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Logistics needs qualitative research – especially action research

This paper describes how qualitative research methods, particularly action research case studies, can contribute to further advance and develop logistics research. The paper also describes limitations with the current dominance of quantitative (especially survey) research in logistics. However, the paper is not a pure criticism of the use of quantitative research methods in general or in logistics in specific. Rather, the argument is that it is necessary to use both quantitative and qualitative methods if we really want to develop and advance logistics research. Logistics problems are often ill‐structured, even messy, real‐world problems. Modern logistics is based on holistic and systemic thinking and uses multi‐disciplinary and cross‐functional approaches. Thus action research case studies are especially suited for an applied field such as logistics since they strive to advance both science and practice. This should also be reflected in published logistics research, which it is not. In order to change this situation, we first have to understand paradigms and their influence on how we approach and evaluate research. Second, we have to define what case studies in journal articles mean. Third, we need to develop criteria for evaluating action research case studies.

Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Sigma – fads or real process improvement methods?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore if six sigma and lean are new methods, or if they are repackaged versions of previously popular methods – total quality management (TQM) and just‐in‐time (JIT).Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a critical comparison of lean with JIT and six sigma with TQM, a study of the measure of the publication frequency – the number of academic articles published every year of the previous 30 years – for each topic, and a review of critical success factors (CSF) for change efforts.Findings – The more recent concepts of lean and six sigma have mainly replaced – but not necessarily added to – the concepts of JIT and TQM. lean and six sigma are essentially repackaged versions of the former, and the methods seem to follow the fad (product) life cycle. The literature offers fairly similar and rather general CSF for these methods, e.g. top management support and the importance of communication and information. What seems to be missing, however, is the need ...

Logistics case study based research: Towards higher quality

Purpose – This paper aims to assess the quality of the case study based research approach as documented in articles published during the past 13 years, based on a synthesis of indicators for the quality criteria truth‐value, transferability, and traceability.Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis of 134 case study‐based articles published in six leading logistics and supply chain management (SCM) journals between 1998 and 2010 is used to assess and evaluate the quality of the case study‐based research approach as documented in these publications.Findings – This research provides an overview of the quality of the case study‐based research approach. Results show that the quality is generally low, supporting the ongoing, but empirically unsupported criticism on the quality of case study‐based research. The results also highlight which specific aspects authors and reviewers need to address to ensure high quality of the case study‐based research approach in published articles.Research limitations/impli...

Lean and six sigma – critical success factors revisited

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the critical success factors (CSF) for lean and six sigma and an analysis of these CSF as compared to previously popular change methods.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a literature search and comparative analysis complemented with examples from previous case studies.Findings – With only slight variations, the critical success factors are similar for all the change methods. Furthermore, the critical success factors seem to be relatively constant over time. Another important finding is that the CSF tend to relate more to how an organization approaches the change effort versus change method specific factors. The issues of management support and organizational culture are often emphasized as especially critical. The paper highlights and discusses three additional important CSF: strategic alignment, project management and training.Practical implications – The awareness of CSF, in combination with an awareness of similarities between the...

Supply chain management integration: a critical analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine various aspects of integration in order to structure and define the concept of supply chain management integration.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on an extensive literature review in three steps and a series of interviews with leading supply chain management (SCM) consulting firms.Findings – The authors found limited empirical research discussing SCM integration beyond the dyadic level and there is a lack of empirical evidence supporting the claimed benefits of supply chain management integration, especially beyond the dyadic level. There is also a lack of detailed frameworks and concrete recommendations for how supply chains can become more integrated. In fact, there is significant confusion regarding the term SCM integration and thus the paper proposes a definition of supply chain management integration.Research limitations/implications – In terms of limitations, it is feasible that an extended literature review could have provided addi...

Theoretical perspectives on information sharing in supply chains:a systematic literature review and conceptual framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore what theoretical lenses have been used to analyze and understand information sharing in supply chains. The paper elaborates on the predominant theories and discusses how they can be integrated to research different aspects of information sharing. Design/methodology/approach – The paper carried out a structured literature review by using a combination of selected keywords to search for peer-reviewed articles in ten journals. Findings – The findings suggest that four out of ten reviewed articles explicitly apply one or more theoretical lenses. The predominant theories used include transaction cost economics, contingency theory, resource-based view, resource dependency theory and relational governance theories such as the relational view and social exchange theory. Research limitations/implications – These theories can be applied to analyze different aspects of information sharing. By using the theories in a complementary way, it is possible to increase our u...

Information sharing in supply chains, myth or reality? A critical analysis of empirical literature

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate what empirical evidence exists regarding benefits of information sharing in supply chains, and to identify potential gaps and opportunities in this research area. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted an in-depth, systematic literature review and multilevel analysis of 82 selected articles. In the analysis, the authors investigated: whether the articles applied the supply chain as the unit of analysis; the selected research method; whether the articles applied the supply chain as the unit of data collection (i.e. collected data from three or more different companies); and finally, aspects of information sharing – including benefits. Findings – Despite anecdotal descriptions of benefits from information sharing in supply chains, the authors could not find empirical evidence to support these claims. Rather, the main body of literature reports on a focal companys perspective on traditional buyer-supplier relationships. Research limitations/...

Supply Chain Integration: Barriers and Driving Forces in an Action Research-Based Industry Intervention

The theoretical benefits of integrated supply chains are well documented, however, the concept remains difficult to operationalize. This paper describes an industry intervention-the transformation of an industry via the standardization of technology and processes. The action research- based case study presents an industry standard-papiNet-and shows how the U.S. paper industry worked to promote, accept, and develop the standard. The case also discusses the driving forces and barriers of integration and implementation.

Operationalizing the concept of value – an action research‐based model

Purpose – While the importance of measuring customer satisfaction levels is well established, less research exists on how organizations operationalize such knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to describe an action research (AR) case study resulting in a workshop model to operationalize the concept of value. The model facilitates organizational learning and mindset changes in order to remove both cultural and structural barriers to change.Design/methodology/approach – The model is based on AR in three case organizations. The research, over four years in the primary case organization, included phases of planning, action (implementing), observing (evaluating), and analysis and reflection as a basis for new planning and action. By using secondary case organizations the results and methods from the primary case organization were validated and further developed.Findings – The model includes methods to help organizations understand and define what customer value is for any given specific organization, tools ...

Towards supply chain coordination and productivity in a three echelon supply chain : Action research study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of supply management coordination among a prominent contact lens company (customer), its carton supplier (first tier), and paperboard supplier (second tier). Adopting concepts within the theory of swift and even flow, the authors integrate the physical (material) and information flow among these supply partners to ensure higher productivity through timely production and distribution of the cartons, which reduced the lead-times and inventory levels at the three companies in this supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a longitudinal case study (action research (AR)), which combines qualitative and quantitative analyses. Observations over time, documents such as contracts, joint agreements, meeting agendas and minutes, personal conversations, and in-depth interviews were mainly used, with quantitative measurement of operational performance. Findings – The complete solution to eliminate waste and improve the existing system is pr...