Cette thèse a pour objectif de comprendre la nature et les bases de développement de l'intégration des Supply Chains dans le contexte de l'industrie des équipementiers automobiles marocains. Elle vise ainsi à démontrer que la nature de l'intégration de la Supply Chain nouée, dépend étroitement de la nature de la confiance développée envers le partenaire, qui est elle aussi fortement déterminée par les caractéristiques de la culture nationale. Sur le plan méthodologique, la thèse se fonde sur un processus séquentiel qui allie une phase exploratoire qualitative menée auprès de sociologues, anthropologues et historiens pour la compréhension des variables sur la culture nationale marocaine, ainsi qu'une étape menée auprès des équipementiers automobiles marocains. Dans un deuxième temps, un processus confirmatoire de confrontation de notre modèle conceptuel s'est établit sur la base d'une enquête quantitative analysée avec la méthode des équations structurelles sous l'approche PLS. Les résultats de la recherche suggèrent que les caractéristiques de la culture nationale marocaine favorisent le développement d'une confiance de nature affective qui permet de favoriser le développement d'une intégration relationnelle de la Supply Chain / The objective of this thesis is to understand the nature and the basis of supply chain integration development in the context of Moroccan automotive suppliers. Thereof, it will demonstrate how the nature of supply chain integration depends very closely on the nature of trust developed towards the partner. This trust is closely determined by the national culture's characteristics. Methodology wise, the thesis is based on a sequential process that starts with an exploratory qualitative phase conducted with sociologists, anthropologists and historians to understand the national culture's variables, and with Moroccan automotive suppliers. In a second confirmatory phase, the theoretical model was confronted to an empirical quantitative investigation. The results were analyzed using structural equations under the PLS approach. The research results suggest that the national culture's characteristics in Morocco favor the development of an affective type of trust that in turn favors the supply chain integration

The increasing emphasis on integration among members of a supply chain has led to new mechanisms to help firms coordinate the flow of products, services, and information through the supply chain. Many studies support the importance and influence of supply chain integration on firm performance but only a few focus on factors driving the integration practices. Moreover, the role of organizational contextual factors that could influence supply chain integration has been largely overlooked. This research examines firms' internal and external drivers of supply chain integration, as well as evaluates the impact of the integration on firm performance. This study further investigates the moderating role of organizational culture, based on the dimensions of control-flexibility orientation and internal-external focus, in strengthening or weakening the relationships between supply chain integration and its antecedents. For the purpose of this study, manufacturing firms were identified as the focal firms in supply chains, and thus data was collected through a survey of 223 Indonesian-based manufacturing firms. Two informants from each firm became the respondents. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, and this study confirmed the positive relationships between supply chain integration and firm performance. The results also indicated that internal driver, or specifically firms' customer orientation, triggered the initiation of supply chain integration. Other factors, such as demand uncertainty, supply uncertainty, technology uncertainty, as well as firms' anticipation of benefits, were not significantly related to the degree of supply chain integration. Furthermore, focal firms with external focus were pursuing a higher degree of supply chain integration than those with internal focus. By investigating the linkages between internal and external drivers, supply chain integration, firm performance, and organizational culture, this study attempts to contribute to the Operations Management discipline, especially to the area of supply chain management. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

abstract: Despite significant growth in research about supply chain integration, many questions remain unanswered regarding the path to integration and the benefits that can be accrued. This dissertation examines three aspects of supply chain integration in the health sector, leveraging the healthcare context to extend the theoretical boundaries, as well as applying supply chain knowledge to an industry known to be immature in terms of its supply chain practices. In the first chapter, a supply chain operating model that breaks away from the traditional healthcare supply chain structures is examined. Consolidated Service Centers (CSCs) embody a shared services strategy, consolidating supply chain functions across multiple hospitals (i.e. horizontal integration) and disintermediating several key roles in healthcare supply chains such as the group purchasing organizations and national distributors. Through case studies, key characteristics of CSCs that enable them to reduce the level of supply chain complexity are examined. The second chapter investigates buyer-supplier relationships in healthcare (i.e. supplier integration), where a high level of distrust exists between hospitals and their suppliers. This context is leveraged to study both enablers and barriers to buyer-supplier trust. The results suggest that contracting counteracts the negative effects of dependence on trust. Furthermore, the study reveals that hospital buyers may, in some situations, perceive dedicated resource investments made by suppliers as trust barriers, associating such investments with supplier upselling and entrenchment tactics. This runs contrary to how dedicated investments are perceived in most other industries. In the third chapter, the triadic relationship between the hospital, supplier, and physician is taken into consideration. Given their professional autonomy and power, physicians commonly undermine hospital efforts in supply base rationalization and standardization. This study examines whether physician-hospital integration (i.e. customer integration) can drive physicians towards supply selection practices that align with the hospital’s sourcing strategies and ultimately result in better supply chain performance. This study utilizes theory on agency triads and professionalism and tests hypotheses through a random effects regression model applied to data about hospital financial performance and physician-hospital arrangements. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2016

