Business Commons^™

Selecting It Applications In Manufacturing: A Kbs Approach, Ravi Kathuria, Murugan Anandarajan, Magid Igbaria

Business Faculty Articles and Research

The use of the right type of Information Technology (IT) applications or manufacturing systems is expected to usher in a competitive advantage. Selection of the right type of IT application is, however, a challenging task. When a company, with a given dominant process structure, emphasizes two or more competitive priorities, such as quality, product flexibility, etc., an unaided manager faces a complex decision problem in choosing from alternative IT applications available in the areas of product design through distribution. In this paper, we present a Knowledge Based System (KBS) that would assist managers with the identification of IT applications that …

Exploring Alternative Purchasing Strategies: Just-In-Time Or Just Enough?, Julie J. Gentry, Matthew A. Waller, Scott B. Keller

Journal of Transportation Management

What are the prevalent purchasing strategies used by manufacturing firms to purchase components that are critical to the quality of their most important products? This research reports the findings from data on purchasing strategies collected from 248 companies. The data indicate that although firms seem to be moving away from a transaction-based purchasing strategy towards "partnership" relations necessary for successful just-in-time strategies, firms are likely to embrace one of four hybrid purchasing strategies that on a spectrum would fall somewhere between the two "pure" strategies. These identified strategies offer purchasing managers viable alternatives to moving directly into a just-in-time environment.

Leading Without Bleeding: An Information Technology Case Study At Union Pacific Railroad, Uma G. Gupta, Randy W. Butler, Thomas D. Milner

Journal of Transportation Management

In the railroad industry, the ability to assess damages to rail units in an accurate and timely manner is critical to the success and profits of a company. Accurate damage assessment of rail units also plays a key role in dispute resolution and negotiation with key vendors and suppliers (my.uprr.com/pub/dam-prev). This paper describes and presents information about Union Pacific Railroads (UPRR) and Science Applications International Corporations (SAIC) highly successful efforts in fully automating the data collection, inspection, assessment and reporting of damage claims to rail equipment. UPRR and SAIC used an innovative and highly creative approach to develop and implement …

Maritime Unions And The U.S. Merchant Marine, Richard L. Clarke

Journal of Transportation Management

U.S. maritime unions have played a vital historical role in both the defense and the economic development of the United States. The economic and the political forces that helped shape and promote the growth of U.S. seafaring labor unions changed dramatically in the 1990s. Maritime union membership in the United States has fallen by more than 80 per cent since 1950. Inflexible union work rules and high union wage scales have contributed to this decline. Recent regulatory and industry changes require a new union approach if U. S. maritime unions are to survive the next decade.

Defining Dyadic Cost And Risk In International Trade: A Review Of Incoterms 2000 With Strategic Implications, Drew M. Stapleton, Virginie Saulnier

Journal of Transportation Management

As trade markets continue to expand due to developments in transportation and logistics technologies, distribution networks extend well beyond national frontiers. With obstacles such as distance, language, and business customs, allocation of legal responsibility between a buyer and a seller of goods becomes even more crucial in international commerce. This document is presented in three general sections. Reviewing the basics, including definition, origin, use and classifications of INCOTERMS constitutes the first section. The second section describes and analyzes the differences between each of the 13 INCOTERMS 2000. Lastly, the changes introduced by the 2000 revision are studied in more detail …

Partial Tooth-Clipping Of Suckling Pigs: Effects On Neonatal Competition And Facial Injuries, Daniel M. Weary, David Fraser

Farm Animal Husbandry Collection

Piglets are born with fully erupted ‘needle teeth’ which are used in competition for access to teats. Producers often clip these teeth to the gum line soon after birth to avoid any resulting facial lacerations, but this clipping can itself lead to injury or infection. Two experiments investigated the effects on facial injury and piglet performance of the potentially less damaging practice of ‘partial clipping’ whereby only the distal third of the tooth is removed. In Experiment 1, teeth were (1) partially clipped, (2) fully clipped to the gum line, or (3) left intact. All piglets of a litter received …

Truckload Transportation Requirements: In Anticipation Of Y2k With Epilogue, John L. Kent, R Stephen Parker, Charles E. Pettijohn

Journal of Transportation Management

This article investigates the impact of the much-hyped Y2K phenomenon on truckload transportation requirements in the United States, as a result of year-end inventory build-ups. The article reports the results of a Y2K Truckload Transportation Survey of truckload shippers conducted in August of 1999. Additionally, the article takes a post-hoc look at what actually occurred in an effort to completely document the impact of the Y2K phenomenon in the dry van, temperature controlled, and flatbed segments of the truckload transportation industry.

