Craig Shepherd

Measuring supply chain performance

This chapter aims to go some way towards addressing the dearth of research into performance measurement systems and metrics of supply chains by critically reviewing the contemporary literature and suggesting possible avenues for future research. The article provides a taxonomy of performance measures followed by a critical evaluation of measurement systems designed to evaluate the performance of supply chains. The chapter argues that despite considerable advances in the literature in recent years, a number of important problems have not yet received adequate attention, including: the factors influencing the successful implementation of performance measurement systems for supply chains; the forces shaping their evolution over time; and, the problem of their ongoing maintenance. The chapter provides both a taxonomy of measures and outlines specific implications for future research.

'The biggest computer programme in the world...ever!': time for a change in mindset?

In this paper we offer a critique of ‘The National Programme for Information Technology’ (NPfIT) currently being undertaken in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. We begin by offering a brief introduction to the project. Next, we review the lessons learned from a wide range of experience with IT and business change projects and comment on why changes in the NHS are likely to be harder than in most other organizations. We then elaborate the implications of these ideas and identify potential areas for change, with particular focus on the current guiding mindset that this project is about the provision of a technical infrastructure. We argue that this is, thus far, a technology project and question whether the current strategy is the most appropriate way forward to achieve service improvements. We suggest changes in the underlying mindset, along with the leadership, ownership, metrics and labelling of the project.

Function allocation in complex systems: reframing an old problem

In this article, we offer a new, macroergonomics perspective on the long-debated issue of function allocation. We believe thinking in this domain needs to be realigned, moving away from the traditional microergonomics conceptualisation, concerned predominantly with task-based decisions, and towards a macroergonomics approach, viewing function allocation choices as central to effective systems design. We frame our arguments within a systems perspective, advocating that function allocation issues need to be on the agenda of all individuals with a wider interest in the human and organisational aspects of complex work systems, including people who commission, sponsor, design, implement and use such systems. We also argue that allocation decisions should form a transparent, explicit stage early in the systems design and development process, involve multiple stakeholders (including end-users), be evidence-based, framed within the language of risk and utilise iterative methods (e.g. scenarios planning techniques). Practitioner Summary: This article presents a macroergonomics approach to function allocation, advocating its importance in effective systems design. Adopting a systems mindset, we argue function allocation should form an explicit stage early in the design process, involve multiple stakeholders, be evidence-based, framed within the language of risk and utilise iterative methods.

Constructing enterprise resource planning : A thoroughgoing interpretivist perspective on technological change

Most perspectives towards understanding technology treat it as having essential material properties that constrain some uses and enable others. In contrast, this paper argues for an understanding which treats constructions of the capabilities of technology as interpretatively flexible and grounded within specific contexts. The paper begins with a review of perspectives towards understanding technological change. Next, I provide an overview of the discourse analysis literature. This locates the form of discourse analysis used here, systematic constructionism, within this milieu. Then, I introduce enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and evaluate the literature. This is followed by a description of the context in which an ERP system was introduced and the methods of data collection and analysis. The analysis elaborates how three interpretative repertoires used to justify the implementation of the ERP system were disrupted by counter-constructions produced by individuals reciprocally positioned within them. Moving on, I discuss the contributions and limitations of this approach for understanding technological change, before reflecting on how my commitments affect the data presented here and my ability to contribute to debates on technology. Finally, I propose there is a need for further studies that focus on unravelling the rhetoric surrounding technological change.

Collaborative planning in supply chains: The importance of creating high quality relationships

While collaborative planning and relationship quality are considered key contributors to supply chain performance, their mechanisms and linkages remain unclear. In order to help address this issue this book chapter introduces and unpacks the concepts of collaborative planning and relationship quality and investigates their role in supply chains. A multidisciplinary literature review was undertaken to identify conceptual and empirical work on relationship quality and collaborative planning. The chapter reveals a number of shortcomings in the literature and provides suggestions to guide future research on the links between collaborative planning, relationship quality, and supply chain performance. Implications are also provided for practitioners interested in enhancing the quality of interorganizational relationships and collaborative planning in supply chains.

Contesting the gendering of methodology: treating methods as text

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critique the argument that research methodology is gendered and present a post‐essentialist understanding of research methods.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual paper which engages with the feminist debate over the gendering of methodology.Findings – The paper begins by discussing the feminist critique of positivism that quantitative methodologies embody patriarchal assumptions. Then, drawing on contemporary attempts by feminists to rehabilitate quantitative research, and developments in organizational research methods, it counters the argument that methodologies are gendered. Specifically, it argues the idea that methods embody gendered assumptions is founded on essentialist reasoning and treats them as having immutable characteristics. Moving on, the paper offers a post‐essentialist understanding of “methods as text”. Key advantages of this metaphor are that it acknowledges the interpretative flexibility of research methods and illustrates the rhetorical...