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Last Time Around

W. Rocky Newman, Ball State University

I am gratified by the quality articles in this special issue, which is the last in my tenure as Editor-in-Chief.
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Convergence

Daniel Short, Miami University

The convergence of information technology and communication not only challenges business organizations but will also challenge academic institutions.
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Nabisco Centers on the Customer: A Supply Chain Initiative

Rick Blasgen, Vice President-Supply Chain, Nabisco, Inc.

This executive tracks the success of Nabisco in meeting the changes facing their industry from a supply chain management perspective and describes how they have leveraged their operations for future success.
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Building Supply Chains: A Key To Enhancing Manufacturing Performance

Michael Tracey, University of Idaho
Mark A. Vonderembse, The University of Toledo

With the growing likelihood of expanded supplier roles in the supply chain, this research surveys the relationship between supplier performance criteria, supplier performance, and the impact on the buyer’s manufacturing process.
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From Market to Commitment: A New Inter-firm Relationship in the North American Automotive Supply Chain

Richard Senter, Jr., Central Michigan University
Michael S. Flynn, University of Michigan

As the automobile industry has been a “driving force” in supply chain management, this research interviews 26 executives and surveys 175 firms in the industry to assess changes in how they operate and to help develop a framework for evaluating firms within the industry.
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The Changing Role of Managers within the Supply Chain Networks: Theory and Practical Implications

Milorad M. Novicevic, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
M. Ronald Buckley, University of Oklahoma
Michael G. Harvey, University of Oklahoma

This study examines the changing role of managers as their focus expands to include enlarged supply chains. The authors outline the implications that these changes will have on research and practice.
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Strategic Benefits from a Mature Innovation

Dale Young, Miami University
Houston H. Carr, Auburn University
R. Kelly Rainer, Jr., Auburn University

Using a select set of case studies, these authors explore firm investments in information technology. Specifically, they examine issues behind EDI adoption and diffusion.
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Communication Along the Supply Chain: A Survey of Manufacturers’ Investment and Usage Plans for Information Technologies

Mark D. Treleven, John Carroll University
Charles A. Watts, John Carroll University
Patrick T. Hogan, University of Houston-Downtown

Many believe that information systems may provide the foundation for supply chain management. This paper surveys manufacturers to measure the distribution of information technology investments.
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From Market to Commitment: A New Inter-firm Relationship in the North American Automotive Supply Chain

Richard Senter, Jr., Central Michigan University
Michael S. Flynn, University of Michigan

The automotive industry in North America is experiencing a period of far-reaching reorganization. Part of that change is in the automotive supply chain, including firms in the industry, such as Ford or General Motors, that assemble the vehicles and firms that are their suppliers. The particular emphasis in the research reported below is on the new relationships among these firms in the […]

An Environmental Baldrige?

Sime Curkovic, Western Michigan University
Robert Landeros, Western Michigan University

This adaptation of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award framework suggests that quality issues can be seamlessly integrated into the management of environmental issues. This paper provides a foundation for future research in this direction.
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Use of Short-run Statistical Process Control Techniques: A Comparison of JIT and Non-JIT Manufacturing

Gyu C. Kim, Northern Illinois University
Marc J. Schniederjans, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

This study reports a comparative survey of the use of Statistical Process Control techniques when producing wide varieties of small batch size products by Japanese and U.S. firms. Implementation suggestions are included.
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The Myth of Japanese Buyer-Supplier Relationships

Nakato Hirakubo, St. Peter’s College
Michael Kublin, University of New Haven
Martin T. Topol, Pace University

The high level of buyer-seller integration in the Japanese auto industry is well known. This paper compares that understanding to relationships in other industries with surprising results.
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