Ruth Banomyong

THE IMPACT OF PORT AND TRADE SECURITY INITIATIVES ON MARITIME SUPPLY-CHAIN MANAGEMENT

The fundamental objective of the Container Security Initiative (CSI) is to engage both so-called ‘mega-ports’ (ports sending the highest volume of ocean going container traffic into the US) and the national governments where these ports are located in a way that will facilitate the pre-screening of outbound containers destined to the US. The emerging issue of security as a key factor in global supply chains can be perceived as inconsistent with the objective of facilitating international trade (Dulbecco and Laporte, 2003). However, this perception does not stand up to analysis. Security is an evident part of the mainstream supply-chain paradigm while security can also become a driver for trade facilitation. The purpose of this paper is therefore to discuss the impact of the US CSI on maritime supply chains. The first section will mostly be related to the issue of security and supply chains while the second section will investigate CSI and its impact while exploring some of the financing implications of th...

Developing a supply chain performance tool for SMEs in Thailand

Purpose – This paper aims to present a supply chain performance assessment tool that measures the performance of key supply chain activities of a firm under different performance dimensions.Design/methodology/approach – The tool was developed based on an extensive literature review. The nine key internal supply chain activities, as proposed by Grant et al. in 2006, constituted the backbone of the assessment framework, while performance was measured based on three dimensions: cost, time, and reliability. The tool was pilot‐tested on 44 local SMEs. The results were then compared with existing performance benchmark as well as within the benchmarked group itself and a high performing Thai multinational in order to see whether the developed tool could identify performance gaps in the trial group.Findings – The results obtained from the tool provide a description of a firms internal supply chain activity. The utilised supply chain performance framework can isolate each individual supply chain activity. The res...

Multimodal transport: the case of Laotian garment exporters

This paper explores the various alternative routes and methods available to garment exporters in Lao PDR, a land‐locked country in South East Asia, when exporting to the European Union. Lao exporters are dependent on the transport systems in place in neighbouring countries (i.e. Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore) for transit purposes. A multimodal transport cost‐model is used to illustrate and clarify multimodal transport routeing alternatives. A confidence index is also introduced for each route, transport modes and nodal links. Five routeing alternatives are presented in this paper and it is shown that the most frequently utilised route via Bangkok (Thailand) is not necessarily the most competitive in terms of time and cost, while the route via Port Klang (Malaysia) potentially offers a better alternative for Lao garment exporters.

Supply chain integration: An international comparison of maturity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the uptake of supply chain integration (SCI) principles internationally and the resultant integration maturity. Design/methodology/approach – A rigorous supply chain diagnostics methodology called the Quick Scan is used to assess the integration maturity of 72 value streams located in New Zealand, Thailand and the UK. Findings – The majority of the organisations studied are struggling to turn the SCI concept into reality. Supply chains on average are poorly integrated. However, there exist a handful of exemplar cases that provide guidance; levels of integration maturity appear not to differ internationally. Research limitations/implications – Only three nations are compared, hence the sample is not fully representative of all countries and industries. There is a significant gap between supply chain rhetoric and practice; clear guidance on how to enable effective integration is required. National settings do not appear to affect the extent of application of supply chain management concepts. Practical implications – SCI is a very difficult undertaking. Indifferent practice is the norm. If organisations can attain even the middle ground of internal integration they will outperform many of their competitors. Originality/value – The paper presents an international benchmark of SCI maturity involving three triangulated measures of supply chain performance.

Formulating Regional Logistics Development Policy: The Case of ASEAN

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional economic grouping that is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. An ASEAN-wide logistics development policy has been developed and endorsed by ASEAN in August 2007. This logistics development policy is based on the work done by the authors as requested by the ASEAN Secretariat. The authors provided the guiding principles, the six major policy areas as well as the draft of the logistics sector integration roadmap that was finalised and endorsed by ASEAN. It is hoped that the formal endorsement of this important sector for ASEAN economic integration will support logistics liberalisation and development within ASEAN. The purpose of this paper is to explain the methodology utilised in the formulation of the ASEAN logistics development policy that was endorsed by ASEAN member countries.

