Rosane Lúcia Chicarelli Alcântara

A theoretical framework for postponement concept in a supply chain

Postponement can be understood as a way to change the form, identity, or location of products at the latest possible point in time and can be applied at different levels in the supply chain. A detailed theoretical framework that can assist companies in adopting, consolidating, and evaluating this strategy is not available in the literature. The aim of this paper is to propose a model approach to the postponement concept based on drivers, steps for implementation, and performance measures. This study used a qualitative approach and the theoretical-conceptual method focused on the literature review and the development of new theories on the adoption of the postponement strategy. The time frame of the study included articles on the subject between 1950 and 2012. A theoretical framework that shows the variables and steps required to implement the postponement strategy was created.

O uso da ferramenta gerenciamento por categoria na gestão da cadeia de suprimentos: um estudo multicaso

In todays highly competitive scenario, the industrial and retail sectors seek alternatives to ensure their continuity in the Brazilian market. To meet consumer expectations, one of the alternatives these sectors have devised is to offer a mix of products tailored to the profile of each group of customers. Within this context, the Category Management (CM) tool and other Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) practices have begun to take hold in the daily routine, culture and strategies of companies. To illustrate how the CM can be an efficiency-optimizing tool in supply chain management, this article discusses the main actions to be developed in the implementation of this tool in small and medium sized supermarkets, its facilitating and limiting characteristics, and criteria for the choice of business partners.

Logistics activities in supply chain business process: A conceptual framework to guide their implementation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a set of logistics activities for each key supply chain business process of the Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) model and a conceptual framework to guide their implementation. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review on supply chain management (SCM) and logistics was conducted to integrate the existing knowledge of SCM, key business processes, and logistics; the latter is critical element for the success of SCM. A set of logistics activities and a conceptual framework are presented to guide their implementation in each of the key business process of the GSCF model. Three case studies were conducted in Brazilian food companies to verify the applicability of the proposed logistics activities, their characterization, and the conceptual framework. Findings – The logistics activities, the key business processes, and the steps to their implementation are integrated into a comprehensive framework. A total of 24 logistics activities and a conceptual fram...

A gestão da demanda em cadeias de suprimentos: uma abordagem além da previsão de vendas

A gestao da demanda emerge nos campos de conhecimentos da gestao da cadeia de suprimentos e de marketing. Busca-se a rapida e adequada integracao das necessidades originadas do mercado na direcao dos fornecedores, de modo a balancear e alinhar estrategicamente a demanda com a capacidade operacional ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos. O objetivo deste artigo e propor uma abordagem conceitual para a implantacao de um processo efetivo de gestao da demanda em cadeias de suprimentos fornecendo uma visao mais ampla da gestao da demanda como um processo integrado e nao uma atividade isolada ou resumida a previsao de vendas. Para o desenvolvimento desta abordagem, realizou-se uma ampla revisao da literatura, usando a metodologia da revisao sistematica de literatura. Os resultados apontam que o primeiro passo da abordagem conceitual consiste na compreensao do mercado por meio da analise das capacidades, restricoes, oportunidades dos ambientes interno e externo a empresa. Este conhecimento ditara as diretrizes e praticas estrategicas e operacionais da organizacao. O processo de gestao da demanda envolve um time multifuncional composto por integrantes de diversos niveis e setores da organizacao, bem como representantes estrategicos da cadeia de suprimentos (fornecedores e clientes). Este time sera responsavel pelo desenvolvimento conjunto das previsoes de vendas, da elaboracao, execucao e acompanhamento do plano de negocio. Para isto, os agentes internos e externos da cadeia precisam ter uma orientacao para a cadeia de suprimentos. Uma implementacao bem conduzida desta abordagem pode melhorar o nivel de servico prestado ao cliente e gerar beneficios substanciais para os resultados financeiros da empresa.

Abordagens para aplicação da estratégia de postponement: estudo multicaso em empresas da indústria de alimentos

The purpose of this article was to investigate the implementation of the postponement strategy of in Brazilian companies in the food industry and to identify approaches (steps) for implementing this strategy in these companies. In addition to the broader discussion on this topic, the main motivation for conducting this research is the study of this strategy in a sector where this topic has still been under-addressed. Six case studies were conducted in and fruit and vegetable canning companies, such as tomato and orange processing companies. This study has two major contributions: the first is to present, based on the literature, a theoretical framework for implementation of postponement, which can and should be suitable for different industry sectors. The second is the adequacy of this framework for use in food companies, especially orange juice and tomato processing companies. One of the main conclusions of this study is that postponement implementation has been increasingly used in the segment investigated, and it has been changing the relationships between companies. Additionally, it was found that none of the companies studied had a formal structure for implementing the postponement strategy, and therefore its implementation has been based only on the experience of its decision makers. Resumo: O proposito deste artigo foi investigar a aplicacao pratica do postponement em empresas alimenticias brasileiras e identificar as abordagens (passos) para aplicacao desta estrategia nestas empresas. Alem da maior discussao sobre o tema, a principal motivacao para este trabalho e o estudo desta estrategia em um setor em que o tema e ainda pouco explorado. Foram apresentados seis estudos de caso em empresas alimenticias do segmento de fabricacao de conservas de frutas, tais como processadoras de tomate e laranja. Este trabalho traz duas contribuicoes principais. A primeira e a apresentacao de uma estrutura conceitual, com as principais abordagens para a implementacao do postponement obtidas da literatura, que pode e deve ser adequada para diferentes setores da industria. A segunda e uma primeira adequacao desse quadro para empresas da industria alimenticia, especificamente empresas processadoras de tomates e produtoras de suco de laranja. Dentre as principais conclusoes deste trabalho, pode-se destacar que a aplicacao do postponement e uma pratica cada vez mais frequente no segmento investigado e tem transformado as relacoes entre empresas. Adicionalmente, foi verificado, que nenhuma das empresas estudadas apresentava uma estrutura formalizada para aplicacao da estrategia de postponement, sendo sua implantacao baseada apenas na experiencia dos seus gestores. Palavras-chave: Postergacao. Estrategia de operacoes. Empresas alimenticias.