Dimensions Of Tqm In Indian Organisations, Vijay G Vancheswar, Purnima Mathur

IIMB Management Review

The paradigm shift from an inward production-led philosophy to the outward customer-oriented approach has given an impetus to the concept of total quality management in Indian organisations. To provide an insight into the practices of TOM in India, Vijay Vancheswar and Purnima Mathur studied six large manufacturing organisations, two each from the multinational, private and public sectors. Cutting across sectors, it emerged that apart from focusing on customer needs and improving the quality of products, facilitating employee involvement and ownership through a participative process and stock options where feasible, providing a just and fair climate which encourages the free flow …

Before And After: Is Outsourcing A Better Value Than Organic Support: A Case Study Comparing Organic Vs. Contractor Controlled Depot-Level Maintenance Of The F-117, Harry T. Loughran, John Webb

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not outsourcing of the depot-level maintenance of the F-117 was a better value than maintaining the capability in house. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer three questions: (1) Are the contract performance metrics good indicators of "better value"; (2) Has the decision to outsource F-117 depot-level maintenance provided a better value to the Air Force? (3) if outsourcing F-117 depot maintenance is an equal or better value, do we still want to give up the potential core capability? The research questions were answered through an extensive literature review, triangulation of …

Pollution Prevention Cost Savings Using Supply Chain Reengineering, Gregory S. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Supply chain management was explored as a tool to prevent hazardous waste and reduce operating costs. Previous research had shown that pollution prevention measures were often costly and no expectation of cost savings could be realized. The reengineering of the Air Force hazardous material supply chain brought about by the Hazardous Material Pharmacy Program was tested to evaluate if hazardous waste had been precluded in this effort and if costs had also been avoided. To date, no research had explored the use of supply chain management as a source reducer of hazardous waste. Consequently, little was known or understood of …

A Statistical Analysis Of The Variability Experienced In Dla Administrative And Production Lead Time, Kieran F. Keelty

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the variability experienced in the administrative and production lead times of consumable items managed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Assets were categorized based on an item manager's determination that an asset was a problem part, and whether the asset was purchased for stock replenishment or direct vendor delivery. The methodology was a two-sample t-test of aggregated data to determine if significant differences existed between the mean deviations from the system lead times of various combinations of categories. The study produced results indicating that a significant difference did not exist between the mean deviations of problem parts …

The Challenge Of Maintaining Or Replacing An Aging Airlift Fleet: A Cost/Capability Analysis For The Brazilian Air Force Mobility System, Julio C. Messias

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the high Operational and Support costs incurred, the Brazilian Air Force's (BAF) declining budget has led to the establishment of conservative policies that favor short run solutions for a critical BAF airlift problem of operating an aging fleet. As a result of this policy, service life extensions of older airlift aircraft are the preferred solution. Using an equal airlift capacity approach to examine the Brazilian Air Force mobility system, this research performs a cost comparison analysis between two aircraft currently in operation at Brazilian's airlift command: C-130 Hercules and C-95 Bandeirante. To accomplish the cost analysis, this research develops …

Space-Available Transportation: An Analysis Of The Cost Of Providing 'Free' Travel, Frank J. Long

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to estimate the costs borne by the government for providing space-available travel to eligible uniformed services personnel and their dependents. As the primary provider of the space-available privilege, it is important that the Air Force have an estimate of the burden that the administration of that privilege places on the budget. In January 1993, the Air Force discontinued its 15-year-old practice of charging a fee for space-available travel aboard AMC-owned or controlled aircraft. The fee had been set at $10 in 1978 and was collected to recover a portion of the costs associated with …

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Leasing Versus Buying Air Force General Purpose Vehicles In The Continental United States, Robert J. Neal Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Given the increasingly aging vehicle fleet and declining vehicle budget, this research performed a cost-benefit analysis of leasing versus buying various Air Force general purpose vehicles for the entire continental United States (CONUS). In contrast to previous analyses, which have examined the leasing versus buying issue on a base-by-base basis, this analysis studies the issue from an Air Force-wide perspective using a cost-buying model. Costs and benefits are calculated for three purchasing options (Air Force ownership, GSA leasing, and commercial leasing) to determine and recommend the best alternative for the Air Force. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is to test the …

Logistic Regression Modeling Of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources For Integrated Circuits, Michael J. Gravier

