James C. Hershauer

Total quality management in the supply chain: What is its impact on performance?

Recent empirical studies of quality management have led to mixed findings regarding a significant positive relationship with performance. By combining nonlinear (DEA) and linear (regression) analyses, we demonstrate that TQM practices are related to performance. We establish this relationshp using objective (not self-reported) quality performance data. We believe that this is the first study to use objective quality data collected by a third party. Our findings should encourage manufacturers to continue promoting TQM practices throughout the supply chain; certain practices do lead to better performance.

A software reuse measure: monitoring an enterprise-level model driven development process

The purpose of the research discussed here is to establish a metric for the measurement of reuse in a generic enterprise-level model context and to use this approach to create a specific metric for a company. The paper demonstrates how a software development firm can monitor the reuse success in the development process using the measure. Traditionally, the reuse rate is defined as the percentage of the development effort retrieved as code segments from a software repository. The metric proposed here extends this definition to include reuse of generic enterprise-level model components. An example is given of the successful assessment of a reuse percentage for a software developers actual project.

CEPM 3: contributors to lead time in construction supply chains: case of pipe supports used in power plants

This paper describes process models that characterize the design phase in the supply chain of pipe supports used in power plants. The models are used to study how production system design factors such as batching, uncertainty, and multitasking throughout this phase hamper supply chain performance. These factors all cause an increase in lead time. The models build on the STROBOSCOPE discrete-event simulation engine and illustrate several deterministic and probabilistic simulation scenarios including different batch sizes, uncertainty levels, and allocation percentages of shared resources. Based on the analysis of the simulation results, this paper recommends performance improvement opportunities that apply not only to the supply chain of pipe supports but generally to the delivery of capital projects.

CEPM 3: lead time reduction via pre-positioning of inventory in an industrial construction supply chain

Lead time reduction is a key concern of many industrial buyers of capital facilities given current economic conditions. Supply chain initiatives in manufacturing settings have led owners to expect that dramatic reductions in lead time are possible in all phases of their business, including the delivery of capital materials. Further, narrowing product delivery windows and increasing pressure to be first-to-market create significant external pressure to reduce lead time. In this paper, a case study is presented in which an owner entered the construction supply chain to procure and position key long-lead materials. The materials were held at a position in the supply chain selected to allow some flexibility for continued customization, but dramatic reduction in the time-to-site. Simulation was used as a tool to consider time-to-site tradeoffs for multiple inventory locations so as to better match the needs of the construction effort.

Information systems design: an empirical study of feedback effects

Abstract Feedback is an important component of any dynamic system, and should receive attention as a design issue in information systems. The study presents a model which shows the function of feedback in management information systems. The potential effect of task-specific feedback on the judgement of the decision-maker is tested empirically. Both the model and empirical results provide guidance about the role of feedback in information systems design. Empirical results demonstrate that there remains a strong bias towards overconfidence even with feedback. However, the presence of immediate feedback does lower confidence and raise decision quality.

A field observation study of an expert system prototype development

Abstract The paper reports a cooperative effort between business practitioners and academic researchers involving development of a prototype expert system. The study traces the development process from initiation to completion and presents a number of lessons learned that can guide organizations preparing to experiment with the development of expert systems.

Coordination Cost Evaluation of Network Configurations

This article examines organizational coordination structures using transaction cost economics. Coordination cost is modeled as a function of organizational dimensions and information availability within each of 3 structures. The 3 structures analyzed include centralized markets, decentralized markets, and hierarchies. Coordination complexity is formulated in terms of products, processors, levels, span of control, and information filter. Based on messages required to assign a task, the results of the comparison show the regions of dominance for each structure. Network configurations that utilize the appropriate coordination substructure for different levels of information filter quality are discussed.

Estimating professional service productivity: theoretical model, empirical estimates and external validity

Productivity of professional service is difficult to measure, due to the high degree of customization, variable throughput time, and high degree of labor intensity. Using the complex design engineering for large construction projects as an example, this study reviews the common professional service productivity measurement problem of determining surrogate measures of inputs and outputs. This research was sponsored by the construction industry, and required a team of academic and construction executives to work closely to develop a procedure and a comprehensive empirical model for measuring engineering design productivity. The model addresses the complexity of productivity estimation arising from the interactions among the multiple outputs and variability of labor hours, both requiring surrogate measures. The mathematical model was statistically estimated using data from a large number of design engineering organizations. The statistical results and the model were externally validated in several organizations for their pragmatic usefulness. The proposed methodology is applicable to those service industries where there are high degrees of output variability and highly skilled professionals working to achieve complex objectives.

Supply Chain Management: Interlinking Multiple Research Streams

This chapter represents a view of the evolution of the supply chain literature from a wide range of perspectives including operations management, logistics, purchasing, and information technologies. First, a chronological view of the field is presented. Next, eleven major research streams are summarized.

An empirically based-investigation of job-shop sequencing

An empirically-derived job-shop simulation model is the heart of the study. This provides the opportunity to explore some techniques not normally applicable in hypothetical job-shop simulation models. First, the model is designed to include the essential characteristics of an actual sequencing environment. Second, internal consistency and representativeness are checked by comparing simulated with actual performance. Third, a “protocol” of a managers decision process is used in the development of a general priority function in contrast to “piece-meal” rules. Fourth, sequencing rules are screened initially for practicability as defined by a shop manager. Fifth, a total relevant cost function is developed based upon actual shop costs. Finally, computer simulation results are reported concerning the nature of practicable rules and “best” rules.