Michael D. J. Clements

Relationship connectors in NZ fresh produce supply chains

Purpose – Understanding the multitude of linkages that exist between customer requirements, the characteristics of fresh produce, the functions performed by supply chains, and how these impact on relationships in chains is important if the trend towards relationship marketing in the fresh produce industry are to be better understood. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an empirical study of New Zealand fresh produce supply chains that investigates such multiple linkages.Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical framework was developed for the study, where relationships were characterised as relationship connectors between parties. This framework was operationalised using two case studies of fresh produce supply chains in the South Island of New Zealand.Findings – Relationships in the chains were characterised by very strong information exchange, relatively strong cooperative norms, strong operational linkages and specific buyer‐seller adaptations. Relationships connected in these ways...

Assessment guiding learning: developing graduate qualities in an experiential learning programme

As industry demands increase for a new type of graduate, there is more pressure than ever before for higher education (HE) to respond by cultivating and developing students who are prepared for these workplace challenges. This paper explores an innovative experiential learning programme built on the principles of work-related learning that develops students to attain graduate qualities for competitiveness in the business sector. The role and importance of assessment as a core influence for learning is recognised and embedded into the programme, as well as the prevalence of meeting the needs of its stakeholders. Issues concerning assessing work-oriented learning are explored as well as what assessment methods might be most appropriate for enhancing and evaluating learning in this context. Feedback from stakeholders on the structure of the programme and its assessment are discussed as well as the question of how to maintain work-related programmes in HE. If such programmes continue to focus assessment and design around student learning, students will not only have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical context, they will also be maximising their personal learning outcomes with the added advantage of being better equipped to compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Ever consider a supply chain as a “community of practice”? Embracing a learning perspective to build supply chain integration

Purpose – This article introduces a conceptual view of supply chains from a situated learning and “community of practice” perspective. This non‐conventional “soft systems” view places an emphasis on the social and practical dimensions of learning within a context as a means to improve supply chain integration and performance.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is conceptual and introduces a learning theory that offers practical relevance to practitioners in the supply chain field.Findings – The findings presented in this paper are conceptual. However, the perspective offered draws upon recent successful research into the dynamics of situated learning activity in a project team environment.Practical implications – By embracing this humanistic and social learning perspective, practitioners have opportunities to initiate a “community of practice” condition in which they systematically focus on and collaboratively develop their learning skills and their supply chain interactions and integration.Originali...

Crafting a local-global nexus in the Australian wine industry

Purpose - To examines strategies that have locked the Australian wine industry into a price-sensitive, commodity wine market. The paper seeks to explain the inherent weakness of these strategies and their inability to address current challenges and opportunities. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses empirical research data gathered from 100 SME wine firms. These firms were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Four states were covered – New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia – with all major wine regions in these states equally represented. There was careful sampling according to size, so that boutique, and small- and medium-sized firms were represented. Non-exporting firms were excluded. In each case either the CEO or the marketing manager was interviewed. Findings - The findings confirm the papers hypothesis, that increasingly the Australian wine industry has become risk-averse and locked into paradigms and organizational frameworks that are disconnecting from users and their requirements. The findings concur that greater differentiation of place, product, supply chains, and markets is required if the industry is to operate effectively within a multi-dimensional landscape and continue to attract sustainable returns. Research limitations/implications - The paper was based largely upon user perceptions about current and future industry developments. It would be extremely valuable if future research could align these perceptions with performance data at industry and firm level to provide a more convincing map of R&D activity. Practical implications - This paper has significant implications and policy advice for future industry organization. The most immediate and important of these is a strategy of emphasizing differentiated, regionally-identified products that target higher price-points in major markets. The industry has already indicated that it intends moving in this direction. Originality/value - The original aspect of the paper is its organization ecology approach to the industry, in which national parameters are replaced by a perception of global operating landscapes. In this sense, users are not only participants, but also spectators and interpreters. The paper should be of value to researchers, policy-makers and all industry stakeholders.

