade da presença física dos fornecedores. A modalidade representa hoje mais de 94% das licitações ocorridas no país, somando mais de 84% do volume de recursos gastos por meio de licitações. Apesar de seus benefícios, têm sido identificadas falhas de diversas formas, sendo uma delas a possibilidade de utilização de bots, softwares programados para se conectarem nas plataformas de pregões eletrônicos e emitirem lances de forma imediata e automatizada, obtendo vantagens desproporcionais em relação a seres humanos. Um segundo produto resultado dos esforços governamentais em busca da modernização das compras é a ampliação da transparência através da disponibilização de dados abertos das licitações e contratos, incluindo dados dos pregões eletrônicos, como parte do contexto de Governo Aberto e transformação digital. O objetivo geral desse estudo é discorrer como a análise de dados pode ser útil na prevenção de fraudes em processos de pregão eletrônico, fundamentada na premissa de dados abertos do Governo Federal. Por fim, conclui-se que esse estudo apoia a importância de se discutir os efeitos do uso de bots em pregões eletrônicos e acredita-se no potencial de maior controle social por parte do cidadão por meio do acesso e análise dos dados abertos do Governo.

When is the Supplier's Message “Loud and Clear”? Mixed Signals from Supplier‐Induced Disruptions and the Response*

ABSTRACTFollowing supplier‐induced disruptions, suppliers may undertake recovery actions in hopes of reducing damage to the focal exchange with buyers. While research shows that the absence of suppliers’ recovery actions almost always leads to a deteriorated relationship, it is less clear if—or more likely when—the presence of suppliers’ recovery actions restores a relationship. Accordingly, we examine a specific set of suppliers’ recovery actions in light of important considerations—that is, disruption severity, suppliers’ dependence, and buyers’ supply chain risk uncertainty. Through the lens of signaling theory, we frame supplier‐induced disruptions as negative signals from suppliers (signalers) to buyers (receivers) and suppliers’ recovery actions as positive signals. We theorize that these mixed signals unfold in different buyers’ perceptions due to the aforementioned contextual considerations. Using the critical incident technique to capture disruption events, we find that the messages of suppliers conveyed through their recovery actions may or may not be “loud and clear,” depending on the context. In doing so, our results reveal substantive guidance for suppliers’ use of recovery actions to combat the negative perception of supplier‐induced disruptions. Likewise, the results are also promising for buying companies seeking to develop (i.e., improve) supplier performance.

A mixed-integer program and a Lagrangian-based decomposition algorithm for the supply chain network design with quantity discount and transportation modes

We study the design of a two-echelon supply chain network in the presence of suppliers’ all-unit quantity discount and transportation mode selection. The problem involves determining the best location for plants and the allocation of customers to open plants. The problem additionally entails making decisions for the order quantity from each supplier for each plant and accordingly selecting the best transportation mode that can accommodate these order quantities among echelons. The objective is to minimize the total cost associated with fixed opening and operating costs of plants, fixed and variable costs of transportation modes, and purchasing costs of raw materials. To characterize and solve this problem, we develop a mixed-integer programming (MIP) model. We demonstrate that the MIP model has a special mathematical structure that makes it amenable to decomposition techniques. We, therefore, exploit this decomposable structure and develop an effective Lagrangian-based decomposition for solving the MIP. Our Lagrangian Relaxation (LR) method relaxes the complicating constraints associated with commodity flow conservation among echelons in the MIP, yielding more tractable subproblems, one for each echelon. Solutions obtained from the relaxed problem may be infeasible, e.g., the demand for some of the customers may not be satisfied. We remedy these subproblems’ infeasibilities using novel feasibility algorithms and appropriate Lagrangian multipliers that penalize constraints’ violations in the subproblems, leading the algorithm towards global feasibility/optimality. We appraise the performance of the MIP model and the LR algorithm on instances of varying sizes. We show that the MIP model solved via CPLEX finds integer feasible solutions for 42% of large problem instances and its average optimality gap for these solved instances is 64.56%. The LR algorithm significantly improves the solvability and optimality gap of the MIP model and finds integer feasible solutions for 100% of problem instances and achieves an average optimality gap of 1.78%. We investigate the robustness of our algorithm by conducting sensitivity analyses on the model parameters. We demonstrate that the LR technique remains robust and tractable with respect to various parameters’ values.

