The purpose of this research was to examine how social issues are perceived and addressed in the food and drink sector, focusing on the narrower context of Nigerian purchasing practices, identifying the drivers, and barriers to the adoption of socially responsible purchasing (SRP) in the organisational supply chains. This research is underpinned by the stakeholder and institutional theories with the use of Carroll's CSR pyramid to explain the perceptions of stakeholders and the level at which each of the practices is in the pyramid. An in-depth study was conducted in multinational and indigenous food and drink organisations in Nigeria. Data was gathered from practitioners comprising of employees, managers, and executives by means of questionnaires and semi-structured face-to-face interviews to triangulate data sources. Drawing on the data collected, respondents' perspective of the meaning of socially responsible purchasing provided new insights into the phenomenon with various meanings and contestations. The findings suggest that socially responsible purchasing practices have a moderate positive influence on the organisations' supply chains within an unstable economic environment. Some of the practices were perceived to be voluntary and having an ethical underpinning while others were related to legal responsibilities. The findings suggest that the moderate influence is due to internal and external factors within the institutional environment. This research context was restricted to private organisations in the food and drink sector in Nigeria which might limit the generalisation of the findings. However, the findings may be transferable to other sectors of the economy where socially responsible purchasing issues are addressed in the supply chains. In practice, SRP is perceived to be an important element of CSR and supply chains despite the barriers to its implementation. The practices should be properly implemented to help in the sustenance of organisational supply chains. This research will be insightful for other industrial sectors as well as developing economies in Africa. The findings advance the stakeholder and institutional theories by providing an in-depth perception of various stakeholders and SRP practices within the institutional environment of organisations' supply chains. The research has contributed to enriching the literature on CSR and supply chains sustainability in Nigeria which has a relative shortage of literature on CSR and supply chain.

A gestão da cadeia de suprimentos, suas complexidades e os desafios relacionados à interação entre os elos, que são formados geralmente por empresas de culturas e estruturas diferentes, trazem desafios quanto à interação desses elos. Algumas iniciativas de gestão da cadeia de suprimentos, com conceitos de colaboração são utilizadas, com propósito de oferecer maior interação ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos. Uma dessas iniciativas denominada CPFR, propõe uma concepção colaborativa nas atividades de planejamento, previsão e reposição, e vem sendo adotada entre varejos e fornecedores. Seus resultados, suas vantagens, suas barreiras e os processos para a sua implantação através de uma metodologia adotada pela VICS® são expostos, entretanto, pouco se tem evidenciado nestes trabalhos a relação quanto à maturidade necessária para implantar uma atividade colaborativa na cadeia de suprimentos varejista. A colaboração talvez exija esforços que podem ser constituídos além das questões estruturais de uma organização. Este trabalho tem como objetivo propor uma avaliação destes aspectos colaborativos na implantação do CPFR. Para isso, o tema CPFR e a concepção da colaboração na cadeia de suprimentos foram revisados e foram utilizados multi-casos de uso onde o CPFR foi implantado no varejo brasileiro. Os resultados obtidos por esses estudos de casos apontam maiores dificuldades aos aspectos da colaboração exigidos na implantação do CPFR ou durante ela, do que os aspectos estruturais ou tecnológicos. Assim, o entendimento desses aspectos colaborativos em uso com a metodologia baseada no modelo da VICS® ou qualquer outra empregada, evidencia que o entendimento dos aspectos colaborativos ao implantar o CPFR nas empresas de varejo é um importante apoio ao processo de implantação. / The management of the supply chain, its complexities and challenges related to the interaction between the links, which are usually formed by companies from different cultures and structures, bring challenges to the interaction of these links. Some initiatives in supply chain management with collaboration concepts are used, with the purpose of providing greater interaction along the supply chain. One such initiative called CPFR, we propose a design in collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment, and has been adopted between retailers and suppliers. Their results, its advantages, its processes and barriers to its implementation through a methodology adopted by VICS® are exposed, however, little has been evidenced in these studies the relationship in terms of maturity required to deploy a collaborative activity in the retail supply chain. The collaboration may require efforts that can be made in addition to structural issues within an organization. This work aims to propose a collaborative evaluation of these aspects in the implementation of CPFR. For this, the theme and design CPFR collaboration in the supply chain have been reviewed and were used multi-use cases where CPFR has been deployed in Brazilian retail. The results of these case studies point to the most difficult aspects of collaboration required in the implementation of CPFR or during her than structural or technological aspects. Thus, the understanding of these aspects in use with the collaborative methodology based on the model of VICS® or any other employee, shows that the understanding of the collaborative aspects when deploying CPFR in retail businesses is an important support the deployment process.