International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Novack, Robert A.

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110136777

The literature on the role of purchasing in logistics is firstreviewed. No comprehensive framework is available that addresses bothoperational and behavioural components. The necessary features aredescribed of such a framework which will provide the basis fordetermining the relationship between the costs of quality and effectivemanagement of the purchasing process.

Ellram, Lisa M.

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110137082

While supply chain management concepts are receiving increasingattention in literature and practice, the supply chain managementphilosophy is supported by a limited theoretical base. The industrialorganisation literature related to the advantages, disadvantages andapplications of vertical integration and obligational contracts isexplored. The industrial organisation literature regarding verticalintegration and obligational contracts is related to supply chainmanagement. The advantages and disadvantages which supply chainmanagement shares with vertical integration and obligational contractsare discussed. It is concluded that supply chain management is a way ofcombining many of the advantages of vertical integration andobligational contracts, while overcoming some of their disadvantages.Using the industrial organisation literature and findings from two casestudies, prerequisites are developed for supply chain management, andthree competitive situations are described. Supply chain managementholds promise as a competitive form, provided that certain hazards areavoided, and that a competitive advantage results.

Scott, Charles; Westbrook, Roy

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110002225

Intense global competition has created a highly demanding customer.To serve his needs for highvariety, low cost, sound quality and easyavailability, organisations are looking beyond their own boundaries tothe management of their supply chains. In this they have been inspiredby the typical Far Eastern, and the very best Western, practice. Butsupply chain management is still a hope not a reality for manycompanies. On the one hand there is an array of panaceason offer for our sick businesses new technology, computerintegrated manufacturing, the JustinTime approach, total qualitymanagement, and more besides. On the other hand supply chain managementhas few specific tools of its own. To the manager busy holding on to hismarket share it is difficult to see where to start the process of makinghis operation more competitive. A threestage approach to help companiessee just which actions are likely to get the supply chain into bettercompetitive shape is proposed. Also introduced are two simple graphicaltools to help management develop a strategy for enhanced supply chaineffectiveness the pipeline map and the supplier relationship grid.

Ramsay, John

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110005123

The nature of specifications received by purchasing functions has aheavy influence on an organisations ability to minimise boughtoutcosts and thus maximise profits. The nature of purchase specificationsand the effect of other functions upon their creation are discussedopen and closed specifications and therelationship between purchase specifications and profit performance aredemonstrated, defining the precise type of purchase specification neededto enable the purchasing function to achieve its primary goal ofcostminimisation.

Garreau, Alain; Lieb, Robert; Millen, Robert

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110138388

A comparison of the impact of JustinTime JIT manufacturingprogrammes on corporate transport requirements between American andFrench firms is provided. Five major areas were addressed 1 changesin carrier portfolios 2 carrier selection and evaluation criteria3 internal and external information flows 4 impedimentsencountered and, 5 financial implications. The results indicate thatthe implementation of JIT manufacturing programmes introduce majorchanges for the logistics function in both countries. Responses fromboth groups were very similar in terms of the types of changes required.However, the manner in which firms in the two groups reacted to thesechanges differed in many cases due to countryspecific factors. Whilethe findings of the survey questionnaire must be considered tentative,due to the size of the samples, they provide further evidence that JITprogrammes can be applied in transport logistics across differentcultures wherever firms develop and maintain the necessary commitment.