Business Commons^™

Exploration And Implementation Of Seaport Manatee To Relieve The Supply Chain Congestion At California Ports, Diane Wells Maclennan

Theses and Dissertations

For the global economy to thrive, a stable supply chain network is imperative to provide control of the seamless flow of goods. What is detrimental to supply chain performance due to inconsistency can be costly and consequently cause out-of-stock items, deficient use of container storage capacity and faulty logistics planning. This feasibility study examined leadership decisions in the face of supply chain turbulence. The analysis introduces the congestion free SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, Florida. It establishes how this seaport could offer an alternative sea trade path to alleviate the supply chain strain since the U.S. will most likely continue to …

Planning And Real-Time Resource Allocation In Freight Logistics Systems Utilizing Emerging Transportation Technologies, Darshan Rajesh Chauhan

Dissertations and Theses

Transportation is a key driver of any national economy. In the United States, the transportation sector contributes $1.3 trillion to the economy, of which freight transportation represents more than 50%. Trucks alone account for more than 70% freight movements in the United States. In addition to worsening stress at ports of entry and traffic congestion in the system, freight also accounts for nearly one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Emerging transportation technologies like electric unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones) and electric vehicles can provide a more sustainable alternative to combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the …

How Technology Can Advance Port Operations And Address Supply Chain Disruptions, Kevin Dowgiewicz

Theses and Dissertations

Supply chain disruptions continue to be a significant challenge as the world economy recovers from the pandemic-related shutdowns that have strained global supply chains. Shocks challenge the adaptability and resilience of maritime ports. The reaction of automated container terminals to supply chain disruptions has renewed interest, given the dramatic scenes of ships anchored for weeks. In this dissertation, I provide a vision of how technology can enhance a port’s ability to anticipate and handle shocks by improving coordination, cooperation, and information exchange across port stakeholders. The vision will be helpful for academics and practitioners to perform research that advances theory …

Supply Chain Challenges And Culinary Consumers, Jeff S. Kelly

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"I can say that we are in uncharted territory with consumer increase and complications in each of the supply chain areas. This sounds like an opportune time for innovation and creative thinking."

Posting about the effect of supply chain issues on the restaurant industry from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/supply-chain-challenges-and-culinary-consumers/

The Semiconductor Shortage: An Analysis Of Potential And Ongoing Remediation Efforts And Their Implications On The Industry & Macroeconomy, Carter Young

University Honors Theses

In recent months, the health of the macroeconomy has suffered due to logistical issues, inflation, and the labor market. Specifically, supply-side shocks within the semiconductor industry have dramatically affected firms’ ability to produce chipsets. The resulting destabilization is felt across innumerable downstream sectors which rely on these products for implementation into their own finished goods. This paper examines the exact impacts of these recent developments within the semiconductor industry, utilizing what-if and historical analysis to gauge how logistical issues, inflation, and increased capital expenditures will financially impact both firms within the industry and those which depend on their production. Additionally, …

Opportunities For Vietnam's Footwear Industry After The 2019-2020 Pandemic To Achieve Competitive Advantage, Thuan Nguyen

University Honors Theses

Vietnam's footwear industry is the main topic of the research. The thesis paper will evaluate the industry's current performance based on existing data to discover Vietnam's footwear opportunities to achieve a competitive advantage over other countries after the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam plays a crucial role in the global footwear industry and its supply chain. My thesis methodology will be an abductive approach strategy, using both data and theory to find an explanation, which itself can be shown to be true or viable. The research and implementation theory of Michael Porter’s Diamond Model will allow for the identification of opportunities for …

From Truth To Trust: The Impact Of Blockchain Traceability On Trust In Product Authenticity, Frank Betz

Theses and Dissertations

In the global marketplace, customers are increasingly unaware of the source, provenance, and authenticity of products. Early research has shown that the introduction of blockchain technology into the supply chain area can make it more transparent and trustworthy. As a platform that supports distributed, cryptographically secure, auditable transactions, blockchain has expanded from the domain of digital cryptocurrency into the domain of physical asset provenance and ownership tracking and tracing. This research examines blockchain support of trust in product authenticity adopting a two-paper dissertation format. In the first conceptual paper, I develop a conceptual framework on blockchain technology's unique features and …

21st Century Supply Chain Innovations In The Fast Food Industry, Saitoti Meekisho

University Honors Theses

In the last 20 years, attending to consumer demand for at-home delivery has been an area of concern for supply chain specialists in the restaurant industry. Applying logistically-sound processes for food delivery to its final destination (Also called last-mile delivery) has become a necessity for restaurants to gain and sustain competitive advantages. This research seeks to catalog the dynamic last-mile delivery innovations by restaurants per consumer demand, assess the competitive sustainability of four current food delivery methods (takeout, restaurant delivery, 3^rd party company delivery, & monthly meal delivery) using the VRIN framework, and suggest collaborative delivery strategies for future …

