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The purpose of this research is to learn about quality measurement practices in a wood products supply chain. According to the Supply Chain Management paradigm, companies no longer compete as individual entities, but as part of complex networks of suppliers and customers, linked together by flows of materials and information. Evidence suggests that a high degree of integration between supply chain members is essential to achieve superior market and financial performance. This study investigates the potential benefits from adopting supply chain quality management practices, focusing specifically on quality measurement. A case-study was conducted to accomplish the objectives of the research. An exemplary wood products supply chain was studied in great detail. The current state was compared with best practices, as reported in the literature. Supply chain quality metrics were used to assess current performance and a simulation model was developed to estimate the impact of changes in significant factors affecting quality, such as production volume, on the supply chain's quality performance. Quality measurement practices in the supply chain of study are described in detail in this dissertation. A high degree of internal integration was observed in the focal company, attributed in great part to the leadership of management, which formulates comprehensive quality planning, specifying quality measurement practices and goals. These practices provide the company with a competitive advantage, and have undoubtedly contributed to its relatively strong market share and financial performance. Significant improvements in defect rate and on-time performance at all levels in the supply chain have been achieved in great part thanks to current initiatives. There is room for improvement, however, regarding external integration; the supply chain of study could benefit from more information sharing with its external suppliers and increasing its supplier development efforts. There is also a lack of true measures of supply chain quality performance that could facilitate tracing variances back to their origin upstream the supply chain. Supply chain metrics must reflect the contribution of each supply chain member to the overall performance, and span the entire supply chain. This is the first study that looks in depth at quality measurement practices from a supply chain perspective. It is also one of very few studies of supply chain management applied to the wood products industry. Examples are presented of how a supply chain performance measurement system can be developed. Results from this research show that it is important to adopt a supply chain perspective when designing a performance measurement system, not least to avoid sub-optimization. Poor quality at any point in the supply chain eventually translates into higher prices for the final customer, is detrimental to customer dissatisfaction, and hurts profitability; with the end result of declining competitiveness of the entire system. / Ph. D.

The Global Supply Chain Forum (Stanford Global Supply Chain Forum Web Resource, http://www.stanford.edu/groups/scforum) defines supply chain management (SCM) as “Supply chain management is the integration of key business processes from end user through original suppliers that provides products, services and information that add value for customer and other stakeholders.” The rapid development of the Internet has dramatically changed the traditional definitions of manufacturer, suppliers and customers. Newer approaches to supply chain management attempt to organize the supply chain as a network of cooperating intelligent agents, each performing one or more supply chain functions and each coordinating actions with one another. This research is aimed at creating a viable model of a single manufacturer single supplier collaborative supply chain system using a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) system. The research further uses known inventory performance parameters to performance benchmark the VMI system with traditional push-pull systems, develop a collaborative forecasting spreadsheet solution and a best alternative ordering policy amongst EOQ, Monthly, JIT and VMI policies under known lead time and a variety of demand distribution functions. / Master of Science

