Vicky Manthou

A conceptual framework for supply chain collaboration: empirical evidence from the agri‐food industry

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the concept of supply chain collaboration and to provide an overall framework that can be used as a conceptual landmark for further empirical research. In addition, the concept is explored in the context of agri-food industry and particularities are identified. Finally, the paper submits empirical evidence from an exploratory case study in the agri-food industry, at the grower-processor interface, and information regarding the way the concept is actually applied in small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is presented. Design/methodology/approach - The paper employed case study research by conducting in-depth interviews in the two companies. Findings - Supply chain collaboration concept is of significant importance for the agri-food industry however, some constraints arise due to the nature of industrys products, and the specific structure of the sector. Subsequently, collaboration in the supply chain is often limited to operational issues and to logistics-related activities. Research limitations/implications - Research is limited to a single case study and further qualitative testing of the conceptual model is needed in order to adjust the model before large scale testing. Practical implications - Case study findings may be transferable to other similar dual relationships at the grower-processor interface. Weaker parts in asymmetric relationships have opportunities to improve their position, altering the dependence balance, by achieving product/process excellence. Originality/value - The paper provides evidence regarding the applicability of the supply chain collaboration concept in the agri-food industry. It takes into consideration not relationships between big multinational companies, but SMEs.

Virtual e-Chain (VeC) model for supply chain collaboration

Abstract In a virtual network, independent companies are working together based on shared values and a common goal of doing business to jointly exploit a particular business opportunity. Specifying each partners business model, their organizational and technical coordination, and the appropriate criteria for agreements between them can solve the problem of combining the different competences of the partners. A Virtual e-Chain model, presenting a supply chain collaboration framework in a virtual environment, is developed for the classification of the roles of partners, the identification of key capabilities to structure each collaborative relationship, and the evaluation of the partners’ readiness to collaborate.

E-volution of a supply chain: cases and best practices

Supply chain management (SCM) is an integrating philosophy to manage the total flow of materials, information and finance from supplier to ultimate customer. The goal of SCM is to meet the needs of the final consumer by supplying the right product at the right place, time and price. Companies use SCM as a way to meet the competitive challenges of todays business environment. The focus of SCM has shifted from engineering efficient functional processes to the co‐ordination of activities in a supply chain network. The aim of this paper is to examine the stages in the evolution of the supply chain to an electronic supply chain. To illustrate and support the types of evolutionary progress involved, best practices and case studies are provided and analysed.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in a construction company

Integration is a challenging problem that has tormented businesses for many years. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are enterprise-wide systems that automate all of a companys business processes and replace legacy systems, integrating all departments and functions across a company in a single computer system that runs off a single database so that the various departments can more easily share information and communicate with each other. In this paper, the preparation analysis and the necessary steps for the implementation of an ERP system in a construction industry in Greece are described. Finally, the challenges concerning the implementation are presented.

Exploring the impact of e-business adoption on logistics processes: empirical evidence from the food industry

The objectives of the research were to identify factors that influence e-business adoption and its impact on logistics processes in the Greek food industry. Drawing on existing research, a conceptual framework and propositions were developed and six in depth case studies were carried out. In the framework, three major categories of influencing factors were distinguished: intra-enterprise, sector and supply chain factors. Findings suggest that e-business adoption is more affected by supply chain and sector factors, rather than intra-enterprise factors. Regarding the impact of e-business on logistics process, it seems that it is affected by the frequency of its use and it is greater in processes occurring at the company-customer interface. Finally, e-business impact is more related to the dimensions of time and quality, rather than cost improvements.

Identifying and evaluating unexpected events as sources of supply chain risk

To address risk during Supply Chain (SC) operations, it is required to identify and address risk origins. To overcome the rigidity of probabilistic and reaction based mechanisms, focus needs to be driven within an operational field that spans outside the borders of the traditional SC. Exploring the dynamics outside the SC operational environment and identifying interconnections between unexpected events, is a step in creating a risk strategy. This paper approaches risk by considering detrimental events as risk sources, hence identifying and classifying these events is the first step to develop an information systems risk strategy. An in-depth survey was carried out in order to establish the grounds for developing a methodology to define and identify detrimental events. The survey involved both existing literature and SC practitioners, in order to expand on operational expertise. Detrimental events were classified according to their types and were mapped against the SCOR model, which incorporates international and cross organisational SC operational knowledge.

Evaluation of integration technology approaches in the healthcare supply chain

Healthcare organisations are increasingly being challenged to look at their operations and find opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of their supply chain services. In light of this situation, there is an apparent need for healthcare organisations to invest in integration technologies and to achieve the integration of supply chain processes, in order to break up the historical structure characterised by numerous interfaces and the segregation of responsibilities. The aim of this paper is to take an independent look at the healthcare supply chain and identify at different levels the core entities, processes, information flows, and system integration challenges which impede supply chain quality improvements to be realised. Moreover, this paper proposes, from an information systems perspective, a framework for the evaluation of different integration technology approaches, which can be used as a potential guideline tool for assessing integration technology alternatives, in order to add value to a healthcare-supply-chain management system.

Exploring clusters and their value as types of business networks in the agricultural sector

The undisputed link of the agricultural sector with regional economies, along with the increased competition, fosters agri-business companies to rethink their business philosophy and to transform from isolated firms to members of more extended business formations. The paper examines a particular type of business network, the cluster. It focuses on the concept of clusters and on cluster-based strategies in the context of agriculture. In particular, the paper explores the value of clusters by taking into consideration the particularities of the agricultural sector. Potential benefits and constraints of agri-business cluster development are also presented.

E-government and farm management agricultural services in Greece

The large volume of non-classified agricultural information over the internet increases the need of developing agricultural portals, where everyone involved with agriculture will be able to have access to the information easily and quickly. Portals play a key role in e-government, as they are the main access points for citizens to local, regional or national e-administration. The portals are the front office of public administration and provide tools for the formulation and submission of citizens questions and compose and present the answers as results. In this context, and because of the lack of a well organised agricultural portal in Greece, we designed and developed agroGOV, an agricultural portal for e-government and farm management. This paper presents the development tools, the structure and the content of the portal. AgroGOV also includes e-government services, applications, tools and decision support systems for farm management. Two of the main farm management applications of agroGOV portal are also presented in this paper.

A typology framework of Greek business-to-business electronic marketplaces

Business-to-business (B2B) electronic marketplaces(e-marketplaces) provide electronically value added communication, brokerage and integration services to buyers and suppliers in specific horizontal or vertical markets by supporting basic market functions, meeting management needs for information and process support. The purpose of this article is to provide a contingent typology framework regarding the Greek B2B e-marketplaces, based on several electronic business classification approaches. Specifically, the research has identified a set of three key characteristics, which can be used in order to provide the basis for a number of classification models of B2B e-marketplaces. The proposed three key model dimensions are the ownership/control structure of the marketplace, its market focus and the functionality used by the trading exchange. The models demonstrate the relationship between each of the dimensions with the other two dimensions, and provide evidence on Greek B2B e-marketplaces examining specific cases.