Supply Chain Information Systems Research Articles

Agile supply chain strategy and supply chain performance: complementary roles of supply chain practices and information systems capability for agility

The paper examines the mediating effect of supply chain (SC) practices on the relationship between agile supply chain (ASC) strategy and SC performance. It further examines the moderating effect of information systems (IS) capability for agility on this mediated relationship. Using the theoretical lenses of complementarity and the information processing view of the supply chain, we hypothesise that strategic supplier partnership, customer relationship, postponement and lean practices, mediate the relationship between ASC strategy and SC performance. We further hypothesise that IS capability for agility moderates each of these mediated relationships. We empirically test the hypotheses using survey data from members of senior and executive management in the logistics/supply chain functions of 205 firms. The paper contributes to the literature on ASCs by theoretically explaining and empirically demonstrating how SC practices and IS capability for agility act together to effect a positive relationship between ASC strategy and supply chain performance.

B2B technology adoption in customer driven supply chains

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to develop and propose a comprehensive framework that identifies the factors that influence a company’s decision to adopt business to business (B2B) technologies. Design/methodology/approach – The authors review the literature regarding technology adoption from multiple disciplines including: Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Sociology, Information Systems, Marketing and Economics. A synthesis of the review provides the foundation for developing a comprehensive model of inter-firm technology adoption. Findings – The review and synthesis finds inconsistencies in the theoretical models and constructs used in previous studies of inter-firm technology adoption. The comprehensive framework presented identifies four major categories of antecedents to technology adoption: characteristics of a technology, organizational factors, external factors and relationships. The presented model focuses attention on the inclusion of relational factors that affect the adoption of B2B technology. Research limitations/implications – An important area that has been ignored in the inter-firm adoption literature is the impact of inter-firm relationships on technology adoption. This paper emphasizes the importance of inter-firm relationships and identifies power, trust and justice as important relationships that influence the adoption of inter-firm technologies. Originality/value – The expanded framework identifies the antecedents of B2B technology adoption, which can be used as a guiding framework by both academics and practitioners. The paper also offers directions for future work in the form of propositions.

The role of internal communication in enhancing organizational competitiveness a case study of retail industry in Visakhapatnam

The present article examines the role of Internal Communication in stimulating the individual employee outcomes and Organizational outcomes in the era of Globalization. The study investigates the relationship between Internal communication and Organizational competitiveness. A sample of 150 respondents from Retail Industry in Visakhapatnam consisting of various Departments viz Logistics and Supply chain Management, Information systems, Accounting and Human Resource management are taken as respondents. A Hypothesis is formulated to examine the relationship between constructs of Internal communication and Organizational competitiveness. Exploratory Factor Analysis is conducted and Varimax Rotation is applied for all the items of variables. The statistical results conclude that Internal Communication plays a significant role in enhancing Organizational competitiveness.

Supply Chain Information Systems Technologies and Management Strategies in Northern Minnesota

Improving supply chain (SC) operations is one of the goals that all organizations strive to achieve. Enhancing Supply Chain Management (SCM) will help organizations improve efficiency, generate more profit, and reduce business expenses. High value customers and suppliers can be added or retained by maintaining a reliable SCM information system. Using SCM information systems is considered as best practices in the management field. The more reliable and efficient SC, the more profits a company can generate and the easier to compete globally. This research aims to explore Northern Minnesota enterprises strategies, practices, and information systems technologies that are used for managing their supply chains. An online survey is used to collect information on three questions: What are the major challenges with the use of information systems for SCM in Northern Minnesota? What is the level of satisfaction of current strategies and practices that are used in SCM? What are the actual needs for the effective use of SCM information systems? The reliability of the survey has been insured by conducting a polite study of the survey by three companies. SPSS program is used to analyze the collected data. Descriptive analysis is used to present and explain the results. This research may help managers to determine the needs to improve their supply chains. This research can be used as a benchmark and can be implemented in other areas.