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-22T22:10:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Aycha Silva Frota Sampaio.pdf: 1440283 bytes, checksum: c5c520a69ac41d0f20ea7b1d2e297d51 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-15 / The VMI Vendor Managed Inventory is a tool that is used to acquisition of raw-material, the management of stock is made by supplier, it means, the purchase orders are issued by supplier as soon as factory stock became near of security stock negotiated and when there is a demand program mated by customs/factory, to guaranty the supply of production line on time, avoiding delays and lost resource available. All of it is to show the importance and benefits of utilization this tool, was made a study in one factory of PIM, and the main objective is a systemic explanation of facts occurrence in a factory during the implantation of this tool, using interview semi-structured and open, when the people of search were the managements and supervisions of areas involved, possibility to show the strong and critical points of this tool that is already used, with success, in some factories of PIM. The results expected with this study is to show the reduction of cost with hoard of row-material and flexibility with purchase orders due to continue alteration of production demand caused by economic variation. The study shows the main difficult during the implantation and benefits to invest in this implementation, because of the payback are significant and it will be a differential to get the competition / O VMI Vendor Managed Inventory é uma ferramenta utilizada para a aquisição de matéria-prima onde o gerenciamento do estoque é realizado pelo fornecedor, ou seja, as ordens de compras são emitidas pelo fornecedor à medida que os saldos do estoque se aproximam ao estoque mínimo de segurança negociado, e quando existe uma necessidade programada por parte do cliente/fábrica, garantindo que o suprimento das linhas de produção sejam realizados em tempo hábil para evitar atrasos e perda de recursos e mão-de-obra disponível. Com o intuito de mostrar a importância e os benefícios da utilização dessa ferramenta, foi realizado um estudo em uma empresa do PIM, tendo como principal objetivo à explicação sistêmica dos fatos ocorridos no contexto Industrial durante a implantação dessa ferramenta, utilizando entrevistas semi-estruturadas e abertas, onde os sujeitos da pesquisa foram os gerentes e supervisores das áreas envolvidas, possibilitando mostrar os pontos fortes e críticos dessa ferramenta que já está sendo utilizada com sucesso em algumas empresas do PIM. Os resultados alcançados com esse estudo, mostram a redução dos custos com armazenagem de material, e flexibilidade com relação aos pedidos de compras, devido às constantes alterações na demanda de produção ocasionada pela variação do mercado. O estudo revelou as principais dificuldades na implantação, assim como os inúmeros benefícios que motivam o investimento nessa ferramenta, os retornos foram significativos, tornando-se esta um diferencial para competitividade no mercado, que a cada dia exige mais agilidade e dinamismo das empresas

A gestão da cadeia de suprimentos, suas complexidades e os desafios relacionados à interação entre os elos, que são formados geralmente por empresas de culturas e estruturas diferentes, trazem desafios quanto à interação desses elos. Algumas iniciativas de gestão da cadeia de suprimentos, com conceitos de colaboração são utilizadas, com propósito de oferecer maior interação ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos. Uma dessas iniciativas denominada CPFR, propõe uma concepção colaborativa nas atividades de planejamento, previsão e reposição, e vem sendo adotada entre varejos e fornecedores. Seus resultados, suas vantagens, suas barreiras e os processos para a sua implantação através de uma metodologia adotada pela VICS® são expostos, entretanto, pouco se tem evidenciado nestes trabalhos a relação quanto à maturidade necessária para implantar uma atividade colaborativa na cadeia de suprimentos varejista. A colaboração talvez exija esforços que podem ser constituídos além das questões estruturais de uma organização. Este trabalho tem como objetivo propor uma avaliação destes aspectos colaborativos na implantação do CPFR. Para isso, o tema CPFR e a concepção da colaboração na cadeia de suprimentos foram revisados e foram utilizados multi-casos de uso onde o CPFR foi implantado no varejo brasileiro. Os resultados obtidos por esses estudos de casos apontam maiores dificuldades aos aspectos da colaboração exigidos na implantação do CPFR ou durante ela, do que os aspectos estruturais ou tecnológicos. Assim, o entendimento desses aspectos colaborativos em uso com a metodologia baseada no modelo da VICS® ou qualquer outra empregada, evidencia que