A structural analysis of greening the supplier,environmental performance and competitive advantage

A clear research need has been identified to confirm the structural relationships between greening the supplier, enhanced environmental performance and improved competitive advantage, to provide an impetus for firms to green their suppliers. A mail survey was conducted and empirical data of 119 ISO 14001 manufacturing firms in Malaysia was gathered for this study. Structural equation modelling technique was applied in this research article. Results from the analysis, reveal the existence of a positive and significant linkage between green suppliers with both environmental performance and competitive advantage. At the same time, environmental performance has also been shown to positively and significantly affect competitive advantage; while environmental performance plays a partial mediating role between greening the supplier and competitiveness. Such significant finding is especially essential for the manufacturing sector registered with ISO 14001 who intend to enhance their environmental performance and carve a niche competitive edge in the business arena.     

Improving supply chain social responsibility through supplier development

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) emphasises that the entire supply chain of a company should protect natural environment and contribute to social well-being in a tangible way. This study aims to clarify the effects of supplier development practices on supply chain social responsibility. The investigation uses a qualitative case study approach and empirically explores how to develop supplier’s CSR capabilities in a pharmaceutical supply chain. The results indicate that manufacturers can apply supplier development practices, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), audits, collaboration and training, to develop supply chain social responsibility. SOPs and audits are indirect supplier development practices that are designed in response to institutional pressures, and collaboration and training are direct supplier development practices that provide resources for bridging supplier’s CSR capability gaps. In addition, the indirect and direct supplier development practices positively influence each other and they are complementary in enhancing supply chain social responsibility.     

Developing a supplier selection system through integrating fuzzy AHP and fuzzy DEA: a case study on an auto lighting system company in Taiwan

Supplier selection plays a very important role in supply chain management. This study intends to develop a novel performance evaluation method, which integrates both fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method and fuzzy data envelopment analysis (DEA) for assisting organisations to make the supplier selection decision. Fuzzy AHP method is first applied to find the indicators’ weights through expert questionnaire survey. Then, these weights are integrated with fuzzy DEA. We use α -cut set and extension principle of fuzzy set theory to simplify the fuzzy DEA as a pair of traditional DEA model. Finally, fuzzy ranking using maximising and minimising set method is able to rank the evaluation samples. A case study on an internationally well-known auto lighting OEM company shows that the proposed method is very suitable for practical applications.     

Global supplier development considering risk factors using fuzzy extended AHP-based approach

Global supplier development is a multi-criterion decision problem which includes both qualitative and quantitative factors. The global supplier selection problem is more complex than domestic one and it needs more critical analysis. The aim of this paper is to identify and discuss some of the important and critical decision criteria including risk factors for the development of an efficient system for global supplier selection. Fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process (FEAHP) based methodology will be discussed to tackle the different decision criteria like cost, quality, service performance and supplier's profile including the risk factors involved in the selection of global supplier in the current business scenario. FEAHP is an efficient tool to handle the fuzziness of the data involved in deciding the preferences of different decision variables. The linguistic level of comparisons produced by the customers and experts for each comparison are tapped in the form triangular fuzzy numbers to construct fuzzy pair-wise comparison matrices. The implementation of the system is demonstrated by a problem having four stages of hierarchy which contains different criteria and attributes at wider perspective. The proposed model can provide not only a framework for the organization to select the global supplier but also has the capability to deploy the organization's strategy to its supplier.     

Governing inter-organisational R&D supplier collaborations: a study at Jaguar Land Rover

This article discusses the importance of collaboration with suppliers and partners during research and development (R&D) technology projects. It details how this can be accomplished using the collaborative enterprise governance (CEG) concept to manage a technology project. CEG is based on the premise that parts of companies work with parts of other companies, which are reconfigured on dynamic bases according to a variety of different internal and external factors. This article presents an overview of the founding literature, the CEG and its methodology, and examples based at Jaguar Land Rover in the UK. CEG has been used here to explain why some technology projects have succeeded while others have done less well. This article concludes by offering new propositions, inducted through grounded theory, relating to the successful management of R&D projects, which should be picked up by future research studies in the area.     

