Supply Network Structure Research Articles

Concentración de trihalometanos y de ácidos haloacéticos en el agua de consumo y estimación de su ingesta durante el embarazo en la cohorte INMA-Guipúzcoa (España)

Objectives To report trihalomethane (THM) and haloacetic acid (HAA) concentrations in drinking water, assess variations in these concentrations depending on source and over time, and estimate individual intake during pregnancy. Methods Water taken from 33 representative points of the water supply network of the 25 municipalities in the study area was analyzed from 2006–2008. Water drinking habits were recorded using a questionnaire. Results Mean total THM concentrations were 16.9 μg/L (standard deviation, 7.9), while the mean value for the sum of concentrations of five HAA (monochloroacetic, dichloroacetic, tricholoroacetic, monobromoacetic, and dicromoacetic acids) was 10.9 μg/L (standard deviation, 4.9). Concentrations were lower in spring waters, which were only chlorinated, compared with dam waters, which were subject to a complete purification treatment: 8.8 μg/L vs 19.1 μg/L (p<0.01) and 8.2 μg/L vs 11.7 μg/L (p<0.01). Concentrations significantly increased with the number of deposits in the network and with their rechlorination and were higher in the summer and fall. Mean intakes of total THM and of the five HAA were lower in women supplied with spring water. Intakes differed depending on supply reservoir. Conclusions Disinfection by-products in water are affected by water source, supply network structure, and annual season. The mean intake of these products varies depending on the source of drinking water. Mean intakes of all products were much lower than values recommended by the World Health Organization.

Why Leaves Aren’t Trees

Three papers explain aspects of the size and structure of natural supply networks such as blood vessels and leaf veins.

Decreasing network complexity with logistics outsourcing: an entropic approach

Over the years, third-party logistics (3PL) has been adopted by companies with the objective of helping organisations with their value chain activities and hence to be competitive, flexible and responsiveness to dynamic market requirements. According to literature and practice, what is produced in outsourcing logistics has effects not only for the parties directly involved but also for other relationships and organisations of the overall network in which the relationship is embedded. Up to now, 3PL outcomes perceived by the parties directly involved (shipper, manufacturer and logistics service provider) are often addressed in literature, while the 'external outcomes' experienced at the supply chain level need further analysis. This work investigates the implications of the outsourcing of logistics activities on the supply network structure by using a set of entropic measures useful to study the quantity of information required in a network. The intention of this work is to show that a transition from a self managed structure to third-party logistics arrangement brings with it, if correctly managed, a decrease in information needs and consequently a reduction in supply network complexity level.

Balancing internal supply chain logistics: a comparative analysis of manufacturing and service firm operations

With the advent of high speed and large volume data transfer, logistics and supply chain management techniques have made great changes in internal supply chains. The present study dealt with three large organisations, at least regionally headquartered in the Pittsburgh, PA (US) metropolitan area, within the service industry and how they strategically leverage incentives to promote SCM-related concepts to attract and retain internal and external customers. Each segment will begin with a brief synopsis of the current situation, followed by examples of how the company incorporated logistical SCM-related systems into their strategic plans. In terms of SCM initiatives, each company was documented and their relationships explored with various operational and financial performance metrics, including information sharing, product and service customisation, long-term relationships, hedging strategies, advanced planning systems, leveraging the internet, supply network structure, and distribution network structure.

Assessing consequences of low‐cost sourcing in China

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to develop a framework for low‐cost sourcing assessment and to explore the consequences of low‐cost sourcing in China for a European manufacturer.Design/methodology/approachThe low‐cost sourcing framework generated from literature and the consequence analysis is based on a case study of a European company that has outsourced part of its casting processes to Chinese suppliers.FindingsCharacteristics of low‐cost sourcing are based on a literature review divided into three categories: country characteristics, supply network structure, and supply network relationships and the case study shows that these three categories of characteristics jointly create negative effects. A two‐directional cause and effect relationship is proposed between the characteristics and the operational supply chain performances. The presented low‐cost sourcing assessment framework should be a good starting point for low‐cost sourcing assessment, including mapping a firm's total characteristics, and for analysing their performance impact.Research limitations/implicationsThe conducted single case study is not enough for identifying, formulating, and validating all existing relationships between the low‐cost sourcing characteristics. The present study has identified the existence of the relationships but has not evaluated their levels of impact.Practical implicationsManagers should be aware of how suppliers in low‐cost countries may affect the structures, relations, and operational supply chain performances of the supply network. This paper presents a sourcing assessment framework enabling describing what dimensions of the sourcing characteristics would be affected by sourcing to a specific area of the world and what consequences and performance effects this would have.Originality/valueFew prior studies have focused on companies with already established relationships with low‐cost‐country suppliers and how these companies should make the best out of these supply chains. This study takes a holistic perspective on low‐cost sourcing and identifies several streams for further research.

