Bobby J. Martens

Supply Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Decision Support System for Small-Scale Seed Entrepreneurs

It is necessary to infuse a consistent supply of improved seed varieties into local sub-Saharan African crop production to improve low crop yields. The best distribution channel for the improved seed varieties may be small-scale commercial seed companies, but local entrepreneurs struggle to determine whether such businesses are viable. Using a multi-echelon supply chain approach, a decision support system (DSS) was designed to help African seed entrepreneurs make informed decisions about small-scale seed chain businesses. Specifically, entrepreneurs make decisions about where to locate seed enterprises, with which farmers to contract, and where to store seed. Optimization and simulation modeling are used to evaluate infrastructure variables such as distance, transportation cost, and storage loss and cost in three development level areas. Currently, the decision tool is used in Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya, and Tanzania. The model has supported the start-up of at least 17 small seed companies that are now introducing improved seed varieties into villages and farms. The DSS applies decision science research in a humanitarian application and offers important managerial implications about supply chain infrastructure to nongovernmental organizations and humanitarian groups. Such applications are vital as groups such as USAID, the Gates Foundation, and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) continue to move toward micro-enterprise, value chain, and market-oriented development programs.

Food and grocery supply chains: a reappraisal of ECR performance

Purpose – The paper aims to reappraise efficient consumer response (ECR) in the grocery and food industry to determine whether financial and operating performance improves with ECR adoption.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a time‐series multiple regression model. The methodology overcomes historical shortcomings in ECR and supply chain management research related to small sample size, one‐tier investigation, and short‐longitudinal focus.Findings – ECR adoption has beneficial impacts for both financial and operational performance.Research limitations/implications – Two limitations exist. First, determining the actual time of implementation for supply chain management strategies by firms in the food industry is extremely difficult. The method used to classify firms as ECR adopters in this paper is believed to be sound and unbiased, but errors may exist. Second, this analysis does not account for differences in the implementation level for ECR. For simplicity, a binary variable is used to disting...

The diversity-logistics hypothesis: how animals and manufacturers stand to reduce inbound logistics and inventory costs through diversity

This paper suggests specific mechanisms by which a diversity of interchangeable inputs begets logistical cost savings for process flexible manufacturers. These mechanisms are introduced first by drawing new theoretical links between the fields of industrial ecology and operations management, and then by prescribing the proposed diversity-logistics hypothesis in terms of generalisable mathematical forms. Illustrations are then drawn from the animal kingdom (honeybees), and applications are made to two example industries (biorenewable fuels and concrete mixing).

Essential Elements for Producer Participation in Biomass Markets

Opportunities for agricultural producers to provide lignocellulosic feedstocks to manufacturers of biobased products such as ethanol, butanol, and fine chemicals are emerging. When evaluating such biomass market opportunities, several factors must be considered (e.g., sustainability, possible harvest delays, labor availability, initial investment, risk). The primary objective of this study was to develop rigorous constructs defining the essential elements for producer participation in biomass markets. In this paper, we report the results and analysis of a mail survey of 2,250 Iowa producers farming 50 acres or more. The survey instrument was developed using relevant items to assess essential elements for producer participation in biomass markets. Semantic Differential Scales (rating from one to seven with polar opposites as scale anchors) were used and the Dillman Protocol was followed. Producers returned 885 surveys, 645 of which were complete, for a response rate of 28.7%. Exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze the survey data and group survey items into multi-item constructs.