A introdução efetiva da sustentabilidade em empresas exige ações que extrapolam os limites organizacionais, abarcando o ambiente interorganizacional. Dessa maneira, as empresas deixam de ser consideradas isoladamente e passam a ser analisadas de acordo com suas cadeias de suprimentos, compostas por organizações que contribuem para o alcance dos mesmos objetivos de desempenho. Nesse sentido, uma cadeia de suprimentos é considerada mais sustentável quando insere as dimensões econômica, ambiental e social em suas operações, nas estratégias e na tomada de decisão, possuindo bons níveis de desempenho em tais dimensões. A adoção de práticas de sustentabilidade em cadeias de suprimentos pode ser analisada em um contínuo, formado por dois extremos: a resposta reativa e proativa. Nesse contexto, a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis pode ser definida como a adoção de ações, realizadas voluntariamente por empresas, com a finalidade de melhorar o desempenho ambiental e o desempenho social, além das exigências legais. A empresa proativa afirma sua preocupação e seu compromisso com a sociedade e o ambiente natural, em que está inserida. Diante dessas considerações, tem-se a premissa dessa pesquisa: a postura proativa de empresas em relação a práticas sustentáveis estimula melhor articulação com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos, o que colabora para a introdução da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a contribuição da articulação de uma empresa proativa com seus elos para a introdução da sustentabilidade na sua cadeia de suprimentos. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, distribuída em duas etapas (exploratória e descritiva), envolvendo uma empresa focal proativa e parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Ressalta-se que, em virtude da complexidade e da extensão de cadeias de suprimentos, optou-se por analisar a cadeia à montante, isto é, foram entrevistados colaboradores da empresa focal (Mercur S.A.) e de empresas fornecedoras (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; e, Artecola Química). Primeiramente, foi analisada a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur. Os resultados indicam que a Mercur pode ser considerada uma empresa proativa, em função da implantação total de 37 ações em prol da sustentabilidade ao core business da organização e da implantação parcial de seis práticas. Em segundo lugar, investigou-se a articulação e o relacionamento da empresa proativa com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Verificou-se que os entrevistados consideram que os elos estão em processo de integração. Diante disso, pode-se observar que existem diferentes níveis de articulação na cadeia de suprimentos, envolvendo a Mercur e seus fornecedores. Em seguida, averiguou-se a existência de práticas sustentáveis ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos estudada, as quais foram descritas a partir de cinco categorias de análise (orientação estratégica, continuidade da cadeia de suprimentos, colaboração, gestão de risco, proatividade). Incentivos foram identificados para que práticas pró-sustentabilidade passem a ser concebidas e implantadas por todos os membros da cadeia, colaborando para um desenvolvimento mais sustentável. Nessa perspectiva, diante dos resultados encontrados, assume-se que a premissa de pesquisa foi confirmada, uma vez que a postura proativa de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur estimula maior articulação com os parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos, contribuindo para a inserção da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. Entretanto, a articulação da Mercur com os parceiros também pode incentivar que posturas proativas em benefício da sustentabilidade sejam incorporadas pelas empresas da cadeia de suprimentos. / The effective introduction of sustainability in business requires actions that go beyond organizational boundaries, encompassing the inter-organizational environment. Thus, companies are no longer considered individually; they are analyzed according to their supply chains, composed by organizations that contribute to the achievement of the same performance goals. A supply chain is considered more sustainable when it enters the economic, environmental and social dimensions in their operations, strategies and decision making, possessing good levels of performance on these dimensions. The incorporation of sustainability practices in supply chain can be analyzed in a continuous, formed by two extremes: reactive and proactive response. The sustainable proactivity can be defined as the adoption of actions, performed voluntarily by companies, in order to improve the environmental and social performance beyond legal requirements. A proactive company states its concern and commitment to society and the natural environment in which it operates. Given these considerations, this research premise is: the proactive approach of companies towards sustainable practices encourages better integration with the partners in their supply chain, which contributes to the incorporation of sustainability in the supply chain. In this context, this research aims to analyze the contribution of proactive company integration with its partners to the introduction of sustainability in their supply chain. Therefore, a qualitative research was performed, composed by two phases (exploratory and descriptive), involving a proactive focal company and its supply chain partners. It is emphasized that, because of the complexity and the extent of supply chains, we chose to analyze the upstream chain, i.e., focal company (Mercur S.A.) and supplier firms (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; and Artecola Química). The employees of these companies were interviewed. First, it was analyzed the proactivity of sustainable practices of Mercur. The results indicate that Mercur can be considered a proactive company, due to the full adoption of 37 actions for sustainability in the core business of the organization and the partial implementation of six practices. Secondly, it was investigated the integration and the relationship of a proactive company with its supply chain partners. It was found that the interviewees consider that the supply chain is in process of a complete integration. Thus, it can be observed that there are different levels of integration in the supply chain, involving the Mercur and their suppliers. Thirdly, it was examined the existence of sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. These practices were described considering five categories of analysis (strategic orientation, supply chain continuity, collaboration, risk management, and proactivity). Incentives were identified for the design and the implementation of sustainable practices by all supply chain members, contributing to a more sustainable development. From this perspective, given the results, it is assumed that the research premise was confirmed, since the proactive sustainable practices Mercur encourages greater integration with partners in the supply chain, contributing to the sustainable supply chain. However, the integration of Mercur with partners can also encourage that proactive practices in favor of sustainability be incorporated in the supply chain.

Abstract Agility – namely, the ability of a supply chain to rapidly respond to changes in market and customer demands – is regarded as the bearer of competitive advantage in today's business world. The need for agility has traditionally been associated with supply chains in high technology industry products. However, traditional industries also face similar challenges in terms of speed, flexibility, increased product diversity and customization. This study contributes to the discussion on agility in supply chain management (SCM) and provides a novel focus on the development of an agile supply chain in a traditional industry. The object of this study is the development of an agile supply chain in a steel product network in the Raahe area in Northern Finland. The case network is undergoing a shift towards project-oriented business, where quick responses are the priority and agility is recognised as the facilitating factor. Using a constructive approach, an agile supply chain for a steel product network, SteelNet system, is developed. SteelNet system functions through the Internet and agent software technology. In identifying the new challenges raised by advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) in the development of an agile supply chain, the study presents some valuable ICT options for SCM. Following a review of the current understanding of agility in SCM literature, the study identifies the key elements of agile supply chains and proposes a four-dimensional agile supply chain framework by which to assess levels of agility. Using the framework, the study describes how the key elements appear in the case network. The study assesses the change process, and the necessary improvement steps, towards agility. It is concluded that agile supply chains have a major role also in traditional industry, and comprehensive implementation of ICT throughout the chain is of utmost importance in the development of an agile supply chain. Further insights to the discussion on agility are provided, and these and the conclusions extend a drawbridge to other companies and business networks in traditional industry to consider the clear advantages to developing their own agile supply chains.

Abstract Information integration – sharing of pertinent information between supply chain members – is vital to cope with the uncertainty and complexity embedded in service supply chains. The aim of this study is to understand the meaning, constituents, extent, and development means of information integration in service supply chain context. The research approach is abductive, emphasising the constant interplay between theory development and empirical observations. Analysis on a single case supply chain consisting of two types of maintenance service providers and a large steel manufacturer as the focal company is provided. A comprehensive conceptual framework for analysing and developing information integration in service supply chain is presented and applied in the case supply chain. Extent of integration is described through three levels of integration. Six information integration elements are used to define the levels: processes and activities, information technology use, information attributes, information sharing practices, collaborative foundation, and time-related issues. Service/market characteristics and supply chain relationship characteristics are deployed in explaining the differences in levels of integration. Depending on the level of integration, the performance effects sought and achieved through developing information integration range from operational to strategic level. Adopting a more structured approach to information integration in the case supply chain is suggested to address development areas in information sharing and improve performance. This can be implemented through a shared centralised maintenance information system, common procedures for information sharing, and commitment of supply chain actors. The framework in this study offers guidelines for choosing the appropriate level of integration in a service supply chain dyad. It shows that the special characteristics of service context can be deployed in designing and managing service supply chains. Service providers should be integrated to the supply chain just like other supply chain members, as it contributes to the supply chain performance. Differentiating the level of integration in service supply chain dyads within a supply chain based on the contextual setting is recommended. This study paves the way for better understanding and control of service supply chain links and contributes to the scarce empirical research on service supply chains.

