Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / Performance measurement of supply chain in the healthcare environment has presented with a number of challenges, and studies exist to confirm this. These problems include rising costs, excessive demands, shortage of supply, and escalating level of customer dissatisfaction are the true reflection of supply chain issues faced by the hospitals. This study aims to find out an effective solution to measure supply chain performance within a hospital in Cape Town. The relation among trust, SCM/IT integration, firm’s performance, and knowledge exchange were investigated. A mixed research method (both qualitative and quantitative) was conducted involving five managers and 80 employees from the hospital. A number of interviews and a close-ended questionnaire were used for data collection. Content analysis was used for qualitative data and the descriptive results were generated through SPSS V25. Hospital and healthcare environment have been used interchangeable in this study. The research findings showed that trust levels between the hospital and its suppliers has no direct impact on supplier integration, but that its influence is interceded by knowledge exchange. Knowledge exchange plays an important role in influencing supply chain performance in the hospital. IT integration and knowledge exchange have a positive impact on hospital–supplier logistical integration between the hospital and its suppliers. In addition, knowledge sharing in supply chain may subsequently build strong relationships among SCM partners and may automatically influence hospital performance. This study recommended that the hospital should develop an approach that facilitates the dynamics of the hospital in order to manage the buyer-supplier relationship. Further research can be done on factors that contribute to buyer/supplier trust development in the healthcare environment.

The research develops a framework for the evaluation of automotive supply chain performance in China. In addition, the research presents indications from a study of Chinese automotive companies with regards to their evaluation and attempts to propose some alternatives for future improvement.

The coordination of all supply chain members has become a crucial issue in ensuring the success of supply chain management. The streamline of the inter-organizational coordination such as material flow/distribution, information flow/exchange, and product planning/development are required to facilitate the efficient operation of supply chain. To further sustain the competitive edge (e.g.,time-to-market) of a supply chain, the coordination mechanism has become an emerging research issue in current supply chain management. This study looks into a cause model of the information sharing of supply chain members.The impact of trust and commitment on information sharing mechanism is then examined. The data from 122 senior managers participating in Supply Chain Management activeities were collected and empirically tested. The results show that the trust is significantly impact on the quality of information sharing in e-business supply chain. The member¡¦s long-term commitment also affects the dedicated partner-based process of supply chain management. Moreover, the dedicated partner-based processes will effectively reduce the supply chain uncertainty and high quality information improves significantly the operation efficiency between supply chain enterprises.

This thesis summarises research focused on the requisites required to implement improvement initiatives successfully. Processes used to enhance supply chain performance initiatives are examined. The core hypothesis is that a preconditioning programme provides support for progressive organisations, irrespective of size or position in the supply chain. An interpretation matrix developed as a result of action research with M E Ltd was tested with NP Ltd and its suppliers. During search conferences the matrix was found to add value by serving as a common platform to record then compare observations and agree a common understanding between participants. Based on qualitative descriptions of training and learning in organisations from the 1950s to the 1970s, Barrington's model has three levels: 'systematic approach' predominating in the 1950s, 'appraisal approach' developed extensively in the 1960s and an 'attitude to continuous improvement' that was promoted after the 1970s fuel crises. This model was used as the basis for selecting collaborating establishments. The literature review concludes that conventional supplier development has the attributes of the systematic approach, which is considered the least effective level. M E Ltd was considering introducing appraisal, had few attributes of the systematic approach, and had an attitude for continuous improvement. A company specific survey was undertaken that led to a series of remedial actions which were identified as a preconditioning programme prior to supplier development. NP Ltd selected leaders by attitude, had institutionalised appraisals and once the core group was established, trained employees with systematic techniques. AAP Ltd had the attitude and systematic techniques, yet did not have appraisal systems. Principal conclusions of this are: · These case studies suggest companies can have any two of Barrington's levels. As a result, an alternate depiction of Barrington’s model is suggested. · The cases indicate that preconditioning can occur within a company, from customer to suppliers and from suppliers to customer. · The cases suggest product development roadmap stability as a root cause for negative effects to the relationship between customer and supplier.

