International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Mert Tokman; Ayse Banu Elmadag; Nimet Uray; R. Glenn Richey Jr

2007 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030710763369

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically explore how prior exchange relationships may impact a local firm's decision to participate in a supply chain international joint venture (SC‐IJV). Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory study of the influence of prior working relationships using a sample of 32 US and European‐based SC‐IJVs. First, a cluster method was used to determine the two categories of local firms' motivation to form SC‐IJVs with foreign partners. Next, a discriminant analysis revealed the differences between the two categories in terms of the emphasis put on prior exchange relationships when forming SC‐IJVs. Findings – Results confirm two major types of motivations for a local firm to participate in a SC‐IJV: exploration and exploitation. Moreover, the motivation types are varied in terms of the emphasis placed on a prior working relationship with the SC‐IJV partner. While exploitation‐oriented firms consulted a previous working relationship experience before forming a supply chain IJV, exploration‐oriented firms did not. Originality/value – This study shows that Eastern European firms can be separated into two categories in terms of SC‐IJV goals: those focused on learning (exploration) and those focused on strategic behavior (exploitation). Second, the study shows that the firms favoring exploitation prefer a past working relationship with the potential partner, while those favoring exploration did not. The study is exploratory in nature, but provides a solid platform on which to base future research.

Katrina Savitskie

2007 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030710763378

Purpose – This research seeks to investigate logistics information technology (LIT) from an international perspective. The initial focus determines the viability of categorizing LIT into two constructs – internal and external LIT. The second focus examines the relationships between internal and external LIT and customer‐related performance capabilities. The objective is to provide a mechanism for managers to use when they need to provide justification for LIT expenditures. Design/methodology/approach – A review of the literature, along with survey data provided by international supply chain executives, was used to develop a research concept regarding LIT and its impact on customer‐related performance capabilities. Findings – The results revealed that it is logical to separate LIT into two dimensions and that those individual dimensions do have an impact on specified performance capabilities. Therefore, managers wishing to target specific performance capabilities with LIT may do so even within an international setting. Research limitations/implications – The small sample size of 34 was not ideal and limits the possible generalizations from this study, but the results provide a basis for future research. Implications include support for the viability of two‐dimension LIT approach and the connection between LIT and performance capabilities that managers can use to justify LIT expenditures. Originality/value – This paper answers the call for more internationally‐based supply chain research along with the need for justification regarding LIT investment.

Zachary Williams; Robert Moore

2007 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030710763387

Purpose – This paper seeks to present a framework depicting the development of information power‐based relationships between firms, and to describe the effect of information power on long‐term relationships between supply chain partners. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper combines literature from the field of information sciences regarding information integration with literature addressing traditional power relationships to develop a set of propositions describing how interfirm relationships evolve. Findings – The conceptual framework introduced indicates that information can be utilized as a coercive and non‐coercive power base in supply chain relationships. Practical implications – The need for information may result in a firm utilizing either coercive or non‐coercive power as a means of obtaining it. This research provides interesting findings about the use of information, as a power base, and its role in interfirm relationships. Originality/value – This paper combines literature from various fields to develop a needed conceptual model of information power roles within supply chain relationships.

Jennifer Stacey; Malini Natarajarathinam; Charles Sox

2007 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030710763396

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the storage constrained, inbound inventory routeing problem and presents bounds and heuristics for solutions to this problem. It also seeks to analyze various characteristics of this problem by comparing the solutions generated by the two proposed heuristics with each other and with the lower bound solutions. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed heuristics use a sequential decomposition strategy for generating solutions for this problem. These heuristics are evaluated on a set of problem instances which are based on an actual application in the automotive manufacturing industry. Findings – The storage space clearly has a significant effect on both the routeing and inventory decisions, and there are complex and interesting interactions between the problem factors and performance measures. Practical implications – Facility design decisions for the storage of inbound materials should carefully consider the impact of storage space on transportation and logistics costs. Originality/value – This problem occurs in a number of different industrial applications while most of the existing literature addresses outbound distribution. Other papers that address similar problems do not consider all of the practical constraints in the problem or do not adequately benchmark and analyze their proposed solutions.