Improving competitive advantage to the first‐tier echelon of automotive supply chains is enabled via the requirement for transparent information flows in both the order‐generating and order fulfilment channels. However, four generic areas are identified which are barriers to improving...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use a systems lens to assess the comparative performance of healthcare supply chains and provide guidance for their improvement. Design/methodology/approach – A well-established and rigorous multi-method audit methodology, based on the uncertainty...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the uptake of supply chain integration (SCI) principles internationally and the resultant integration maturity. Design/methodology/approach – A rigorous supply chain diagnostics methodology called the Quick Scan is used to assess the...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the appropriateness of using the 12 previously published material flow simplicity rules (SRs) to shape the successful design and implementation of improvements in a casting company product delivery process (PDP). Design/methodology/approach –...

Introduces a supply chain “health check” procedure successfully applied in the European automotive sector and presents the results for the analysis of 20 trans‐European value streams covering a wide range of first and second tier suppliers. The health check procedure is activated via a...

From the arguably poor platforms described by the Egan, Latham, and Royal Academy of Engineering reports on the construction sector, there is now evidence that the supply chain revolution experienced over the last decade in the electronics products and automotive sectors is impacting on...

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an answer to the important question of how can accurate assessment of supply chain practice and performance be conducted? By conducting audits across a sample of value streams it is thereby possible to identify the components of “good practice” via...

Purpose – This paper aims to present a supply chain performance assessment tool that measures the performance of key supply chain activities of a firm under different performance dimensions. Design/methodology/approach – The tool was developed based on an extensive literature review. The...

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse available multimodal transport route variations for iron ore shipments from northwest Australia to northeast China, focusing on a major iron and steel manufacturer. Design/methodology/approach – The research is focused on a case study and uses an...

Purpose – In a growing number of competitive sectors with closed‐loop supply chains, the reverse component has become an inherent part of the business, not to mention a core competence; hence the need to have performance measures that can be used to provide an accurate diagnosis of the state...