基于遗传算法的有折扣多产品采购多供应商选择问题求解

针对传统供应商选择过程大多只面向单一供应商进行选择的局限性,本文以质量、价格、交货期和交货提前期为评价指标,以最小化综合评价值为目标,纳入供应商供货能力和价格折扣,建立面向多供应商采购多产品条件下供应商选择的数学模型,并提出基于改进遗传算法的模型求解方法。实证分析验证了本文提出的求解方法的有效性。     

Fit between sourcing capabilities and organisational structure on IT outsourcing performance

Thus far, relatively few studies on the supplier side of Information Technology (IT) outsourcing arrangements have been based on empirical quantitative research. Previous research identified a recurring supplier problem, a lack of sustainability in IT performance. The literature revealed that a supplier's capabilities and organisational structure affect the supplier performance. We hypothesise that realising a fit between the necessary sourcing capabilities and organisational structure on the IT supplier side will result in a sustainable sourcing performance. We executed a survey research among employees involved in sourcing activities of three different IT outsourcing suppliers (N?=?135). The results from our analysis provide evidence that these constructs can be used to analyse differences between the three types of service suppliers. Results indicate that suppliers who focus on establishing a fit are more willing or able to monitor if they achieve a sustainable performance.     

Resource portfolio planning of make-to-stock products using a constraint programming-based genetic algorithm

The investment on facilities for manufacturing high-tech products requires a large amount of capital. Even though the demands of such products change dramatically, a company is forced to implement some make-to-stock policies apart from a regular make-to-order production, so that the capacity of expensive resources can be highly utilized. The inherent characteristics to be considered include finite budget for investing resources, lump demands of customers, long production horizon, many types of products to mix simultaneously, time value of capital and asset, technology innovation of resources, efficient usage of multiple-function machines, and limited capacity of resources. In addition to revenue gained from products and the salvage/assets of resources, a decision maker also needs to consider costs regarding inventory, backorder, and resource acquisition-related costs through procurement, renting, and transfer. This study thus focuses on the following issues: (i) how to decide on resources portfolio regarding the way and timing of acquisting resources, and (ii) how to allocate resources to various orders in each production period. The goal is to maximize the long-term profit. This study formulates the problem as a non-linear mixed integer mathematical programming model. A constraint programming-based genetic algorithm is developed. It has been demonstrated to solve the problem efficiently.     

Improving operational performance through knowledge exchange with customers

Drawing upon a knowledge-based view of the supply chain, this study analyses the antecedents and consequences of tacit and explicit knowledge transfer, from the supplier's standpoint. The proposed conceptual model is tested using survey data from a sample of 218 Canadian manufacturers. Results show that the exchange of tacit and explicit knowledge in the context of a relationship between a supplier and a customer has a positive impact on the supplier's operational performance. As expected, tacit knowledge exchange appears to have a stronger impact on performance than explicit knowledge exchange. Results also confirm the importance of the level of integration and inter-firm trust for the exchange of both types of knowledge. Although many studies of knowledge transfer in the supply chain have been published to date, no empirical study has specifically examined the simultaneous effect of both types of knowledge.     

A contingency view on the impact of supplier development on design and conformance quality performance

This study extends contingency theory’s account of organisational size and culture by exploring the relationship between supplier development and internal quality performance. Drawing on supplier development research, the study aims to examine the moderating impact of organisational size and culture on the relationship between supplier development and design and conformance quality dimensions. Using survey data of 518 UK manufacturing organisations, we found that larger organisations with greater access to resources and a strong supply chain orientation culture tend to place the most weight on supplier development programmes which in turn yield higher internal quality performance. These findings contribute to ‘Operations Management Practice Contingency Research (OM PCR)’ and will raise awareness among operations managers of their future sourcing decisions.     

