Jitesh Thakkar

Development of a balanced scorecard

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated qualitative and quantitative approach to the development of a balanced scorecard (BSC) for a real life case company KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission, organic food sector, India). Design/methodology/approach - In this paper the semi-structured interviews with director, managers, professional consultant, review of published reports and observations made during research work are considered as basis. Findings - This paper illustrates how the use of a mix approach of cause and effect diagram, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) can address some of the shortcomings related to the development of BSC in the light of a real life case company KVIC (Khadi Village and Industry Commission, organic food sector India). The paper delivers a complete framework of BSC for the case company. Research limitations/implications - The paper outlines the limitations of proposed approach in regard to validity of present logical relationships among various objectives of organization in the futuristic environment and indicates the need for a computer software system, which can improve the efficiency of proposed approach. Practical implications - In the paper a number of case studies report the fact that companies have attempted to derive measures from strategy, based on cause-and-effect reasoning, but the claimed link between strategy and measures appeared weak in analysis (Malmi, 2001). The paper establishes the basis for integrating organizations strategic intent with the identification of performance measures and at large development of BSC. Originality/value - The paper shows that present work demonstrates the use of an innovative approach to the development of performance measurement system at one end while to deliver a workable framework of balanced scorecard for a real life case company is the objective of the other end. The present work encapsulates the philosophy of strategy maps using a mix of quantitative and qualitative approach for a real life case.

Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) of IT‐enablers for Indian manufacturing SMEs

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the issue of information technology (IT) adoption and implementation in Indian manufacturing small‐ and medium‐scale enterprise (SMEs) towards enhancing the capabilities of their supply chain.Design/methodology/approach – Extracts of recently completed case‐based research for ten SME units are utilized for the identification of IT‐enablers. To support the logical deduction of the factors, diagnostic techniques like force‐field analysis, situation‐actor‐process and learning‐action‐performance are used. Further, key managerial insights were obtained by developing an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) model for the set of factors, specific to Indian context.Findings – ISM delivers interrelationships among the factors which were utilized for deriving managerial insights. Further, these factors are classified into four categories, namely, autonomous, driver, dependent, and linkage to understand their relative impact on the implementation of IT in Indian SMEs.Practic...

Supply chain performance measurement framework for small and medium scale enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated supply chain performance measurement framework for the case of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) using set of qualitative and quantitative insights gained during the case study research.Design/methodology/approach – This paper develops the supply chain performance measurement framework using the facts revealed through case study analysis, secondary data specific to various SME clusters in India and detailed contemporary studies reported on supply chain management in SMEs. It integrates the salient features of balanced scorecard (BSC) and supply chain operation reference (SCOR) model to deliver a comprehensive performance measurement framework for SMEs.Findings – This paper reports set of performance indicators for the supply chain processes like “source,” “make,” and “deliver” in SMEs. It also relates the measures with various supply chain cycles like “procurement,” “manufacturing,” “replenishment,” and “customer order.” As a result, ...

Selection of Third-Party Logistics (3PL): A Hybrid Approach Using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Analytic Network Process (ANP)

The use of third-party logistics (3PL) providers is becoming prevalent. The relationships associated with 3PL are typically more complex than any traditional logistics supplier relationships and they are truly strategic alliances. These relationships have become a popular way to enhance an organization’s flexibility in meeting rapidly changing market conditions, focus on core competencies, and develop long-term growth strategies. This study offers an understanding of the criticality of various 3PL selection issues and provides a list of 26 selection criteria. Using the real- life case of KVIC (Khadi and Village Industry Commission, India) organic food sector, it proposes a hybrid approach of interpretive structural model (ISM) and analytic network process (ANP) for a proper selection of 3PL service providers. This paper discusses the implications of the results in a real-life context. Further, managerial insights developed through the use of ISM- and ANP-based complementary approaches uncover the scope for improvements in the quality of supply chain practices. This paper summarizes the developed understanding of supply chain practices and identifies a few inherent limitations of the used approach.

Supply chain management in SMEs: development of constructs and propositions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on supply chain management (SCM) practices in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and outlines the key insights.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes a literature‐based research that has sought understand the issues of SCM for SMEs. The methodology is based on critical review of 77 research papers from high‐quality, international refereed journals. Mainly, issues are explored under three categories – supply chain integration, strategy and planning and implementation. This has supported the development of key constructs and propositions.Findings – The research outcomes are three fold. Firstly, paper summarizes the reported literature and classifies it based on their nature of work and contributions. Second, paper demonstrates the overall approach towards the development of constructs, research questions, and investigative questions leading to key proposition for the further research. Lastly, paper outlines the key findings an...