Retailer’s multi-tier green procurement contract in the presence of suppliers’ reference point effect

Large environmentally conscious retailers often incorporate resource allocation programs into long-term procurement contracts in order to improve suppliers’ green efforts. The retailer has two procurement strategic choices: allocating order quantity equally to all upstream suppliers, or unequally so. It must also consider how to ensure optimal use of resources. In our study, we build an analytical game model to analyze procurement strategies in a retailer-dominant green supply chain by considering suppliers’ psychological reference point in their different attitude towards allocated resource. We divide the suppliers into two types according to differences in their psychological reference point, and the degree of execution of the contract is left to the supplier’s discretion. We compare the results in deterministic and stochastic scenarios, while extending the dynamic scenario. We observe stronger green efforts in suppliers who actively cooperate when order quantity is equally allocated. However, on the contrary, these suppliers also generate less profit. Therefore, the resource allocation program is not effective in coordinating supplier’s green effort if order is allocated equally. Thus, the optimal procurement strategy is to combine the resource with unequally allocated order quantity.

Public Disclosures in the Presence of Suppliers and Competitors

ABSTRACTFirms’ reluctance at times to publicly disclose financial information is often attributed to concern that the information may be used against them by self‐interested outside parties. These outside parties may interact with the firm in the horizontal realm (e.g., retail competitors) or in the vertical arena (e.g., wholesale suppliers). This article is built on the premise that fully understanding the strategic consequences of disclosure requires joint consideration of horizontal and vertical relationships. When both rivals and suppliers are accounted for, we demonstrate that (i) lower intra‐industry correlation in product demand favors disclosure, with the precise correlation‐cutoff dependent on the firm's use of input suppliers; and (ii) the more a firm relies on input suppliers with pricing power, the less attractive is disclosure.

Međunarodni standardi - važna komponenta digitalne transformacije nacionalne ekonomije

Digital transformation is a term that is, as of late, becoming an increasingly important topic of discussion, among both government authorities (in developed and developing countries) and entrepreneurs as well. Through the process of digital transformation, enterprises acquire the power to create new values for end-users, employees and the enterprises themselves more efficiently, and thus become more competitive and better positioned on the global market. In the overall process of digital transformation, an important role is played by the government, which needs to create an environment marked by the presence of supply (provided by enterprises) and demand from the end-users. The education of the companies' employees, as well as the users, is a decisive element that will decide whether digital transformation will work out in a particular market. The important role of the government is also shown in the adoption and implementation of international standards that provide businesses with a certain level of certainty when it comes to data protection and security in the digital sphere. The Republic of Serbia has asserted its determination to be more actively involved in the process of the digital transformation of the national economy, but unfortunately, the efforts aimed at this endeavour still fall short in comparison to the countries in the South East Europe region.

Moral Hazard in the Presence of Suppliers and Competitors

This paper examines the interdependence between a firm's moral hazard problem and its roles as a buyer of inputs and seller of final products. We demonstrate that to maximize profit a firm needs to adapt incentive contracts to variations in the competitive environment of the supplier market. Additionally, we show that moral hazard attenuates aggressive pricing of suppliers with market power and that this effect might even outweigh agency costs. We also show how the interaction between the firm-agent and the firm-supplier relationship affects a firm's decision to (de)centralize the tasks of cost reduction and input production. Our results are shown to be robust to variations in input and product market competition.

On the asymptotic stability for Kirchhoff plates with viscoelastic dissipation

We present some results about the asymptotic behavior of a Kirchhoff plate with viscoelastic dissipative effects, making use of the concept of minimal state. This approach allows to obtain results in a larger class of solutions and data with respect to the classical one, based on the histories of the deformation gradient. Recently, a lot of attention has been paid to find unified approaches to study the asymptotic behavior with memory kernels exhibiting a temporal decay containing the exponential and polynomial decay as special cases. Here we extend this unified approach to the Kirchhoff plate model in presence of supplies within the minimal state formalism.

Asymptotic stability in linear viscoelasticity with supplies

We present some results about the asymptotic behavior of a linear viscoelastic system making use of the approach based on the concept of minimal state. This approach allows to obtain results in a larger class of solutions and data with respect to the classical one based on the histories of the deformation gradient. Recently, a lot of attention has been paid to find unified approaches which permit to study the asymptotic behavior with memory kernels presenting a temporal decay of which the exponential and polynomial decays are only special cases. Here we extend this unified approach to the dynamic problem in presence of supplies by using the minimal state and compare our results with those present in literature.

