International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Helen Peck

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510599904

Purpose – This paper aims to report on findings of a cross‐sector empirical study of the sources and drivers of supply chain vulnerability. Design/methodology/approach – The research was undertaken in accordance with the realist tradition. It begins with a descriptive exploratory stage involving an in‐depth exploratory case study of aerospace industry supply chains, validated through in‐depth interviews with managers representing other “critical sectors” of the UK economy. This is followed by an explanatory theoretical stage. The work is supported throughout with reference to relevant literature sources. Findings – The findings highlight the absence of any widespread understanding of the scope of and dynamic nature of the problem, which should be considered from multiple perspectives and at four levels of analysis: value stream/product or process; asset and infrastructure dependencies; organisations and inter‐organisational networks; and social and natural environment. Research limitations/implications – The paper is normative rather than positive, so focuses on understanding why supply chains are vulnerable to disruption, rather than presenting itself as a prescription for management. The paper does not investigate academic definitions or existing taxonomies of risk. Practical implications – The work provides some useful insights for practising managers and policy makers. Originality/value – The paper reports on empirical research, then draws as appropriate on network theory and complex systems perspectives to produce a conceptual model of a supply chain as in interactive adaptive system.

R. Glenn Richey; Stefan E. Genchev; Patricia J. Daugherty

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510599913

Purpose – Aims to provide empirical evidence of the relationships between and among reverse logistics, resource commitment, and innovation. Design/methodology/approach – Mail surveys were sent to members of the Automobile Aftermarket Industry Association, a large trade association. Factor level results followed by between‐item results, as typically reported in general linear modeling and mediated regression, are developed using a split sample methodology. Ultimately, Resource‐Advantage Theory provided the framework for examining the impact of developing innovative reverse logistics‐related dynamic capabilities. Findings – Resource commitment makes reverse logistics programs more efficient and more effective. However, the resources must be used in such a manner as to develop innovative capabilities/approaches to handling returns. Resource commitment was not found to be significantly related to innovation in reverse logistics at smaller firms. This is likely to be related to the level of resources available. Larger firms can commit greater resources and, thus, enjoy superior performance compared with smaller firms in the survey group. Research limitations/implications – The focus is somewhat narrow. New research should extend beyond the one industry examined. Future research should also expand to include more members of the supply chain and employ methods that allow examination of network relationships. Practical implications – Reverse logistics deserves special attention in terms of resource commitment. Resources related to labor, i.e. allocating sufficient personnel to reverse logistics programs, are especially critical. Innovation in reverse logistics programs was found to be related to operational service quality at both small and large firms. Originality/value – The research provides empirical evidence of the relationships between resource commitment and innovation – and how reverse logistics program performance is influenced. This has important implications with respect to customer relations. It can also be used to provide rationale for securing adequate resource commitment for reverse logistics programs.

David J. Closs; Morgan Swink; Anand Nair

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510599922

Purpose – Aims to conceptualize flexible logistics programs and information connectivity as two important aspects of logistics flexibility and to examine the role of information connectivity in making flexible logistics programs successful. Design/methodology/approach – A hierarchical regression model is used to test the research hypotheses. Findings – The results suggest that flexible logistics programs are strongly related to all performance dimensions, and that information connectivity fully mediates the relationship between flexible logistics programs and asset productivity and partially mediates the relationship between flexible logistics programs and delivery competence. Research limitations/implications – Future theoretical research can develop a detailed conceptualization of logistics flexibility. In this paper, the constructs are developed utilizing an exploratory factor analysis approach. Future research utilizing confirmatory factor analysis approach will allow a better validation of the performance constructs. The paper also considers that studies that link flexible logistics program, information connectivity and performance in a structural equations modeling framework will further enrich one's understanding. In this framework, flexible logistics programs can be considered as a latent variable comprising several individual resource level flexibility measures. Practical implications – This research highlights the need for organizational structure, role dependencies and a proactive preparedness in terms of managerial policies. The concept of special programs for accommodating changing customer requirements exemplifies the importance for a firm to be aware of shifting demand characteristics and the ability to tailor service delivery accordingly. Originality/value – An examination of the research questions sheds some light on logistics flexibility as a critical component of logistics capability. With this study logistics flexibility is characterized in terms of flexible logistics programs and information connectivity and hypotheses are tested that link these aspects with performance. It is believed that this enhances and enriches the existing logistics literature and presents avenues for further investigation. Meanwhile, testing the link presents managerial insights for prudent decision making. An investigation of the role of information connectivity provides directions for firms to align their information system strategies with their flexibility‐oriented planning decisions.

Rajeev Sawhney; Narendar Sumukadas

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510599931

Purpose – Seeks to show how developing countries are becoming important links in global sourcing networks. However, inefficient functioning of governments as customs‐clearance agents adversely impacts the flow of goods to and from these countries. This uncertainty not only impacts firms in the developing countries, but also seeps into the global supply networks in which these firms participate. Existing strategic supplier partnership (SSP) models do not address the role of government. Design/methodology/approach – This paper utilizes observations gathered from a field study to understand better the mechanisms that companies use to cope with government‐induced import uncertainty. The paper draws insights from a buyer‐buyer collaboration mechanism found among a few firms in the printed circuit board manufacturing industry in India. To generalize the findings to other settings, the paper investigates how such a mechanism came to be, and how others in different settings might benefit from similar mechanisms. Findings – The paper advances nine theoretically grounded propositions regarding other situations in which such buyer‐buyer collaboration may be suitable in other industries or countries. Research limitations/implications – The propositions advanced here need to be subjected to empirical examination, to test and extend the theory's boundaries to other industries and countries. Several “original” concepts generated here need to be developed into researchable constructs, and valid, reliable instruments need to be generated. Originality/value – The propositions advanced here regarding buyer‐buyer cooperation among competing firms represent a clear extension of the traditional buyer‐supplier cooperation extensively studied in SSP models. Moreover, the results are highly usable and add value to supply chain practices.