Tobias Engel

A comparative analysis of information visibility in two supply chain management information systems

Purpose – Coordination in supply chains and networks calls for information sharing among the members of the supply chain. Accordingly, information visibility – the availability of relevant information for making supply chain related decisions is an important concept in the context of supply chain management. The purpose of this paper is to identify the different dimensions of information visibility and propose a framework based on these information visibility dimensions. The proposed framework can be used to evaluate supply chain information systems (SCIS) and their contribution towards information visibility in supply chains.Design/methodology/approach – Using the proposed framework, we compare two different SCIS (SAP APO and SupplyOn) to assess the extent to which these systems meet the information visibility needs within supply chains and networks. In order to carry out the comparison, data regarding the two systems in collected using multiple methods such as from system documentations, training sessio...

Optimizing distribution logistics within cities through time-slot deliveries

Technological evolvement creates new business opportunities such as the optimization of distribution networks by using big data to calculate optimal delivery routes respecting individual time windows. The optimized network enhances firms to improve customer satisfaction, reduce delivery costs, and increase the utilization of the truck load by integrating reverse flows. Following the design science approach, we review and evaluate relevant data and scientific theories. Subsequently, requirements and system design are analyzed. On this basis we implement a prototypical information system to realize the optimized distribution network. The prototype consists of a mobile user-app and a back-office-system. Major functionalities of the prototype include the data analysis and the specification of settings for the desired delivery times and locations being actively influenced by the parcel recipients. The results of this research indicate that several tradeoffs have to be faced against the optimal use and analysis of available data, in order to provide a prototype that aims at improving customer satisfaction and reducing distribution costs at the same time. Hence, the focus has been laid on the analysis of dedicated, user-defined delivery time and location time windows by using a customized heuristic approach in order to decrease the complexity of the distribution process. We simulated the results, while a field study would enhance more insights. Practitioners can use the prototype to reduce their transportation costs to improve the utilization of the truck load or for new city services such as same day deliveries or as part of cyber-physical (distribution) systems (CPS).

Interdependent Determinants of Supply Chain Information Sharing: Evidence from the Tobacco Industry

Information sharing plays an important role in determining supply chain performance. However, organizations may refrain from sharing information because of concerns regarding opportunism. Different theoretical camps have either espoused the use of contracts to safeguard against opportunism, or the use of trust to reduce the occurrence of opportunistic behavior. In addition, information management capabilities of the firm not only determine information sharing, but also influence how trust develops within the supply chain relationship. However, there is little research addressing the inter-relations between contracts, trust, bargaining power and information management capabilities on information sharing, while it has been found to be inter-related. We address this gap by proposing a research model which relates aspects of trust, bargaining power, contracts and information management capabilities. Our research model is tested using a single explanatory case study from the German tobacco industry. The results indicate that bargaining power, trust and contracts interplay with each other in determining information sharing behavior within supply chains. Further, we found an influence of supply chain knowledge on trust. In consequence, we contribute to a better theoretical understanding on supply chain exchange relationships by blending different perspectives towards a complementary picture of influence factors on information sharing.