An Analysis Of The Competitive Advantages And Threats For Micro, Small & Medium-Sized Businesses (Msmes) In Mexico, Jose Luis Pool Sierra

University Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes the Micro, Small & Medium-sized (MSMEs) businesses in Mexico, their current threats and competitive advantages. The research explores the major issues business owners face and potential strategies they could implement in order to thrive and promote growth for their organizations, using strategies in Supply Chain Management and Good Managerial planning practices, such as the application of the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model (SCOR). The thesis also analyzes a medium-sized business in Mexico and recommends strategies based on the SCOR framework that such an organization could apply to their business operations in order to avoid obstacles and potential …

B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery: Can Last-Mile Bicycle Delivery Survive The E-Commerce Minefield?, Madeleine Pullman, Jacen Greene, Wanying Shi, Stephan Kaplan

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

As the population of cities in the western United States continues to boom, the demand for retail and wholesale food has followed suit. To deal with the accompanying increase in traffic and congestion from population and business growth, the city of Portland planned to increase bikeways and reduce the use of single-occupant vehicles to less than 30% of total commuters by 2026. Despite efforts to decrease dependence on vehicles, traffic congestion in Portland
continued to increase, and traditional vehicle delivery in the urban area became less and less efficient. As ride-sharing services and online retailers increased their presence in the …

Toward A Three-Dimensional Framework For Omni-Channel, Soroosh Saghiri, Richard Wilding, Carlos Mena, Michael Bourlakis

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

The omni-channel, as an emerging trend in retail, aims to coordinate processes and technologies across supply and sales channels. The evolution of this concept is still nascent. This paper develops a conceptual framework for omni-channel systems, configured by three dimensions of channel stage, channel type and channel agent. Integration and visibility are also explored and discussed as the main enablers, which support the implementation of omni-channel framework.

This research is built upon the empirical and secondary data. Multiple case studies and expert interview methods are employed for data collection to validate the recommended framework and to explore its …

An Evaluation Of Forecasting Methods That Could Be Used In The Brazilian Air Force Uniform Distribution Process, Leandro Valviesse De Oliveira

Theses and Dissertations

Every year the Brazilian Air Force (BAF) spends the equivalent of approximately 15 million dollars for uniforms. These purchases come from a tight budget, are executed through public procurement processes, and are tied to Brazilian acquisition regulations, which are often very strict. For this reason, lead times are unpredictable. It can take anywhere from one month to a year to replenish an item. The purpose of this research is to analyze the forecasting process performed at a BAF military organization named Sub-directorate of Supply (SDS) with the intent of building an algorithm comprised of a selection of forecasting models in …

Contribuicao Do Bpm (Business Process Management) Nas Operacoes Da Cadeia De Suprimentos De Uma Organizacao Sem Fins Lucrativos, Claudio Valdir Knoener

Master's Theses

Purpose

There are many activities that depend on an organization in order to provide conditions for an excellent service. In the present study, there was deepening and exploiting processes and sub processes involving the sector's supply West Paulista Association of the Seventh-day Adventist Church organization, considering the importance of offering supply service to internal customers seeking continuity of work and scope the organization's objectives. The research objective was to present possibilities for improvement in the development of processes and sub processes mentioned by the interviewees' perceptions and their contributions.

Method

Through data collection through qualitative research aimed to identify the …

Characterizing Agile Supply Partnerships In The Fashion Industry, Corrado Cerruti, Carlos Mena, Heather Skipworth, Ernesto Tavoletti

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate high-involvement and short-term supply relationships, known as agile supply partnerships (ASPs), and explores the conditions that support the development of such inter-organizational relationships.

Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative exploratory research design was followed, based on in-depth case studies of Italian fashion footwear manufacturers and their relationships with key suppliers.

Findings – ASPs appear to be most relevant in supply material categories which have a high impact on the appearance or functionality of the product. Conversely, in supply categories with a low impact, long-term partnerships are preferred. Four main characteristics of ASPs …

Advancing Cost-Effective Readiness By Improving The Supply Chain Management Of Sparse, Intermittently-Demanded Parts, Gregory H. Gehret

Theses and Dissertations

Many firms generate revenue by successfully operating machines such as welding robots, rental cars, aircraft, hotel rooms, amusement park attractions, etc. It is critical that these revenue-generating machines be operational according to the firm s target or requirement; thus, assuring sustained revenue generation for the firm. Machines can and do fail, and in many cases, restoring the downed machine requires spare part(s), which are typically managed by the supply chain. The scope of this research is on the supply chain management of the very sparse, intermittently-demanded spare parts. These parts are especially difficult to manage because they have little to …