Functional Structure and Data Management of Urban Water Supply Network Based on GIS

This paper presents an urban water supply network system based on GIS technology. The system will adopt three-tier/N-tier architecture as the application logic structure. Thy system can be divided into six subsystems: the analysis subsystem, the aided design subsystem, the installation and maintenance management subsystem and the customer service subsystem serve data management subsystem. The data management of the system will adopt SuperMap. We present the details of the data management, such as basic data collection, structure framework of the basic geographic information bank, the process to construct GIS basic information bank of water supply network, data conversion and input into banks, data vectorization and input into banks, etc. Then the system database is designed in detail. We adopt object oriented analysis and design methods, and utilize Class Diagram of UML to represent the entity tables and their relations against the core data of the network system, that is spatial dictionary database and spatial database. According to Class Diagram, it can be directly mapped as the database structure and an example is given. Finally, the successful application of the system in Yiyang city of China is beneficial for water supply enterprises to utilize the existing water resource in time, rationally and effectively.

Supply network modelling and simulation methodology

Supply network management in today’s business climate characterized by high uncertainty, globalization of business, outsourcing, shorter product life-cycles, and high customer expectations is extremely challenging. Simulation can be a valuable tool for supply network analysis, planning, optimization, evaluation, and risk management. This paper presents a methodology for modelling both structure and dynamics of complex supply networks based on process approach. It also describes the model-driven simulation methodology and the main components of the simulation software solution: model database, process library, knowledge base, and execution engine. Finally, simulation results of the case supply network are presented.

How can fluid dynamics help supply chain management?

This paper investigates a pivotal problem in supply chain management: how to configure supply networks and business processes to achieve time performance. The study focuses on the time-sensitive casual wear industry. Initially, Zara's and Benetton's supply networks are cross-compared to understand the rationale behind their differences in time performance. Starting from this analysis, the paper then borrows an analogy with fluid dynamics to explain the relations between the supply network structure, business process configuration and time performance, and interprets Benetton's and Zara's configuration decisions and their impact on time performance. The paper proposes a model that unites under one framework the different perspectives existing in the literature on the phenomenon under investigation. This study also has interesting practical implications, as it offers guidance for managers facing programmes for supply network design or re-configuration.

Chinese ICT industry from supply chain perspective—A case study of the major Chinese ICT players

Having emerged in the middle of the 20th century, the information and communication technology (ICT) industry has sprung up during the past 20 years. China plays a significant role within the ICT segment in that it has become a major supplier and a fast growing market in the world. This paper, based on interviews in 2006 with nine important Chinese ICT companies, identifies the supply network structure for Chinese ICT industry and its value-adding opportunities. The essential finding is that the domestic operators are the focal companies within the Chinese ICT supply network. This result is further verified by an alliance analysis using the UCINET software.

A supply network configuration perspective on international supply chain development

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of configuration on supply network capability. It was believed that a configuration perspective might provide new insights on the capability and performance of supply networks, a gap in the literature, and provide a basis for the development of tools to aid their analysis and design.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involved the development of a configuration definition and mapping approach extending established strategic and firm level constructs to the network operational level. The resulting tools were tested and refined in a series of case studies across a range of sectors and value chain models. Supply network capability assessments, from the perspective of the focal firm, were then compared with their configuration profiles.FindingsThe configuration mapping tools were found to give new insights into the structure of supply networks and allow comparisons to be made across sectors and business models through the use of consistent and quantitative methods and common presentation. They provide the foundations for linking configuration to capability and performance, and contribute to supply network design and development by highlighting the intrinsic capabilities associated with different configurations.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough multiple case networks have been investigated, the configuration exemplars remain suggestive models. The research suggests that a re‐evaluation of operational process excellence models is needed, where the link between process maturity and performance may require a configuration context.Practical implicationsAdvantages of particular configurations have been identified with implications for supply network development and industrial policy.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to develop established strategic management configuration concepts to the analysis and design of supply networks by providing a robust operational definition of supply network configuration and novel tools for their mapping and assessment.

The structure of branched transportation networks

The transportation problem can be formalized as the problem of finding the optimal paths to transport a measure μ + onto a measure μ − with the same mass. In contrast with the Monge–Kantorovich formalization, recent approaches model the branched structure of such supply networks by an energy functional whose essential feature is to favor wide roads. Given a flow s in a road or a tube or a wire, the transportation cost per unit length is supposed to be proportional to s α with 0 < α < 1. For the Monge–Kantorovich energy α = 1 so that it is equivalent to have two roads with flow 1/2 or a larger one with flow 1. If instead 0 < α < 1, a road with flow $$s_1+s_2$$ is preferable to two individual roads s 1 and s 2 because $$(s_1+s_2)^\alpha < s_1^\alpha+s_2^\alpha$$ . Thus, this very simple model intuitively leads to branched transportation structures. Such a branched structure is observable in ground transportation networks, in draining and irrigation systems, in electric power supply systems and in natural objects like the blood vessels or the trees. When $$\alpha > 1-\frac 1N$$ such structures can irrigate a whole bounded open set of $${\mathbb{R}}^N$$ . The aim of this paper is to give a mathematical proof of several structure and regularity properties empirically observed in transportation networks. It is first proven that optimal transportation networks have a tree structure and can be monotonically approximated by finite graphs. An interior regularity result is then proven according to which an optimal network is a finite graph away from the irrigated measure. It is also proven that the branching number of optimal networks has everywhere a universal explicit bound. These results answer questions raised in two recent papers by Xia.

