Data in this qualitative study was collected through multiple inquiries. SCM consultant interviews gave understanding of the current state of practice. A survey of 48 progressive companies was conducted to identify what IT solutions they have implemented in SCM. This was followed by 18 in-depth case studies to identify the mechanisms for achieving benefits of IT in SCM. Findings Based on the empirical studies five propositions are presented on the use and benefits of IT. First, successful companies have developed focused e-business solution for improving customer service elements that are most important in their business. Second, improved efficiency allows company personnel to focus more on critical business activities. Third, the use of e-business solutions improves information quality. Fourth, e-business solutions support planning collaboration, and improved agility of the supply network. Finally, to gain strategic benefits, the use of IT has to be coupled with process redesign. Research limitations / implications The sample of companies used in the study was selected by expert assessment and is biased towards companies willing to discuss and share results openly. Additionally, the focus of the paper was on single companies and not on the entire supply networks. However, the findings of this study present an opportunity to further develop understanding of the underlying mechanisms of how IT investments benefits supply chain management. Originality / value The paper fulfils an identified need for in-depth case studies that analyze the possible mechanisms behind practical benefits of IT in supply chain management.
This study investigated what should be the major research and development areas regarding the logistics of electronic business. The method of study consisted of five elements: the creation of a preliminary e‐logistics vision; focus interviews of e‐business and logistics experts, identification and categorisation of the key R&D topics, a panel workshop to critically analyse the preliminary findings and prioritise the R&D topics, and formulation of a research agenda to guide future research work in the field of e‐business logistics. The two‐phased process, where the interviews were followed by the workshop, enabled the evaluation and prioritisation of the preliminary findings. The requirements of e‐business on the national logistics infrastructure were found to be one of the focus research areas. According to the study, integrated supply network structure with suitable visibility and usage of real‐time data transfer is another area of great importance. Research and development of new logistics service concepts should also be promoted as well as research on the effects and possibilities of using new product data management and product identification methods.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to propose demand-supply chain representation as a tool to support economic organizing between original equipment manufacturers going downstream and customers considering how to better outsource maintenance and asset management. Design/methodology/approach -This paper is a presentation of a representation tool using a design theory template. Findings -The concept of demand visibility point and requirements penetration point can be used to describe different ways of economic organizing as interaction between demand and supply. The proposed representation scheme supports the identification of visibility-based changes in economic organization, such as vendor-managed inventory and reliability-based maintenance services.Research limitations/implications -The paper is conceptual and requires further empirical work. Practical implications -The representation tool can be used both by practitioners engaged in outsourcing maintenance and practitioners involved in the development of industrial service offerings. Originality/value -The paper introduces demand-supply chain representation to development of industrial service offerings and outsourcing of maintenance activities.
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