Critical success factors of medical technology supply chains

This paper investigates Critical Success Factors that affect the performance of organizations involved in Medical Technology supply chains (MTSCs) in Germany. The Medical Technology sector in Germany is considered an innovative, fast-growing and promising industry, being third behind the USA and China as the biggest market in the world, worth 29.9 billion euros in 2017. MTSCs in this country are under pressure from health service funding and cheaper imports, primarily from China. Consequently, supply chain success is of high importance and OEM operational improvements are critical. This exploratory study involved a multiple case study approach where 15 OEMs within German MTSCs were investigated. Following within-case and cross-case analysis, empirical results led to the development of testable propositions, which constitute a foundation for further research investigation. The findings show that there are six, prioritized Critical Success Factors for MTSCs that include sales and operations planning, product development process and quality and compliance. These findings challenge existing assumptions about Critical Success Factors within MTSCs, providing practitioners with strategies showing that re-prioritized CSFs should improve the operational performance of OEMs.     

供应商产出随机与供应中断下的双源采购决策

研究在需求与供应不确定条件下,一个制造商向两个存在产出随机和供应中断可能性的供应商采购零部件时的最优决策问题。论文分别针对两种情况：（1）只考虑供应商产出随机,（2）同时考虑供应商产出随机与供应中断可能性,建立了两种情况下制造商与两个供应商之间的博弈模型,证明了在两种情况下,制造商均存在最优订货量、供应商存在最优生产量使自身利润最优。研究发现,供应商产出稳定性的改善（即产出随机性降低）不仅可以使自身获得更大的利润,也使制造商获得更大的利润。供应商最优生产量随着自身产出随机性降低先增后减。同时,供应商供应中断可能性的降低会为自身带来更大的收益,也为制造商带来更大的收益。     

How does information sharing affect first-tier suppliers’ flexibility? Evidence from the automotive industry in Sweden

This study addresses the critical research issue of how supplier delivery performance can be enhanced by integrating information sharing into volume and delivery flexibility. This study developed a research model to relate information sharing on demand forecasts and inventory data between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and first-tier suppliers. Based on a sample of 52 suppliers from automotive industry in Sweden, partial least squares structural equations modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to assess the model. The results confirm that sharing demand forecasts is a key enabler of supplier volume and delivery flexibility while sharing inventory data is not. The study contributes to enlarging the knowledge about supply chain management from the suppliers’ perspective. It also contributes to knowledge by validating the conceptual model and operationalisation of constructs. The study also has practical contribution in which management should focus on improving communication and collaboration practices with OEMs for effective sharing of demand forecasts.     

Honoring complexity in sustainable supply chain research: a rough set theoretic approach (SI:ResMeth)

Abstract

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) faces greater complexity because it considers additional stakeholder requirements, broader sustainable performance objectives, increased sustainable business practices and technologies, and relationships among those entities. These additional complexities make SSCM more difficult to manage and operate than traditional supply chains. Complex systems require new methods for research especially given reductionist research paradigms of modern science. Rough set theory (RST) can be a valuable tool that will help address complexity in SSCM research and practice. To exemplify RST usefulness and applicability, an illustrative application using sustainable supply chain practices (SSCP), and environmental and economic performance outcomes is introduced. The conceptual case provides nuanced insights for researchers and practitioners in mitigating and evaluating various SSCM complexities. RST limitations and extensions are introduced.     

A Structural model for the impact of supply chain relationship traits on project performance in construction

The objectives of this study are to discover the supply chain relationship traits in construction and their impact on the project performance. Using factor analysis technique, the supply chain relationship traits were determined to be collaboration in the supply chain, support and commitment to the supply chain, and sharing the benefits and risks. A two-step SEM model was then established to test the hypothesised relationship between the supply chain relationship traits and the project performance. The findings indicated that the supply chain relationship traits have a significant positive impact on the project performance. This study contributes to the body of knowledge relating to the construction supply chain management. The findings may help the parties to identify the attributes that may improve the relationships among them and result in better project performance.     

