Somendra Pant

Making sense of the e-supply chain landscape: an implementation framework

Firms are increasingly embracing integrated Web-based or e-supply chains because such chains are believed to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. The e-supply chain movement has received a boost from a variety of off-the-shelf supply chain software solutions that have appeared on the market. However, in the excitement about these software solutions, it is often overlooked that creation and implementation of integrated supply chains requires tremendous resources, a great deal of management time and energy, large organization-wide changes, huge commitment from suppliers/partners, and sophisticated technical infrastructure. Further, a standard solution cannot fit all types of supply chains because different chains have different requirements. Then, many firms may not want to use such off-the-shelf software solutions because they already have some components of an e-supply chain in place. Therefore, before embracing e-supply chains, firms need to understand different options for creating supply chains from among which they can pick the option they can successfully implement, keeping in view their resources and their ability to handle associated challenges. In this paper we develop a framework that captures various approaches to supply chain implementation for different supply chain requirements. To develop the framework, we draw on research in a wide variety of areas, discussions with professionals who were involved in creating e-supply chain systems, and a detailed study of two companies that recently installed e-supply chain systems.

A framework for information systems planning for e‐business

E‐business information systems are computer applications that leverage intra‐ and inter‐firm process and systems integration. Considering the growth and strategic importance of e‐business, while it is important for organizations to carefully plan for and architect e‐business systems, none of the existing information systems planning models is adequate for the task. An e‐business architecture planning model is developed by identifying 12 generic e‐business models and three axes on which drivers of the information architecture needs of e‐business firms fall. Sowa and Zachman’s information architecture is augmented to further facilitate e‐business information systems architecture planning.

Web-Based Product Development Systems Integration and New Product Outcomes: A Conceptual Framework

In hopes of improving the effectiveness of their new product development (NPD) processes, many firms increasingly are eager to adopt integrated web-based NPD systems for NPD. However, few would argue that the mere use of web-based NPD systems substantially will improve the NPD process. But we know little about how and when these systems can be used for enhancing NPD. An organization desiring to employ the web in its NPD process can use it at varying levels of functionality and sophistication, ranging from a tool for automating manual tasks and exchanging data to a means of integrating various intra- and interorganizational NPD functions and processes. At higher levels of technology sophistication or integration, an organizations NPD processes will get more integrated internally, i.e., between different stages of the NPD process and with the processes of its suppliers, technology providers, etc. Such integration of both internal and external NPD processes is considered important for successful innovation. Thus, on the surface, higher levels of web-based systems integration may seem universally desirable. However, each increasing level of integration brings with it higher costs—not only the costs of expensive technology but also costs of implementing a complicated system, redesigning intra- and interorganizational processes, disrupting the status quo, and spending management time and energy during implementation. Therefore, it may not be wise for firms to jump blindly on the web-based NPD bandwagon. High levels of web-based NPD systems integration may be created when low levels of integration may not deliver the desired results. Further, if such systems are installed without appropriate conditions within and outside the firm, it may not be possible to exploit their full potential. As such, it is important to know how much web-based NPD systems integration is suitable for different conditions. In this article, we develop a conceptual framework that focuses on how web-based NPD systems integration can influence the outcome of NPD and how the relationship between systems integration and outcomes can be affected by various contextual factors. For this purpose, we draw on research in areas such as NPD, web-based information systems, and organization theory and on many discussions we had with professionals and software vendors who deal with NPD and web-based NPD systems. The contextual factors of interest in this framework are strategic orientation of the firm, product-related factors, business environment, organizational factors, information technology factors, and partner-characteristics. Managerial and research implications of the framework are discussed.

Business on the Web: strategies and economics

Abstract The World Wide Web has literally burst upon the businesses in recent times. With the Web doubling in size every 53 days or so, the growth is biological. With a technology as recent and fast proliferating as this one, paradigms often lag behind action, and the hype. Still, paradigms alone provide an objective coasting course through turbulent waters. Two paradigms which are thought to be helpful in formulating a strategy for doing business on the Internet are the value chain analysis and transaction cost economics. Value chain analysis helps businesses identify specific areas where the Internet can add value and the transaction cost analysis provides a basis for why value is added as transactions move across boundaries in value chains. In this paper we employ these twin analyses and propose a framework for strategic planning to develop business opportunities in the new arena of the Internet. This is expected to provide a basis for further analysis of Web-based business. Some examples from the real world help put this twin analysis in perspective.