Benefícios da aglomeração de firmas: evidências do arranjo produtivo de semijoias de Limeira

The benefits of company clusters: evidence obtained from the production arrangement of the semi-precious jewelry industry in Limeira Studies indicate that the clustering of local firms in the same line of business produces externalities arising from the specialization of labor, the emergence of infrastructure and the exchange of information. These externalities affect the performance of these firms. Thus, this study aimed to show the benefits of the clustering of firms, by investigating the production of semi-precious jewelry in the city of Limeira. In-depth interviews with authorities and executives of the local productive arrangement were explored using content analysis. This was crosschecked with secondary data, to analyze the local economic activity. There is cooperative action only among small groups of firms that create value for individual companies that cooperate. The coordinated actions of the association of manufacturers to improve their image via communication, exploring the positive aspects of the local product, have also been relevant for the performance of the firms. The availability of skilled labor is a factor that reduces costs, but quality gains are yet to be achieved. Informal transmission of knowledge about production process improvements and the presence of suppliers helping to develop design are relevant aspects for the product category, which is strongly related to fashion. The support of universities and research centers in the training of skilled labor also benefits the businesses. There are, however, some negative effects of proximity, of which the most obvious is the lack of product differentiation and the consequent price-based competition.

Buyer–supplier partnership quality and supply chain performance: Moderating role of risks, and environmental uncertainty

Summary In this paper, we examine the relationship between buyer–supplier partnership quality, and supply chain performance, in the presence of supply and demand side risks and environmental uncertainty. Based on the theoretical underpinnings of resource-based view, relational capital theory, and transaction cost economics, we propose a positive relationship between partnership quality and supply chain performance, which is strengthened in the presence of high demand and supply-side risks, but weakened in the presence of high environmental uncertainty. Empirical evidence, based on the survey data of 127 US firms supports a majority of our arguments. We discuss theoretical and practical ramifications of these findings and offer future avenues of research.

The locational factors and performance of the high-tech startups in China

This paper discusses the influence of selected locational factors in the performance of Chinese high-tech startups. The study's sample was composed of 74 high-tech startups located in Shenzhen. Industrial agglomeration, the presence of suppliers and the immigrant culture were the major reasons that attracted these new enterprises to set up their businesses in Shenzhen. The empirical findings show that the proximity to suppliers and customers was essential for the development of the high-tech startups in this area. The correlations between the high-tech ventures' development and the perceived performance of the local institutions, as well as the local business service providers, turned out to be insignificant. The important implications for policymakers are indicated.

Managing product variety in multinational corporation supply chains

PurposeFor manufacturing enterprises, today's business environment is characterised by globally dispersed supply and manufacturing networks. In addition, the level of variety in products continues to increase in almost all sectors. Greater understanding of the management of product variety in international operations is required. Aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachA generic simulation model representing a multinational corporation (MNC) supply chain is used to investigate the impact on supply chain performance of increasing product variety in combination with supply lead‐time and demand uncertainty in an international setting. The simulation focuses on the upstream activities of production planning, inbound supply and manufacturing. The structure and logic of the simulation model are based on insights obtained from an empirical study of real MNC supply networks.FindingsThe study shows that increasing the level of product variety has a detrimental impact on supply chain performance. In the presence of supply lead‐time and demand uncertainty, high levels of variety result in much longer flow times and much higher system inventory relative to more stable conditions. The impact is greatest when variety involves critical materials which are required early in the production process and that entail long set‐up times.Research limitations/implicationsThe study could be extended to incorporate more advanced inventory control models, the inclusion of downstream activities, multiple manufacturing sites and multiple potential supply routes.Practical implicationsImplications for the selection of suppliers and for inventory control policies are discussed in the context of international operations. The potential value of postponement strategies and the need in some cases for fundamental product and process redesign to mitigate the negative impacts of variety are highlighted.Originality/valueManaging product variety in the context of international operations has received very little attention to date in the research literature. This study quantifies the potential impact of increasing product variety on supply chain performance in an international setting.

Single-ended to differential converter for multiple-stage single-ended ring oscillators

This paper presents an improved technique for single-ended to differential conversion that allows for the use of single-ended CMOS ring oscillators in an otherwise fully differential integrated circuit environment. An interpolating resistor network is used to derive a fully differential representation of the single-ended voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO) signal. The technique preserves the fundamental noise performance of single-ended ring oscillators in the presence of supply and substrate interference. Experimental results in a 0.35-μm CMOS process show the applicability of this technique at the VCO speeds of up to 1.3 GHz.