Using Monte Carlo simulation to refine emergency logistics response models: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the development of emergency logistics response models. The proposition of a conceptual framework is in itself not sufficient and simulation models are further needed in order to help emergency logistics decision makers in refining their preparedness planning process.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a framework proposition with illustrative case study.Findings – The use of simulation modelling can help enhance the reliability and validity of developed emergency response model.Research limitations/implications – The emergency response model outcomes are still based on simulated outputs and would still need to be validated in a real‐life environment. Proposing a new or revised emergency logistics response model is not sufficient. Developed logistics response models need to be further validated and simulation modelling can help enhance validity.Practical implications – Emergency logistics decision makers can make better informe...

Implementing leagility in reverse logistics channels

Abstract The importance of the topic of reverse logistics has increased gradually over the past few years. This paper primarily focuses on one facet of reverse logistics, which involves the return of damaged products to be repaired by a manufacturer. The application of the ‘leagile’ paradigm in the reverse logistics process and its expected outcome, in terms of costs and lead-time reduction to consumers and to the manufacturer itself, is presented. The case study of an electrical appliance manufacturer based in Bangkok, Thailand, is used as an example to illustrate the possible impact of the ‘leagile’ concept on its repair and replacement services. It was discovered, with the application of the ‘leagile’ concept in the reverse logistics process, that lead-time for product repairs and returns, as well as costs involved with reverse logistics, have been drastically reduced while customer satisfaction has increased significantly.

Design of closed‐loop supply chain and product recovery management for fast‐moving consumer goods

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively investigate how product recovery management (PRM) activities affected the strategic design and implementation of a closed‐loop supply chain for a fast‐moving consumer good.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a case study approach with in‐depth interviews and structured observation of PRM processes at the focal company.Findings – The focal company was able to design an efficient and effective product recovery and recycle manufacturing system by standardizing high‐quality raw materials, using a modular structure for the product and maintaining control over the entire process and bypassing the temptation to use third‐party collectors and processors.Research limitations/implications – Primary research relates to the single case study and the focal company; however, the findings may not generally apply to other fast‐moving consumer goods (FMCG).Practical implications – The comparison of the focal companys processes to an extant product recove...

Selecting suppliers in the automotive industry: comparing international logistics costs

Maquiladoras operations along the Mexico‐US border are an oft‐studied example of a lean supply chain strategy that allows US manufacturers to benefit from lower labour costs in Mexico while being able to supply to assembly plants in the industrial US Midwest, with a minimum of safety stock. This study examines an alternative strategy of the subsidiary of a North American automotive parts producer, which purchases raw and semi‐finished materials from approved North American automotive 2nd tier suppliers, manages the shipment of the materials to a plant in Thailand where the semi‐finished materials are converted in a labour‐intensive process into higher‐value sub‐assemblies. These sub‐assemblies are then shipped back to the US for installation into automobiles at an assembly plant in the Detroit area. The additional logistics costs of using Thailand as a production base are overcome by demonstrable quality advantages and lower wages, as compared to competitors performing similar operations in Mexican maquil...

Logistics relief response model: the case of Thailand's tsunami affected area

The purpose of this paper is to examine the circumstances surrounding the Asian tsunami emergency of 2004 and to propose a relief logistics model that suggests an alternative response mechanism to those which are currently in place. The tsunami waves that hit Thailand on December 26th 2004 and the chaos that followed highlighted the very low level of preparedness on the part of the Thai authorities to deal with such an event. This has led the Thai Government to concentrate on preparation for relief operation activities in order to be better prepared if a similar event were to occur. The proposed logistics response model is based within a 72-hour time frame should a tsunami hit Thailand again. This model also clearly indicates the jurisdiction and job description of each agency involved in the relief operations. It is shown that horizontal and vertical linkages between departments represent the vital parts of successful overall emergency response.