Höganäs AB's current distribution network for iron powder in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region is subject to high costs incurred by large inventories and high cost of capital. As a result of increasing demand and service level requirements from customers, inventories have steadily increased. Keeping a high inventory level has enabled high service levels irrespective of supply disruptions or changes in demand. It is important that the distribution network incorporates a balance between robustness and cost efficiency and not only focuses on one of these aspects. The purpose of this project is to provide Höganäs AB with scientific data on how the distribution network can be improved in terms of lowering the total cost of warehousing and distribution while maintaining or improving customer service. There are several goals for this project. The first goal is to optimize the flow of material in the distribution network given empirical data of customer demand. The intended model is a linear program. The linear program will solve a multi echelon, period, product, location and transportation mode instance of the distribution network design problem. The second goal is to test the robustness of the optimal solutions resulting from the linear program by stochastic simulation. The simulations utilize the optimal network designs generated by the linear program and is done for a set of possible scenarios where key parameters are changed. By adjusting key parameters and measuring the effect on cost and service level, the goal is to evaluate the robustness of each configuration. By keeping the existing nodes of the distribution network and changing the flow of material and distribution strategy, lower inventories can be maintained and service level kept high regardless of demand growth and supply disruption. The optimal distribution network design is one from the linear program, configured with a 14 day inventory level and 10 day reorder point for warehouses. The optimal design shows that distribution is made more robust and efficient by allowing for distribution between warehouses or supplying customers normally affiliated with other warehouses. It also suggests that a central redistribution warehouse is a possible improvement to the current network design. / Höganäs AB's nuvarande distributionsnätverket for järnpulver i Asien-Stillahavsregionen (APAC) är kostsamt till följd av höga lagernivåer och kapitalkostnader. Ökande efterfrågan och krav på hög servicenivå har inneburit en stadig ökning av lagernivåerna, vilket möjliggjort för företaget att upprätthålla servicenivån oberoende av störningar i leveranskedjan eller förändringar i efterfrågan. Det är viktigt att distributionsnätverket är balanserat avseende stabilitet och kostnadseffektivitet och inte endast optimeras avseende en av faktorerna. Syftet med projektet är förse Höganäs AB vetenskapligt understödd information om hur den totala kostnaden för distributionsnätverket kan sänkas samtidigt som kundservicen upprätthålls eller förbättras. Det finns flera mål för projektet. Det första målet är att optimera materialflödet i distributionsnätverket givet empiriska data över efterfrågan. Den avsedda modellen är ett linjärprogram som löser en instans av distributionsnätverkverksdesign-problemet med multipla lager, perioder, produkter, lokaliseringar och transportsätt. Det andra målet är att utvärdera stabiliteten hos de optimala lösningar som härrör från linjärprogrammet genom stokastisk simulering. Simuleringarna använder de optimala nätverksdesigner som genereras av det linjärprogrammet och genomförs för en uppsättning möjliga scenarier där nyckelparametrar ändras. Genom att justera nyckelparametrar och mäta effekten på kostnad och servicenivå är målet att utvärdera stabiliteten för varje konfiguration. Genom att behålla de befintliga noderna i distributionsnätverket och ändra materialflödet samt distributionsstrategin kan lägre lagernivåer uppnås och servicenivån hålls hög oavsett förändrad efterfrågan och störningar i leveranskedjan. Den optimala distributionsnätverkverksdesignen är en lösning från linjärprogrammet konfigurerat med 14 dagars lagernivå och 10 dagars beställningspunkt. Den optimala designen visar att distributionen görs mer stabil och effektiv genom att tillåta leveranser mellan lagerpunkterna eller att försörja kunder från andra lagerpunkter än de normalt försörjs från. Resultatet påvisar också att en strategiskt placerad omlastningscentral kan förbättra det nuvarande distributionsnätverket.

Denna fallstudie som utförts på energibolaget Öresundskraft AB undersöker sambandet mellan effektivisering av arbetsgrupper och företagsprestationer. En nyckeltalsanalys, en korrelationsanalys och en intervjustudie gjordes på Öresundskraft, tillsammans med en jämförelse med andra energibolag. När Öresundskrafts arbetsgrupper blev effektivare ökade lönsamheten på kort sikt, de fick fler och nöjdare kunder, kostnaderna minskade och personalen blev effektivare och mer välmående. Dessutom ökade flexibiliteten och öppenheten för förändring, en aspekt som är särskilt relevant för företag eller branscher som står inför förändring. Resultat från denna studie kan användas av företag som vill förbättra den interna effektiviteten och öka sina prestationer. / This case study at the energy company Öresundskraft AB studies the relationship between group efficiency and business performance. An analyzation of key performance indicators, a correlation study and interviews was conducted at Öresundskraft, as well as a comparision to other energy companies. As the teams became more efficient, Öresundskraft’s short time profitability increased, they got more customers and the customers became more satisfied, Öresundskraft also increased internal efficiency and decreased expenses. The employees became happier, more flexible and more open to changes, which is relevant especially to companies that face an instable future. The results from this study are useful to companies that want to improve their internal efficiency and increase their performance.