Um modelo da maturidade da gestão da demanda: Um estudo multicaso na cadeia de suprimento de produtos de mercearia básica

The purpose of demand management is to balance the needs of customers with the companys capabilities, reducing uncertainty, and providing efficient flow through the supply chain. The aim of this study was to propose a model to analyze demand management maturity process in the supply chain of grocery products. It is expected that the resulting model can subsidize companies to structure and develop skills to reach maturity in demand management process. To this end, a multi-case study was conducted involving 22 companies: grocery industries, supermarkets, and wholesale distributors. Direct observations and 33 interviews were carried out in these companies. The research allowed us to structure a maturity model for demand management that consists of four stages divided into nine dimensions: information sharing, joint planning, joint execution actions, inter and intra-company interactions, performance indicators, involvement of senior management, customer segmentation, supplier segmentation, and information technology. This model enables companies to identify the stage they are in and the dimension they need to focus their efforts. Each dimension represents a means to enable companies to structure themselves and optimize profitability by improving efficiency and effectiveness in the supply chain.

A AMPLIFICAÇÃO DA DEMANDA NA CADEIA DE SUPRIMENTOS: UMA ANÁLISE NO SETOR DE MERCEARIA BÁSICA

A gestao da demanda e um tema emergente no campo de conhecimento da gestao da cadeia de suprimentos. O que se busca com a gestao da demanda e a rapida e adequada integracao das necessidades originadas do mercado na direcao dos fornecedores, de modo a balancear e alinhar estrategicamente a demanda com a capacidade operacional ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos. O alinhamento da demanda na cadeia de suprimentos enfrenta dificuldades progressivas como, por exemplo, a falta de precisao nas informacoes, perdas devido a desperdicios, falta ou excesso de estoques, provocando ineficiencia e ineficacia no atendimento a clientes, reducao do giro de estoque e alto indice de obsolescencia agravada pela grande diversidade de produtos. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar e analisar os desafios da implantacao do processo de gestao da demanda na cadeia de suprimentos de produtos de mercearia basica. O metodo de pesquisa foi o estudo de caso considerando como empresa focal o atacadista distribuidor Martins e nove de seus principais fornecedores de produtos de mercearia basica. Os resultados mostram que o compartilhamento de informacoes, desenvolvimento de um plano de negocios em conjunto e o seu acompanhamento diminuem o efeito da amplificacao da demanda na cadeia de suprimentos analisada. Porem, verifica-se que mesmo diante de um alto nivel de transparencia de informacoes, abertura e confianca entre os agentes, como tambem compartilhamento de metas conjuntas, ainda existe a amplificacao da demanda, ocasionando o efeito chicote.

Proposta de atividades logísticas na Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos (SCM)

According to Supply Chain Management (SCM), the logistic function expands its scope within the company to exert or support the management and operation of different key business processes. The benefits generated by the involvement of the logistic function in such processes of SCM have been widely discussed in the literature, but the logistics activities that must be executed in each of these processes to achieve such benefits have not been identified. The aim of this paper was to propose logistics activities necessary for efficient and effective operation of the different key business processes of SCM. This article is theoretical-conceptual and exploratory; it adopts a qualitative research approach using a semi-structured questionnaire in multiple case studies and personal interviews. The consistency of logistics activities proposed in the researched companies was found, and the existence of these activities depended heavily on the internal characteristics of each company. It was confirmed that the logistics function performs activities that are no longer reactive or isolated to its own department or primary function; instead, it assumes a proactive attitude within business processes.

Direcionadores da adoção de estratégias de postponement: estudo multicaso em empresas da indústria de alimentos

The purpose of this article is to investigate the practice of the postponement strategy in Brazilian food industry companies and identify which drivers that promote/facilitate the adoption of postponement in these companies. Six case studies were realized in processing and canning fruits and/or vegetables companies, such as orange juice and tomatoes processing companies. In addition to further discuss on the issue and verification of its application in food companies, this works presents two main contributions. The first is to present a theoretical framework with the main drivers for postponement strategy adoption based on the literature. The second is confronts the drivers obtained from empirical research and theory, generating the theoretical framework with the main drivers, adapted to the food industry.

Mesures d’évaluation de la performance de la différenciation retardée : études de cas dans les industries alimentaires

La différenciation retardée, qui consiste à repousser la configuration finale et/ou le déplacement de produits jusqu’à la réception de la commande du consommateur final est une stratégie qui a connu une montée en puissance ces dernières années. Ce travail se penche sur la manière dont la différenciation retardée est appliquée dans les entreprises de l’industrie alimentaire et sur les mesures de performance susceptibles d’être utilisées, ce afin d’évaluer les résultats de son application. A cette fin, six études de cas ont été menées dans des entreprises productrices de jus et de conserves de fruits. Outre les résultats obtenus, sont identifiées les mesures de performance utilisées dans l’évaluation de la différenciation retardée.