The effect of supplier development on outsourcing performance: the mediating roles of opportunism and flexibility

Abstract

In this increasingly competitive business environment, firms utilise outsourcing as a strategic tool to leverage globally dispersed resources so that they may focus on their core competencies and improve efficiency. The more firms rely on outsourcing, the more they depend on their suppliers, and the more important it is to manage and develop suppliers in order to achieve and maximise the benefits of outsourcing. This paper explores the impact of supplier development on outsourcing performance. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse data collected from 213 manufacturing firms in China. The results indicate that supplier development has a strong direct positive impact on outsourcing performance, and that supplier development also leads to enhanced outsourcing performance through reducing outsourcing opportunism risk and improving outsourcing flexibility. In addition to making a contribution to current theories of outsourcing, our findings also provide outsourcing managers with practical understanding and insights about the role of supplier development in enhancing outsourcing performance.     

Monitoring the improvement of an overall industrial performance based on a Choquet integral aggregation

The design and use of performance measurement systems (PMSs) have received considerable attention in recent years. Indeed, industrial performances are now defined in terms of numerous criteria to be synthesized for overall improvement purposes. The analysis of the literature leads to the conclusion that most of the proposed approaches deal with a qualitative approach of this multi-criteria issue. But only a few quantitative models for PMSs have been proposed in order to better monitor the continuous improvement cycle. Among them, the one proposed by the authors, based on a Choquet integral aggregation operator, allows to express an overall performance according to subordination and transverse interactions between the criteria involved. But, as this model is nonlinear, it is useful to define pieces of information aimed at aiding the manager to improve the performance situation. Thus, this article is a contribution to the managers’ requirements for optimizing the improvement of the overall performance versus the allocated resources. In this view, indexes of efficiency and predictive improvement are proposed. The approach is applied to a case study submitted by a company manufacturing kitchen and bathroom furniture which wants to upgrade the monitoring of its “environment and quality improvement plan”.     

Assessment of supplier performance based on product-development strategy by applying multi-granularity linguistic term sets

Measuring supplier performance possesses the properties of multi-dimension and multi-scale, it increases the complexity of the aggregation and assessment process. A focal company must develop an effective procedure for overcoming the complexity of performance measurement. Furthermore, the assessment of supplier performance must conform to the product-developed strategy of the focal company. This study is a further research deeper into the concept already introduced in Chang et al. [1] [Applying fuzzy linguistic quantifier to select supply chain partners at different phases of product life cycle. International Journal of Production Economics 2006; 100(2):348–59]; using multi-granularity linguistic variable and numerical ration scale to represent the overall supply performance. By unifying the derived information, the measurement complexity could be resolved. The fuzzy preference was constructed to adjust the consistent direction and transform information into fuzzy relationship. Finally, fuzzy linguistic quantifier guided ordered weighted aggregation (FLQG-OWA) operator with maximal entropy was computed and aggregated with all indicators to meet the current policy of the focal company.     

敏捷供应链供需协调绩效关联分析与实证研究

回顾了供应链协调管理与协调绩效评价的研究现状,分析了供应链协调绩效因子之间的相互关系,建立了一系列的供需协调绩效的关联关系的理论假设命题和一个综合分析模型,并且通过企业的问卷采样,对假设与模型进行了实证研究,验证了有关分析结论与假设命题.     

Graphic Feedback,Performance Feedback,and Goal Setting Increased Staff Compliance With a Data Collection Task at a Large Residential Facility

Because of budgetary constraints, human service organizations frequently expect consultants to recommend methods to enhance staff performance that require little or no additional funding. The current study utilized a multiple baseline across settings design to evaluate and compare the effects of a single intervention and a packaged intervention including graphic feedback and goal setting on approximately 200 direct care staff as a group, to improve the data collection procedure at a residential treatment facility. The single intervention showed some improvement, whereas the packaged intervention yielded substantial improvements and was maintained.     

Improving labour relations performance using a Simplified Drum Buffer Rope (S-DBR) technique

The purpose of this research is to describe an implementation of Simplified Drum Buffer Rope (S-DBR), a scheduling methodology under Theory of Constraints, in service operations of a US military base. In doing so, this research contributes in two ways. For practitioners, this research is the first to show how S-DBR methodology can be utilised to improve the performance of labour relations. For academicians, this research is one of only a few to address the how questions of S-DBR use in a service context.     