o entendimento dos aspectos colaborativos ao implantar o CPFR nas empresas de varejo é um importante apoio ao processo de implantação. / The management of the supply chain, its complexities and challenges related to the interaction between the links, which are usually formed by companies from different cultures and structures, bring challenges to the interaction of these links. Some initiatives in supply chain management with collaboration concepts are used, with the purpose of providing greater interaction along the supply chain. One such initiative called CPFR, we propose a design in collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment, and has been adopted between retailers and suppliers. Their results, its advantages, its processes and barriers to its implementation through a methodology adopted by VICS® are exposed, however, little has been evidenced in these studies the relationship in terms of maturity required to deploy a collaborative activity in the retail supply chain. The collaboration may require efforts that can be made in addition to structural issues within an organization. This work aims to propose a collaborative evaluation of these aspects in the implementation of CPFR. For this, the theme and design CPFR collaboration in the supply chain have been reviewed and were used multi-use cases where CPFR has been deployed in Brazilian retail. The results of these case studies point to the most difficult aspects of collaboration required in the implementation of CPFR or during her than structural or technological aspects. Thus, the understanding of these aspects in use with the collaborative methodology based on the model of VICS® or any other employee, shows that the understanding of the collaborative aspects when deploying CPFR in retail businesses is an important support the deployment process.

O Gerenciamento da Cadeia de Suprimentos tem exercido um caratér estratégico para as empresas que queiram se manter competitivas. Percebe-se que é necessário ser eficiente tanto interna quanto externamente às fronteiras da empresa. Neste cenário, diversas empresas vêm obtendo bons resultados com a aplicação de práticas e iniciativas colaborativas que buscam estreitar os relacionamentos entre os parceiros comerciais ao longo da cadeia, gerando ganhos como redução de estoques, aumento do nível de serviço, aumento de vendas, redução de custos, entre outros. O objetivo desta dissertação é a identificação do atual nível de colaboração entre empresas de uma cadeia de suprimentos. A metodologia de estudo está baseada na aplicação de uma pesquisa survey na cadeia automotiva do Rio Grande do Sul e foi realizada através de questionários que foram aplicados pela internet e através de entrevistas presenciais. A pesquisa utilizou informações disponibilizadas pelo Instituto Gaúcho de Estudos Automotivos, que forneceu ainda um suporte tecnológico para o gerenciamento das informações. Os resultados revelaram que ainda são poucas as empresas que aplicam as iniciativas de supply chain, porém a expectativa é grande em relação às empresas que demonstraram interesse em aplicar diversas iniciativas nos próximos dois anos. Verificou-se ainda que o maior percentual de utilização está concentrado nas grandes empresas e as iniciativas mais utilizadas atualmente são o EDI, a Seleção e Desenvolvimento de Fornecedores e o Desenvolvimento Conjunto de Produtos. Portanto, os resultados demonstram que as empresas da cadeia automotiva gaúcha apresentam um nível de colaboração modesto, mas possuem plenas condições de otimizar os seus processos e alavancar o desempenho da cadeia como um todo a partir de uma maior aplicação das iniciativas de supply chain apresentadas neste trabalho. / The supply chain management has recently become a major concern for competitive companies. Managers recognize it is necessary for companies to be efficient both internally and externally to their boundaries. On this scenario, several companies have been achieving good results applying practices and collaborative initiatives that lead to straight the relationship between the partners along the chain. This effort also directs to reducing stock, increasing level of service, increasing in sales, reducing in costs, among others. The purpose of this study is the identification of the actual collaboration level among supply chain companies. The methodology of study is based on the application of a survey on the automotive chain of Rio Grande do Sul and was conducted using questionnaires applied online and trough appointments. This study used knowledge provided by IGEA (Instituto Gaúcho de Estudos Automotivos) that also helped offering technologic support to information management. The results shown that it is still incipient among companies the applicability of supply chain initiatives. However, there is a great expectation related with companies that are willing to use the initiatives for the next two years. In addition, the greatest utilization is concentrated on the big companies and the most utilized initiatives are EDI, supplier’s selection and development and cooperative product development. Therefore, the data suggest that automotive chain companies from RS have a moderate level of collaboration; nevertheless these companies demonstrate a great infrastructure to optimize their processes and increase general chain results with the adoption of the initiatives proposed on this project.

