Predicts that in the decade ahead, the purchasing function will have to shed its service and operational perspective and take on the challenge of effective contribution to organizational goals and strategies. Describes how, in this evolution, the make or buy decision and increasing reliance on...

Examines the interorganizational alliance of a buyer and supplier with the expressed objective of improving the quality of existing purchased parts. Supplier quality can be improved through the implementation of various programmes such as statistical process control (SPC). Supplier quality...

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...

Purpose Interest in reverse logistics (RL) as a critical component of supply chain management (SCM) is gaining more traction with both practitioners and academics. Because of RL’s growing strategic importance, it is imperative to conduct a timely and comprehensive literature review and to...

The results from a survey of top retailing executives regarding current logistics practices and trends are described. The focus is on customer service factors, the use of a supply chain management approach in retailing channels, and the impact of information technology on retail logistics today...

Purpose – To develop and propose a framework, termed here as the value package prism, for assessing the kinds of management processes and flexibility available in providing a range of value packages (services and goods offering mix). Design/methodology/approach – The literature is examined...

In this exploration of formal international purchasing alliances, a broad overview of why firms become involved in international purchasing alliances is developed. Then, using a data base developed based on formalized international alliance activity reported in The Wall Street Journal ,...

The Supply Chain Management (SCM) concept has received much attention as a method for achieving improved customer service, better inventory management, and better overall channel management. Keiretsu, a type of Japanese business network shares many of the goals of SCM, yet is implemented much...

The concepts of a supply chain and supply chain management are receiving increased attention as means of becoming or remaining competitive in a globally challenging environment. What distinguishes supply chain management from other channel relationships? This paper presents a framework for...