Angel Diaz

Improving healthcare services: lean lessons from Aravind

Better healthcare operations are required to deal with issues of ageing population, increased costs and unmet demand. This paper induces, from an in-depth analysis of the operations of Aravind, the operational principles of early triage and lean practices that can be used to this end. Aravind, an Indian non-for-profit organisation that treats two thirds of its patients without charge, is the largest eye care provider in the world, with over 2.5 million operations performed and 20 million patients treated in the last 30 years. The methodology used is grounded on in-site primary data collection and on extensive secondary data analysis. Based on process and value stream map analysis, we identify the key lean practices of Aravind, and propose a conceptual model for the improvement of healthcare operations. The contribution of the paper is a grounded analysis of the applicability of established manufacturing lean principles to healthcare service operations.

A resource dependence, social network and contingency model of sustainability in supply chain alliances

Despite an increased emphasis on strategic alliances in supply chain in the academic and practitioner literature, we have a limited understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the sustainability of partnership model in buyer-supplier relations. This paper examines the role of context and actors in the dynamics of strategic alliance development, and their effect on its subsequent sustainability. Reconciling resource dependence, social network and contingency theories this paper proposes a model that links alliance sustainability with various conditions of supply chains internal and external environments. The theoretical conceptualisations are substantiated by the case study that examines the evolution of Rolls-Royce and Airbus partnership in the aviation industry.

Improving logistics and supply chain management in Spain: An analysis of current practices and future requirements

Improvements in logistics and supply chain practices are essential to the competitiveness of businesses. In this paper, we present the most relevant findings of a large government-funded research project focused on the logistics and supply chain capabilities in Spain. In particular, this study highlights the gaps between logistics and supply chain practices in Spain and the best practices identified in the literature. Our research generated a rich database that will facilitate further research into this highly relevant topic. In our research design, we have been meticulous in addressing the current debate on the tension between rigorous research design and practical relevancy.

Modelling Approaches to Optimise Spares in Multi-echelon Systems

Spare parts optimisation requires an integrated approach that starts with the removal of factors that create noise: bad coding, resulting in parts proliferation; lack of classification and thus of focus; poor network practices (uncoupled warehouses, poor relation with key suppliers); and poor data integrity (non-centralised, non-real time data). Emphasis is also placed on improving forecasts and the application of multi-echelon inventory models for repairable items. The METRIC model is then applied to a hypothetical and two real cases, an underground system and a mobile telephone company in Venezuela.

Benchmarking Logistics and Supply Chain Practices in Spain

This article describes the findings of an exploration into the adopted best logistics and supply chain practices in Spain. The aim of this article and the related government-funded research project has been to propose suggestions for improving Spain’s competitive position through enhanced logistics strategies. More specifically, this article presents an evaluation of the current state of logistics and supply chain practices in Spain that were identified by means of a survey instrument directed to operations and supply chain executives of large Spanish companies. The results of this evaluation are then benchmarked against the global best practices identified in the literature in order to identify any potential gaps. This article concludes by pointing towards various opportunities for improvement in several different areas.

ERP Implementation Strategies: The Importance of Process Modeling and Analysis

Despite the existence of a vast body of research and knowledge related to ERP implementation, the analysis of environmental aspects (e.g. organizational context, existing business strategies, and implementation strategies) that influence the implementation success remains under researched. Hence, the objective of this study was to gain insight of the relation between the ex-ante business variables (i.e. business characteristics identified prior to the implementation), the ERP implementation strategies, and the perceived final contribution. Using survey data obtained from 91 respondents out of a sample population of 549 SAP users in Spain and Latin America (a net response rate of 16.6%) we find a significant correlation between specific business strategies and particular ERP implementation strategies. In addition we observe that process mapping and process-based implementation strategies better explain implementation results than other strategies such as the use of consultants and previous experience.

Integration through orchestration : the interplay between enterprise systems and inventory management capabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanisms through which the use of enterprise systems (ESs) enhances buyer-supplier integration (BSI). More specifically, the authors explain a model where ES enhances BSI indirectly, mediated by inventory management capabilities (IMCs), as the way ES enhances BSI remains under-explored in the literature. Design/methodology/approach Application of the resource orchestration framework to explain how capabilities and mechanisms interplay to enhance BSI. Data were collected by means of a survey instrument. Data collection took place as part of a larger project, sponsored by the Spanish Government, to evaluate logistics competitiveness in Spain. Findings ES enhances BSI by serving as a coordinating mechanism that maintains capability configurations in a value-creating alignment. IMC plays a key, yet under-explored role as a mediating mechanism that supports ES-enabled BSI. Research limitations/implications First, this research does not fully capture the multi-party nature of the supply chain context. Second, data collection was limited to companies that were more likely to have a systematic approach to logistics issues (i.e. large- and medium-sized companies) and companies based in Spain. Originality/value This paper enhances both scholarly and practitioner understanding of the mechanisms through which the implementation and use of ES contributes to BSI. In addition, this paper integrates literature from different fields (e.g. strategy, information systems, and operations) to gain a better understanding of how the implementation and use of ES affects BSI.

Spare Parts and Maintenance Optimization in a Mobile Telephone Company

Telecommunication companies depend on high availability of equipment to maintain service quality. In cellular communications electronic cards maintenance is basically reduced to exchanging parts as they fail. These parts are geographically dispersed in unmanned locations. Spares and maintenance policies are thus interrelated and tend to follow multiechelon configurations, following the architecture of the physical network. We describe the optimization of spare parts and maintenance policies performed by the Venezuelan mobile phone operator Movilnet. Both system issues (reduction of SKU, classification of items, network practices, and data integrity) and modeling issues, centered on the adaptation of the METRIC model to the simultaneous optimization of spare parts and personnel resources, are discussed. The systematic application of these resulted in important reductions in the purchasing of spare parts, without quality deterioration.

Logistics Strategies And Practices In Venezuela

This paper presents an empirical and statistical analysis identifies the key characteristics and opportunities of logistics in Venezuela. Among the key findings are conservative approaches to logistics in a protected market whose environment is changing faster than preferred by the responsible actors, limiting the application of modern logistics practices. This and other considerations, such as geographical location, production of commodities and the identification in the strategy of the firms of the need for better logistics practices indicate important opportunities for the application of modern logistics practices.

Redesigning organisation, systems and networks: the transformation of the European network of CHEP

Facilities network redesign is likely to become more common, due to drivers such as reduced life-cycles (requiring more frequent restructuring of the supplier base), off-shoring, and mergers and acquisitions. The literature analysis focuses on analytical aspects, such as algorithms for network optimisation, but not in the organisational and systems transformations that such profound reorganisations imply. The research contribution of this article rest on showing, through an action research retrospective analysis of pallet and container service provider CHEP, how those inter-related transformations should occur. The transformation described, driven by increases in the network complexity required to support their operations, include the previous and post situation for the company, with emphasis on the transformation process of the facility network, systems and organisation from an island-like, country-based organisation to a Pan-European network.