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- Abid, Muhammad, 1981-
(författare)
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Global Supply Chain Design : Exploring configurational and coordination factors
- 2015
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis addresses the topic of global supply chain design. One major challenge concerns how to manage the tension between separation and integration pertaining to the localization of business activities. In this regard Ferdows (2008) worked to create two new production network models (rooted production network and footloose production network). Earlier studies have highlighted the choices that are involved in the network of facilities but lack in providing a comprehensive picture in terms of both configurational and coordination factors that govern the design of global supply chain. There is a need for a conceptual model where factors affecting the design process of a global supply chain can be applied. Two main research questions have been addressed in this study. First, exploring and identifying the factors affecting global supply chain design. Second, investigating the factors that influence the position on the spectrum of rooted and footloose supply chain design. A literature review analysis and multi-case studies have been performed for this study in order to explore the factors. The companies were selected in order to reflect upon the two types of network, i.e., rooted and footloose. The primary data were selected through interviews with the managers.This study highlighted that there are many factors that affect configurational and coordination decision areas within a global supply chain. This study categorized the factors and the configurational/coordination decision areas with two main competitive priorities, i.e., cost and differentiation in the form of a “conceptual model.” The study also highlighted the factors in a matrix, which showed their position on the spectrum of rooted and footloose network configurations. For instance, the coordination factors that drive towards a footloose network include: high orchestration capabilities, need access to new technology and knowledge, proximity to suppliers, etc. The configurational factors that drive towards a rooted network include: economic stability, proximity to market, concerns for sustainability issues, high transportation cost, need for high proximity between key functions, need for intellectual property rights protection, etc.
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| 2. |
- Holmbom, Martin
(författare)
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Approaches to improve quality in supply chains
- 2013
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The quality in a supply chain can be improved by enhancing the customer value of the end product or by reducing the total cost of the product. This thesis focuses on values and costs associated with logistical activities in the supply chain. Two approaches to improve supply chain quality are discussed. The first approach, known as performance-based logistics (PBL), is a business model that aims to improve the quality in industries with technically advanced products, in particular in the military and aviation industry. The second approach is a mathematical solution procedure for solving economic lot scheduling problems (ELSP).The purpose of this research is to describe and develop approaches to improve the quality in supply chains. More specifically, the aims of this research are (1) to summarize previously reported benefits and drawbacks of PBL and to explore critical aspects of implementation, and (2) to develop a solution procedure that finds a feasible minimum cost production schedule for a single machine producing several different products.The results are presented in two appended papers. Paper A provides a literature study on PBL. The literature study shows that PBL can: enhance the supplier’s freedom to decide how to produce and improve the performance of a product; generate better opportunities for the supplier to earn profit; improve the supplier’s long-term competitive position; enable the customer to focus on core activities; reduce the customer’s financial risks; reduce support costs; and increase product performance. However, PBL can also: increase the supplier’s financial risks; require organizational changes that induce the supplier’s business risks; and increase the customer’s dependency on the supplier. Some of the critical aspects of implementation are: designing contracts and payment models; deciding on how to measure performance; defining performance indicators; specifying system levels; and setting target values.Paper B presents a heuristic solution procedure intended to minimize setup cost and inventory holding cost in a machine that produces several products in lots. The solution procedure generates a production schedule that can be repeated in a cyclic pattern without shortages, and it uses an extended approximation for the inventory holding cost, since previous literature has shown that the traditional approximation underestimates the cost.
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