Maro Vlachopoulou

A conceptual framework for supply chain collaboration: empirical evidence from the agri‐food industry

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the concept of supply chain collaboration and to provide an overall framework that can be used as a conceptual landmark for further empirical research. In addition, the concept is explored in the context of agri-food industry and particularities are identified. Finally, the paper submits empirical evidence from an exploratory case study in the agri-food industry, at the grower-processor interface, and information regarding the way the concept is actually applied in small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is presented. Design/methodology/approach - The paper employed case study research by conducting in-depth interviews in the two companies. Findings - Supply chain collaboration concept is of significant importance for the agri-food industry however, some constraints arise due to the nature of industrys products, and the specific structure of the sector. Subsequently, collaboration in the supply chain is often limited to operational issues and to logistics-related activities. Research limitations/implications - Research is limited to a single case study and further qualitative testing of the conceptual model is needed in order to adjust the model before large scale testing. Practical implications - Case study findings may be transferable to other similar dual relationships at the grower-processor interface. Weaker parts in asymmetric relationships have opportunities to improve their position, altering the dependence balance, by achieving product/process excellence. Originality/value - The paper provides evidence regarding the applicability of the supply chain collaboration concept in the agri-food industry. It takes into consideration not relationships between big multinational companies, but SMEs.

Virtual e-Chain (VeC) model for supply chain collaboration

Abstract In a virtual network, independent companies are working together based on shared values and a common goal of doing business to jointly exploit a particular business opportunity. Specifying each partners business model, their organizational and technical coordination, and the appropriate criteria for agreements between them can solve the problem of combining the different competences of the partners. A Virtual e-Chain model, presenting a supply chain collaboration framework in a virtual environment, is developed for the classification of the roles of partners, the identification of key capabilities to structure each collaborative relationship, and the evaluation of the partners’ readiness to collaborate.

Modeling users' acceptance of mobile services

The success of mobile services adoption hinges on their ability to cover user needs and attract consumer interest. The extant literature focuses on understanding the factors that might affect consumers’ actual adoption of such services through their effect on behavioral intention; these studies are mostly based on behavioral intention theories, such as Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. In this work, new theoretical constructs are combined with existing evidence in order to extend the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as it was initially established by Davis and later further enriched by other researchers. The proposed model includes behavioral intention, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, innovativeness, relationship drivers, and functionality. Within this approach, relationship drivers introduce a marketing perspective to the original models of technology adoption by building emotional connections between the users and the mobile services. The hypothesized model is empirically tested using data collected from a survey on m-commerce consumers. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to evaluate the causal model and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model. It is briefly concluded that behavioral intention is directly affected by perceived usefulness, innovativeness and relationship drivers; the findings provide interesting insights and useful hints to practitioners and researchers.

E-volution of a supply chain: cases and best practices

Supply chain management (SCM) is an integrating philosophy to manage the total flow of materials, information and finance from supplier to ultimate customer. The goal of SCM is to meet the needs of the final consumer by supplying the right product at the right place, time and price. Companies use SCM as a way to meet the competitive challenges of todays business environment. The focus of SCM has shifted from engineering efficient functional processes to the co‐ordination of activities in a supply chain network. The aim of this paper is to examine the stages in the evolution of the supply chain to an electronic supply chain. To illustrate and support the types of evolutionary progress involved, best practices and case studies are provided and analysed.

Bar-code technology for inventory and marketing management systems: A model for its development and implementation

Abstract The search for increased industrial productivity, better customer service, improved inventory accuracy, enhancement of buyer/seller communication, inventory and marketing cost savings and higher quality standards is generating new opportunities and challenges for bar codes as a means to support complete supply chains. In this paper, a conceptual framework for the integration of a bar-code system in inventory and marketing and a model for the development and implementation of such a system are presented. Problems, benefits and solutions regarding the integration of a bar-code system in the inventory marketing management of a company are examined.

Partnership alliances in virtual markets

Successful virtual working requires organizations to adopt new approaches towards managing and leading in the following key areas: managing infrastructure, people, information and joint activities/processes. Marketing transformation and integration between the partners’ internal and external activities and relationships are the prerequisites in order to combine their core competencies creating dynamic virtual collaboration networks. In this paper several e‐partner relationship management paradigms are illustrated and categorized according to the degree of integration and e‐marketing/business transformation. The proposed integrated e‐partner relationship management solution offers a systematic process for ensuring that specific partnerships criteria are developed and managed in the most beneficial way for the involved parties in virtual environment.

Perceptions towards Online Shopping: Analyzing the Greek University Students' Attitude

The sharp increase of Internet usage, as well as, the systematic progress of Information Technology have transformed the way goods are bought and sold, resulting to the exponential growth in the number of online shoppers. However, a lot of differences regarding online purchases have been revealed due to the various consumers’ characteristics and the types of provided products and services. Therefore, understanding who are the ones consuming and why they choose to use or avoid the Internet as a distribution channel, is a vital issue for both e-commerce managers and consumer theorists. The scope of this paper is to examine the perceptions of Greek university students’ adopters and non-adopters of online shopping in terms of demographic profile, expectations of online stores, advantages and problems related to online purchases. Moreover, the reasons for using or avoiding online shopping, as well as, the types of preferred products were studied. The research provides interesting insights on the online consumer behaviour, as the results show significant differences between the two groups of respondents.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in a construction company

Integration is a challenging problem that has tormented businesses for many years. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are enterprise-wide systems that automate all of a companys business processes and replace legacy systems, integrating all departments and functions across a company in a single computer system that runs off a single database so that the various departments can more easily share information and communicate with each other. In this paper, the preparation analysis and the necessary steps for the implementation of an ERP system in a construction industry in Greece are described. Finally, the challenges concerning the implementation are presented.

Exploring the impact of e-business adoption on logistics processes: empirical evidence from the food industry

The objectives of the research were to identify factors that influence e-business adoption and its impact on logistics processes in the Greek food industry. Drawing on existing research, a conceptual framework and propositions were developed and six in depth case studies were carried out. In the framework, three major categories of influencing factors were distinguished: intra-enterprise, sector and supply chain factors. Findings suggest that e-business adoption is more affected by supply chain and sector factors, rather than intra-enterprise factors. Regarding the impact of e-business on logistics process, it seems that it is affected by the frequency of its use and it is greater in processes occurring at the company-customer interface. Finally, e-business impact is more related to the dimensions of time and quality, rather than cost improvements.

Evaluation of integration technology approaches in the healthcare supply chain

Healthcare organisations are increasingly being challenged to look at their operations and find opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of their supply chain services. In light of this situation, there is an apparent need for healthcare organisations to invest in integration technologies and to achieve the integration of supply chain processes, in order to break up the historical structure characterised by numerous interfaces and the segregation of responsibilities. The aim of this paper is to take an independent look at the healthcare supply chain and identify at different levels the core entities, processes, information flows, and system integration challenges which impede supply chain quality improvements to be realised. Moreover, this paper proposes, from an information systems perspective, a framework for the evaluation of different integration technology approaches, which can be used as a potential guideline tool for assessing integration technology alternatives, in order to add value to a healthcare-supply-chain management system.