101,957 research outputs found
International Purchasing Offices: Literature review and research directions
No full textInternational Purchasing Offices (IPOs) of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) now play an increasingly important role in the management of international sourcing activities, both in developed and in emerging economies. None of the literature reviews published on topics such as “international sourcing”, “global operation” or “international supply chain management” has addressed the literature developed in twenty years of research concerning this organizational strategy. This paper, based on the analysis of 56 works, published between 1992 and 2011 in the form of scientific and practitioners’ journal papers, books, and government reports, provides the first comprehensive literature review on the “International Purchasing Offices” topic. The main issues (i.e. IPO definition, activities performed by IPOs, location choices, strengths, weaknesses and human resources management) are identified and a conceptual framework is proposed. Building on this, some methodological weaknesses of the existing works and some gaps in the literature are discussed. The work concludes by suggesting several future research directions
From forest to finished products: The contribution of Industry 4.0 technologies to the wood sector
No full textThis study offers a Systematic Literature Review of the main applications of Industry 4.0 technologies in the wood sector, from forest management and raw materials production to the manufacturing of finished wood and paper products. The review, based on a rigorous and structured process, includes 106 papers published between January 2011 and December 2020. The analysis and categorization of the selected papers brings to the creation of a summary framework, which identifies (1) the needs of the wood sector that can be addressed with Industry 4.0, (2) the actions to be implemented to satisfy each need and (3) the specific Industry 4.0 technologies to be adopted for the implementation of the identified actions. Overall, the analyses conducted show that Industry 4.0 is mainly applied in previous literature to collect, share and analyze different types of data through network and data processing technologies, thus supporting decision-making processes along the entire wood supply chain. The aforementioned summary framework, which provides a complete overview of the contribution of Industry 4.0 to the wood sector, is used for the development of promising future research opportunities, deriving mainly from the investigation of underexploited Industry 4.0 technologies (i.e., blockchain, augmented reality, autonomous and collaborative robots). The research provides contributions to both academics and practitioners interested in the application of the new technologies to the different wood supply chain processes
Decertification: Evidence from Italian SMEs
No full textThis paper performs a comparative analysis of the decertifying reasons in the realm of sustainability standards (BCorp, ISO14001, SA8000, UNGC) with the use of multiple case studies. The results show both standard-specific and common causes. Furthermore, canceling reasons gravitate either towards the cornerstone of cost (i.e., excessive cost and overwhelming desk work), or lack of benefits (i.e., limited returns, and certification devaluation). The study provides theoretical and practical contributions. From a theoretical point of view, it advances the understanding of decertification causes and it broadens the application of overarching theories in the area of sustainability standards. Concerning practice, it presents an overview of joined and distinct canceling motivations
The impact of abandoning social responsibility certifications: evidence from the decertification of SA8000 standard
No full textPurpose: In recent years, many companies have decided to decertify from their previously adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards. The aim of this paper is to explore the phenomenon by focusing on the most important auditable CSR standard: Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000). Design/methodology/approach: First, an event study is performed on a dataset composed of 136 SA8000 decertified public listed companies to analyse the possible relationship between certification, decertification and firms’ operating performance. Second, the authors shed light on the differences between 94 SA8000 (still) certified and the abovementioned 136 decertified firms. Finally, 10 interviews are conducted with decertified firms in the dataset to deepen the outcomes of the previous analyses. Findings: The results show that, despite an initial positive effect in terms of sales and profitability, decertified companies experienced a reduction in productivity and profitability in the years following the certification, while positive outcomes emerged after the decertification. The study also highlights that certified and decertified firms differ in terms of home country, industry and labour intensity. Originality/value: The paper contributes to the literature by opening the debate on an important but unexplored research area: the decertification from the most popular CSR standard, i.e. SA8000, and its relationship with firms' performance. In doing this, it also highlights the main differences between decertified and certified companies
Reconfiguring the global supply chain: Reshoring
No full textReshoring - the relocation of insourced or outsourced manufacturing activities back to the home-country - has become a topical issue in the scholarly, management, and policy debate. The political and economic changes in the globalchessboard, the decrease in cost advantages of some countries, the growing awareness of the "total cost" of offshoring, and the supply shortages experienced during the covid-19 pandemic have caused many companies to rethink their global supply chain configuration choices. The aim of this chapter is to shed light on the reshoring phenomenon by identifying the main trends, presenting some exemplary cases, discussing motivations and determinants, and explaining the decision-making and implementation processes. This chapter can support managers in global supply chain reconfiguration decisions and policy makers in designing suitable interventions at this respect
The future of manufacturing: A Delphi-based scenario analysis on Industry 4.0
No full textIndustry 4.0 is expected to impart profound changes to the configuration of manufacturing companies with regards to what their value proposition will be and how their production network, supplier base and customer interfaces will develop. The literature on the topic is still fragmented; the features of the emerging paradigm appear to be a contested territory among different academic disciplines. This study assumes a value chain perspective to analyze the evolutionary trajectories of manufacturing companies. We developed a Delphi-based scenario analysis involving 76 experts from academia and practice. The results highlight the most common expectations as well as controversial issues in terms of emerging business models, size, barriers to entry, vertical integration, rent distribution, and geographical location of activities. Eight scenarios provide a concise outlook on the range of possible futures. These scenarios are based on four main drivers which stem from the experts’ comments: demand characteristics, transparency of data among value chain participants, maturity of additive manufacturing and advanced robotics, and penetration of smart products. Researchers can derive from our study a series of hypotheses and opportunities for future research on Industry 4.0. Managers and policymakers can leverage the scenarios in long-term strategic planning
Blockchain in supply chain management: a multiple case study analysis on setups, contingent factors, and evolutionary patterns
No full textDespite the hype about blockchains among supply chain management (SCM) practitioners and researchers, the technology’s adoption is still low, and confusion remains about its potential benefits for operational efficiency and effectiveness. Building on a multiple case study research, this paper clarifies current value creation opportunities enabled by the blockchain for product/material tracking and tracing. We highlight that the setup of blockchain projects depends on the presence of different drivers on customer value or efficiency and the focus towards products/components or raw materials. Based on how tracking and tracing drivers and focus influence the initial blockchain setup, contingent factors are discussed and possible evolutionary patterns are identified. These findings are elaborated in one setup matrix and three propositions. The study is one of the few to add empirical evidence to the mainly conceptual SCM blockchain literature and provides a middle-range theoretical contribution based on contingency theory. Furthermore, it offers actionable guidance for managers and policy makers about SCM blockchain adoption.</p
Using supply chain databases in academic research: A methodological critique
No full textThis article outlines the main methodological implications of using Bloomberg SPLC, FactSet Supply Chain Relationships, and Mergent Supply Chain for academic purposes. These databases provide secondary data on buyer–supplier relationships that have been publicly disclosed. Despite the growing use of these databases in supply chain management (SCM) research, several potential validity and reliability issues have not been systematically and openly addressed. This article thus expounds on challenges of using these databases that are caused by (1) inconsistency between data, SCM constructs, and research questions (data fit); (2) errors caused by the databases' classifications and assumptions (data accuracy); and (3) limitations due to the inclusion of only publicly disclosed buyer–supplier relationships involving specific focal firms (data representativeness). The analysis is based on a review of previous studies using Bloomberg SPLC, FactSet Supply Chain Relationships, and Mergent Supply Chain, publicly available materials, interviews with information service providers, and the direct experience of the authors. Some solutions draw upon established methodological literature on the use of secondary data. The article concludes by providing summary guidelines and urging SCM researchers toward greater methodological transparency when using these databases
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