Edmund Prater

International supply chain agility Tradeoffs between flexibility and uncertainty

Firms operating in an international environment face a host of uncertainties that make it difficult to meet deadlines reliably. To be reliable in an uncertain and changing environment, firms must be able to quickly respond to changes. The ability to do this in a useful time frame is called agility. Unfortunately, measures taken to increase agility often lead to increases in complexity, which works against agility. We propose a theoretical construct linking elements of uncertainty with aspects of agility, pointing out the two‐edged nature of the requisite capabilities. We illustrate our points with examples from five case studies.

Future impacts of RFID on e‐supply chains in grocery retailing

Purpose – To place the research on radio frequency identification (RFID) usage in supply chains within a specific business and market context; in this case, the grocery industry.Design/methodology/approach – This paper considers RFID research within the context of the grocery industry and outlines the market drivers that affect the way the grocery industry approaches RFID and also specific areas of research on RFID that should be undertaken to better provide the grocery industry with managerial insights into this technologys application.Findings – Examining market drivers that are leading to RFID implementation in the grocery industry, this paper provides a theoretical framework for future applied research on RFID implementation. Specifically, it develops a research framework that includes research using modeling techniques, RFID implementation and the impact of RFID on daily operational issues.Research limitations/implications – This paper focuses on the market drivers for RFID implementation. While it ...

Outsourcing effects on firms' operational performance: An empirical study

Purpose – This research aims to empirically investigate the effect of outsourcing on firm level performance metrics, providing evidence about outsourcing influences on a firms cost‐efficiency, productivity and profitability.Design/methodology/approach – This study is concerned with empirically examining the impact of outsourcing on a firms performance. The results are based on a sample of 51 publicly traded firms that outsourced parts of their operations between 1990 and 2002. Publicly available accounting data are used to test for changes in operating performances that result from outsourcing decisions. Operating performances are examined over a four‐quarter period after the outsourcing announcement.Findings – This research provides evidence that outsourcing can improve a firms cost‐efficiency. While existing literature on outsourcing has also sought to draw anecdotal and conceptual evidence that highly visible companies have improved their productivity and profitability as well through outsourcing, t...

Assessing performance and uncertainty in developing carpet reverse logistics systems

The US carpet industry is striving to reach a 40% diversion rate from landfills by 2012, according to a memorandum of understanding signed by industry and government officials in 2002. As a result, they are interested in methods of setting up a reverse logistics (RL) system which will allow them to manage the highly variable return flows. In this paper, we simulate such a carpet RL supply chain and use a designed experiment to analyze the impact of the system design factors as well as environmental factors impacting the operational performance of the RL system. First, we identify the relative importance of various network design parameters. We then show that even with the design of an efficient RL system, the use of better recycling technologies, and optimistic growth in recycling rates, the return flows cannot meet demand for nearly a decade. We conclude by discussing possible management options for the carpet industry to address this problem, including legal responses to require return flows and the use of market incentives for recycling.

Distribution and logistics development in China: The revolution has begun

Prior to the economic reform movement, China’s centrally planned, three‐tier system dominated the distribution sector. After the 1980s, this system gradually shifted away from the socialist mode to the free market mode. Today, China’s distribution system lies somewhere between these two modes. Since the reform, China’s government has been encouraging export‐oriented foreign firms’ investments in free trade zones along the coast. Foreign firms do not enjoy the same inland distribution and logistics rights as their Chinese counterparts. However, the distribution puzzle is not only faced by foreign firms, but also by Chinese firms that operate nationwide. China’s undeveloped infrastructure, government regulations, and regional protectionism fragment distribution channels throughout China. However, there are three main forces that are changing and modernizing China’s distribution and logistics system. These are the booming economy, entering the WTO and e‐commerce. The inevitable revolution of China’s distribution and logistics system is on the way.

RFID in the contemporary supply chain: multiple perspectives on its benefits and risks

Purpose – This paper aims to point to established theory bases from other disciplines that may be used to illustrate the benefits, complexities and risks accompanying the adoption of radio‐frequency identification (RFID) technology.Design/methodology/approach – Three theory streams are explored with respect to RFID adoption at two levels: the level of the tagged unit; and the level of the adopting firm. Each theory stream is evaluated specifically with respect to RFID, and research questions are proposed.Findings – A variety of theoretical disciplines bring to light tension between uncertainty that spurs RFID adoption and uncertainty that accompanies RFID adoption.Practical implications – Insights are provided for managers wrestling with: the question of whether and/or how to adopt RFID; or concerns regarding the implications of their decision to adopt RFID. In addition, the theory bases explored in this research offer guidance regarding risks that accompany RFID adoption but are not commonly considered.O...

A framework for understanding the interaction of uncertainty and information systems on supply chains

Purpose – Today, global supply chains must deal with large amounts of uncertainty. This paper seeks to provide a framework for understanding the different types of uncertainties that can impact supply chains and their attendant information systems.Design/methodology/approach – Addresses the following questions. What are the different types of uncertainty at the general macro level? How are these macro level uncertainty types broken down into more specific types of uncertainty seen in supply chains? What impact do these uncertainties have on the supply chain and the supporting IS, and what are the current methods for dealing with them?Findings – The term uncertainty is used as a generic reference for various and sundry different types of problems within the management of supply chains and their supporting information systems (IS). This can lead to confusion about what tools and techniques are available and which tools apply to which types of problems. The framework presented allows researchers and practiti...

Remote repair, diagnostics, and maintenance

An overview and comparison of the U.S., Japanese, and German machine tool industries.

Current Operational Practices of U.S. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Europe

This article presents the results of a survey of all U.S.‐owned small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) with physical facilities in Europe. It is a snapshot of the role of key strategic, tactical, and operational elements of U.S. SME globalization in Europe. It presents descriptive results regarding drivers of expansion, barriers to entry, entry strategies and current operating strategies, growth strategies, operational barriers, and the use of strategic alliances by SMEs in Europe. The findings are also compared with the literature on large firms. This allows the reader to see the distinct differences between small and large U.S. firms operating in Europe.

The Impact of Coordination Methods on the Enhancement of Business Writing

Universities with limited resources are being pressured to cover more material within their degree programs. Because of this, schools are looking to integrate material from different classes. This paper sets out to determine if students can learn business writing within the context of another class, specifically, an information systems class. The goal is to eliminate the need for a separate business-writing course. However, the students will have to learn the material with limited support in order not to place an additional load on the instructor. This study investigates whether individuals can develop their business-writing skills during the course of repeated group work and whether there are differences in the level of their learning, based on collaborative media. The results show that individuals can learn business-writing skills with a minimum of support through direct instruction. In addition, there is no difference between individuals working in face-to-face (F2F) groups and those working in groups using electronic collaborative work (ECW) systems.