A introdução efetiva da sustentabilidade em empresas exige ações que extrapolam os limites organizacionais, abarcando o ambiente interorganizacional. Dessa maneira, as empresas deixam de ser consideradas isoladamente e passam a ser analisadas de acordo com suas cadeias de suprimentos, compostas por organizações que contribuem para o alcance dos mesmos objetivos de desempenho. Nesse sentido, uma cadeia de suprimentos é considerada mais sustentável quando insere as dimensões econômica, ambiental e social em suas operações, nas estratégias e na tomada de decisão, possuindo bons níveis de desempenho em tais dimensões. A adoção de práticas de sustentabilidade em cadeias de suprimentos pode ser analisada em um contínuo, formado por dois extremos: a resposta reativa e proativa. Nesse contexto, a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis pode ser definida como a adoção de ações, realizadas voluntariamente por empresas, com a finalidade de melhorar o desempenho ambiental e o desempenho social, além das exigências legais. A empresa proativa afirma sua preocupação e seu compromisso com a sociedade e o ambiente natural, em que está inserida. Diante dessas considerações, tem-se a premissa dessa pesquisa: a postura proativa de empresas em relação a práticas sustentáveis estimula melhor articulação com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos, o que colabora para a introdução da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a contribuição da articulação de uma empresa proativa com seus elos para a introdução da sustentabilidade na sua cadeia de suprimentos. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, distribuída em duas etapas (exploratória e descritiva), envolvendo uma empresa focal proativa e parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Ressalta-se que, em virtude da complexidade e da extensão de cadeias de suprimentos, optou-se por analisar a cadeia à montante, isto é, foram entrevistados colaboradores da empresa focal (Mercur S.A.) e de empresas fornecedoras (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; e, Artecola Química). Primeiramente, foi analisada a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur. Os resultados indicam que a Mercur pode ser considerada uma empresa proativa, em função da implantação total de 37 ações em prol da sustentabilidade ao core business da organização e da implantação parcial de seis práticas. Em segundo lugar, investigou-se a articulação e o relacionamento da empresa proativa com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Verificou-se que os entrevistados consideram que os elos estão em processo de integração. Diante disso, pode-se observar que existem diferentes níveis de articulação na cadeia de suprimentos, envolvendo a Mercur e seus fornecedores. Em seguida, averiguou-se a existência de práticas sustentáveis ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos estudada, as quais foram descritas a partir de cinco categorias de análise (orientação estratégica, continuidade da cadeia de suprimentos, colaboração, gestão de risco, proatividade). Incentivos foram identificados para que práticas pró-sustentabilidade passem a ser concebidas e implantadas por todos os membros da cadeia, colaborando para um desenvolvimento mais sustentável. Nessa perspectiva, diante dos resultados encontrados, assume-se que a premissa de pesquisa foi confirmada, uma vez que a postura proativa de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur estimula maior articulação com os parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos, contribuindo para a inserção da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. Entretanto, a articulação da Mercur com os parceiros também pode incentivar que posturas proativas em benefício da sustentabilidade sejam incorporadas pelas empresas da cadeia de suprimentos. / The effective introduction of sustainability in business requires actions that go beyond organizational boundaries, encompassing the inter-organizational environment. Thus, companies are no longer considered individually; they are analyzed according to their supply chains, composed by organizations that contribute to the achievement of the same performance goals. A supply chain is considered more sustainable when it enters the economic, environmental and social dimensions in their operations, strategies and decision making, possessing good levels of performance on these dimensions. The incorporation of sustainability practices in supply chain can be analyzed in a continuous, formed by two extremes: reactive and proactive response. The sustainable proactivity can be defined as the adoption of actions, performed voluntarily by companies, in order to improve the environmental and social performance beyond legal requirements. A proactive company states its concern and commitment to society and the natural environment in which it operates. Given these considerations, this research premise is: the proactive approach of companies towards sustainable practices encourages better integration with the partners in their supply chain, which contributes to the incorporation of sustainability in the supply chain. In this context, this research aims to analyze the contribution of proactive company integration with its partners to the introduction of sustainability in their supply chain. Therefore, a qualitative research was performed, composed by two phases (exploratory and descriptive), involving