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) afflicts the Air Force and other armed services in a way unforeseen in the past. The costs of DMSMS manifest themselves both in terms of monetary expense and diminished mission readiness. The current environment of limited defense spending and high operations tempo exacerbates this problem. This thesis draws on available data from the electronics integrated circuit industry to attempt to assess whether statistical modeling offers a viable method for predicting the presence of DMSMS. The research identified logistic regression as a powerful tool for analysis of DMSMS and further developed …

Miscellaneous Publication 37/99 - Codes Of Practice For Vegetable Production On The Swan Coastal Plan, N. Lantzke, A. Galati

Horticulture published reports

Codes of practice contain information on good management practice and set viable limits to inputs such as fertilisers and irrigation, so as to minimise environmental impact. They are written by growers, they need to be regularly updated, and they deal with aspects of horticulture that have environmental and social impact/consequence.

The vegetable industry was worth about $162 million to the State in 1994/95. The Swan Coastal Plain produces over 58 per cent of the State's vegetable production. Western Australia is also the leading State for vegetable exports in Australia. The major crops grown on the coastal plain include potatoes, carrots, …

Public-Public Partnerships: Development Of An Alternative Outsourcing Method Decision Model, Michael R. Hackman, Jack L. Nemceff Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to explore the phenomenon of public-public outsourcing partnerships as it may be employed by the DoD from a Federal Government perspective. Current outsourcing methods, guidance, and models are discussed as well as outsourcing related theories. Based upon the literature reviewed, a conceptual public-public outsourcing decision model is presented. A case study of the Brooks AFB initiative is then used to analyze the conceptual model. As a result of our analysis, an analytical public-public outsourcing decision model is developed. The analytical model also depicts the overall process path along which a decision-maker will travel. The …

Export Cauliflower Quality Improvement 1996 - 1998, Vynka Mcveigh, Rachel Lancaster, Dennis Phillips, S. C. Tan

Horticulture research reports

Final report for the project VG 94043 January 1996 to December 1998.

This three year study is the first conducted in Australia which has evaluated and assessed the postharvest chain for export cauliflowers. From harvesting to transportation to the wharf, the project has identified a range of improved practices to ensure optimum quality of cauliflower at the destination market. The project has also examined cauliflower agronomy issues such as the effect of seed weight, seedling weight and phosphorus nutrition and placement on yield and harvest period, as well as variation in potting mix composition within a seedling cell tray.

Producing …

Improving Supply Chain Performance Through Postponement Strategy, Janat Shah, Balram Avittathur

IIMB Management Review

Managing high product variety and high demand uncertainty, while keeping operational and inventory costs under control and maintaining high customer service levels, is the supply chain challenge for many firms. An important and recent development in supply chain management is the concept of postponement strategy. Postponement delays an operational process to a later point in the supply chain, thereby delaying the point of product differentiation. Among other benefits, postponement strategy helps in reducing inventory levels, transport and operation lead times and transport costs, and facilitates responsiveness to customer demand. Demonstrating the concept through a number of case studies, Janat Shah …

Quality Assessment And Improvement Practices In The U.S. Railroad Industry, Joel D. Wisner, Michael C. Mejza

Journal of Transportation Management

This article presents the findings of a comprehensive survey sent to members of the American Society of Transportation and Logistics. The survey investigated various elements of quality improvement programs in use among U.S. rail carriers, including program design and subsequent successes. Perhaps due to the heavy competition within the transportation industry, it was found that the vast majority of U.S. rail respondents did indeed utilize formal quality assessment and improvement programs, makingthisan interesting industry segment to study. The survey findings are summarized in the article.

A Financial Analysis Of The Interstate Commerce Commission (Icc) Termination Act Of 1995 On The Motor Carrier Industry, Joe B. Hanna, Robert A. Kunkel, Gregory A. Kuhlemeyer

Journal of Transportation Management

Since the late 1970's the United States has progressively deregulated the motor carrier industry. Throughout the 1980's, deregulation was viewed as a positive trend by most industry practitioners. Past research has determined that, despite the fact that bankruptcies have increased since deregulation, the motor carrier industry has benefitted by less government intervention. The current study attempts to ascertain if motor carrier deregulation is still perceived positively in the mid-1990's. This research uses an event study methodology to examine the immediate financial impact of the ICC Termination Act of 1995 on 44 motor carrier industry participants. The results indicate deregulation is …

Mapping Logistics Practice Using The Product Life Cycle, Stanley E. Fawcett, Greg Magnan, Laura Birou

Journal of Transportation Management

The dynamic nature of today's global economy places a premium on a firm's ability to anticipate and to respond to customer needs as well as changing competitive pressures. Within this environment, developing a successful logistics strategy can be critical to the firm's long-term competitive success. This paper looks at the potential for using the product life cycle (PLC) as a strategic framework in the logistics strategy planning process. Results of an empirical study that investigated the appropriate use of 43 logistics techniques across PLC stages are reported. The implementation status of the various logistics techniques is also considered.

