Ferry Jie

Relationships between quality of information sharing and supply chain food quality in the Australian beef processing industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze supply chain practices, and supply chain food quality performance indicator in the Australian beef processing industry. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual model was developed to test how supply chain practices: strategic alliance, customer focus, information sharing, information quality, Lean system and antecedent cooperative behavior: trust and commitment impact on food quality. A survey questionnaire to 600 Australian beef processors was conducted to collect the empirical data for testing of the formulated hypotheses. The stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings – Strategic alliance, information quality and trust and commitment are significantly related to food quality. In particular, the standardized coefficient shows that information quality has a significant positive relationship with food quality. Research limitations/implications – As Lean principles have been widely adopted in the ...

Dynamic recovery policies for time-critical supply chains under conditions of ripple effect

We consider time-critical supply chains (SCs) in the Australia dairy industry and recovery policies in the presence of the ripple effect. Ripple effect is the impact of a disruption on SC economic performance and disruption-based scope of changes needed in the supply structures and parameters to preserve the resilience. First, we describe the ripple effect in general and one example of the ripple effect in the dairy SC in Australia. Second, we present a model for reactive recovery policies in the dairy SC under conditions of the ripple effect and exemplify them on a simulation example. The results of this study can be used in future for comparing proactive and reactive approaches in tackling the ripple effect from resilience and flexibility views.

Effects of Relational Capabilities and Power Asymmetry on Innovativeness and Flexibility of Sub‐Sahara Africa Small Exporting Firms

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of relational capabilities and exercise of power on innovativeness, flexibility, and performance of ub‐ahara frica small exporters. Data from a sample of 206 small fresh produce suppliers in imbabwe that had long‐term relationships with retail buyers in export markets were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings suggest that long‐term cooperation between small suppliers and buyers negatively influenced innovativeness and flexibility. However, trust and commitment, as well as dependence, positively impacted innovativeness of small suppliers but had negative effects on flexibility. Further, innovativeness negatively influenced firm performance, whereas a positive link emerged between flexibility and performance.

Evaluating logistics capability for mitigation of supply chain uncertainty and risk in the Australian courier firms

Purpose – Logistics capability is an important ability for transport and logistics firms to deliver the value and services to the customers. In contrast, supply chain uncertainty and risk is an issue in supply chain and logistics to obstruct the delivery. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and understand the logistics capability, and to provide empirical evidence for logistics capability mitigating supply chain uncertainty and risk in the Australian courier firms. Design/methodology/approach – This study examines the relationship between logistics capability and supply chain uncertainty and risk. Partial least squares approach for structural equation modelling is applied for data analysis involving the interplay of theoretical thinking and empirical data. Empirical data are collected through a web-based survey. Total 98 Australian courier firms are identified and invited in the study. Findings – Based on the factor analysis, the authors identify the key factors of logistics capability for the Austra...

Effects of human resource management practices on logistics and supply chain competencies – evidence from China logistics service market

The Chinese logistics service market is a vibrant and highly contested arena. The industry, however, has been characterised as operationally inefficient in comparison with those of the developed economies. Shortage of logistics human resources and lack of logistics expertise have been identified as two of the key contributory factors. Based on responses from 76 Chinese logistics service providers to a survey conducted in 2010, this study explores whether, and how, four sets of human resource management (HRM) practices contribute to nurturing three logistics and supply chain (L&SC) competencies in the Chinese logistics service market. Results from a hierarchical multiple regression analysis show that not all HRM practices were equally effective in building L&SC competencies. While training and development, and recruitment and selection were significant in contributing to nurturing the three L&SC competencies, both performance management and reward management did not. These findings suggest that conventional HRM practices designed to reward individual performance may not be suited to nurturing team-based L&SC competencies in the Chinese context. The implications of these findings were discussed and directions for further studies offered.

Implementation of e-learning system readiness: Indonesia context

This study was conducted to measure the readiness of PT Pertamina in implementing e-learning, where the study refers to the theories and methods of measurement have been developed by Aydin & Tasci. The results showed that PT Pertamina as a whole is ready for e-learning, but still need some improvement especially in the field of human resources. In addition, this study confirms that personal characteristics of respondents (gender, age and educational level) did not differentiate their overall perceptions of readiness of PT Pertamina in implementing e-learning.

