CERES :: Browsing by Author "Christopher, Martin"

Browsing by Author "Christopher, Martin"

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Open Access
The Agile Supply Chain: Competing in Volatile Markets.
(Elsevier, 2000-01) Christopher, Martin
Turbulent and volatile markets are becoming the norm as life cycles shorten and global economic and competitive forces create additional uncertainty. The risk attached to lengthy and slow-moving logistics “pipelines” has become unsustainable, forcing organizations to look again at how their supply chains are structured and managed. This paper suggests that the key to survival in these changed conditions is through “agility,” in particular by the creation of responsive supply chains. A distinction is drawn between the philosophies of “leanness” and “agility,” and the appropriate application of these ideas is discussed.
Open Access
Assessing the costs of logistics service
(1987) Christopher, Martin
Open Access
Building the resilient supply chain.
(MCB UP Ltd/Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2004) Christopher, Martin; Peck, Helen
In today’s uncertain and turbulent markets, supply chain vulnerability has become an issue of significance for many companies. As supply chains become more complex as a result of global sourcing and the continued trend to ‘leaning-down’, supply chain risk increases. The challenge to business today is to manage and mitigate that risk through creating more resilient supply chains.
Open Access
Comparative analysis of military and commercial logistics: present and future possibilities for the transfer of principles and practices
(1999-09) Ostrowski, Silverio Leonard; Christopher, Martin
Throughout time, comparisons have always been made between the management ms V the public and private sectors (nowadays the voluntary sector too, is included in these comparisons). However, the management of the defence element within the public sector, has generally been considered so diverse from private enterprise, that it escaped rigorous academic attention until about the beginning of this century. Considered even less attractive to academic research, has been the comparison of defence logistics to commercial logistics, the latter being very young, when compared to the former. Defence/military logistics has been developing, in its practical sense, ever since one tribe/community had a fracas with a neighbouring tribe/community, through continental conflicts between states/nations, to intercontinental wars. Although serious academic attention has been paid to commercial logistics for about the last 40 years, the theory of it is very much in its infancy and is still being developed. The time has come for the logistics in these two sectors to share their knowledge/‘know how’, so that the learning of each sector is not lost, but transferred, if applicable, to the mutual benefit of each. From an inquiring exploratory comparison of the logistics in both the defence and business sectors, this thesis builds a foundation that branches out to a secondary research, which is the historical evolution of the two, and it discovers that they both followed the same evolutionary stages/patterns in their developments, but at different times, and, in general, they have a pattern of convergence. In 1970, Rider developed a tabulated comparative model of the two logistics from his research question “What is logistics?” Whilst Rider found some differences between military and business logistics, this thesis revisits and re-examines his table in the light of modem day data, and finds that the two logistics have converged further since his research. For the core research of this thesis, two hypotheses were generated: (i) a research null hypothesis of “there is no fundamental difference between military and commercial logistics”; and (ii) from the literature searches/surveys and the historical evolution work, a constructed quadramorphic ‘types of logistics’ model formed the platform for a predictive hypothesis that “the logistics in the two sectors use all the four types contained in the model”. The methodology chosen for the primary research was the analysis of qualitative data collected mainly via case studies (a focus group and a Delphi approach were used too); 17 case studies in all were conducted. The outcome is that the two hypotheses are accepted, the first one with the proviso/caveat of “excluding rules of priority, mobile nodes, lack of electronic connectivity, and some designed-in inefficiencies”, as these were found to be prevalent only within the military. Another finding that proved noteworthy is the fact that both logistics, naturally, have the same variables, but the importance attached to the variables differs for each sector and for within different time periods. Here again, evidence of convergence, significantly in the latter years, was discovered, particularly in association with: reducing costs; time compression; tracking and traceability; availability; relationships; and the provision of service(s). One aspect that distinguished the two sectors was the fact that business uses much more computerisation and electronic data capture/collection and transmission, it functions via its connectivity', whereas the military - having more of a vertical integrated structure working through soldiers and their teamwork - functions via its contactivity. Two principal methodologies were employed in this research: the primary research used mainly live qualitative data collected chiefly by case studies; and the secondary research again used mainly qualitative data gathered from secondary sources via historiography. The outcome of the analyses of the two research types tended to confirm each other with a good degree of compatibility and agreement
Open Access
A complex system, agent based model for studying and improving the resilience of production and distribution networks
(Cranfield University, 2007-03) Datta, Partha Priya; Allen, Peter M.; Christopher, Martin
The very complexity and the extended reach of today’s globe-spanning supply chain networks, the low inventory levels and lack of redundancies required to achieve efficient operations expose businesses to a huge range of unexpected disruptions. This calls for building resilience in supply chains, which is not just recovery from the mishaps, but is a proactive, structured and integrated exploration of capabilities within the supply chain to resist and win against unforeseen happenings. Literature on supply chain and organisational resilience are informative in identifying resilience enhancing strategies and capabilities, but a detailed dynamic analysis of behaviour of the supply chain to understand the suitability of different resilience capabilities over time and under different scenarios is not carried out. The thesis addresses this gap by studying the internal decision making mechanisms, rules and control procedures through development of an agent-based model and its application to a paper tissue manufacturing supply chain. The model with a decentralised informational structure with informed and intelligent combination of push or pull type of replenishment strategy, flexibility, agility, redundancy and efficiency is found to enhance the resilience of the actual supply network in the face of large deviation of demand from forecasts. The effects of adopting several resilience improvement strategies in tandem or in isolation and the impact of applying different behavioural rules by different agents are studied in this thesis by carrying out numerical experimentation. The findings from the experiments suggest that, however flexible the resources are, however well-informed the different members are, however well-integrated the members are through coordination and communication, however wellequipped a supply chain is with mitigation and recovery capabilities the individual managerial judgements that can obtain a balance between various dimensions of performance (both global and local efficiency, quality and speed of responding to customer orders) and resilience (speedy reaction, maintaining buffers, flexibility in resource management) play the most important role in improving the resilience of the entire network. An important contribution of this thesis is to produce a conceptual framework for supply chain resilience. This framework is used to test the appropriateness of different resilience enhancement procedures. Another significant contribution of this thesis is to provide a theoretical template for further research in supply chain resilience. The template will guide development of effective procedures for managing different situations of uncertainty. By using complex systems modelling methods, such as multi-agent models described in the thesis, outcomes of the system under a significant range of possible agent behavioural rules and environmental events can be explored, and improved levels of functioning and of resilience can be found. Building such models as a means to understand and improve resilience of supply networks is a significant contribution.
