Adrian E. Coronado Mondragon

Reverse logistics network design: a state-of-the-art literature review

In the last decade, research in reverse logistics has rapidly grown in both academia and business driven by factors such as economics, environmental legislations and corporate citizenship. Particularly in academic research, a variety of quantitative models have been proposed to address reverse logistics network design, a key area of research in logistics. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the literature on reverse logistics network design during the period 2000?2008 and identify future research gaps and opportunities.

Automotive supply chain models and technologies: a review of some latest developments

Purpose – To critically review business trends and drivers affecting the performance of supply chains and build‐to‐order initiatives.Design/methodology/approach – This is a comprehensive review of the potential implications of two inbound logistics solutions: supplier parks and the notion of full‐service‐vehicle supply in addition to developing technologies such as web services interoperability, radio frequency identification (RFID) and collaborative product commerce (CPC).Findings – It is expected that the wide adoption/consolidation of supplier parks and full‐service‐vehicle supply and technologies such as web services interoperability, RFID and CPC will facilitate/promote the adoption of build‐to‐order initiatives.Research limitations/implications – The business models and technologies presented in this paper have been developed and exploited mainly in the automotive sector. Their success could have a big impact if transferred to other industries. Only a handful of technologies/business models affectin...

Investigating the implications of extending synchronized sequencing in automotive supply chains: the case of suppliers in the European automotive sector

In recent years automakers have paid considerable attention to synchronizing supply chain material flow. Potential benefits associated with synchronization include stability in both demand and supply patterns, inventory reduction, elimination of demand amplification and better long-term planning. In major European production sites, the geographic proximity of suppliers to the vehicle assembly plants provided the motivation for examining the feasibility of extending the synchronized sequenced delivery of components upstream in the vehicle supply chain. The value stream used in the research concerned the seating systems at two major European production sites. The results of extending synchronized sequencing from the first to the second tier showed a reduction in demand amplification to negligible levels, achieved overall synchronization levels of 99–100% and considerably reduced overall pipeline inventory between the vehicle assembly plant and the second tier component supplier. The findings suggest how the geographic proximity of suppliers can be used to implement multi tier synchronized sequencing of components to improve supply chain performance. Based on the results of the study a series of recommendations are provided concerning the supply chain implications of multi tier synchronized sequencing.

Mass Customisation: A Strategy for Customer-Centric Enterprises

It is through leveraging the potential of the supply chain to satisfy consumers’ needs that is increasingly determining business competitiveness.

Estimating the performance of intelligent transport systems wireless services for multimodal logistics applications

Various wireless technologies including radio frequency identification (RFID), bluetooth, cellular networks and dedicated short range communications (DSRC) might have an impact on logistics and transport operations. Among them, DSRC stands out as a broadband communications technology which has been designed to provide a general purpose Radio-Frequency (RF) link between vehicles and network infrastructure. As such, DSRC is capable of implementing the physical layer of an Internet Protocol (IP) bearer based network designed to facilitate the monitoring and coordination of portside vehicular traffic. This unprecedented application of wireless networking has the potential to greatly enhance the management of the flow of goods and resources, particularly within large, international ports whose activities comprise multimodal operations such as the use of road haulage to move cargo transported by sea. Given the need for reliable services in non-safety business applications, in this work an Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) approach is used to address two issues. First, in wireless networks reliable data transfer transport layer services are affected where there is an apparent increase in mobility when access point coverage areas are reduced to counter the effects of path loss in the physical layer. Second, a service provisioning protocol intended for vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) data transfer is proposed to illustrate the importance of cumulative costs in wireless networks used for logistics applications. The analysis covers the average response time for requesting on-demand services within the portside network considered. The results of the analysis confirm the suitability of the approach used to provide a logistics network capable of meeting the requirements demanded in multimodal logistics.

Network Collaboration: Vertical and Horizontal Partnerships

Supply chain structures differ significantly according to the nature of the product supplied and the type of industrial sector served. Some supply chains, because of the complexity of the product or a strategic desire to outsource non-core activities and source globally, are intricate with multiple tiers and branches; others, by virtue of the relative simplicity of the product, or where strategy has led to an organisational logic that requires the retention of a large proportion of manufacturing or business processes, possess a high degree of vertical integration, and, therefore, are often shallower, narrower and less complex. Some supply chains are characterised by convoluted logistics structures, some are configured to sell products to order rather than from stock, some are designed to produce, transport and sell the same product through multiple channels while others are dedicated to a single channel. In all, students of supply chain management are required to master a quite diverse array of network design options.