Os investimentos em tecnologia da informação (TI) possibilitam a criação, sustentação e expansão das vantagens competitivas das empresas na cadeia de suprimento, sendo considerados críticos para apoiar as relações interorganizacionais. Uma forma de enfrentar as mudanças ambientais é desenhar uma governança da cadeia de suprimentos (GCS) que equilibre os interesses das organizações e as decisões dos gestores. Entretanto, tradicionalmente a cadeia de suprimentos é estudada de uma perspectiva das operações, com o foco interfuncional ou intraorganizacional, sendo necessário aumentar o escopo dos estudos sobre o assunto, combinando com diferentes temas como a TI, considerada um aspecto importante na cadeia de suprimentos. Assim, o objetivo dessa tese é desenvolver um modelo para avaliar a influência dos investimentos em TI na GCS e o efeito da GCS no desempenho da cadeia de suprimentos. Para alcançar esse objetivo, foi realizada uma pesquisa com uma etapa qualitativa e outra quantitativa. Na etapa qualitativa foram realizados estudo de casos múltiplos em seis grandes empresas brasileiras e seus fornecedores. Foi possível identificar e explorar quais os principais elementos relacionados a cada um dos constructos propostos (investimentos em TI, governança contratual, governança relacional, governança transacional e desempenho da cadeia) e desenvolver um instrumento de pesquisa inicial. Na etapa quantitativa, primeiro foi realizado um estudo survey pré-teste com uma amostra pequena de grandes empresas para refinar o instrumento de pesquisa, que posteriormente foi aplicado em uma grande amostra de empresas brasileiras chamado de estudo completo. Então foi aplicado o questionário em mais de 120 empresas e 185 questionários válidos. A partir da aplicação de análises estatísticas, utilizando modelagem de equações estruturais, foi possível validar o modelo e analisar as hipóteses de pesquisa. Foi identificado que existe uma influência significativa entre os investimentos em TI nas concepções da GCS (contratual, relacional e transacional) e com a própria governança na cadeia. Assim, os investimentos em TI são realizados para monitorar, rastrear, compartilhar informações, integrar as atividades e reduzir os custos nas transações relacionadas com a GCS entre as empresas na cadeia. Além disso, foi identificado que existe um efeito positivo da GCS como um todo e da governança contratual, em um nível menor, no desempenho da cadeia no que diz respeito mais aos indicadores financeiros, como o retorno dos investimentos e retorno sobre as vendas. Percebe-se que as práticas da governança da cadeia influenciadas pelos investimentos em TI estão relacionadas positivamente com o desempenho da cadeia de forma ampla e composta. Os gestores devem analisar os fenômenos na cadeia de forma multidimensional e não aspectos isolados e de forma individual. O estudo apresenta avanços tanto teóricos, utilizando diferentes teorias para suportar as análises e relações na cadeia e combinar diferentes temas como investimentos em TI, GCS e desempenho da cadeia, como práticos por desenvolver e validar um modelo que permite aos executivos tomarem decisões melhores na cadeia de suprimentos por possibilitar uma análise e melhor compreensão das atividades e processos na cadeia. / Information technology (IT) investments enable the creation, support and expansion of the competitive advantages of companies in the supply chain, which are considered critical to support interorganizational relationships. One way to face changes in business environmental is to design a governance supply chain (SCG) that balances the interests of organizations and the decisions of managers. However, the supply chain is traditionally studied with an operation perspective, with the focus being inter-functional or intra-organizational. It is thus necessary to increase the scope of the studies on the subject, combining different themes such as IT; which are considered an important aspect in the supply chain. The objective of this dissertation is to develop a model to evaluate the influence of IT investments in SCG and the effect of SCG on supply chain performance. For this purpose, a qualitative and a quantitative research were conducted. In the qualitative stage, multiple case studies were conducted in six large Brazilian companies and their suppliers. These studies made it possible to identify and explore which are the main elements related to each of the proposed constructs (IT investments, contractual governance, relational governance, transactional governance and supply chain performance) and develop an initial research instrument. In the quantitative phase, a pre-test survey was conducted with a small sample of large companies to refine the survey instrument to be applied on a large sample of Brazilian companies called completed study. The finalized questionnaire was then applied to more than 120 companies, resulting in 185 valid questionnaires. From the application of statistical analysis, using structural equation modeling, it was possible to validate the model and analyze the research hypotheses. It was identified that IT investments significantly influence SCG conceptions (contractual, relational and transactional) and the SCG itself. IT investments are undertaken to monitor, track, share information, integrate activities and