Green supply chain performance measurement using the analytic hierarchy process: a comparative analysis of manufacturing organisations

The main purpose of this research is to develop and deploy an analytical framework for measuring the environmental performance of manufacturing supply chains. This work's theoretical bases combine and reconcile three major areas: supply chain management, environmental management and performance measurement. Researchers have suggested many empirical criteria for green supply chain (GSC) performance measurement and proposed both qualitative and quantitative frameworks. However, these are mainly operational in nature and specific to the focal company. This research develops an innovative GSC performance measurement framework by integrating supply chain processes (supplier relationship management, internal supply chain management and customer relationship management) with organisational decision levels (both strategic and operational). Environmental planning, environmental auditing, management commitment, environmental performance, economic performance and operational performance are the key level constructs. The proposed framework is then applied to three selected manufacturing organisations in the UK. Their GSC performance is measured and benchmarked by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a multiple-attribute decision-making technique. The AHP-based framework offers an effective way to measure and benchmark organisations’ GSC performance. This study has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically it contributes holistic constructs for designing a GSC and managing it for sustainability; and practically it helps industry practitioners to measure and improve the environmental performance of their supply chain.     

一种策略层项目计划的双目标优化方法

针对产品开发项目管理的实际情况,对策略层计划优化方法进行研究。以工作包的工作量估算为基础,以资源投入水平和工期最小化为目标,考虑各种约束条件,提出一种策略层项目计划问题的混合整数规划问题模型。以非支配遗传算法NSGA-II为基础框架,设计了一种改进的双目标遗传算法。该算法针对问题的特点,提出了基于资源平滑的解码算法。参考NSGA-III的关键特征,对拥挤密度计算方法进行改进。通过企业实际项目案例,验证了算法的性能和所提出的策略层项目计划方法的有效性。     

Green supply chain performance measurement using fuzzy ANP-based balanced scorecard: a collaborative decision-making approach

The purpose of this paper is to delineate a green supply chain (GSC) performance measurement framework using an intra-organisational collaborative decision-making (CDM) approach. A fuzzy analytic network process (ANP)-based green-balanced scorecard (GrBSc) has been used within the CDM approach to assist in arriving at a consistent, accurate and timely data flow across all cross-functional areas of a business. A green causal relationship is established and linked to the fuzzy ANP approach. The causal relationship involves organisational commitment, eco-design, GSC process, social performance and sustainable performance constructs. Sub-constructs and sub-sub-constructs are also identified and linked to the causal relationship to form a network. The fuzzy ANP approach suitably handles the vagueness of the linguistics information of the CDM approach. The CDM approach is implemented in a UK-based carpet-manufacturing firm. The performance measurement approach, in addition to the traditional financial performance and accounting measures, aids in firm’s decision-making with regard to the overall organisational goals. The implemented approach assists the firm in identifying further requirements of the collaborative data across the supply-cain and information about customers and markets. Overall, the CDM-based GrBSc approach assists managers in deciding if the suppliers’ performances meet the industry and environment standards with effective human resource.     

改进粒子群优化算法在电源规划中的应用

电源规划是一类复杂、非线性组合优化问题.传统的方法随着规划期的延长,考虑因素的增多,难以有效的进行优化,在实际应用中作用有限.首先,对电源规划优化问题进行了建模.然后,对于粒子群(PSO)的迭代策略进行改进,在此基础上,运用遗传粒子群(GPHA)混合优化算法进行了优化尝试.考虑到电源规划中相关参数众多,在优化过程中引入了虚拟变量对电源规划中的问题进行了简化描述;GHPA算法的适应度评价函数设计中,运用了罚函数的思想,以提高算法优化的效果.最后本文使用某省实际负荷预测和系统负荷实际数据,进行了电源规划方案优化,得到了优化后的电源规划方案,并与普通的遗传算法、粒子群算法以及传统的动态规划算法得到的结果进行了比较.比较的结果显示出了本文提出的算法在优化结果和速度方面具有明显效果.