Revisiting Logistical Friendliness: Perspectives Of International Freight Forwarders, Paul R. Murphy, James M. Daley

Journal of Transportation Management

Logistical friendliness (unfriendliness) refers to the ease (difficulty) of arranging international freight operations to/from a particular country. The present paper builds upon previous research by 1) examininglogistical friendliness and unfriendliness as two different constructs (rather than as opposite ends of the same continuum), and 2) linking the delineation of logistically friendly and unfriendly countries with the reasons for friendliness (unfriendliness). The study results could be quite valuable with corporate decisions as to which countries to do business in, as well as with the appropriate organizational strategies for entering the chosen countries.

The Role Of Transportation In Customized Supply Chains, Remko I. Van Hoek

Journal of Transportation Management

This paper empirically explores the role of transportation in creating a customized supply chain using postponement. Based on a survey among manufacturers in three countries, it was found that a reconfiguration is needed for the creation of a customized supply chain. In this reconfiguration process, transportation considerations are extremely important, resulting in supply chains and distribution channels that are globalized and reliant on international transport. Postponement is increasingly applied in both manufacturing and distribution. Thus, through the facilitation of postponement and customization activities in the distribution channel, much business is to be gained for transportation and logistics companies.

Extending The Effectiveness Of Service Mapping, John Bicheno, M R Gopalan, V S Mahesh

IIMB Management Review

In most organisations that offer either a service or a product service bundle to the market, much time is spent on resolving an apparent conflict of interests between achievement of external effectiveness and internal efficiencies in the preparation and delivery of service. Bicheno, Gopalan and Mahesh contend that this apparent conflict can be resolved to a great extent if due care is taken in the use of appropriate tools. They review existing service mapping tools and extensions like Information flow, the Kano model and Failsafing which can be successfully used with existing models. They also propose exploratory extensions using the …

Liberalisation And After, Janat Shah

IIMB Management Review

R Seshasayee is the Managing Director of Ashok Leyland and has been part of the core team that directed the company’s expansion programmes right from the 70’s. A chartered accountant, Seshasayee has been on the National Council of Confederation of Indian Industries for over a decade, has served on several professional committees such as the Accounting Standards Board and the research committees of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and has been a director on the boards of several public limited companies, including ICICI. Ashok Leyland is a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles and diesel engines. With an employee strength of …

High-Performing And Self-Managed Work Teams: A Comparison Of Theory To Practice: By Dale E. Yeatts And Cloyd Hyten, Sage Publications, Y Sriram

IIMB Management Review

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Technical Change On Operating Performance: Evidence From Indian Industry, S Chandrashekar

IIMB Management Review

No abstract provided.

The Empirical Determinants Of Inventory Levels In High-Volume Manufacturing, Marvin B. Lieberman, Susan Helper, Lieven Demeester

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study uses survey data on several hundred automotive suppliers in North America to evaluate the determinants of inventory levels in high-volume discrete parts manufacturing. We assess the magnitude of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods inventories held at automotive supply plants. Inventories are shown to be jointly determined by technological and managerial factors in a manner roughly consistent with classical inventory theory. Several categories of managerial practices are found to be important. Low inventories are linked to employee problem solving and frequent communication with customers. More unexpectedly, we find the absence of inventory differences between U.S.-owned and Japanese-owned plants …

Acquisition Logistics Guidelines For Improving The Argentine Air Force Weapon System Acquisition Process, Guillermo A. Piuzzi

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing costs, complexity and demanded endurance have been typical characteristics of new weapon systems during the last decades. Meanwhile, severe contraction of defense budgets makes cost effective and well-planned acquisition crucial to ensure weapon system whole life supportability. This qualitative research explores the role of acquisition logistics in the endeavor of purchasing effective, efficient, and supportable systems in four countries, namely the United States, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. Through a multiple case study, a set of concepts is extracted and adapted to be proposed as the basis of a prospective Argentine Air Force weapon system acquisition process review. Suggested improvements …