This paper presents an evaluation of Supply Chain Management Software. For this purpose, we conducted an empirical study in the European automotive industry among car manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and logistic service providers from 25 countries. In particular, we analysed the objectives these companies are trying to achieve by using Supply Chain Management Software and evaluated to what extent these objectives have been accomplished. Our results show that the companies have been able to reduce both their costs and lead times and to improve their service levels. The survey also reveals, however, that until now, the cooperative potential of Supply Chain Management Software has not been utilized effectively.
Purpose -The purpose of this research is to examine economic approaches to evaluate different cooperation scenarios in the context of Supply Chain Management. Design/methodology/approach -The value of different cooperative scenarios is analyzed in the fields of procurement and distribution planning using an analytical approach as well as simulation runs.Findings -On the basis of the framework of Wyner and Malone coordination mechanism in the field of Supply Chain Management was examined. Using an analytical approach as well as simulation runs it can be shown that the centralized coordination scenarios usually lead to superior results compared with different decentralized approaches in the field of procurement planning and distribution planning. Originality/value -Empirical data show that the difficulty in quantifying cooperation benefits is the main reason for not to implementing inter-organizational software solutions such as Supply Chain Management software. Therefore, a prototype is developed to quantify the value of cooperation in the fields of procurement planning and distribution planning.
Gallbladder empyema is considered an advanced form of acute cholecystitis with a poor prognosis. In order to analyze the results of surgical treatment for empyema against those obtained with non-empyematous acute cholecystitis, we present a study of 146 cases diagnosed with acute cholecystitis in which early surgery was indicated. At the time of operation the patients were divided into 2 groups, depending on whether or not purulent material was revealed in the gallbladder contents: group I, gallbladder empyema (n = 42), and group II, non-empyematous acute cholecystitis (n = 104). The surgical technique used was similar for both groups (p = NS). Local complications were more frequent in the empyema group (p < 0.01), likewise for infection of the operative wound (p < 0.05). General complications predominated in the non-empyematous cholecystitis group (p < 0.01). Six patients from the 2nd group died, whereas no mortality was recorded in the empyematous cases (p = NS). There were no significant differences with regard to the average hospital stay. Early surgery offers good results in cases of empyema, analogous to those obtained with the remaining cases of non-empyematous acute cholecystitis. Biliary surgery can be performed safely and completely in these patients, and we therefore recommend early surgery for any case of acute cholecystitis as a way of improving the prognosis for empyemas, as one of the advantages.
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