Santanu Mandal

Achieving supply chain resilience: The contribution of logistics and supply chain capabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inter-relationship among dominant supply chain capabilities of collaboration, flexibility, velocity and visibility and how the same influence supply chain resilience (SCRES) and supply chain performance. Further, the aim is to explore the relationship between integrated logistics capabilities and supply chain capabilities. Design/methodology/approach The proposed hypotheses were tested with survey data collected from 339 supply chain professionals. The collected data were then analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis, and the proposed relationships were tested with structural equation modeling. Findings Integrated logistics capabilities were found to positively influence supply chain collaboration and supply chain visibility. There is a positive influence of each of collaboration, flexibility, visibility and velocity on SCRES. Further, each of these supply chain capabilities positively influences each other to a greater extent. Further, SCRES was found to have a positive influence on supply chain performance. Research limitations/implications Like many other cross sectional studies, this study also suffers from data collected from single respondent per firm. Originality/value The study is significant and holds immense importance for managers and supply chain practitioners because it has suggested them to focus on core supply chain capabilities, for example, collaboration, flexibility, visibility and visibility for developing SCRES. Along with this, it undersigned the growing importance and empirical influence of integrated logistics capabilities in developing these supply chain capabilities and also the positive influence of resilience on supply chain performance.

A DEA-investigation of efficiency of the Indian general insurance during recession

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficiency analysis of the Indian general insurance sector using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and subsequently assess the impact (if any) of the global slowdown on the performance of the allied sector. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper aims to analyze the operating performance of 12 general insurance companies in India between 2006-2007 and 2009-2010 using DEA based on secondary data collected from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Annual Reports. Findings - – Findings clearly indicate that the global economic slowdown has severely affected the performance of the private sector companies; while the public sector companies exhibited relatively lesser variation in performance levels. Research limitations/implications - – The methodology employed in the study estimates relative efficiencies without assuming any functional form; as a result the proper comparison of input utilized with the output produced is not possible. Several other tools like Malmquist Index and two-stage procedure have not been used. Originality/value - – The study brings into light the operating characteristics and efficiencies of the Indian general insurance sector during the global slowdown and therefore holds practical value for policy makers and practitioners as well as for the decision makers of the firms employed in the study.

An empirical competence-capability model of supply chain resilience

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the influence of supply and demand competence on supply chain (SC) resilience and its impact on a firm’s operational and relational performance. While the former competence refers to production and supply management-related activities, the latter refers to distribution and demand management-related activities. Within this framework, process compliance, i.e. how well SC management processes are internally executed by the firm’s employees, is observed as an enabler (moderator) on the relationship between SC competence and SC resilience. Further the model also explores the moderating influence of environmental uncertainty (EU) on the linkage between SC resilience and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a Web-based cross-sectional survey from SC professionals working in different industries at various designations. Further, the collected data were analyzed using partial least squares for hypotheses’ testing. Findings The findings suggest a positive influence of demand- and supply-side competences on SC resilience. Supply chain resilience was also found to have a positive influence on operational and relational performance. Further, process compliance was found to positively moderate the relationship between the competences and resilience. Lastly, the relationship between resilience and performance was found to gain momentum in the presence of EU. Research limitations/implication Data were collected from a single respondent per firm. Hence, future research should attempt to collect data from multiple respondents for increased generalization. Originality/value The study holds significance for academicians and practitioners, as it investigates the importance of supply- and demand-side competences on the development of SC resilience and its impact on performance. This investigation showed that building resilience in a SC is dependent on the degree to which firms are process-compliant. Further, it was empirically proved that resilience’s positive influence on performance increases more with the presence of uncertainties.

Towards an Empirical-Relational Model of Supply Chain Flexibility

Supply chains are prone to disruptions and associated risks. To develop capabilities for risk mitigation, supply chains need to be flexible. A flexible supply chain can respond better to environmental contingencies. Based on the theoretical tenets of resource-based view, relational view and dynamic capabilities theory, the current study develops a relational model of supply chain flexibility comprising trust, commitment, communication, co-operation, adaptation and interdependence. Subsequently the model is empirically validated based on a web based survey of 132 supply chain professionals in the Indian context.

Towards an Empirical-Relational Model for Supply Chain Innovation

Innovation is the key to sustainable performance in the current competitive market. Supply chains being network of firms entangled in exchange relationships; innovation in supply chains cannot be fully achieved without effective supply chain relationships. Hence the current study explores empirically the influence of dominant relational attributes viz. trust, commitment, communication, cooperation, coordination on supply chain SC innovation. As environmental uncertainty can moderate these relationships, hence the author includes the same as a moderating variable in the model. Based on a web based survey of 132 logistics professionals, the findings largely provide support for the proposed relationships.

The dominant influence of logistics capabilities on integration: Empirical evidence from supply chain resilience

Purpose Using dynamic capabilities theory, this paper aims to posit logistics capabilities (namely information, demand, supply, cooperation and coordination) when integrated at the supply chain level gives rise to supply chain resilience. The current investigation explores further on the inter-relationship among dominant logistics capabilities and integrated logistics capabilities. Design/methodology/approach To test the proposed hypotheses, data were gathered from 339 supply chain professionals and were evaluated through structural equation modeling. The measures were pretested through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis and then measures were deployed for final testing. Findings Findings suggest that logistics capabilities do exert a strong influence on supply chain resilience through effective logistics integration. Further, these logistics capabilities do share certain inter-relationships among themselves. Supply chain resilience does have positive performance implications. The authors also tested for moderation of cooperation and coordination and proposed an alternate model which found support in post hoc testing. Originality/value The study holds immense value for practitioners and managers, as they undersigned that logistics capabilities need to be integrated at the supply chain level for developing overall supply chain resilience. Further, it underscored how the inter-relationship among the individual logistics capabilities varies in the development of supply chain resilience.

Achieving sustainability in the Indian plastic industry: Issues and challenges

With technological progress and globalization, the Indian plastic industry also has witnessed dramatic changes in the last decade like the entry of a no. of small players and as a result the sector came to be operated mainly by small and medium scale enterprises. Each of these small firms is in fierce competition with each other vying for market share and thereby trying to own over as many clients as possible. Now sustainability has become a necessary competitive dimension for every firm to have as one of its essential characteristics so as to have a positive brand image in the minds of its customers. So for each of these small firms it is quite a challenging task to achieve sustainable operations while still maintaining their market position. In this paper an effort has been made to investigate the possible issues that might facilitate or block the firms in the sector in achieving sustainable operations.