Supply network initiatives – a means to reorganise the supply base?

PurposeWhile numerous articles have stressed the importance of developing and maintaining supply networks, there is still a dearth of studies that address how supply networks arise and change over time. The purpose of this article is to describe and conceptualise how a firm initiates the development of a supply network, and how the structure of the firm's supply network and supply base change over time as a consequence of the type and duration of initiative taken?Design/methodology/approachEmpirically, the article is based on a longitudinal, single case study, which is real‐time, theory‐led and contextual. The case study concerns the efforts of a main contractor (within the construction industry) who changed its sourcing strategy, initiated the development of a supply network, and restructured part of its supply base. Theoretically, the article reviews both supply base and supply network management literature, highlights important issues related to both concepts, and discusses similarities and differences between them.FindingsIt is possible to discern between supply network initiatives of more permanent versus more temporary character. Supply network initiatives of a more permanent character comprise the establishment of, for example, organisational structures, functions, manuals and (explicit) routines aimed at continually supporting the maintenance of the supply network. Supply network initiatives of a more temporary character are organised as projects and aim to set in motion a process that may result in the creation of a supply network which develops over time without institutionalised network support structures. A single temporary supply network initiative is useful to consider in relation to the pre‐initiative stage, the ongoing initiative stage and the post‐initiative stage of the initiative. Furthermore, supply networks may be managed through an emergent series of temporary supply network initiatives aimed at supporting the supply network as it emerges over time in a changing context.Practical implicationsManagers may benefit from considering whether a supply network initiative is of a more permanent or a more temporary nature. If it is of a more temporary character, managers may consider analysing the initiative in its pre‐initiative, ongoing initiative, and post‐initiative stages in order to reflect on and learn from the initiative. Furthermore, if the initiative is temporary but form part of a planned or an emerging sequence of initiatives, managers may search for and consider earlier initiatives which may be viewed as “experiments” in a emerging trial‐and‐error learning process aimed at managing supply networks.Originality/valueThe article illustrates how a temporary supply network initiative can be used as a means to instigate reform of a supply base.

The internationalization of retailing: implications for supply network restructuring in East Asia and Eastern Europe

This paper explores the implications of the rapid internationalization of a small cadre of retail transnational corporations over the last 15 years for supply network structures in a range of economies in Eastern Europe and East Asia. Five sets of ongoing restructuring dynamics are identified: the centralization of procurement, logistical upgrading, supply network shortening and new intermediaries, the imposition of quasi-formal contracts, and the development of private standards. It is suggested that these processes are leading to an ongoing ‘shakeout’ of the supply base that is favouring relatively large, well-capitalized suppliers.

Driving forces of strategic supply management: a preliminary empirical investigation

Fostering and maintaining a win-win relationship with suppliers and other supply chain partners is a daunting task. Various driving forces play a significant role in making this a reality. In this study, we first define the theoretical domain of strategic supply management. Based on an extensive literature review, we then identify the key driving forces that assist buyer firms in making their supply management strategic and successful. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of these driving forces on strategic supply management and the effect of strategic supply management on buyer's performance. The results provide empirical evidence to the fact that strategic supply management is driven by several critical factors including environmental uncertainty, customer focus, competitive priorities, top management support, information technology and supply network structure. However, uncertainty was not found to be a significant deterrent in the successful management of supply activities. Rather, it was a stepping-stone for preparedness among the supply chain partners. In general, the results of this study provide additional insights for practitioners and researchers in understanding the strategic management of the supply function.

Research agenda for e‐business logistics based on professional opinions

This study investigated what should be the major research and development areas regarding the logistics of electronic business. The method of study consisted of five elements: the creation of a preliminary e‐logistics vision; focus interviews of e‐business and logistics experts, identification and categorisation of the key R&amp;D topics, a panel workshop to critically analyse the preliminary findings and prioritise the R&amp;D topics, and formulation of a research agenda to guide future research work in the field of e‐business logistics. The two‐phased process, where the interviews were followed by the workshop, enabled the evaluation and prioritisation of the preliminary findings. The requirements of e‐business on the national logistics infrastructure were found to be one of the focus research areas. According to the study, integrated supply network structure with suitable visibility and usage of real‐time data transfer is another area of great importance. Research and development of new logistics service concepts should also be promoted as well as research on the effects and possibilities of using new product data management and product identification methods.

Unveiling the structure of supply networks: case studies in Honda, Acura, and DaimlerChrysler

Three complete supply networks have been mapped in this study. These supply networks pertain to the center console assembly and come from three different product lines—Honda Accord, Acura CL/TL, and DaimlerChrysler (DCX) Grand Cherokee. Based on these three cases of supply networks, propositions are built concerning how the structure of supply networks operates. Based on the extant literature, we frame structure in three dimensions—formalization, centralization, and complexity. As an underlying methodology, we first conduct the within-case analysis and then expand the analysis to cross-case context. The three structural dimensions affect one another progressively, and the cost consideration appears to be the overarching force that shapes the supply-network structure.