a proactive focal company and its supply chain partners. It is emphasized that, because of the complexity and the extent of supply chains, we chose to analyze the upstream chain, i.e., focal company (Mercur S.A.) and supplier firms (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; and Artecola Química). The employees of these companies were interviewed. First, it was analyzed the proactivity of sustainable practices of Mercur. The results indicate that Mercur can be considered a proactive company, due to the full adoption of 37 actions for sustainability in the core business of the organization and the partial implementation of six practices. Secondly, it was investigated the integration and the relationship of a proactive company with its supply chain partners. It was found that the interviewees consider that the supply chain is in process of a complete integration. Thus, it can be observed that there are different levels of integration in the supply chain, involving the Mercur and their suppliers. Thirdly, it was examined the existence of sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. These practices were described considering five categories of analysis (strategic orientation, supply chain continuity, collaboration, risk management, and proactivity). Incentives were identified for the design and the implementation of sustainable practices by all supply chain members, contributing to a more sustainable development. From this perspective, given the results, it is assumed that the research premise was confirmed, since the proactive sustainable practices Mercur encourages greater integration with partners in the supply chain, contributing to the sustainable supply chain. However, the integration of Mercur with partners can also encourage that proactive practices in favor of sustainability be incorporated in the supply chain.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Purpose: This paper aims to explore the antecedents and performance outcomes of supply chain integration in the agri-food industry in Latin America, a context that the literature on supply chain management has not extensively addressed. The quinoa supply chain, an industry that has encountered a boost in market demand in the past year, is selected as the unit of analysis. Supply chain integration dynamics are analyzed to provide recommendations about integration strategies and benefits in the agricultural sector. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual model was designed in this study, which includes the drivers (i.e. trust and commitment) and outcomes (i.e. operational and economic performance) of supply chain integration. The relationships were verified through a unique survey, the data of which were collected from 79 respondents operating at different levels of the Peruvian quinoa supply chain (i.e. suppliers, producers and customers). The proposed hypotheses were tested through the partial least squares (PLS) regression. Findings: The results underscore the relevance of trust and commitment as enablers of supply chain integration initiatives in the agri-food industry. These factors are particularly essential for involving the farmers who are the most upstream actors in the supply chain and characterized by unstructured organizations. A high level of integration in these types of supply chain enhances the capacity to improve operational performance, which in turns positively affects the main economic indicators. Originality/value: This study contributes to the discussion of supply chain integration in the agri-food industry, which remains unexplored thus far. It relies on a multitier collection of responses, which is extended to all the levels of the quinoa supply chain, thereby providing the study with a unique depth of analysis. Furthermore, this work contributes to the ongoing discourse on the performance impact of supply chain integration, which several SCM scholars have recently questioned. / Revisión por pares

[ES] La Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro se define como un conjunto de acciones que permiten a las empresas gestionar, planificar y controlar sus operaciones como una forma de facilitar la colaboración entre los miembros de la Cadena de Suministro. Para ser más eficaces y eficientes, las empresas están cada vez más dispuestas a rediseñar sus estrategias de Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro y a adoptar prácticas de gestión. Esta tesis doctoral analiza cómo se interrelacionan algunas variables relacionadas con la eficacia y la eficiencia en la Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro, y el posible impacto de estas interrelaciones en los resultados empresariales. Específicamente, profundizamos en las relaciones entre Cloud Computing, Integración de la Cadena de Suministro, Flexibilidad de la Cadena de Suministro, Personalización en Masa y Lean Production (que son variables asociadas con la eficacia y eficiencia de la Cadena de Suministro) y su papel en los resultados empresariales. En esta tesis, inicialmente consideramos dos factores importantes para conseguir eficacia y eficiencia en la Cadena de Suministro. Así, un primero factor estaría formado por la interrelación entre el uso de Cloud Computing, un nuevo paradigma en la interpretación de las Tecnologías de la información, y la Integración de la Cadena de Suministro. Bajos niveles en este factor permitirán a las empresas conseguir