Exploring Strategic Strengths And Weaknesses Of Retail Purchasing Groups, Erik Sandberg, Carlos Mena

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Retail purchasing groups consist of small, independent, specialised stores that join together and collaborate on purchasing and other areas. In comparison to large-scale corporate retail chains, often labelled mega-retailers, retail purchasing groups are based on collaborative external integration between a central unit and the independent, local dealers. The overall purpose of this research is to explore the specific characteristics that underscore a retail purchasing group. The paper has two research questions: (1) What are the strengths and weaknesses of a supply chain structure based on external integration? and (2) In what areas are the purchasing groups' ownership structure particularly advantageous …

Supply Chain Integration Configurations: Process Structure And Product Newness, Christos Tsinopoulos, Carlos Mena

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the configurations of supply chain integration.

Design/methodology/approach – The authors use qualitative data from manufacturers shortlisted for the UK’s Manufacturing Excellence awards over three years. Detailed processes and policies of 68 manufacturers are analysed.

Findings – Process structure and product newness require different supply chain configurations, which change as products mature. Supply chain integration is dynamic, and the extent of collaboration between suppliers and customers will be different at different moments in time. The authors define and discuss four key supply chain configurations: customised; ramp-up; recurring; coordinated.

Research limitations/implications – …

Order Acceptance To Increase Shop-Floor Profitability, Salil Menon

ETD Archive

Managers of manufacturing and service facilities often face situations where incoming demand exceeds available capacity. In such situations a firm can accept, reject or renegotiate the order in order to match the demand and supply. Order acceptance research studies this decision, both at the firm and supply chain level, in order to help the firm select orders that meet their business objectives. Prior research has focused on developing order acceptance models for diverse business situations. This thesis builds upon prior research by incorporating rejection techniques in the development of order acceptance models. A tunable two-step order acceptance model consisting of …

Exploring The Influence Of Collaborative Capabilities On Focal Firm Product Outcomes ;The Mediating Role Of Supplier Capabilities, Kenneth D. Hall

ETD Archive

As markets become more turbulent, dynamic, and competitive, and as customers become more sophisticated and demanding, the scope of capabilities and resources needed to meet customer needs, wants, and desires are less likely to be found in any one firm. Instead, firms must develop strong collaborative capabilities. Though the benefits of interfirm collaboration for focal firms (the firms responsible for the final offering) and suppliers are reasonably well understood, effectiveness and efficiency in collaboration remain elusive for many firms. It is likely that the collaborative capabilities of both focal firms and key suppliers contribute to effective collaboration, and that the …

Towards A Theory Of Services Supply Chain Management, John D. Smith

ETD Archive

Much research has been performed to develop the supply chain management construct for manufacturing goods producing firms. However, the service sector continues to grow its dominance in the percentage of GDP in high, middle and low income countries, and with it, a corresponding growth in the percentage of purchasing spend across the globe. While research continues in the manufacturing supply chain arena, much work is yet to be done to understand the differences for services. The objectives of this research project were threefold: 1) to analyze the services supply chain management construct in order to determine how it differs from …

Logistics And Supply Chain Management In The Hotel Industry: Impact On Hotel Performance In Service Delivery, Clement K. Odoom

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this professional paper is to identify and describe the way logistics and supply chain management practices can be used for costs savings. As hotel companies manage and operate their properties, they should focus on several aspects such as logistics management, inventory management, information technology, procurement and distribution, lean and green supply chain practices. Finally, this paper explores the competitive benefits that come from applying these concepts. Part three will contain a set of recommendations how they can be utilized in the hotel industry

Frameworks Of Casino Resorts Supply Chain, Lu-Mo Tsai

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the key stakeholders and critical entities that compose the casino resorts supply chain in gaming service area so that it can be applied to improve operational functions.

Objective: This paper is organized into four sections. The first section contains the well-know frameworks of SCM in manufacturing and service industry, and includes the characteristics of gaming industry. The second section explores the gaming industry context pertaining to supply chain management. Basic framework of casino resorts supply chain is developed in the third section, including key shareholders and critical entities that to compose …

A Spreadsheet Model That Estimates The Impact Of Reduced Distribution Time On Inventory Investment Savings: What Is A Day Taken Out Of The Pipeline Worth In Inventory?, Serhat Saylam

