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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

Supply chain management is becoming critical as firms recognize that competition is shifting from company versus company to supply chain versus supply chain. Two important factors in building successful supplier relations are (1) defining criteria to select and evaluate suppliers and (2) involving suppliers in important, inter-company decisions. This research describes the relationships between these factors and supplier performance and between supplier performance […]

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 OklahomaThe purpose of this paper is to provide a theory-based explanation for the emerging managerial role set within supply chain networks. As managing within supply networks requires a portfolio of capabilities, the emerging managerial role set is explained utilizing a combined knowledge-based view and relational contracting theoretical perspective. The multiple foci of the manager’s role set within supply networks is associated with […]

Strategic Benefits from a Mature Innovation

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

In this study, senior executives with electronic data interchange (EDI) experience explained the factors their firms considered when deciding to use EDI. The majority of their comments focused on the operational (i.e., internal) benefits they are receiving from EDI. Most of the firms that participated in the study have moved from an operational mindset regarding […]

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

In order to survive and thrive in today’s global economy, firms of all sizes must be able to use information as a competitive weapon. Manufacturing firms must be able to receive and process customer orders, schedule shop orders, and place purchase orders efficiently to be effective members of their supply chain. Information technology can be […]

An Environmental Baldrige?

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

This study develops an integrated theory about how Total Quality Management (TQM) based capabilities can be leveraged for Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing (ERM). It suggests that efforts should be coordinated to take advantage of the potential synergies between TQM and ERM. The means for capturing these synergies might be accomplished by using the Malcolm Baldrige National […]

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

The purpose of this paper is to compare implementation of short-run (i.e., small lot-size) statistical process control (SPC) techniques in just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing environments. Using U.S. and Japanese questionnaires, this research focuses on the use of several manufacturing elements such as setup time, stability of process and quality improvement. Barriers to the implementation of short-run SPC techniques are also examined. Results show significant […]

The Myth of Japanese Buyer-Supplier Relationships

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

This paper examines whether or not the close relationship between buyers and suppliers in the Japanese automotive industry was also the norm in the electronic equipment and office machine industries. The results indicate that it was not. In fact, the level of integration between buyers and suppliers in Japan was even lower than in the U.S. American buyers were more likely […]