International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Jaana Auramo; Anna Aminoff; Mikko Punakivi

2002 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030210442568

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&D topics, a panel workshop to critically analyse the preliminary findings and prioritise the R&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.

R. Meenakshi Sundaram; Sameer G. Mehta

2002 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030210442577

A comparative study of three different approaches on a hypothetical supply chain model is presented. The three approaches investigated are: independent; semi-integrated; and integrated. In the independent approach, it is assumed that decisions are made independently at three different levels. Decisions are assumed to be made at two different levels in the semi-integrated approach. In the integrated approach, all decisions are assumed to be made at a single level.

M. Caridi; R. Cigolini

2002 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030210442586

This research provides a literature review in the field of uncertainty dampening methods for manufacturing systems, and proposes a new model to improve materials management effectiveness in materials requirements planning environments. The literature review gives rise to a classification framework of the models along nine structural dimensions that refer to the safety buffer treatment, the environmental characteristics and the type of approach. On the basis of the classification framework, the proposed model provides guidelines for approaching the problem of dimensioning, positioning and managing safety stocks against demand uncertainty. The effectiveness of the proposed model has been tested by comparing it to the traditional approach, through a computer-based simulation.

Mary Margaret Weber

2002 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030210442595

The need for increased flexibility in responding to market demand is driving a heightened interest in virtual, or agile organizations. However, agile response in the supply chain may not always be necessary and may not always be a better alternative than more traditional organizational structures. The model proposed in this paper provides a means of measuring both the need for agility and how agile an organization actually is. This is accomplished through the use of a hierarchical model that details with increasing specificity sources and levels of variance in the supply chain. As the ability to control specified variances increase, the need for agility decreases.

Anthony Ross

2002 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030210442603

As economic activities span the supply chain boundary, the effective use of technology as the medium for coordination (or integration) among and within organizations has received much attention. In the US manufacturing sector, IT usage is increasingly becoming a source of sustained competitiveness and an opportunity for improvement. And there is a growing demand to achieve conflicting performance objectives (revenue versus profitability versus efficiency, for example). This article explores the relationships between information technology investment, performance, and productivity. While management should continue to evaluate IT investments by any practical means that satisfies company needs, the development of IT competencies and investment policies so as to optimize the firm's performance seems to be a worthwhile goal. Our empirical findings clearly suggest that IT investment has a positive impact on market performance as a result of better coordination in the value chain, but that larger investments do not seem to lead to higher financial performance. Additionally, coordination productivity seems to benefit from increased investment by reducing, say, working capital requirements. Given the diversity of firms represented, we conclude that the way in which these firms compete may also have a direct influence on the extent of IT investment and competencies.

Scott J. Mason; Michael H. Cole; Brian T. Ulrey; Li Yan

2002 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030210442612

The highly competitive electronics manufacturing marketplace demands that suppliers provide low-cost, high-quality products to their customers in a timely fashion. Shortened product life cycles and increasingly global competition have caused traditional manufacturers to focus on their company core competencies, such as product design and development, choosing to outsource the actual manufacturing of their products to contract manufacturers. Although the decision to outsource can have both positive and adverse effects on key areas of the manufacturing supply chain, one positive effect is that the manufacturer's supply chain agility is increased. Outsourcing has caused an increase in the amount of information that is shared between supply chain partners. As a result, a greater reliance on suppliers and alliance partners has become essential for company survival. We examine the ways in which contract manufacturing has increased the agility of the electronics manufacturing supply chain.