Emerald | International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Editorial: Taking a Stand to Eliminate Coercive Citation Practices in Supply Chain Management and Business Logistics Research

2012-06-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Not available.

THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUAL DEBIASING EFFORTS ON FINANCIAL DECISION EFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUPPLIER SELECTION PROCESS

Lutz Kaufmann, Christian Buhrmann, Craig R. Carter — 2012-06-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The nascent behavioral supply management (BSM) research stream has raised attention to the deviations from the standard assumptions of the rational paradigm in economics. The adaptation of cognitive heuristics, which add vulnerability to judgment and decision-making, creates a pressing need to identify and develop mitigation strategies to debias decision-making in the supply chain management environment. This study investigates debiasing measures, corresponding contextual variables in the supplier selection process, and their implications for financial decision effectiveness.Design/methodology/approach - The study uses a large-scale empirical survey among 306 buyers to investigate the relationships among individual and organizational contextual factors, debiasing measures in the supplier selection decision, and the financial effectiveness of the supplier selection decision.Findings - Organizational and individual contextual factors have differing effects on the use of debiasing approaches in the supplier selection decision. Further, the debiasing tactics can have a positive (in the case of supplier selection task decomposing) or a negative (in the case of an interactional challenging of the supplier selection) impact on the financial effectiveness of the supplier selection decision. These findings suggest that supply managers must better understand the contextual factors that influence the supplier selection decision, and carefully choose the correct debiasing tactics when selecting suppliers.Originality/value - This paper relaxes the economic assumption of rational actors and addresses the need to identify and use debiasing tactics in supply chain management contexts. The research also complements the broader-based behavioral decision-making literature, which has often relied upon experimental methodologies that use undergraduate or MBA students, by employing a survey-based approach with supply managers as key informants.

Dynamic Weights Approach for Off-Line Sequencing of Supplier Selection over a Finite Planning Horizon

Avi Herbon, Shalom Moalem, Haim Shnaiderman, Yossi Templeman — 2012-06-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a user-oriented decision-supporting applicable tool for selection of a single supplier out of a group of potential suppliers in a dynamic business environment over a finite planning horizonDesign/methodology/approach - A qualitative and quantitative description of the impact of a change in one or several business environment parameters on current and future supplier choice; the methodology is accompanied by a visual representation of those impacts for the decision maker.We present extended simulation experiments to test the proposed methodology.Findings - A strategy of replacing suppliers over a definite planning horizon based on a forecast of the business environment is significantly (2%-9%) more efficient than a strategy of relying on a single leading supplier throughout the planning horizon. This efficiency gain is greater the more the business environment is dynamic. Practical implications - The proposed methodology is applicable to a broad range of service and manufacturing organizations that operate in dynamic business environments and rely on complex purchasing systems. Thanks to its simplicity, it can be applied to very large systems with a broad range of selection and/or environmental parameters. Originality/value - Although the supplier selection process has been extensively studied, the literature still lacks appropriate reference to the effects of a dynamic business environment on this process.

Maximizing impact of investments into purchasing and supply management

Dieter Kerkfeld, Evi Hartmann — 2012-06-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The objective of this paper is to empirically evaluate the effect of resources and capabilities in purchasing and supply management (PSM) on operational performance. Specifically, this study examines whether managers who neglect investments into key knowledge-driven PSM resources will be foregoing the opportunity for a higher performance return from their core supplier-related capabilities.Design/methodology/approach - Based on an international cross-industry survey of 273 major companies, two conceptual models grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) theory are analyzed for moderation and mediation effects, and provide both researchers and practitioners with means of determining targets for investment prioritization. The models are tested using multiple regression techniques and structural equation modeling. Findings - Our findings suggest that (1) the impact of supply base practices on operational performance is stronger in firms where more advanced PSM resources are deployed and (2) that these improvements can be explained by a higher leverage of supply base practices on advanced PSM resources.Research limitations/implications - Additional potential mediators of PSM enablers, e.g., PSM integration, deserve further research. A longitudinal survey of relationships would help to gain a better understanding of sequential relationships between the examined constructs.Practical implications - This paper will help to guide senior management in balancing investment decisions for PSM development. The applied measurement model can be used to identify speci?c potential of improvement in individual organizations that can lead to increased operational performance.Originality/value - The simultaneous consideration of moderation and mediation based on the RBV's conceptualization of resources vs. capabilities provided a contribution in PSM. The results support management in maximizing the return of investments into PSM.

COMPARING PORT PERFORMANCE: WESTERN EUROPEAN VS EASTERN ASIAN PORTS

Mengying Feng, Chandra S. Lalwani, John Mangan — 2012-06-08 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims to report a comparative investigation of port factor performance between Western European and Eastern Asian Ports.Design/methodology/approach - A comprehensive literature review is conducted in order to identify factors for port performance evaluation. A large-scale questionnaire survey is employed in two port regions for comparative analysis. Findings - Descriptive techniques and t-tests indicate that port performances in the case port regions are different from each other in some factors and they share some common features in certain other factors. The findings reveal that the most critical differences between case ports in Eastern Asia and Western Europe are government support, proximity, speed of cargo handling, safety and port technical infrastructure in descending order. The Humber needs to improve on government support, reduce port charges, diversify port ownership and improve port connectivity, while Xiamen needs to improve customs services, expand hinterlands, enhance logistics demand, encourage intermodalism and set up "dry ports".Research limitations/implications - This study was restricted to two port regions in China and the UK and data used in this research were mainly generated from questionnaire surveys, responses to which are to some extent subjective.Practical implications - Ports must provide services that meet and exceed customers’ expectations to be competitive. This research yields practical insights for port managers to improve port performance as quantifying factors allow them to prioritise and compare the factor performance. The results of the empirical study can also assist port stakeholders to formulate their operational strategy for port performance improvement.Originality/value - This study contributes to knowledge by addressing a gap in empirical research concerning factor performance comparison between Western European and Eastern Asian ports.