One strategy for dealing with the increasing problem of cross‐border movement is to involve third‐party specialists. Reports on an investigation of third‐party use in maquiladora or twin‐plant logistics across the US‐Mexico border. A mail survey of 250 companies operating in the El...

Increasing competitive parity in the areas of cost and quality has forced global manufacturers to seek other sources of competitive advantage with new product development rapidly becoming the focal point in the quest for sustained growth and profitability. The essence of today′s new product...

The field of environmental restoration is unique and highly complex. The purchasing function will be responsible for acquiring the restoration services for much of America′s estimated $500 billion clean‐up. Examines the specific characteristics of these projects and discusses how the unique...

Reports on the status of electronic data interchange (EDI) usage by motor carrier firms in 1994. The same methodology was employed as in a similar study conducted in 1991, thereby permitting a comparison of practice between these two time periods. The results indicate that a umber of changes...

Discusses a survey which was administered to a group of manufacturers wherein they were asked to evaluate the performance of their domestic and international distributors. These evaluations were then compared to ascertain potential problem areas for international distributors and those...

Total cost of ownership is a methodology and philosophy which looks beyond the price of a purchase to include many other purchaserelated costs. This approach has become increasingly important as organizations look for ways to better understand and manage their costs. Examines case studies of 11...

Presents results of a survey on supplier development. Surveys were mailed to a random sample of 1,504 NAPM members. The sample was split into two groups depending on how respondents judged the results of their supplier development effort, either exceeding or falling short of expectations. The...

The Japanese distribution system is often accused of being inefficient and responsible for high consumer prices. Discusses some critical dimensions that make distribution appear to be less efficient in Japan than the US. An empirical study compares distribution costs at all levels of the channel...

Discusses analysis of the organizational structures utilized to conduct international purchasing activities which was undertaken at 24 multinational corporations. The majority of the corporations studied had decentral‐ ized purchasing organizations and all had corporate purchasing staffs. Four...