Abstract Supply chain performance measurement – the process of qualifying the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain. The aim of this study is to create a supply chain measurement framework for manufacturing industry, define what data should be measured and verify the measurement framework in the case company's supply chain. The research approach is hermeneutic and the research was a qualitative, constructive single case study research. The case company operates in the steel industry and provides prefabricated products for customers. The case supply chain was defined to be one supply chain in a plant where prefabricated products are produced. There is a review of the current understanding of supply chain management and literature related to supply chain performance measurement and the study creates a framework for supply chain measurement. This study presents the main theory framework of supply chain performance measurement. The key elements for the measurement framework were defined as time, profitability, order book analysis and managerial analysis. The measurement framework is tested by measuring case supply chain performance. The measurement framework is a valid framework for supply chain performance measurement in manufacturing industry. It is stated that supply chain performance measurement is extremely important in developing supply chain. The measurement framework in this study offers guidelines for measuring the supply chain in manufacturing industry but the measurement framework could be used in different areas of industry as well.

Background: Sustainable Supply Chain Performance Measurement (SSCPM) and management are pivotal processes for any organisation to ensure the attainment of strategic intent. Large enterprises have been successful with the implementation of SSCPM. One of the reasons is that their motives and attitudes are consistent with SSCPM that yield sustainable returns. First, large companies usually have shareholders who are not the management of these companies. This means the management of the company is held accountable for adopting practices that create sustainable shareholder value. As such, management's attitudes to issues such as SSCPM tend to be positive because of the implications on the bottom-line of the firm. Consequently, management's behaviour is one of quick and comprehensive adoption of any practices that support the creation of sustainable shareholder value, and that includes SSCPM. Second, large companies tend to be in the spotlight when it comes to anything that can go wrong. Finally, these companies are also under pressure from their global suppliers and customers, who may want SSCPMs to be embedded in their operations as a condition for doing business with them. We can therefore conclude that there are three aspects associated with the adoption of SSCPM by large companies, namely motivation, attitude, and behaviour. What is not clear is whether the same aspects of motivation, attitude and behaviours operate in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This study focuses on three types of SMEs, namely necessity, opportunity, and legacy, as they relate to motives. Given the differences in ownership, management, and scope of operations between large companies and SMEs, do motives, attitudes and behavioural variables operate within SMEs in the context of the adoption of SSCPM? We do not seem to have enough research to answer this question. Therefore, this study seeks to understand how entrepreneurial motivation, attitude, and behaviour influence SSCPM in manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, SMEs, particularly in developing contexts, are still lagging behind with sustainability integration in their Supply Chain Management (SCM). While much is said about SMEs, there is less concern for integrated systems, SCM practices and their future. There is a dearth of research on how entrepreneurial motives, attitudes and behaviour influence these performance measurements by SMEs. Methodology: The researcher's purpose in this study was to observe reality as it existed to maintain an objectivity which is devoid of value judgements. This objectivity resonates with the researcher's philosophical view which lends itself to a functionalist paradigm. Quantitative data were collected through a survey of manufacturing SMEs on entrepreneurial motives, attitudes, and behaviour towards SSCPM. The survey was directly administered to approximately 566 manufacturing SMEs, of which 211 completed questionnaires were received. The data were analysed through Partial Least Square-structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: Opportunity-motivated entrepreneurs depict a positive attitude towards the adoption and implementation of SSCPM in their SCM. These SMEs are formed and run by professionals and experienced individuals who desire to grow their businesses. Legacy-motivated entrepreneurs do not show any attitudinal disposition towards SSCPM. As they are familyowned and run businesses that span many generations, legacy-entrepreneurs are likely to adopt the inherited culture in their practices. Necessity-entrepreneurs have a positive attitude towards SSCPM with a predominant focus on economic sustainability. They are mostly pushed into business by the need to survive and this makes them focus mostly on that which enables them to generate revenue while avoiding anything that entails having to invest in other areas. For instance, necessity-motivated entrepreneurs have a negative attitude towards environmental and social sustainability. The only time they begin to embrace it is when there are other forces around such as institutional pressures or resources that will directly affect their attitude towards SSCPM. The results reveal that institutional isomorphic patterns and resources impact in varying degrees on the SMEs' adoption and implementation of SSCPM. Government policies or coercive isomorphic pressures are generally weak about enforcing SSCPM at SMEs. For instance, limited resources hinder SMEs' willingness and ability to adopt and implement SSCPM practices in line with government policies. Limited resources therefore make the impact of government policies on the adoption and implementation of SSCPM at SMEs ineffective. The results showed that normative isomorphic pressures were major enablers of the adoption and implementation of SSCPM at SMEs. These normative pressures were mostly inflicted by large corporate customers who demanded that SMEs complied with sustainable sourcing and production. Mimetic isomorphic pressures come into play because of the need for all SMEs to attain economic sustainability. Resources are a major enabler for the adoption of environmental and social SSCPM while both the institution and resources shape the attitude of SMEs in a significant way towards sustainable developments. Lack of resources leads to a negative attitude to sustainability endeavours. Theoretical contribution: The study has contributed to sustainability literature, the interface among entrepreneurial motives, attitudes, and behaviour linkages with SSCPM. To the best of the researcher's knowledge this perspective has not been explored in either SCM or Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM). Many frameworks in SCM focus on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) from a measurement perspective. The framework created in this study interfaces SSCM with entrepreneurial motives, attitudes and behaviour in the adoption of SSCPM at manufacturing SMEs. It further places the application of theory (Institutional and Resource Based View Theories) in a new empirical situation; more importantly, confirming the inability of coercive pressures to be placed on the adoption of environmental and social sustainability while re-enforcing the impact of normative pressures on the uptake of SSCPM. The SMEs' entrepreneurial attitude towards environmental and social sustainability is predominantly negative without institutional isomorphic pressures and the direct impact of resources on their attitude towards SSCPM. The analysis methodology adopted in this study reveals the shortcomings of Cronbach Alpha, which is rarely, if not always, silent in the social sciences. Cronbach Alpha does not only measure internal reliability, but it is also a test of length. If Cronbach is used to test internal consistency where the items are few, the tau-equivalence is immediately violated and that decreases reliability. However, if the number of items in a scale are more, reliability increases. Researchers in the social sciences, particularly SCM researchers, ought to know about this revelation. Practical Implications: These results will assist governments to find strategies to support entrepreneurs that are intrinsically motivated towards adopting sustainable integration practices. Governments may also embark on a customer awareness programme to enforce the taking up of sustainability practices in organisations while also exerting pressure on entrepreneurs who exhibit a negative attitude towards SSCPM. This strategy will go a long way towards adopting sustainable integration practices. Normative pressures from large customers have been identified as major players in enforcing SSCM at manufacturing SMEs. Big corporations may partner with SME suppliers to assist and guide them through compliance and taking the necessary steps to achieve sustainability integration. Collaboration among SMEs may help mitigate resource constraints to adopting sustainability practices as this may enable collaborative efforts in assisting themselves to reach their SSCM goals. Practitioners may also provide training and development programmes on SSCM for manufacturing SMEs. These training programmes should be conducted at no cost (through government funding) with manufacturing SMEs to achieve a wider impact on sustainability advancement. SMEs are central to economic growth, hence providing support, mentoring, and coaching on SSCPM which may go a long way towards strengthening the sector. Government may fund special projects that address SDG 12 and bring about collaboration between international and local buyers to guide the process in these SMEs. This research provides a platform for SME development and the enhancement of the community. SMEs may engage with community activists and NGOs on how to create sustainable relationships that last longer than expected. Development communities ranging from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), among others, may form partnerships with developing countries' governments specifically to address SSCM at manufacturing SMEs. For instance, AGOA may extend primary access to United States' (US) markets by adding sustainability support on export apparel to manufacturing firms in listed countries. The World Bank could direct resource support with clear accountability measures to developing countries on manufacturing SSCM-integration, while USAID may have ambassadors/directors in various countries to oversee its dedicated support for sustainable production in the developing contexts.