Model of information technology adoption in SMEs Batik case study SMEs Batik Solo and Pekalongan

Information Technology (IT) provides new opportunities that can overcome some of the obstacles faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). More than 50% of SMEs productivity is achieved through investment in IT in Europe. Although IT provides substantial opportunities for SMEs, but most of research shows that IT adoption by SMEs is still low compared with IT adoption by large companies. Only 20% of SMEs have adopted IT in supporting their business. Based on this phenomenon, this research aims to identify the factors that may affect the IT adoption in SMEs “Batik” in order to construct a model of IT adoption in SMEs Solo and Pekalongan (Central Java Region, Indonesia). Research carried out by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results of this research showed that, for SMEs Batik Solo, readiness and preparedness of organizations have a positive influence on the successful adoption of IT; whereas for SMEs Batik Pekalongan, organizational readiness, national preparedness, and environmental influences have a positive influence on the successful adoption of IT.

An agile supply chain analysis of Australian beef wholesalers and retailers

The objective of this research was to develop a method to judge the extent of agility in the supply chain management of the Australian beef wholesale and retail sector. Based on the responses to a survey of managers, regression analysis was used to develop a model linking management actions to supply chain practices and competitive advantage. The strongest and most consistent relationships observed were from commitment and trust, information quality and strategic supplier partnerships to competitive advantage. Although commitment and trust were seen to support agile supply chain management, information quality and strategic supplier partnerships were more related to developing food quality in an industry where customer relationships are important. Agility of Australian beef supply chains can be improved through, for example, enhanced communication between retailers and their suppliers and better internal teamwork in retail firms. There has been virtually no previous research on the performance of Australian beef supply chains. The paper is an attempt to fill this gap. Also the methods are innovative and could be applied to similar agribusiness supply chains in other countries.

Estimating transportation network impedance to last-mile delivery: A Case Study of Maribyrnong City in Melbourne

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure and map the potential transportation network impedance to last-mile delivery (LMD) using spatial measures representing attributes of road network and planning controls. Design/methodology/approach The transport network impedance is estimated as the potential hindrance to LMD as imposed by the characteristics of the built and regulatory environment. A matrix of key transport and planning measures are generated and overlaid in geographical information systems to compute and visualise the levels of transportation network impedance to LMD using a composite indexing method. Findings The mapped outputs reveal significant spatial variation in transportation network impedance to LMD across different part of the study area. Significant differences were detected along the road segments that connect key industrial hubs or activity centres especially along tram routes and freight corridors, connecting the Port of Melbourne and logistic hub with the airport and the Western Ring Road. Research limitations/implications The use of static measures of transport and urban planning restricts the robustness of the impedance index, which can be enhanced through better integration of dynamic and real-time movements of business-to-business LMD of goods. Spatial approach is valuable for broader urban planning at a metropolitan or council level; however, its use is somewhat limited in assisting the daily operational planning and logistics decision making in terms of dynamic routing and vehicle scheduling. Practical implications The built and regulatory environment contributes to the severity of LMD problem in urban areas. The use of land use controls as instruments to increase city compactness in strategic nodes/hubs is more likely to deter the movement of urban freight. The mapped outputs would help urban planners and logisticians in mitigating the potential delay in last-mile deliveries through devising localised strategies such as dedicated freight corridors or time-bound deliveries in congested areas of road network. Originality/value This is the first study that measured the potential transport network impedance to LMD and improved understanding of the complex interactions between urban planning measures and LMD. Micro-scale mapping of transportation network impedance at the street level adds an innovative urban planning dimension to research in the growing field of city logistics.

Impact of varying hydrocolloid proportions on encapsulation of ascorbic acid by spray drying

There has been considerable research into ascorbic acid (AA) as a food component in the human diet and disease prevention. Microencapsulation technology has a promising strategy for enhancing the stability of AA towards the carrier food. The effects of varying hydrocolloid proportions on encapsulation of AA by spray drying have been evaluated. Spray drying pilot plant scale was used to produce the microcapsules, and capillary electrophoresis has been applied to analyse the retention of AA during bread making process. To investigate the characteristics of microstructure of encapsulated AA after processing, the environmental scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the structure of microcapsules. In addition to that to measure the particle size and distribution of microcapsules, the laser beam scattering was used. The impact of varying hydrocolloids proportion on encapsulation of AA by spray drying was studied.