Modularity, open architecture and innovation: an automotive perspective

Competitive pressures in the automotive industry are forcing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to modify their traditional scope for value creation and value capture. This situation is exemplified by the semi-open architectures of todays motor vehicles, in the complete modification of hierarchies in the automotive value networks and in the modification of the relations of automotive OEMs ecosystems. These phenomena are studied in this paper through the discussion of the causes of the shift toward automotive architecture openness and the utilisation by OEMs of Full Service Vehicle suppliers (FSVs) as tools for value creation.

Managing complex, modular products: how technological uncertainty affects the role of systems integrators in the automotive supply chain

Systems integrators can play a conspicuous role in automotive supply chains. A systems integrator is an organisation with the capabilities to incorporate modular systems based on new technologies generated by its suppliers without its direct involvement. This work investigates the role of systems integrators at managing complex products with modular architectures under technological uncertainty in the automotive supply chain. For this research, it was decided to rely on existing architecture typology that included high-to-low technological uncertainty in complex, modular products. The research methodology included case studies comprising two segments in the automotive industry. The results of the study show systems integrators in low technological uncertainty, such as coach and bus manufacturing, have to be able to redesign those architectures due to the implementation of unknown technologies in key individual components (i.e. transmission and engine technology). For complex product, architectures under high technological uncertainty, the most important source of innovation still lies in the specialisation of individual activities. The role of the system integrator in the automotive supply chain is reduced to create basic interfaces for the adaptation and incorporation of untested and uncertain technologies in the overall architecture. OEMs performed the role of systems integrators in this study.Systems integrators can play a conspicuous role in automotive supply chains. A systems integrator is an organisation with the capabilities to incorporate modular systems based on new technologies generated by its suppliers without its direct involvement. This work investigates the role of systems integrators at managing complex products with modular architectures under technological uncertainty in the automotive supply chain. For this research, it was decided to rely on existing architecture typology that included high-to-low technological uncertainty in complex, modular products. The research methodology included case studies comprising two segments in the automotive industry. The results of the study show systems integrators in low technological uncertainty, such as coach and bus manufacturing, have to be able to redesign those architectures due to the implementation of unknown technologies in key individual components (i.e. transmission and engine technology). For complex product, architectures under h...

Methodological review of logistics and supply chain management research in China

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of logistics and supply chain management (SCM) research in China from the standpoint of methodologies applied. The empirical evidence used is based on a sample of logistics and SCM research papers published in 20 Chinese representative journals from the years 2000 to 2009. The state of research is assessed by examining research methods, research areas, level of research issues, research design, contribution, and main theories and tools. The findings show that dominant logistics and SCM research in China is alienated from business practices, as desk work represents the main research design applied with mathematical modelling the major study and analysis tool, and the contribution is mostly theoretical. Compared with international state of logistics and SCM research, there should be more empirical research based on practical data in China.

Technology selection in the absence of standardised materials and processes: a survey in the UK composite materials supply chain

Abstract Composite materials is an industry where technology selection has major consequences as there is not a standard manufacturing process, nor are there standardised materials with defined or proscribed properties for companies to select as multiple solutions are technically viable. This research aims to identify key factors for manufacturing technology selection in the UK composite materials supply chain. Literature review and managers’ opinions were used to identify 18 factors affecting manufacturing technology selection. This was followed by a survey comprising the multi-tier supply chain of the composite materials industry. The results of the survey show ‘on time deliveries/service level to customers’, ‘improve quality’ and ‘reduce cycle time’ received the highest average ratings. In this study a correlation analysis was performed to identify the underlying dependencies between the factors investigated. The identification and use of underlying dependencies rather than highest average provided a more comprehensive picture of the factors that affect technology selection in the composite materials industry. For this study, experts in composite materials were asked to comment on the findings of the survey and their value to the industry. The results presented may assist companies in the composite materials industry with technology selection decision-making processes.