Evaluation of buyer‐supplier relationships using an integrated mathematical approach of interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and graph theoretic matrix

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for evaluating and comparing supply chain relationships, specifically when, small and medium scale enterprise (SME) is considered as focal company.Design/methodology/approach – The paper proposes a mathematical solution based on interpretive structural modeling and graph theory matrix to determine the supply chain relationship index. The application is demonstrated for the case of Indian automotive SMEs based on the secondary data reported.Findings – Solution determines supply chain buyer‐supplier index for upstream and downstream. Based on which coefficient of similarity and dissimilarity are determined to evaluate the net pool of buyer‐supplier relationship on focal small and medium scale automotive component manufacturing industry.Practical implications – Developed approach and results will help SMEs in general and Indian automobile component manufacturing SMEs to rethink on their supply chain relationships and identify the reasons behind ...

Sustainable supply chain practices: an empirical investigation on Indian automobile industry

The purpose of this research study is to analyze sustainable supply chain (SSC) management practices for Indian automobile industry and to identify the critical factors for its successful implementation. Despite the fact that SSC has been frequently promoted as a means of improving business competitiveness, little empirical evidence exists in the literature validating its positive link with organizational performance. Sustainable supply chain practices (SSCP) not only help in reducing environmental degradation but it also has social and economic implications (as per tipple bottom line approach). For this purpose, empirical data is collected to measure the SSCP prevailing in Indian automobile industry. A structural equation modeling technique is used to build the measurement and structural models. Later, statistical estimates are used to validate the model that has been built. The data analysis helps to determine whether to accept or reject the hypothesis that has been stated based on the structural model. The result shows how SSCP are correlated and help in improving the supply chain performance among the industries being surveyed. It is also observed that environmental and social performance have a positive relationship with economic performance.

Supply chain issues in Indian manufacturing SMEs: insights from six case studies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report insights on supply chain issues in small‐ and medium‐scale enterprises (SMEs) based on an analysis of six case organizations.Design/methodology/approach – A broad range of qualitative and quantitative data was collected during interviews and field visits in a multi‐case study research design. In total, six manufacturing SME units were investigated and analyzed.Findings – The deliverables of the paper are two‐fold. First, the paper documents six cases uncovering supply chain and operations complexities in manufacturing SMEs. Second, based on the critical analysis of the case organizations, insights developed are reported with a set of recommendations.Practical implications – The field of supply chain management (SCM) is reaching a new stage. After a period dominated by enthusiasm for the newness of the idea of managing the stream of products across the whole chain, from supply through manufacturing to end‐users, it is now realized that “one size does not fit...

Supply chain management for SMEs: a research introduction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the key areas that influence managing the supply chain in the small‐ and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) sector. It outlines in an informative and explorative manner the research environment of supply chain management (SCM) in SMEs in India.Design/methodology/approach – Initially, the paper scans the environment of Indian SMEs using a self‐developed framework with the acronym immunity‐infection‐net resistance‐offerings and code of conduct (I2NOC). Having outlined the key characteristics of SMEs, the paper focuses on exploring selected issues for SCM in the SME sector.Findings – A literature review identified gaps in the research and a set of investigative questions were derived from the review. These questions help define the premise behind the research approach outlined in the paper. Investigative questions were further grouped to identify specific issues and/or areas of concern. Finally, the paper constructs a generic research problem, a tentative...

A conceptual role interaction model for supply chain management in SMEs

Purpose – This paper aims to propose a role interaction model for understanding a supply chain orientation of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – The paper defines various role players and logic for the quantification of conceptual role model. This process enlists some 13 possible combinations of various roles and defines them on a coordinated geometry of cube. An applicability of proposed logic is demonstrated for a case of XYZ tin‐container manufacturing SME.Findings – The study provides an identification of various roles, development of role interaction model and its 13 combinations to gain insights into the supply chain management (SCM) issues of SMEs are the major contributions.Practical implications – The paper proposes a simple, logical and easy‐to‐use approach that could even be understood and applied by SMEs managers with a limited knowledge base.Originality/value – The contributions of the paper are three‐fold: it reports contemporary literature on supply chai...