reduce costs in transactions between companies related to SCG. Furthermore, it was identified that there is positive effect of SCG and the contractual governance, in a lower level, on the performance of supply chain with respect to more financial indicators such as return on investment and return on sales. Thus, it is clear that the practices of SCG influenced by IT investments are positively related with supply chain performance broadly and composed, in which managers must analyze phenomena in the supply with a multidimensional view; as opposed to an isolated and individual one. The study presents both theoretical advances - using different theories to support the analysis and relationships in the supply chain using different themes like IT investment, SCG and supply chain performance - and practical ones that develop and validate a model that allows managers to make better decisions in the supply chain by enabling enhanced analysis and a better understanding of the activities and processes in the supply chain.

<p><strong>Purpose</strong> - To analyze the relationship between supply chain management maturity, supply chain performance and financial performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME:s).</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach</strong> - The data comprises 15 SME:s that participated in a local logistic study in Gävleborgs län. The levels of supply chain mature within these firms were based upon an interview study and the financial performance of the firms was then examined using financial reports-based data.</p><p><strong>Findings</strong> -The results of this study indicate that there is a strong relationship between SCM maturity and SC performance in SMEs, some relationships between SCM maturity and financial performance, as well as some relationships between SC performance and financial performance. This means that if firms use maturity indicators in the SCOR areas to improve their processes, they will most likely achieve a positive effect on supply chain performance and probably also on financial performance. The result implies that the supply chain maturities in these firms are higher than expected with no one at the adHoc level.</p><p>While this study is based on a rather small number of participating firms, it would be valuable to further test the significance of the indicated correlations between SCM maturity and performance in a large-scale survey.</p><p><strong>Research limitations/Implications</strong> - The research is an attempt to understand supply chain maturity and it´s implication on financial performance. Developing supply chain maturity is an opportunity for a company to gain superior performance. The use of this approach has been validated in several previous research studies. The research limitation of this study is the small number of participating firms.</p><p><strong>Practical implication</strong> - Maturity models could be valuable frameworks for corporate management. This study provides statistical evidence that a SME firm that has achieved a higher maturity level in their supply chain management also can achieve higher SC performance and financial performance as well. The study further confirms the maturity model from Lockamy and McCormack (2004) as a very reliable tool for this purpose, even in extremely small firms.</p><p><strong>Originality/Value</strong> - This study is one of very few to focus on supply chain maturity of SME:s and analyze the linkage between financial performance and supply chain maturity in SME:s. This is particularly significant since earlier research implicate that SME:s has a very low maturity and in addition to that a high potential of improvements in this area. Maybe the findings of this study can be a starting point for these SME:s to take their maturity to a higher level and improve their financial performance. These findings might be valuable for further research in the linkage between maturity and superior performance in SME:s.</p><p><strong>Key words</strong> - Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Performance, Supply Chain Maturity, Financial Performance, Logistic Performance.</p><p><strong>Paper type</strong> - Thesis/research paper</p>

We report on a project with Polaroid Corporation in which we developed a supply chain model to provide decision support for planning production and transportation. Production occurs in Asia to serve world-wide demand. Production planners must determine both the production quantities as well as whether to ship by sea or by air. We develop a model to optimize a static version of this problem and then show how to use this static model in a dynamic setting. We test the model with data from Polaroid and show its effectiveness. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