No / Purpose - To present a complete and comprehensive model by which business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce transactions for sales and purchases between organisations may be categorised. Design/methodology/approach - Literature from the e-commerce and operations management fields was studied, and the findings were synthesised to develop a preliminary conceptual model of B2B interaction. The conceptual model was tested empirically using a qualitative research procedure involving focus groups. From this, its structure and content were validated and refined. Findings - The research found that the developed model, incorporating nine exclusive e-commerce trading scenarios, covers all B2B selling and purchase transactions, which suggests that it is comprehensive. It further found that trading occurs in each of the nine scenarios within the model, thus suggesting that it is complete. These findings support the conclusion that the model represents a valid taxonomy for the classification of B2B e-commerce transactions. Research limitations/implications - Although the literature findings are international, the empirical study was restricted to the UK. The model has been validated through this research, and now provides a framework by which the mechanisms of B2B trade may be further investigated. Practical implications - The model allows commercial organisations and researchers to recognise and understand the complexity and multiple dimensions of e-commerce use for B2B sales and purchases. It provides a framework onto which individual trading scenarios may be mapped. The framework offers guidance to operations and supply chain managers in organisations as to the most appropriate approach to adopt in particular e-commerce implementation projects and supply chain transactions. Originality/value - This paper furthers knowledge in the areas of e-commerce and operations management by proposing a new model of B2B interaction. This provides a comprehensive means of classifying all available transaction types, the characteristics of these and the likely technology used within them. It offers the ability, systematically, to identify, map and understand all available B2B e-commerce trading mechanisms.

No / Supply chain management (SCM) as one of the important research topics plays a major role in performance of organizations/stakeholders operating as the supply chain tiers. Many studies have been published to find the best theory and strategy, which can be applied to each industry or market. SCM is still a developing field and there are still gaps in understanding what its design strategies and boundaries are. There are two major modes of managing supply chain (i) lean supply chain which emphasize supply chain efficiency and (ii) agile supply chains which emphasize supply chain responsiveness and flexibility. This chapter reviews two modes of lean and agile supply chain in Information Technology (IT) distribution field in the emerging markets in the Middle East. The chapter presents key characteristics of lean and agile supply chains in IT industry. It investigates how a suitable supply chain policy can be adopted by IT hardware and services distributors in the Middle East through a case study. Is it a lean supply chain policy which emphasizes efficiency? Or is it an agile supply chain policy which emphasizes responsiveness and flexibility? Or is it an integrated lean-agile policy based on specific activities aimed at specific results? The chapter discusses leanness and agility with a focus on the main activities carried out by IT distributors that include orders processing, professional services, inventory and logistic services. IT industry has been characterized by continuous and rapid market and customer requirements changes. These changes are applicable on all IT products/services such as networking, information security, software, service support, smart phones, IP telephony, CCTV, wireless…etc. Therefore, in IT industry, both manufacturing and service operation should be included in planning processes across its supply chain. The primary data was acquired through specifically designed interviews. The questions were based on the core factors investigated in the literature of operation management, strategic management and marketing related to IT supply chain. The core factors, which are found critical are customer satisfaction, process management, inventory levels, capabilities and services provided, are explored and analyzed through a case study in the Middle East.

Yes / Purpose The research study aims to investigate green supply chain management (GSCM) elements as part of a complete system. It aims to understand the special properties of the GSCM system under the moderating effects of product complexity and purchasing structure. Design/methodology/approach A thorough literature review led to the building of the conceptual framework. Six constructs were identified using systems theory. These constructs include green supply chain technological dimensions (particularly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based), green supply chain strategy, green supply chain process, product complexity, purchasing structure, and firm performance. The instrument was scientifically developed for gathering survey responses using complete design test methods. The conceptual model was eventually tested based on survey data collected from 250 automotive components and allied manufacturers in the emerging economy of South Africa. Findings The results indicate that GSCM technological dimensions (AI-based) positively influence GSCM strategy. Further, GSCM strategy was found to positively influence the GSCM process. The GSCM processes have significant effects on environmental performance, social performance, and financial performance. The product complexity has a significant moderation effect on the paths GSCM strategy and GSCM process. Originality/value The findings from multivariate data analysis provide a better understanding of GSCM system dynamics and are helpful to key decision-makers. This unique model has elevated GSCM theory to a new level. There are limited studies available in the existing GSCM literature using systems theory. This study will offer an advanced/comprehensive understanding to readers in this relatively new concept.