W. C. Benton

Vendor selection criteria and methods

Abstract The vendor selection process has undergone significant changes during the past twenty years. These include increased quality guidelines, improved computer communications, and increased technical capabilities. Given radical changes in the purchasing selection process, it is appropriate to review the past research and to determine its relevance to the supplier selection decision. This paper reviews, annotates, and classfies 74 related articles which have appeared since 1966. Specific attention is given to the criteria and analytical methods used in the vendor selection process. In response to the increased interest in Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing strategies, and analysis of JITs impact on vendor selection is also presented. Finally, conclusions and potential areas for future research are presented.

Supply chain partnerships: Opportunities for operations research

Abtract A maturing stream of recent conceptual literature has focused upon supply chain partnerships. Theoretically within a supply chain partnership, traditional competitive barriers between supply chain members are mitigated to create mutually beneficial relationships, thus leading to increased information flows, reduced uncertainty, and a more profitable supply chain. Despite extensive conceptual based supply chain literature, very few researchers have attempted a more rigorous analytical approach to supply chain issues. This paper seeks to provide a review of supply chain research from both the qualitative conceptual and analytical operations research perspectives. The expanding importance of supply chain integration presents a challenge to operations researchers to focus more attention on supply chain modeling, and there are numerous opportunities for operations researchers to provide support for the current conceptual based supply chain research.

Supply-Chain Management for Recoverable Manufacturing Systems

Recoverable manufacturing systems minimize the environmental impact of industry by reusing materials, reducing energy use, and reducing the need to landfill industrial products. These systems are widespread in the United States and are profitable, in addition to contributing to sustainable development. However, the management of supply-chain activities can differ greatly from management activities in traditional manufacturing supply chains. Seven complicating characteristics increase uncertainty. Managers must take actions to reduce uncertainty in the timing and quantity of returns, balance return rates with demand rates, and make material recovery more predictable. Managers must also plan for the collection of products from end-users. The use of information systems with new production-planning and control techniques makes management of these activities more predictable.

A classification of literature on determining the lot size under quantity discounts

Abstract Determining a lot size in the presence of either all-units or incremental discounts has represented one of major interests of materials managers. It is a common practice that the suppliers offer quantity discount to entice the buyers to purchase more and to achieve economies of scale for transportation and processing costs. This paper will classify the literature on lot sizing determination under several types of discount schemes and discuss some of the significant literature in this area over two decades. Also, some future research areas have been identified.

Quantity discount decisions under conditions of multiple items, multiple suppliers and resource limitations

This research considers quantity discount procedures under conditions of multiple items, resource limitations and multiple suppliers. This is a very complex problem that has not yet been addressed in the literature. In this paper we offer an efficient heuristic programming procedure for evaluating alternative discount schedules. Moreover we use an example problem to test the suggested procedure. The results offer several encouraging findings for managers facing this impressive problem.

Research Opportunities in Purchasing and Supply Management

Purchasing and supply management (PSM) are crucial for the effective and efficient operation of manufacturing firms, now more than ever. The PSM function has evolved from being routine and mechanical to a function that can deliver true competitive advantage. The trend toward increased globalisation and outsourcing, along with a focus on innovation- and capability-driven supply management, has led to an increased reliance on suppliers. This has significantly enhanced the importance of PSM for manufacturing companies. The heightened significance in practice has been paralleled by an increasing attention of researchers in developing theories and chronicling best practices. At the same time, the rapid rate of change represents both daunting challenges and exciting opportunities for research in PSM. It is the goal of this article to highlight such challenges and discuss ensuing opportunities in PSM research. This objective is accomplished via the nominal group technique involving a panel of leading scholars in the purchasing and supply management field. As such, the article presents a synthesis and discussion of important research themes, poses a set of intriguing research opportunities, and serves as a motivation for future investigation.

The impact of strategic operations management decisions on community hospital performance

Abstract Over the past decade, 10% of community hospitals have closed. In this challenging time, our study presents hospital administrators with some valuable information that can help improve community hospitals’ performance. The purpose of this paper is to develop a strategic operations management model that links long-term service choices, intermediate operations decisions, and hospital performance given the structural constraints of location, size, and medical teaching status. Data collected from 151 community hospitals are used to test the model. The research identifies strategic operations management decisions in the US community hospitals, shows their causal relationships, and identifies their effects on hospital performance. Specifically, we find that intermediate infrastructural operations decisions affect a community hospital’s cost, quality, and financial performance after the structural decisions of location and size have set the stage. Our study also reveals that community hospitals have adopted new staff and demand management decisions in response to the market needs.

Manufacturing planning and control : The evolution of MRP and JIT integration

Abstract Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and Just-in-Time (JIT) system are directed toward planning and controlling the important characteristics of material flow: how much of what materials flow and when. Since the material flow is at the heart of the manufacturing firm, MRP and JHT are the powerful management tools that could determine the success or failure of an entire manufacturing system. One of the strongest debates in manufacturing has been centered on the performance comparison and compatibility of JIT production system to the existing MRP. The primary intent of this research is to provide an overview of the manufacturing planning and control environment associated with MRP and JIT. Classifying the existing MRP/JIT comparison and integration literature, two different perspectives on MRP/JIT are discussed, and future research area is proposed based on the taxonomy.

A quantity discount approach to supply chain coordination

Abstract Quantity discounts provide a practical foundation for inventory coordination in supply chains. However, typical supply chain participants may encounter difficulties in implementing the coordination policy simply because (1) specified lot size adjustments may deviate from the economic lot sizes and (2) the buying firm may face amplified overstocking risks related to increased order quantities. The main objective of this study is to develop a quantity discount model that resolves the practical challenges associated with implementing quantity discount policies for supply chain coordination between a supplier and a buyer. The proposed Buyer’s Risk Adjustment (B-RA) model allows the supplier to offer discounts that capitalize on the original economic lot sizes and share the buyer’s risk of temporary overstocking under uncertain demand. The analytical results suggest that the proposed B-RA discount approach is a feasible alternative for supply chain coordination under uncertain demand conditions.

Workforce staffing and scheduling: Hospital nursing specific models

Abstract Decisions relating to hospital nurse staffing and scheduling are among the most important decisions made in hospitals today. Staffing and scheduling choices must be made which will result in timely and high-quality care to patients. These choices are complicated by the requirement for round-the-clock staffing in many hospital nursing units, a severe nursing shortage, and an outcry from many quarters to cut costs of health care. In general, patients today are kept in hospitals only if they are in need of highly skilled nursing care. In this paper we present a review of some of the issues in health care currently influencing the hospital nurse staffing and scheduling environment. In addition, we review the literature that illustrates nurse managers concerns, and approaches taken in the past by operations researchers to address those concerns. We present some data from a recent study of nurse managers in 31 hospitals that illustrates the complexity of the issues. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions in hospital nurse staffing and scheduling.