sus objetivos (ser eficaces) pero empleando muchos más recursos (menos eficientes) que altos valores en este factor. Un segundo factor recoge la interrelación de la Flexibilidad de la Cadena de Suministro y la Personalización en Masa. De forma similar al factor anterior, bajos niveles en este factor estarían asociados a una menor eficiencia (aun siendo eficaces), mientras que altos niveles, estaría asociados a una alta eficiencia. Ambos factores son consideradas en esta tesis, en primer lugar, de forma aislada, mediante revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura que permiten identificar qué se sabe en la literatura sobre la relación existente entre las variables que conforman cada factor. En segundo lugar, en esta tesis, se realiza un análisis explicativo en que se considera el efecto de Lean Production, y su relación con cada uno de los factores, lo que estaría asociado a unos altos niveles de eficiencia en la Cadena de Suministro, y se analiza cómo el efecto conjunto de Lean Production y cada uno de los factores (variables) consideradas afecta a los resultados de la empresa. Finalmente, en esta tesis se consideran todas las variables de forma conjunta (ambos factores y el efecto de Lean Production, actuando sobre los resultados empresariales), en un modelo holístico que utiliza la simulación para analizar el comportamiento del modelo. El valor de esta tesis es que académicos y gerentes de negocios pueden tener evidencia de apoyo sobre el papel que juegan Cloud Computing, Integración de la Cadena de Suministro, Flexibilidad de la Cadena de Suministro, Personalización en Masa y Lean Production, vinculadas operativa y estratégicamente, y cómo esta combinación podría transformarse en un mejor desempeño empresarial. El mejor conocimiento de estas relaciones puede afectar la manera en que investigadores y directivos abordan estos recursos de gestión, siendo más conscientes del importante papel de la Cadena de Suministro en la competitividad. Este trabajo se diferencia de los aportes anteriores por proporcionar enfoques teóricos y empíricos de las posibles interrelaciones entre las variables antes mencionadas. Los resultados de este estudio, por lo tanto, podrían ser muy útiles en el diseño de futuros esfuerzos de investigación en esta área. / [CA] La Gestió de la Cadena de Subministrament es defineix com un conjunt d'accions que permeten a les empreses gestionar, planificar i controlar les seues operacions com una manera de facilitar la col·laboració entre els membres de la Cadena de Subministrament. Per a ser més eficaços i eficients, les empreses estan cada vegada més disposades a redissenyar les seues estratègies de Gestió de la Cadena de Subministrament i a adoptar pràctiques de gestió. Aquesta tesi doctoral analitza com s'interrelacionen algunes variables relacionades amb l'eficàcia i l'eficiència en la Gestió de la Cadena de Subministrament, i el possible impacte d'aquestes interrelacions en els resultats empresarials. Específicament, aprofundim en les relacions entre Cloud Computing, Integració de la Cadena de Subministrament, Flexibilitat de la Cadena de Subministrament, Personalització en massa i Lean Production (que són variables associades amb l'eficàcia i eficiència de la Cadena de Subministrament) i el seu paper en els resultats empresarials. En aquesta tesi, inicialment considerem dos factors importants per a aconseguir eficàcia i eficiència en la Cadena de Subministrament. Així, un primer factor estaria format per la interrelació entre l'ús de Cloud Computing, un nou paradigma en la interpretació de les Tecnologies de la informació, i la Integració de la Cadena de Subministrament. Baixos nivells en aquest factor permetran a les empreses aconseguir els seus objectius (ser eficaços) però emprant molts més recursos (menys eficients) que alts valors en aquest factor. Un segon factor recull la interrelació de la Flexibilitat de la Cadena de Subministrament i la Personalització en massa. De forma similar al factor anterior, baixos nivells en aquest factor estarien associats a una menor eficiència (fins i tot sent eficaces), mentre que alts nivells, estaria associats a una alta eficiència. Tots dos factors són considerades en aquesta tesi, en primer lloc, de forma aïllada, mitjançant revisions sistemàtiques de la literatura que permeten identificar què se sap en la literatura sobre la relació existent entre les variables que conformen cada factor. En segon lloc, en aquesta tesi, es realitza una anàlisi explicativa en què es considera l'efecte de Lean Production, i la seua relació amb cadascun dels factors, la qual cosa estaria associat a uns alts nivells d'eficiència en la Cadena de Subministrament, i s'analitza com l'efecte conjunt de Lean Production i cadascun dels factors (variables) considerades afecta als resultats de l'empresa. Finalment, en aquesta tesi es consideren totes les variables de forma conjunta (tots dos factors i l'efecte de Lean Production, actuant sobre els resultats empresarials), en un model holístic que utilitza la simulació per a analitzar el comportament del model. El valor d'aquesta tesi és que acadèmics i gerents de negocis poden tindre evidència de suport sobre el paper que juguen Cloud Computing, Integració de la Cadena de Subministrament, Flexibilitat de la Cadena de Subministrament, Personalització en massa i Lean Production, vinculades operativa i estratègicament, i com aquesta combinació podria transformar-se