Benefits; drawbacks and boundaries to deliver JIT: Re-thinking the UK automotive industry operations supply strategy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to carry out case study research to analyse the current situation at a world class vehicle manufacturer (VM), the main case organisation. This paper aims to conclude whether there is scope for further inbound JIT supply focus to the case study organisations within this research.

Design/methodology/approach

The data and vision for this paper comes from a literature review and practitioner papers and case studies to survey inbound supply of JIT theory and practice in a UK automotive supply network. Primary data are collected through case study research and site visits.

Findings

This paper presents the findings of recent research into a UK automotive industry supply network and identifies the benefits, drawbacks and boundaries of delivering JIT. The sub-element of this paper identifies whether there is scope to make a more focus inbound supply JIT into the main VM case study organisation.

Research limitations/implications

This research looks at one network over three tiers of a supply chain. However this research creates a case study hub and looks at whether there is potential to increase the level on inbound and outbound JIT supply to and from the main case organisation.

Practical implications

This case study research directly gains primary research form operational supply organisations working in a supply hub network in the UK automotive industry.

Social implications

Social implications here allow an improved understanding of efficient JIT and supply chain issues.

Originality/value

This research considers the enhanced relationship amongst automotive supply chain members to ensure a clear understanding and position the importance of a JIT; lean and agile approach in practice.

Citation

Dinsdale, E.J. and Bennett, D. (2015), "Benefits; drawbacks and boundaries to deliver JIT: Re-thinking the UK automotive industry operations supply strategy", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 22 No. 6, pp. 1081-1095. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-07-2014-0073