Journal of Enterprise Resource Management

3rd Quarter 2001; Volume 7

Toward an Understanding of Supply Chain Management - The National Contract Management Association & the NCMA 200 Education Seminars Series, USA

Developing the Concept of Supply Strategy - Christine M. Harland, Richard C. Lamming and Paul D. Cousins, UK

Achieving Enterprise Globalisation the R.I.G.H.T. Way - Phillip G. Perkins and Deborah New Lowry, USA

Measuring Supply Chain Performance - Benita M. Beamon, USA

Integrating Market, Technology and Policy Opportunities in e-Business Strategy - S. L. Jarvenpaa and E. H. Tiller, USA

Organisational Longevity and Technological Change - Terence C. Krell, USA

Solving Impossible Problems Using the Shainin Approach - Peter J. Fisher and Greg Knight, Australia

Effects of a Green Purchasing Strategy: the case of Belfast City Council - J. Gordon Murray, Nothern Ireland

Toward an Understanding of Supply Chain Management
Abstract
The article examines numerous definitions of supply chain management encountered in contemporary literature. Supply chain management is an evolving concept, and, like just-in-time a decade before it, represents a collection of management philosophies rather than any one approach. Furthermore, as it is an emerging concept, no commonly agreed- upon working definition of supply chain management exists upon which many can agree. This lack of agreement poses a dilemma to those seeking to better understand the concept. Ultimately, this problem with the definition can thwart both strategic and tactical implementation of supply chain management programs. This analysis examines various definitions offered for supply chain management in recent literature and at academic and practitioner conferences, and offers a useful perspective on the concept, which encourages greater clarity and understanding.

Developing the Concept of Supply Strategy
Abstract
The article proposes a conceptualisation for supply strategy - an explanation for how organizations arrange and conduct themselves within modern economic environments, in order to satisfy markets in the long and short terms. After an explanation of the emerging global environment within which organizations must complete, the previous approaches to explaining this area of business are explored and found to be insufficient for the new context. There follows a conceptualisation and an account of new, supporting research - a Delphi survey, conducted to test, extend and validate some of the features of the concept. Finally, some suggestions are made for the further development of supply strategy as a useful area for managers and researches.

Measuring Supply Chain Performance
Abstract
The process of choosing appropriate supply chain performance measures is difficult due to the complexity of these systems. The paper presents an overview and evaluation of the performance measures used in supply chain models and also presents a framework for the selection of performance measurement systems fir manufacturing supply chains. Three types of performance measures are identified as necessary components in any supply chain performance measurement system, and new flexibility measures for supply chains are developed.

Integrating Market, Technology and Policy Opportunities in e-Business Strategy
Abstract
This article is a call to arms for electronic business managers and researchers to increase their attention to the emerging "policy" frontiers and employ theories and methods integrating policy with market and technology issues. The e-business environment is growing more complex - not just economically, but socially, politically and legally - and firms must manage this complexity in their environment. In many e-business firms, there is a notable disdain toward emerging policy developments or even a mind set that e-business is beyond emerging social conventions, politics and the law( or at least beyond the reach of regulators). In the emerging global policy landscape, few firms can afford this hands-off attitude toward policy and maintain their chance of survival. E-business firms must integrate their policy strategies with their technology and market strategies. We outline five broad questions for researchers to help e-business firms address the interdependent challenges of market, technology and policy environments.

Organisational Longevity and Technological Change
Abstract
Serves as an introduction to the special issue on organisational longevity published in the Journal of Organisational Change Management. The issues of researching and writing about organisational longevity are described and the content of the special issue related to a theoretical perspective that focuses on the nature of technological, environmental and cultural change.

Solving Impossible Problems Using the Shainin Approach
Abstract
The low hanging fruit of quality improvement has been harvested, yet every year companies lose thousands and often millions of dollars "unseen" because processes are still running below optimum. These losses are "unseen" because the problems are so entrenched that it is assumed that no further solutions are possible, and " it is simply the way things are."

Design of Experiments offers an approach to such problems. But experimental design is traditionally thought to be the domain of statisticians or the rare technologist who could grasp the concepts.

Our experience has shown otherwise. The Shainin approach of combining simple clue generation processes, simple statistical tools, and the involvement of people achieves starting results without the use of complex tools.

The Shainin approach also demands management drives the process firstly by challenging the acceptance of these "unseen" entrenched losses, then reinforcing the need to totally understand what is happening in the process, to "talk to the parts" rather than rely on opinions, and to apply the disciplined thinking that the Shainin tools introduce.

This paper presents the authors' experiences applying the Shainin tools to industrial problem solving. The Shainin tools are reviewed, and several Australian examples provided of how management and teams have achieved a real quantum leap in process knowledge - and solved the "impossible" problems.

Case Study: Effects of a Green Purchasing Strategy: the case of Belfast City Council.
Abstract
Green purchasing has seen an increase of attention from researchers but as yet few case studies are available. The responsibility being placed on local councils to consider not only the economic but also social and environmental impacts sets a new agenda. Both these changes suggest a new role for local government purchasing, one which embraces "greening". This paper outlines the green purchasing strategy adopted by Belfast City Council set against a local government background. The case demonstrates an integrated approach to achieving objectives relating to local economic development, environment and purchasing.