en un millor acompliment empresarial. El millor coneixement d'aquestes relacions pot afectar la manera en què investigadors i directius aborden aquests recursos de gestió, sent més conscients de l'important paper de la Cadena de Subministrament en la competitivitat. Aquest treball es diferencia de les aportacions anteriors per proporcionar enfocaments teòrics i empírics de les possibles interrelacions entre les variables abans esmentades. Els resultats d'aquest estudi, per tant, podrien ser molt útils en el disseny de futurs esforços d'investigació en aquesta àrea. / [EN] Supply Chain Management is defined as a set of actions that allow companies to manage, plan and control their operations as a way to facilitate collaboration between Supply Chain members. To be more effective and efficient, companies are increasingly willing to redesign their Supply Chain Management strategies and adopt management practices. This doctoral thesis analyses how some variables related to effectiveness and efficiency in Supply Chain Management are interrelated, and the possible impact of these interrelations on business performance. Specifically, we delve into the relationships between Cloud Computing, Supply Chain Integration, Supply Chain Flexibility, Mass Personalization and Lean Production (which are variables associated with the effectiveness and efficiency in the Supply Chain) and their role in business performance. In this doctoral thesis, we initially considered two important factors to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in the Supply Chain. A first factor would be the interrelation between the use of Cloud Computing, a new paradigm in the interpretation of Information Technologies, and Supply Chain Integration. Low levels in this factor will allow companies to achieve their goals (be effective) but using many more resources (less efficient) than high values in this factor. A second factor is the interrelationship of Supply Chain Flexibility and Mass Personalization. Similar to the previous factor, low levels of this factor would be associated with lower efficiency (even if effective), while high levels would be associated with high efficiency. Both factors are considered in this thesis, in the first place, in an isolated way, by means of systematic literature reviews that allow identifying what is known in the literature about the existing relation between the variables that conform each factor. Secondly, an explanatory analysis is made in which the effect of Lean Production is considered, and its relation with each one of the factors, which would be associated with high levels of efficiency in the Supply Chain, and it is analysed how the joint effect of Lean Production and each one of the factors (variables) considered affects business performance. Finally, this thesis considers all variables together (both factors and the effect of Lean Production, acting on business performance), in a holistic model that uses simulation to analyse the model's behaviour. The value of this doctoral thesis is that academics and business managers can have supporting evidence on the role played by Cloud Computing, Supply Chain Integration, Supply Chain Flexibility, Mass Personalization and Lean Production, operationally and strategically linked, and how this combination could be transformed into better business performance. The better knowledge of these relationships can affect the way researchers and managers approach these management resources, being more aware of the important role of the Supply Chain in competitiveness. This work differs from previous contributions in that it provides theoretical and empirical approaches to the possible interrelations between the variables mentioned above. The results of this study, therefore, could be very useful in the design of future research efforts in this area. / This doctoral thesis has been developed thanks to the support of the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) of Brazil and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Research Project ECO2015-65874-P. / Romualdo Novais, L. (2019). CLOUD COMPUTING, SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION, SUPPLY CHAIN FLEXIBILITY AND MASS PERSONALIZATION: INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH LEAN PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/121460 / TESIS

Despite the abundance of research dealing with the impact of supply chain management on today's organisations, such research tended to emphasise discreet relationships. A cross-sectional sample of Portuguese organisations is used to test several hypotheses pertaining to organisational resources, competencies, different levels of supply chain integration and organisational performance. Based on the findings, the impact of information technology infrastructure flexibility exhibited mixed results on the constructs studied. Executive information technology competencies tended to positively influence the different types of supply chain integration. Internal integration was found to have a direct influence on organisational performance. Such internal integration is being encouraged by external entities including customers and suppliers. In this context, more integration might lead to more effective organisational performance. Therefore, it is concluded that organisations should integrate their resources, processes and in the process encourage effective utilisation of information.