R. Anthony Inman

The impact of logistics performance on organizational performance in a supply chain context

Purpose – The papers aim is to theorize and assess a logistics performance model incorporating logistics performance as the focal construct with supply chain management strategy as antecedent and organizational performance, both marketing and financial, as consequences.Design/methodology/approach – Data from a national sample of 142 plant and operations managers are analyzed using a structural equation modeling methodology.Findings – The results indicate that logistics performance is positively impacted by supply chain management strategy and that both logistics performance and supply chain management strategy positively impact marketing performance, which in turn positively impacts financial performance. Neither supply chain management strategy nor logistics performance was found to directly impact financial performance.Research limitations/implications – To compete at the supply chain level, manufacturers must adopt a supply chain management strategy. Such a strategy requires integration and coordinati...

Market orientation: relation to structure and performance

Purpose – Organizational structure dimensions have been theorized as antecedents to and organizational performance as a consequence of market orientation. Multiple studies have investigated the theorized relationships and returned inconsistent results. The purpose of this study is to identify and resolve the inconsistencies.Design/methodology/approach – Results from prior studies were summarized and a structural equation modeling approach was used to analyze new data collected from 173 manufacturing organizations.Findings – Of the structure dimensions (formalization, specialization, decentralization, integration) tested, only formalization was found to be a positive predictor of market orientation. Market orientation was found to be a positive predictor of both financial and marketing performance.Research limitations/implications – The body of evidence assembled does not support the proposition that organizational structure impacts market orientation. It does, however, support the proposition that a marke...

Financial Justification of JIT Implementation

Many articles have appeared which detail the improvements appearing in manufacturing firms subsequent to JIT implementation. Some firms have attributed the complete financial turnaround of their company to the philosophy. However, this assumes that no other variables contributed to the improvements made. Presents the results of a survey of American manufacturing firms which have implemented JIT. In addition to merely presenting the benefits accrued, an effort is made to correlate these benefits with actual improvements in ROI, total costs and service level. Shows JIT as contributing significantly to the financial status of manufacturing firms.

Analysis of the relationships among TOC use, TOC outcomes, and organizational performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the relationships among the three elements of the theory of constraints (TOC), a number of observable outcomes expected to be associated with the application of TOC, and organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – A model, which incorporates TOC elements as antecedent to TOC outcomes and TOC outcomes as antecedent to organizational performance, is proposed. Data were collected from 110 organizations identified as TOC adopters, and the model was assessed using a structural equation modeling methodology.Findings – Results indicate that the proposed model fits the data well. Adoption of TOC yields observable TOC outcomes, which lead to improved business unit performance. Analysis suggests that the use of TOC is effective in improving organizational performance.Research limitations/implications – Scales are developed for use in future TOC research.Practical implications – TOC is found to be effective in improving organizational perform...

Implications of environmental management for operations management

While many businesses have traditionally resisted changes brought about by government legislation and pressure from the public, many firms, through reluctant adoption or willing change, have found that a pro-environment stance can enhance a number of goals. Changes brought about by environmental considerations have been deeply felt in the area of operations management. This paper looks at implications for operations management resulting from increased environmental interest and change. Specifically, the areas of operations strategy, production and inventory management, and OR/MS techniques are addressed. A number of propositions and research questions are presented in order to encourage and provide direction for research into the areas of operations management that are impacted by environmental management.

Measuring the effects of inventory inaccuracy in MRP inventory and delivery performance

The effectiveness of the definition of inventory accuracy primarily used by practitioners is investigated under both lot-for-lot and fixed-order-quantity policies. Frequency of error, the most commonly measured aspect, is found to be less than sufficient for controlling the percentage of late units and inventory carrying costs. The magnitude of error and product structure location can create significant problems for inventory managers.

Purchasing management and business competitiveness in the coming decade

Changing dynamics of the marketplace require that old mind-sets of the procurement function radically shift directions. Cost-based practices of the past should be replaced by a value-added focus in todays organizational supply channel. This paper, based upon in-depth discussions with a focus group of experts, documents the upcoming challenges for purchasing professionals and defines a new role for purchasing managers. Additionally, key questions are suggested as an impetus for future research.

A simulation‐based comparison of TOC and traditional accounting performance measures in a process industry

Purpose – Aims to compare performance measurement of a continuous process manufacturing operation under two accounting systems – a traditional cost accounting system and the theory of constraints (TOC) system.Design/methodology/approach – Using a computer‐based simulation methodology to capture operational performance, it is found that the TOC‐based accounting system presents a more realistic state of performance scenario.Findings – Findings from this research indicate that businesses using a TOC‐based system can improve their performance more accurately, and hence gain a sustainable competitive position in the future.Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to continuous process manufacturing operations.Originality/value – The research makes a significant contribution to the knowledge of performance measurement.

The impact of JIT‐II‐selling on organizational performance

Purpose – In response to the just‐in‐time (JIT) II purchasing strategy developed at Bose, sellers in the manufacturing sector have become JIT‐II sellers. The purpose of this study is to test the propositions that implementation of a JIT‐II‐selling strategy strengthens the strategic link between the production and marketing functions and leverages the impact of a market orientation on organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – Data related to JIT‐II‐selling, market orientation and organizational performance were collected from 166 managers of large US‐based manufacturing companies and analyzed using a structural equation modeling approach.Findings – Results indicate that market orientation fully mediates the relationship between JIT‐II‐selling and organizational performance.Practical/implications – Manufacturers adopting a JIT‐II‐selling strategy to enhance a market orientation philosophy can expect improvements in organizational performance.Originality/value – This study is the first to desc...

Small Business and JIT: A Managerial Overview

For the small‐firm manufacturing manager considering the just‐in‐time philosophy, the literature is relatively sparse. Reviews academic and practitioner literature on small businesses and just‐in‐time manufacturing and synthesizes conceptual and practical aspects of this relationship. The concerns addressed include small‐firm applicability of JIT, theorized and realized benefits, and suggestions for initial steps in the implementation process.