M. Tech. (Logistics, Faculty of Management Sciences) Vaal University of Technology| / The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of knowledge-sharing, business strategy alignment and long-term relationship orientation on supply chain performance in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. Particularly, the study sought to examine the hypothesis in the context of SME buyers and their suppliers. SMEs are particularly relevant to both developed and developing countries. In South Africa, SMEs are perceived to be an engine for growth for both the economy and the community. As such, the study sought to investigate underlying variables that influence the supply chain performance of SMEs for the purpose of identifying ways in which the Sector can improve performance. A conceptual model was developed, drawing from the theory of relational cohesion. Small and Medium Enterprises in the province of Gauteng, South Africa formed the population of the study. Essentially, the predicting roles of knowledge-sharing and business strategy alignment on the supply chain performance of SMEs were evaluated. Furthermore the mediating role of long-term relationship orientation was examined. A survey was conducted in the cities of Johannesburg, Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark and research data was collected from 341 SMEs. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22 was employed to analyse data as well as Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 22 where Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was undertaken. The results revealed that the research constructs knowledge-sharing, business strategy alignment and long-term relationship orientation influence supply chain performance in a positive way. The findings realized will contribute to the existing body of buyer-supplier relationships literature and increase our knowledge in the field. Pragmatic implications are provided based on the findings as well as recommendations and avenues for future research.

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>

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