Exploring the consequences of judgmental and quantitative forecasting on firms' competitive performance in supply chains

An investigation of transportation logistics strategy on manufacturing supply chain responsiveness in developing countries: the mediating role of delivery reliability and delivery speed

This study aims to investigate and examine the impact of delivery reliability (DR) and delivery speed (DS) on the relationship between a manufacturing firm's transportation logistics strategy (TLS) and supply chain responsiveness (SCR). Furthermore, it examine the impacts of SCR on manufacturing firm performance (MFP). A quantitative methodology was used for the purposes of gathering and analysing primary data for this empirical study, which included 212 participants in large-sized manufacturing firms in the Middle East Territory. A web-based survey was used for the data gathering process and applied after conducting a small pilot study. The conceptual model was tested by using a hypothesis-testing deductive approach. The findings are based on covariance-based analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS software. The findings show that DR is mediating partially the relationship between TLS and MSCR, and that DS is mediating fully the relationship; further, it is pointed out that SCR is supported with improved MFP. The empirical findings can have insightful implications for managers and practitioners in terms of boosting competitive advantage and financial performance.

Scenarios for optimizing timing for new product exits: a trifecta of models' predictive performances

Purpose

The purpose of the study is applying and comparing models that predict optimal time for new product exit based on its demand pattern and survivability. This is to decide whether or not to continue investing in new product development (NPD).

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates the optimal time for new product exit within the hi-tech sector by applying three models: the dynamic learning demand model (DLDM), the generalized Bass model (GBM) and the hazard model (HM). Further, for inter- and intra-model comparison, the authors conducted a simulation, considering Weiner and exponential price functions to enhance generalizability.

Findings

While higher price volatility signifies an unstable technology, greater investment into research and development (R&D) and marketing results in higher product adoption rates. Imitators have a more prominent role than innovators in determining the longevity of hi-tech products.

Originality/value

The study conducts a comparison of three different models considering time-varying parameters. There are four scenarios, considering variations in advertising intensity and content, word-of-mouth (WOM) effect, price volatility effect and sunk cost effect.

Supply chain performance for a traditional shipbuilding industry in Indonesia

Purpose

Study in supply chain performance research on the shipbuilding industry is lacking. The purpose of this research is to study and provide guidelines to improve the performance of traditional shipbuilding supply chains in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops an empirical study gathered from a traditional shipbuilding industry, its suppliers, and customers. This study consists of three sections: the traditional shipbuilding industry, the suppliers, and the individual supplier scores. The internal and external performances in this study are measured using Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) metrics. The SCOR model identifies five performance measurement attributes, including reliability, flexibility, responsiveness, cost and assets. Instead of using “responsiveness,” this study applies the schedule performance index, and supplements “cost” with the cost performance index in order to accurately reflect the traditional shipbuilding supply chains processes.

Findings

By analyzing SCOR metrics in the traditional shipbuilding industry, it has been found that the ideal shipbuilding supply chain metrics are order fulfillment, flexibility, asset turnover and total supply chain costs. The lowest performance metric value in the traditional shipbuilding industry is the cost of goods. Some improvements are proposed to lower the high cost of ship building. An integrated economic ordering system in collaboration with all the suppliers is one of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of the traditional shipbuilding supply chains. The implementation of SCOR metrics enables management to identify the critical issues to improve.

Research limitations/implications

The study applies SCOR metrics to improve the traditional shipbuilding supply chains performance. The study is limited because the data collected are based on one shipbuilding industry only.

Originality/value

To the author's knowledge, this is the first empirical analysis on the implementation of SCOR metrics to the traditional shipbuilding industry. The analysis to improve the traditional shipbuilding supply chains performance can provide managerial insights to other industries.

Supply chain efficiency framework to improve business performance in a competitive era

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to develop a supply chain efficiency framework to improve overall business performance in the competitive era. This paper offers a critical literature review on supply chain efficiency that aims to reveal the basic research that has been carried out, the problem areas and requirements for the efficiency in the new era of the supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology followed during this research involves beginning with a wide base of articles lying at the supply chain intersection, performance measurement topics, and then screening the list to concentrate on supply chain efficiency.

Findings

Findings show that supply chain efficiency in the modern era remains an open research field. This research contributes to the supply chain literature by clarifying the supply chain efficiency definition, defining key measurements and variables for supply chain efficiency and developing a supply chain efficiency framework to improve overall performance.

Practical implications

This study will be very useful to the scholars working in this field. The proposed framework would help researchers and academicians to understand every dimension and variable of supply chain efficiency, allowing practitioners to measure efficiency levels and identify improvement measures. This framework would also act as a comprehensive guide for future studies and business practices.

Originality/value

As there are several state-of-the-art review papers on various supply chain areas, there is a lack of literature available on supply chain efficiency studies that can provide a comprehensive framework for researchers on related literature. Thus, the present study seeks to bridge this gap in the supply chain literature. Also, this study will provide a strong basis for researchers and academicians to apply the supply chain efficiency measurement system to the dynamic supply chain.