Socially shaping supply chain integration through learning

This conceptual paper is concerned with improving supply chain integration through social innovation. It specifically argues for a greater focus on, and more systematic attention towards social and situated learning as the critical means of achieving the integration of the social systems of supply chain participants. The key proposals in this paper diverge from and extend upon the current limited and quite general rhetoric offered about the need to better understand the social systems in supply chains. The conceptual arguments presented are yet to be tested in practice. However, the practical implications of adopting them likely revolve around: supply chain participants conceiving supply chain settings as significant situated learning opportunities; participants conceiving themselves as learners, and; participants reshaping their inter-organisational social networks. Thus, this paper makes a valuable contribution to scholarly and practitioner knowledge and debate about alternate and socially innovative ways to integrate supply chains.

The dissemination of information amongst supply chain partners: A New Zealand wine industry perspective

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the degree to which information was shared between wineries and independent grape growers in the New Zealand wine industry. Data was collected from randomly selected wineries and independent grape growers using a self-completed and anonymous questionnaire. Significant relationships were found between the level of information sharing, the level of trust, and the level of overall satisfaction among the supply chain partners. The findings highlight the relationship between information sharing and successful supply chains. The study also suggests that information sharing between wineries and growers in the New Zealand wine industry needs to be increased, which may in turn, improve supply chain trust and satisfaction and increase the effectiveness of marketing strategies. This paper supports previous research highlighting the importance of information sharing in supply chains, and in particular it provides empirical evidence of the link between this variable and both trust and overall satisfaction in supply chains. From a practical standpoint, this paper suggests that improvements in terms of information sharing between supply chain members could provide significant benefit to the New Zealand wine industry.

Who cares wins: owning the learning transition

Purpose – Higher education is seeking ways to close the perceived gap between employers expectations of graduates and the current preparation these graduates receive. Experiential learning programs offer students one such opportunity to develop professionally and acquire generic workplace skills. This transition however, from the classroom to the workplace, can be a challenging process for students, and is the focus of this paper.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the importance of programs and their supervisors integrating “caring” into work placements. Several stages of the transition process are discussed before seven principles of a successful student transition are outlined.Findings – This paper demonstrates how a beyond duty of care approach can be adopted in experiential learning programs through seven key principles.Practical implications – It is anticipated that prioritizing a transition that enlarges the notion of student “care” and adoption of the seven key principles will narro...

Extended scenario role-playing: cumulative learning for supply chain participants

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of a staged cumulative learning mechanism as part of a role‐play model for the teaching of supply chain concepts.Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents the preliminary testing of an alternative model for the facilitation of supply chain learning within organizations. Following on from this, initial feedback is discussed before future stages of development are considered.Findings – Through the structured implementation of complex supply chain interactions, practitioners can provide effective training that leads to deeper understanding of the interactions and communication skills necessary to balance an organizations successful operation in a modern supply chain.Originality/value – The value of this paper is to invite the reader to consider the use of extended role‐playing as a mechanism to facilitate the development of cumulative learning outcomes which provide employees with a toolbox of understanding to better approach interaction...

Supplier selected relationships: choosing friends, over family

This paper establishes and tests a framework enabling suppliers to measure the worth of relationships with buyers. This non-conventional perspective invites the consideration of the suppliers perspective on how relationships are valued. Given the constraints on suppliers limiting distribution by participating in relationships geared to benefit the buyer at the suppliers expense, this study tests food manufactures in New Zealand. Literature suggests a key driver for integration is mutual benefit, therefore it is argued that by understanding which relationship values distinguish between the supplier relationship levels, both the buyer and supplier then develop appropriate relationships to enhance supply chain integration.

Connecting key stakeholders: sustainable learning opportunities

Purpose – This paper introduces a hybrid learning framework as part of a specifically designed reflective learning experience internship program.Design/methodology/approach – This paper identifies challenges/barriers and offers solutions on how to design a learning driven internship program, which satisfies the needs of all stakeholders. Following on from this, initial learning constructs are discussed before future stages of development are considered.Findings – The initial feedback from the key stakeholders suggests support for the framework as a mechanism to connect industry, the student body and the education provider.Practical Implications – Through the implementation of this framework key stakeholders can combine to provide an important learning environment for future employees whilst still adding value to their own business. This model also provides a context in which both industry and academia can combine to nurture and mentor the society of tomorrow.Originality/value – The value of this paper is ...