Sistem Informasi Untuk Supply Chain Berkelanjutan Berbasis Pengetahuan

Information systems and supply chain has a strategic role to manage, measure and improve business performance with a sustainable competitive advantage. This paper aims to design the basic theoretical concepts of information systems for a enterprise knowledge-based sustainable supply chain. These systems in the form of a sustainable supply chain information system designed based enterprise resource knowledge and directed in accordance with the objectives and indicators of business performance in a sustainable by taking into account environmental, economic and society. Concepts theoretical basic of this system can be used as a basic for research development and application in the field of information systems and supply chain sustainability. The application of this system can be used to help management in managing and optimizing enterprise knowledge resources in accordance with the potential of the enterprise in order to improve business performance overall and sustainability.

How do supply chain management and information systems practices influence operational performance? Evidence from emerging country SMEs

This study first provides a comparative analysis of the impact of supply chain management (SCM) and information systems (IS) practices on operational performance (OPER) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in two neighbouring emerging country markets of Turkey and Bulgaria. Then, we investigate moderating effects of both SCM–IS-linked enablers and inhibitors on the links between SCM and IS practices and OPER of SMEs. To this end, we first empirically identify the underlying dimensions of SCM and IS practices, and SCM–IS-related enabling and inhibiting factors. Second, a series of regression analyses are undertaken to estimate the impact of the study's constructs on OPER of SMEs. The results are discussed comparatively within the contexts of both Turkish and Bulgarian SMEs and beyond. The study makes a significant contribution to the extant literature through obtaining and analysing cross-national survey data of SCM and IS practices in emerging country markets.

Developing a More Robust Approach to Global Supply Chain Information Systems in a Turbulent World

A global supply chain comprises producers, consumers, distributors, and retailers who may span trans-national boundaries. This paper reviews literature on global supply chains and offers recommendations about the key characteristics of a robust global supply chain information system. Issues related to standards diffusion at an international level are also discussed in light of the network effect theory. A review of an automotive supply chain case study (MOSS) has been presented to highlight the new approach to the effective use of inter-organizational information systems (IOS). Emphasis is laid on an industry standards approach that is non-proprietary and increasingly web-based.

Supply chain collaboration and firm performance in manufacturing

Supply chain collaboration is often referred as a way to integrate business processes up- and downstream the supply chain. Information systems tend to be important enablers for such collaborative actions. This paper presents empirical evidence on how supply chain collaboration and information systems support is connected with firm performance. Here firm performance is defined as financial performance and intra-firm supply chain performance including logistics costs, service performance and asset utilisation. For the analysis, survey data from 86 manufacturing firms operating in Finland were gathered and merged with financial reports data. The data-set was analysed through correlation analyses, confirmatory factor analyses and generalised linear models. The findings suggest that lower logistics costs and better financial performance are associated with increased collaboration in the supply chain. The results also imply that practitioners should perhaps opt more for collaborative actions in the supply chain than the technical capabilities of their information systems.

Supply Chain Management Optimization within Information System Development

The supply chain concept has become a concern due to global competition and increasing customer demand for value because the Companies try to improve their industrial performance in terms of cost, delays, adaptability, variety and traceability. Thus, the information must be available in real time across the supply chain and this can not be achieved without an integrated software system for supply chain management. Supply chain members have to collaborate, sharing information for improving customer’s satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to present what is the impact of the information system in performance of SCM in which a framework is based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) combined with a forecasting module was presented, so, this article is dealing with studying the relationship between information system and supply chain management (SCM) optimization. For this objective, we develop a new model based in model predictive control when is nowadays recognized as a standard methodology for the control of industrial and process systems. In addition, this article attempts to clearly describe the relation between the supply chain management and information system. The proposed framework will be determinate the efficiency of the method and the impact of forecast accuracy on overall control performance of the supply chain.

