The purpose of this paper is to examine how organizational structural factors (namely decentralization, formalization, and specialization) influence a firm's logistics service innovation capability and firm performance.
Collaboration has been referred to as the driving force behind effective supply chain management and may be the ultimate core capability. However, there is a fairly widespread belief tha few firms have truly capitalized on its potential. A study was undertaken to assess the current level of supply chain collaboration and identify best practice.
Reverse logistics is one of the toughest supply chain challenges. One approach to achieving more effective reverse logistics is to adopt a relationship‐oriented perspective. Two aspects of a relationship‐orientation ‐ trust and relationship commitment ‐ were examined by surveying senior marketing and logistics personnel from the automotive aftermarket industry. Relationship commitment w…
The paper aims to provide an overview of the evolution of relationship-related research in the areas of logistics and supply chain management.
This paper is intended to extend previous research by exploring the scope of integration and its impact on firm performance. In addition to, examining dyadic integrative relationships, the research also looks at firm-wide process-oriented integration.
Just‐in‐time (JIT) systems have evolved from a few selected implementations in the automobile industry into a widespread business practice. Early understanding of JIT models indicated that JIT can reduce inventory in the production system through the elimination of wasteful activities. This understanding led some researchers to suggest that JIT warehousing or JIT logistics are contradiction…
The purpose of this paper is to empirically develop a valid measurement scale for process orientation – a critical supply chain management (SCM) concept that warrants greater study.
Posits that, in recent years, more firms have chosen to use outside service vendors to provide at least a portion of their logistical support requirements. Presents projected usage trends for selected services as identified by logistics executives. Discovered differences in anticipated usage levels of external logistical services when firms of different organizational structure were examined.
It has been proposed that the just‐in‐time (JIT) philosophy can be effectively integrated systemwide to yield increased efficiencies and excellence throughout an organization. Greater understanding is needed as to what this entails. The researchers empirically test and attempt to validate a previously developed basic functional model of JIT comprising three components – respect for people…
Presents the results of a recent survey of logistics executives concerning their perceptions regarding integrated logistics. Focuses discussion on an assessment of the current level of implementation of the integrated logistics concept among US firms and provides support for a relationship between integration and logistical performance improvements. Reveals that the results have significant man…
Explores how firms can use time‐based strategies within their distribution operations. Exploratory results are presented detailing strategic distribution responses employed to meet competitive challenges and gain competitive advantages. These firms have proactively worked to make their operations more flexible and allow them to respond more quickly to customer requests. They have developed ca…
Benchmarking has become more commonplace in recent years as managers sought to improve their firms' operations by examining strategic practices of leading companies. The focus of the current research is the benchmarking of logistics among United States manufacturers. The researchers explore the relationships between benchmarking practices and selected organizational variables. Benchmarking rela…
The purpose of this manuscript is to assess the impact of logistics salience on logistics capabilities and performance. Specifically, the impact of logistics salience on logistics innovativeness and logistics service differentiation is measured along with logistics innovativeness and logistics service differentiation effect on logistics performance.
Organizational structure significantly influences firm performance. A recent survey of logistics professionals revealed that centralized structures accommodated logistics system integration better than decentralized structures. Also, centralized firms spent a lower percentage of net sales on logistics costs and information system support costs than decentralized firms. On the other hand, no sig…
The impact of information exchange on suppliers' performance is investigated in the context of trade relationships formed between manufacturers and third party providers of international logistics services. A conceptual model that predicts the important linkages among information exchange, responsiveness and performance is introduced and tested. The research shows that information exchange posi…
Fast and flexible low-cost data processing and information systems have transformed business operations. Through enhanced information availability, leading manufacturers have accelerated the flow of their products to create competitive advantage based on speed. These companies have developed methods to channel the power of information in order to use organizational resources more effectively an…
Functional areas within a firm must effectively interact and work together to plan, coordinate, and implement strategic initiatives. Interfunctional integration is believed to be directly related to a firm's competitiveness and profitability. The current research was undertaken to gain a greater understanding of the association between interdepartmental integration and performance. Results of a…
Many firms are placing greater emphasis on managing returned product. Reverse logistics programs are being used to recover assets that would otherwise be lost. Research results are presented covering reverse logistics programs in the electronics industry, specifically among firms selling through catalogs. The paper looks at how reverse logistics performance and satisfaction with reverse logisti…