Development of a framework to assess and guide IT investments: An analysis based on a discretionary-mandatory classification

Assessing the economic feasibility of information technology (IT) projects remains a challenge for most organizations. On one hand there are concerns for the rising IT costs, on the other hand organizations may lose significantly if they do not make an appropriate investment in IT. Considering the range of IT projects, a single, standardized capital budgeting approach may not serve the best interests of organizations. This paper presents a framework to help evaluate different IT projects through a mix of suitable methods. The framework is based on the classification of IT projects along a discretionary-mandatory dimension into four types: purely discretionary, mainly discretionary, mainly mandatory, and purely mandatory. A set of factors are identified that may influence the final classification of an IT project into one of the four types. This classification is used to arrive at suitable IT evaluation techniques and methods. Use of strict financial evaluation criteria is suggested for discretionary projects. The need for analyzing financial risks associated with IT projects is also identified and it is suggested that higher standards of project acceptance be used for riskier projects that are not deemed mandatory in the earlier analysis. The framework should be useful for information systems researchers and practitioners in streamlining the assessment of IT projects.

Impact of Industry Structure and Product Characteristics on the Structure of B2B Vertical Hubs

Business-to-business (B2B) vertical hubs are expected to play an important role in the digital economy and add value by reducing inefficiencies in industrial procurement and enabling efficient interfirm interactions and collaborations. The last few years have witnessed both a proliferation of business models underlying these hubs and the failure of many of these hubs. This study identifies key structural dimensions of vertical hubs and develops a conceptual framework to characterize vertical hubs. We draw from the industrial organization theory and the marketing literature to examine the relationship between the characteristics of the vertical hubs, those of the industries they serve, and the products transacted through the hubs. Based on data collected from 63 B2B vertical hubs, we test our hypotheses relating industry and product characteristics to the structure of vertical hubs. The results provide modest support to our theoretical proposition that the characteristics of vertical hubs are likely to be shaped by the industry and product characteristics. We interpret the results and discuss the implications of the study for research and practice.

A framework for developing Web information systems plans : illustration with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

Abstract Internet technology holds many promises for enterprise information integration. Web information systems are applications that facilitate intra- and inter-firm processes and integration of myriad enterprise information systems. However, these applications require sound planning to really tap into the unique promises of the Internet and the Web technologies and add value to the enterprise. Heavy machinery industry, typified by Samsung Heavy Industries presents a good case in point. Static conventional home pages do not facilitate a manufacturer’s needs of information management in its core production and business functions. Instead, dynamic Web client capabilities must be connected with real-time enterprise databases in a cohesive plan to enhance integration of business processes. Planning of Web information systems needs a proactive review of the capabilities of the Internet technology to serve the particular needs of a firm and its customers. In this paper we describe the application of a generic Web information systems (WIS) planning framework to the construction equipment division of Samsung Heavy Industries of Korea to enhance its core business. The framework is rooted in economic principles that are shown to be the drivers of modern WIS. Further, the framework is applied to the task of developing a strategic plan of WIS for the marketing and service activities of the construction equipment division of the firm. The planning process is shown to cover most of the systems development life cycle from high level information goal setting to design of Internet-based new order managing and service part requisition sub-systems.

Manufacturing Information Integration Using a Reference Model

Virtual corporations, enterprise re‐engineering, and adaptive/agile manufacturing are all new concepts based on the accomplishments of integrated manufacturing of the past decade. The new manufacturing enterprises are characterized by an ability to effect flexible reconfiguration of resources, shorter cycle times and quick response to customer demands. Information is a key factor in transcending physical barriers and imparting the enterprise‐oriented agility and adaptiveness to organizations. To this end, a theory‐based reference model for information integration is needed in manufacturing enterprises. Employs the paradigm of parallel formulation as the reference model and demonstrates how it is used to guide the planning for information integration. The model provides both a detailed data and task analysis of manufacturing functions and their interactions, and guidelines for regrouping tasks into parallel processes and thereby achieving a high level of global integration. Describes a case study of the mo...

Evolution of supply chain management education in North America

This paper reviews the history and evolution of the Supply Chain Management (SCM) curricular content. Several trends in the SCM curriculum are discussed, including the integration of Information Technology (IT) throughout the supply chain, the development of cross-disciplinary content, the emerging emphasis on international business in supply chains, the increased attention placed on people and relationships and the growing importance of sustainability and reverse logistics. Next, the supply chain education landscape is discussed and the top-ranked US SCM programmes are analysed and classified into four general groups. Finally, we integrate our findings and offer recommendations for future developments.

Developing web-based information systems: the case of Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd

Internet technology holds many promises for enterprise integration. Examples include intranets and extranets. However, these applications require sound planning to really tap into the unique promises and add value to the enterprise. The heavy machinery industry presents a good case in point. Static pages do not facilitate a manufacturers problems in its core productions and business functions. Instead, a web-based information system (WIS) that connects web client capabilities to enterprise databases and thereby enhances business processes is needed. The planning of web-based information systems needs a proactive review of the capabilities of the Internet technology to serve the particular needs of the firm and its customers. This paper describes the application of a generic planning framework to a heavy machinery firm using Internet technology to enhance its core business.