An integer linear programming model to support customer-driven material planning in synchronised, multi-tier supply chains

This paper describes an integer linear programming model conceived as an alternative to a traditional material requirements planning (MRP) system for extending the concept of supply chain synchronisation upstream in a multi-tier supply chain. In this model, we assume there is an incumbent application for transmitting original equipment manufacturer (OEM) requirements to first-, second- and third-tier suppliers. The proposed model is regarded as being embedded within a web-enabled, multi-tier, supply chain information system that provides the application for transmitting the production requirements. The principal motivation for having second- and third-tier suppliers that are synchronised with OEM and first-tier activity is the significant inventory, lead time and responsiveness gains that can potentially be achieved. Here, inventory is considered as a whole across a supply chain, and stock-outs are prohibited for the first-tier supplier. For illustration purposes, an example based on a real, automotive case study is provided. The model results proved better in terms of inventory and bullwhip reduction than those found in a previous simulation-based approach. Also, a comparison of the proposed case results with those of a conventional MRP application is provided.

A conceptual analysis of virtual supply chain collaborative network

For many modern enterprises, supply chains have become one of the core business processes involving interorganisational relationships and coordinated activities across enterprise boundaries. B2B collaboration between trading partners has contributed to strategic and operational advantages. Organisations may collaborate across supply chain processes ranging from information exchange, coordination, cooperation, to close collaboration. The present paper systematically reviews literature on supply chain collaboration, interorganisational relationship, information systems and organisational design. Changing patterns of organisational forms and governance from extended enterprise to network and virtual organisations are discussed in relation to inter-organisational collaboration. A socio-technical approach is presented to conceptualise and analyse supply chain collaboration in virtual network organisation. Based on a critical analysis and synthesis of the literature, some design principles and future research directions are proposed. Inter-organisational information systems for virtual supply chain and collaborative network organisation are promising areas of research that this paper seeks to advance.

Leveraging information technology to bridge the health workforce gap.

The International Telecommunication Union estimates that, in only four years (2007–2011), mobile broadband subscriptions in the developing world increased by more than tenfold: from 43 million to 458 million. Mobile de-vices and internet access are becoming increasingly necessary professional tools for health-care workers at all levels in developing countries. New fibre and wireless infrastructure, as well as the rapid growth of computer processing power, provide an unprecedented op-portunity to scale up health worker training and improve its quality, as well as to optimize health service delivery and strengthen health systems.Over the past 20 years, learning management systems have contributed greatly to the tremendous expansion of e-learning. The past five years have also seen an increase in massive open online courses. eHealth technologies, including electronic medical records, laboratory and pharmacy information systems, along with disease surveil-lance and supply chain information systems, are transforming health care. Mobile health (mHealth), which is the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices, extends these systems to the most remote and inaccessible parts of the developing world. In addition, the same mobile devices used to optimize communica-tion and support front-line health-care workers can be used to deploy multi-media training programmes and clini -cal decision support tools. The social media and the development of com-munities of practice have yet to be fully mobilized to support health workforce capacity building. The use of the social media by health workers has several potential benefits. Some examples are crowdsourcing of educational content, translations and localization (i.e. ad-aptation of the content to a particular region), peer-to-peer learning, joint problem solving and reflective prac-tice. In addition, ICTs can strengthen communication between providers and patients, increase community support for health worker capacity building and heighten the demand for high-quality clinical services.E-learning tools can support cur-riculum development and course sched -uling and management in ways that are conducive to blended learning approaches and that take advantage of multiple learning environments. Such tools can also be linked with national health professional registration and licensure systems, as well as with health workforce planning, management and in-service training systems, to provide information and support to the health workforce throughout the health worker lifecycle. Following pre-service train-ing, ICTs can be used to optimize the work of a health-care provider – the use of electronic health records, clinical decision-making, supply chain manage -ment and service quality control are examples – and to facilitate mHealth communications, continuing education and the establishment of professional social networks.Training methods based on video conferencing, webcasting, recording, localization and playback of training can enable global access to the very best educators and are more cost-effective than standard face-to-face educational programmes. Interactive content pro-grammes that incorporate gaming and adaptive learning tools can also be used.