The reverse part of the supply chain becomes more and more important due to the legislation, environmental concerns, higher volumes of returns, etc. As a result, companies cannot see the reverse supply chain as the additional costs only and have to think strategically. The right strategy for the reverse supply chain can help to achieve the competitive advantage. However, there are not so many researches made about strategies for the reverse supply chain yet, contrarily to the forward supply chain. Therefore, the need to adopt strategies for the reverse supply chain appears. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the applicability of the Lean and the Agile concepts in the Reverse Supply Chain strategy, and to investigate the driving forces and challenges for the implementation of the strategy in the Reverse Supply Chain. The inductive research approach was applied in this thesis. The qualitative study was the most suitable for the better understanding of the point of view, the attitudes, the perceptions of the interviewed participants regarding a wide range of issues related to the choice, and the implementation of the strategy for the reverse supply chain. Multiple case studies as the research strategy was chosen, thus data was collected from 13 interviews conducted at four companies: Fläkt Woods, Systemair, Swegon and Rettig ICC. The main conclusions from the analysis of the applicability of the lean and the agile concepts in the reverse supply chain are that the design of the reverse supply chain depends on the characteristics of the returns: the size, the volume, the life cycle, the B2B or the B2C returns; as well the reasons for the returns: the guarantee service/ after warranty service. When weighting the results about the lean and the agile concepts implementation in the reverse supply chain, it appears relatively more likely that none of the companies implement either only the lean or only the agile approach. Due to various reasons, there are different material flows and they require different strategic approaches. The agility is implemented close to the customer in order to ensure speed and high responsiveness. Lean flows are implemented from the manufacturer to the supplier or the third party (recycler, etc.). Even more, the companies seek to find the optimal combination of both strategies, or as it called – leagile. Two different approaches for leagile concept’s implementation are used: preponement and de-coupling point. Driving forces for the strategy implementation are green forces, increasing the demand for improving customer service level, cost reduction, and the new retail marketing strategies. Main challenges for the strategy implementation are the lack of formal operating procedures, the lack of information sharing with the suppliers, ‘false alarm’ returns, the lack of local competence, and the lack of forecasting possibilities.

Purpose - To analyze the relationship between supply chain management maturity, supply chain performance and financial performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME:s). Design/methodology/approach - The data comprises 15 SME:s that participated in a local logistic study in Gävleborgs län. The levels of supply chain mature within these firms were based upon an interview study and the financial performance of the firms was then examined using financial reports-based data. Findings -The results of this study indicate that there is a strong relationship between SCM maturity and SC performance in SMEs, some relationships between SCM maturity and financial performance, as well as some relationships between SC performance and financial performance. This means that if firms use maturity indicators in the SCOR areas to improve their processes, they will most likely achieve a positive effect on supply chain performance and probably also on financial performance. The result implies that the supply chain maturities in these firms are higher than expected with no one at the adHoc level. While this study is based on a rather small number of participating firms, it would be valuable to further test the significance of the indicated correlations between SCM maturity and performance in a large-scale survey. Research limitations/Implications - The research is an attempt to understand supply chain maturity and it´s implication on financial performance. Developing supply chain maturity is an opportunity for a company to gain superior performance. The use of this approach has been validated in several previous research studies. The research limitation of this study is the small number of participating firms. Practical implication - Maturity models could be valuable frameworks for corporate management. This study provides statistical evidence that a SME firm that has achieved a higher maturity level in their supply chain management also can achieve higher SC performance and financial performance as well. The study further confirms the maturity model from Lockamy and McCormack (2004) as a very reliable tool for this purpose, even in extremely small firms. Originality/Value - This study is one of very few to focus on supply chain maturity of SME:s and analyze the linkage between financial performance and supply chain maturity in SME:s. This is particularly significant since earlier research implicate that SME:s has a very low maturity and in addition to that a high potential of improvements in this area. Maybe the findings of this study can be a starting point for these SME:s to take their maturity to a higher level and improve their financial performance. These findings might be valuable for further research in the linkage between maturity and superior performance in SME:s. Key words - Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Performance, Supply Chain Maturity, Financial Performance, Logistic Performance. Paper type - Thesis/research paper