零售商长期后悔规避的供应链网络动态均衡

本文研究了基于时变随机需求的供应链网络动态均衡。由于需求的不确定性和季节性,网络中的零售商会考虑缺货后悔和存货后悔的负效用,基于长期后悔规避效用做出最优决策。利用变分不等式,刻画了网络中制造商层、考虑长期后悔规避效用的零售商层和需求市场层的均衡决策行为。通过数值算例,基于三种长期后悔情形分析了零售商长期后悔规避行为对其均衡订购量、利润、后悔值的影响。研究结果表明,零售商的长期后悔规避程度在不断增加、保持不变,不断减少这三种情况下,对其均衡订购量、利润、后悔值的影响不同。研究结论将指导供应链网络中企业,基于长期后悔规避制定最优决策。     

供应链企业投资RFID技术的博弈均衡研究

本文以两条竞争供应链（每条供应链均包含一个制造商和一个零售商）为研究对象,基于其是否投资无线射频识别（Radio Frequency Identification,RFID）技术,分别构建了两条供应链均不投资RFID（N情景）、供应链1投资RFID（S1情景）,供应链2投资RFID（S2情景）,及两条供应链均投资RFID（T情景）的收益模型,求解出相应的最优解并探讨供应链投资RFID的均衡策略。研究发现：相较于N情景,单条供应链投资RFID技术对其竞争供应链成员收益产生"负外部性"。当RFID成本较低时,供应链的均衡策略为T情景;当RFID成本较高时,错放率较低的供应链不采用RFID技术,其竞争供应链将采用RFID技术以提高自身的竞争力。     

互补型闭环供应链的收益共享与成本共担契约协调优化

互联网平台开放、协作和分享的特点改变了传统的商业模式。如何将互联网思维与传统产业相融合,理论界和实业界正在进行理论探索和模式实践,突破线上平台商和线下渠道服务商界限以提高服务效率,解决线上平台服务和逆向回收难的瓶颈。本文针对单一线上平台商-单一线下渠道服务商的闭环供应链系统,探讨双方如何在正向供应链进行收益共享、逆向供应链进行渠道成本分担情境下的产品定价和服务优化决策。通过对比收益共享模型和收益共享-成本共担模型发现,线上平台商将部分收益分给线下服务商的同时,如果能分担线下渠道服务建设投入,将更有利于逆向回收和服务商逆向渠道服务水平的提高。最后,还通过数值分析,验证了分成分担比例对平台商和服务商决策的影响,以及对各决策变量的影响关系机理。     

碳交易政策对电煤供应链利润及碳排放量影响的仿真分析

针对由一个供应商和一个生产商组成的二级电煤供应链,分析该链上的生产、运输和消费三个主要碳排放环节,构建碳交易政策下电煤供应链全过程碳排放的系统动力学仿真模型。以神华集团X煤炭企业-Y电厂组成的电煤供应链为例,研究不同碳交易政策对该供应链及各节点企业利润及减排效果的影响。结果表明：电煤供应链上生产、运输和消费环节碳排放量占总碳排放量的平均份额分别为12.1%、39.6%和48.3%;碳交易价格越高,对电煤供应链及各节点企业利润的负面影响越大,其减排效果先增后减;随着免费配额比例的下降,电煤供应链上各节点企业利润明显减少,其减排效果略有提高;碳交易补贴可减缓电煤供应链及各节点企业利润下降,并且可有效地提升其减排效果。     

资金约束背景下反向保理的供应链合作

反向保理通过运用买方（核心企业）优良信誉解决卖方融资难问题。考虑核心企业因为反向保理而承担信誉损失风险的情形,刻画面临不确定需求时由单供应商和单零售商组成的二级供应链系统,建立供应商资金约束背景下基于批发价契约的博弈模型,探讨反向保理情形下的供应链合作,并通过模型演算和数值实验为供应商提供反向保理决策依据。研究发现：当供应商资金约束时,反向保理增加供应链收益,且核心企业受益更多;反向保理能增强供应链运营稳定性和捕捉机会的能力;研究意外发现了供应商和零售商同时受益于优惠的融资条件因而具有加强合作的动力。研究揭示了买方驱动融资的动机并为金融增强供应链合作提供新的支撑。