Cloud Computing in Support of Supply Chain Information System Infrastructure: Understanding When to go to the Cloud

Research suggests that there are other, more granular factors within the domain of innovation diffusion theory that influence the adoption of technological innovations. In this study, the circumstances that affect a firm's intention to adopt cloud computing technologies in support of its supply chain operations are investigated by considering tenets of classical diffusion theory as framed within the context of the information processing view. We posit that various aspects of an organization and its respective environment represent both information processing requirements and capacity, which influence the firm's desire to adopt certain information technology innovations. We conducted an empirical study using a survey method and regression analysis to examine our theoretical model. The results suggest that business process complexity, entrepreneurial culture and the degree to which existing information systems embody compatibility and application functionality significantly affect a firm's propensity to adopt cloud computing technologies. The findings support our theoretical development and suggest complementarities between innovation diffusion theory and the information processing view. We encourage other scholars to refine our model in future supply chain innovation diffusion research. The findings of this study might also be used by industry professionals to aid in making more informed adoption decisions in regard to cloud computing technologies in support of the supply chain.

Environmental Uncertainty on Supply Chain Growth Mechanism of Action Research-based on the Supply Chain Information System Alignment and Supply Chain Integration

Environmental Uncertainty on Supply Chain Growth Mechanism of Action Research-based on the Supply Chain Information System Alignment and Supply Chain Integration

A comparative analysis of information visibility in two supply chain management information systems

PurposeCoordination in supply chains and networks calls for information sharing among the members of the supply chain. Accordingly, information visibility – the availability of relevant information for making supply chain related decisions is an important concept in the context of supply chain management. The purpose of this paper is to identify the different dimensions of information visibility and propose a framework based on these information visibility dimensions. The proposed framework can be used to evaluate supply chain information systems (SCIS) and their contribution towards information visibility in supply chains.Design/methodology/approachUsing the proposed framework, we compare two different SCIS (SAP APO and SupplyOn) to assess the extent to which these systems meet the information visibility needs within supply chains and networks. In order to carry out the comparison, data regarding the two systems in collected using multiple methods such as from system documentations, training sessions, interviews with experts and systems engineers.FindingsThe findings indicate that both systems perform well in terms of supporting information visibility, however they serve different purposes within supply chains and networks. Based on the findings, the authors discuss the role of different types of SCIS depending on the characteristics of adopting firms and their supply chains, and how the use of these different systems can complement each other. The research and practical implications of this study are discussed in the overall context of supply chain management.Originality/valueThe framework can be used by organizations to assess the extent to which relevant information is accessible within their supply chains and to select from various SCIS solutions that are available. This research advances understanding on ways of achieving information visibility.

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM INFORMASI RANTAI PASOK YANG TERINTEGRASI GUNA MENDUKUNG PENGADAAN BAHAN BAKU DI PT. XYZ

PT. XYZ is a company engaged in the chemistry sector. PT. XYZ which located in Cikarang industrial area currently has 200 people of employees with the increament in the production and income for the recent years. This situation means company require to improve management and supervision from the management in order to get the production and income increamentoptimized. Accordingly to this, the needs of company management based on integrated supply chain system becoming important.To date, although the current system mostly using computers, there are still different application in some of computers. Unintegrated system cause the double data input which make the process and output result ineffective and inefficient. The application of integrated system hope will support the service activity specially providing information with quick, precise,accurate, and controlled. Integrated information system here defined as a system consist of various component ofdata, application, and technology which related each other to support the information needs of the company. This research using literature, data collection, data analysis, data flow diagram, entity relationship management, specification process, application implementation, andapplication trial. The problem solving including this step: problem identification, objective formulation, inventoring, compile and analysis, and the design method of integrated supplychain information system.

