Michael Quayle

A study of supply chain management practice in UK industrial SMEs

This paper provides the outcomes of a supply chain management (SCM) practice survey designed to identify current trends in UK industrial small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises. The analysis identifies the adaptation of SCM techniques and relationships between customers and smaller suppliers. The outcomes, based on a survey of 288 firms, indicates a lack of effective adaptation from traditional adversarial relationships to the modern collaborative “e” – supply chain; identifies issues businesses need to address to improve the performance of their supply chains, and so improve their competitive position by grasping the benefits of effective SCM.

E‐commerce: the challenge for UK SMEs in the twenty‐first century

This article explores the awareness and level of implementation of e‐commerce in UK small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Results of a survey of 298 small firms suggest that issues of leadership and waste management are of greater importance to SMEs than development of e‐commerce capability. Those SMEs which have developed e‐commerce capability have not done so strategically and have yet to enjoy significant cost and time savings. The survey also identifies the challenges faced by SMEs. Finally, paths are suggested, which might be followed by such firms in seeking to enhance their performance in e‐commerce.

Purchasing in small firms

Abstract This article explores the awareness of effective purchasing and the priority that purchasing is given within small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). Results of a survey of 400 small firms are used to identify the challenges and responses faced by SMEs. Finally, the author suggests paths which might be followed by such firms in seeking to achieve best in class performance in purchasing activities.

Supplier Development for UK Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

This paper provides an overview of supplier development literature in a variety of sectors. The models that have emerged for supplier development and supplier associations are used as the basis of the development of smaller suppliers with a view to aiding economic development. The paper suggests the rationale and rewards of supplier development for small firms and provides an applications pilot model to test the concept.

The impact of strategic procurement in the UK further and higher education sectors

The impact of strategic procurement is driven by the contribution of the function to overall corporate performance and its interface relationships. The actual impact on corporate performance in the UK further and higher education sectors has been neither empirically substantiated nor rigorously examined. This research was carried out in UK fiscal year 1998/1999 with 60 UK further education (FE) and 40 UK higher education (HE) institutions participating. This paper provides empirical evidence that progress has been achieved in strategic procurement in FE and HE and suggests areas for continuous improvement.

Purchasing in the UK and Switzerland: an empirical study of sourcing decisions

The recent attention to purchasing decisions in a variety of commercial and government contexts has grown much faster than detailed understanding of how sourcing decisions are made and their implications for organisations. This paper provides an overview of empirical research into sourcing decisions made in UK and Swiss organisations and will be of international interest to practitioners and academics in both purchasing and marketing. The research demonstrates in both countries that sourcing decisions are highly contingent situations and the variable is policy.

Investors in People in further and higher education: the critical issues

The initial enthusiasm for further and higher education institutions to achieve the Investors in People (IiP) award appears to have faded. The reasons for this are many, and varied, and this paper examines the critical issues being encountered. It considers the need for strategic development and effectiveness, and suggests a new management paradigm is necessary if IiP accreditation is to be achieved.

Project management in European Aerospace plc: a case study

Over the past 20 years the competition for capital equipment sales and support has intensified world wide. Europe in particular has scored some notable sales successes for aircraft, locomotives and ships. The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of project management in European Aerospace and its necessity if further successes are to be achieved. Large and complex capital equipment can only justify their considerable investment costs whilst they are working or available for work. This means ensuring that extensive management procedures are conceived and implemented not only for production of capital equipments but to ensure their support strategy is considered at the outset. This paper examines the challenge presented, reviews initial and support philosophy including dealing with subcontractors, and offers guidance on project management performance parameters to remain successful in the global market place.