Theses and Dissertations

In most of the literature dealing with inventory problems, either with a deterministic or probabilistic model, lead time is viewed as a prescribed constant or a stochastic variable that is not subject to control. But in many practical situations, lead time can be reduced by an extra crashing cost; in other words, it is controllable. This study proposes a repeatable spreadsheet optimization model that estimates the impact of reduced replenishment lead time on inventory investment savings at forward and strategic locations to motivate decision makers to support enterprise-wide distribution process improvement. The study provides users with a means of automatically …

Teaching Supply Chain Coordination Within A Network Modeling Context, Stephen E. Hill

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

"This article describes an educational exercise that demonstrates the value of coordination within a supply chain environment while exposing students to the conflict between locally and globally optimal supply chain decisions. This exercise allows students to formulate, model, and solve a problem relating to the design of a small supply chain network. The exercise begins with student teams developing a solution that is optimal from each team’s local perspective. A solution that is globally optimal is then developed. As is often the case in a real-world supply chain, the solutions that are optimal for each team do not (when combined) …

Using Lean To Teach The Technical Services Value Stream: An Online Continuing Education Course, Tamera Hanken

Library Faculty Presentations

Lean Principles:

• Identify steps in the process that add customer defined value

• Identify waste in transportation, wait, overproduction, defect, inventory, motion, or extra processing

• Eliminate the steps in the process that don’t add value or are unnecessary

• Make sure the steps flow in an efficient sequence

• Establish pull, i.e., make sure the steps in the sequence don’t create bottlenecks

• Continue to improve the process

Supply Chain Performance Of The Australian Beef Industry: Comparing The Industry Structure, Inter-Firm Relationships And Knowledge Systems Of Western Australia And Queensland, Mohammad Nasir Uddin,, Nazrul Islam, Mohammed Quaddus

Books & book chapters

The meat and livestock industry in Australia accounts for more than 45 per cent of Australia’s total value of agricultural production, within which beef is the largest industry in value terms (Nossal, Sheng and Zhao 2008). But the industry is experiencing a long-term decline in terms of trade, and has lagged behind other industries in rates of productivity improvement (MLA 2008). As it is critical for the economy that the beef industry maintains profitability and sustainability, it is believed that the performance, competitiveness and success of the industry depends on improving cost efficiency and productivity of the whole supply chain …

The Impact Of Environmental Factors On Internal Integration In Support Of Supply Chain Management, Mohammed I. Alzaben

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the recognized importance of cross-functional integration in support of supply chain management by scholars and practitioners, integration remains an elusive goal in today's competitive market. Specifically, scholars have identified three environmental factors as potential barriers to interdepartmental integration. A review of the literature indicates that very little research has examined potential environmental barriers to the integration between logistics and other functions. This paper is an exploratory study that seeks to fill this gap by using secondary data collected from over 1,500 mid-level managers and a structural equations model to test which environmental factors could be potential barriers.

Decision-Making Uncertainty, Need For Cognitive Closure, And Supply Chain Performance, Yeonyeob Lee

ETD Archive

Most firms must acquire materials or services from their suppliers. They use these materials or services, add value to them, and sell them to others. Supply disruptions, commonly known as the bullwhip effect, have been a major challenge facing supply chain firms. Although previous research of operational or structural causes of supply disruptions or supply disruption risk created by situational factors and buyer perceptions and associated impacts on supply chain performance has been conducted, it has not linked the relationship of decision-making uncertainty and need for cognitive closure (NFCC) with impacts on SCP. This study identifies and enhances the current …

Effectiveness And Efficiency Of Knowledge Transfer In Supplier Development: Key Antecedents And Buyer-Supplier Outcomes, Chanda M. Sichinsambwe

ETD Archive

There is strong evidence that U.S. organizations are increasingly implementing supplier development programs to help their suppliers improve quality, enhance delivery performance, reduce costs, and in turn improve their own supply chain performance. However, many of these supplier development programs are not successful. This study argues that an understanding of the knowledge transfer process should play a central role in understanding improvements in buyer-supplier performance resulting from supplier development activities. Building on the extant supplier development literature and relevant knowledge transfer literature, this study investigates key antecedents and performance outcomes of knowledge transfer in a supplier development context. Specifically, the …

The Effects Of Risk And Trust On The Achievement Of Sustainable Competitive Advantage From B2b E-Commerce Trading Relationships, Clark J. Hampton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three interrelated studies focusing on the use of business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce) to facilitate supply chain transactions. B2B e-commerce enabled supply chains produce substantial savings for organizations by reducing the amount of time and money necessary to negotiate contracts, processes orders, and pay suppliers. However, doubt exists as to whether reduced transaction costs are a sustainable competitive advantage for organizations. The advent of widespread and cost effective B2B e-commerce enabled supply chains coupled with increasingly complex, dynamic, and global competitive markets are encouraging organizations to form long-term relationships with their trading partners to achieve sustainable …