Supply Chain Coordination, Reconstruction Ability and Enterprise Performance

Supply chain is one of the sources of the enterprises competitive advantage. Enterprises can reduce time and cost of and enhance enterprise performance through supply chain management. But the mechanism of action has not so clear. In the capacity-based view, the article builds the mechanism model between supply chain coordination ability, reconstruction ability and enterprise performance. And then draw the conclusion by constructing a structural equation model and empirical analysis. Supply chain coordination ability includes four dimensions: supply chain management tools, supply chain management organization, supply chain operation team and supply chain information system. Reconstruction ability includes two dimensions: flexibility ability and agility ability. Supply chain coordination ability promotes directly enterprise performance; reconstruction ability promotes directly enterprise performance and promotes indirectly enterprise performance through coordination ability.

Supply chain information systems strategy: Impacts on supply chain performance and firm performance

This paper examines the relationship between supply chain (SC) strategy and supply chain information systems (IS) strategy, and its impact on supply chain performance and firm performance. Theorizing from the supply chain and IS literatures within an overarching framework of the information processing theory (IPT), we develop hypotheses proposing a positive moderating effect of two supply chain IS strategies – IS for Efficiency and IS for Flexibility – on the respective relationships between two SC strategies – Lean and Agile, and supply chain performance. Based on confirmatory analysis and structural equation modeling of survey data from members of senior and executive management in the purchase/materials management/logistics/supply chain functions, from 205 firms, we validate these hypotheses and show that the IS for Efficiency (IS for Flexibility) IS strategy enhances the relationship between Lean (Agile) SC strategy and supply chain performance. We also show a positive association between supply chain performance and firm performance, and a full (partial) mediation effect of supply chain performance on the relation between Agile (Lean) SC strategy and firm performance. The paper contributes to the supply chain literature by providing theoretical understanding and empirical support of how SC strategies and IS strategies can work together to boost supply chain performance. In doing so, it identifies particular types of supply chain IS application portfolios that can enhance the benefits from specific SC strategies. The paper also develops and validates instruments for measuring two types of SC strategies and supply chain IS strategies. For practice, the paper offers guidance in making investment decisions for adopting and deploying IS appropriate to particular SC strategies and analyzing possible lack of alignment between applications that the firm deploys in its supply chain, and the information processing needs of its SC strategy.

Role of information systems in supply chain management and its application on five‐star hotels in Istanbul

PurposeSupply chain management (SCM) has become important in the service sector nowadays, because customer satisfaction is dependent on the efficiency of supply chain activities. Hotels are operations where personal guest satisfaction is a major priority. A large and diverse range of supply factors are gathered according to the requirements of guests, and then service is provided. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of SCM and information system (IS) in five‐star hotels.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from senior management and relevant department authorities of five‐star hotels in Istanbul by asking them open‐ended questions. The findings were evaluated with descriptive analysis and different conditions of usage information systems in SCM were presented and then issues were determined.FindingsThe findings were evaluated in five groups; four of them being: First, purchasing, inventory management, warehousing, customer relationship and service production processes in these enterprises are mainly being carried out by conventional methods. Second, internet is being used instead of fax as a means of communication in the supply chain. Third, respondents say that the use of information systems is reflected in the speed, reliability, easy access, low cost applications and time saving within the supply chain process. Fourth, Netsis program is the most frequently used and the advantage of its ERP applications are also being used.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings were evaluated by descriptive analysis method. Because of the low number of participants, statistical analysis does not give meaningful results. Consistency of responses given by participants is tested by the investigation of cross relations between the questions.Originality/valueIn this paper, the supply chain structure in hotels, and supply chain information systems are being examined through the interactions of the members. To achieve this goal, the relationship between information systems and the supply chain structure has been established and the role of information systems in SCM is determined with the help of corporate information systems.

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