Open Access
Creating agile supply chains in the fashion industry.
(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2004) Christopher, Martin; Lowson, Robert; Peck, Helen
Fashion markets are synonymous with rapid change and, as a result, commercial success or failure in those markets is largely determined by the organisation’s flexibility and responsiveness. Responsiveness is characterised by short time-to-market, the ability to scale up (or down) quickly and the rapid incorporation of consumer preferences into the design process. In this paper it is argued that conventional organisational structures and forecast-driven supply chains are not adequate to meet the challenges of volatile and turbulent demand which typify fashion markets today. Instead, the requirement is for the creation of an agile organisation embedded within an agile supply chain.
Open Access
Demand chain management-integrating marketing and supply chain management
(Elsevier, 2007-04) Jüttner, Uta; Christopher, Martin; Baker, Susan
This paper endorses demand chain management as a new business model aimed at creating value in today's marketplace, and combining the strengths of marketing and supply chain competencies. Demand chain design is based on a thorough market understanding and has to be managed in such a way as to effectively meet differing customer needs. Based on a literature review as well as the findings from a co-development workshop and focus group discussions with marketing and supply chain professionals, a conceptual foundation for demand chain management is proposed. Demand chain management involves (1) managing the integration between demand and supply processes; (2) managing the structure between the integrated processes and customer segments and (3) managing the working relationships between marketing and supply chain management. Propositions for the role of marketing within demand chain management and implications for further research in marketing are derived.
Open Access
Designing and managing multiple pipelines
(Council of Logisticts Management, 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z) Aitken, James; Childerhouse, Paul; Christopher, Martin; Towill, Denis R.
There is now a growing recognition that supply chains should be designed from ‘the customer backwards’ rather than from ‘the company outwards’. If such a view is accepted then the implication is that since the organisation will likely be serving multiple markets or segments there will be the need to design and manage multiple ‘pipelines’ to serve those different customers. To assist decision makers in their choice of appropriate supply chain design a framework is proposed based upon multiple criteria. A case study is presented which highlights the benefits of selecting, engineering and operating multiple pipelines tailored to the needs of the
Open Access
Developing Market Specific Supply Chain Strategies.
(MCB UP Ltd/Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2002) Christopher, Martin; Towill, Denis R.
The issues underlying the appropriate matching of pipelines to marketplace needs under conditions of demand volatility and price pressure are examined. The authors describe a scenario where the philosophy of “one size fits all” does not apply to pipeline design, implementation, and control. Research conducted by the authors and others is used to show how appropriate global supply chain strategies can be developed contingent upon market characteristics and which seek simultaneously to achieve higher levels of customer responsiveness at less total cost to the supply chain as a whole. The selection of the right strategy within a supply chain lends itself to a taxonomic approach. We find that three dimensions (leading to eight possible configurations) are adequate for this purpose. These key dimensions are product characteristics, demand characteristics and replenishment lead-time.
Open Access
Do not lean too far – evidence from the first decade.
(Inderscience, 2007) Towill, Denis R.; Christopher, Martin
Recent years have seen an increasing focus, both in business and academia, on the totality of supply chains. There is a recognition that supply chain management can have a significant impact on both costs and revenues and that there is a direct correlation between the way that supply chains are designed and shareholder value. Our paper explores one of the major themes that has attracted considerable discussion over the last decade. This is the debate on the appropriateness of the so-called 'lean' and 'agile' paradigms in different business and market environments. It concludes that for most companies, the requirement is for the design and management of multiple pipelines to reflect the diversity of the markets that they serve
Open Access
Exploiting Knowledge across Networks through Reputation Management.
(Elsevier, 2009-02) Christopher, Martin; Gaudenzi, Barbara
The emerging paradigm of network competition is increasingly in evidence across many industrial sectors and provides further support for the idea that ‘supply chains compete, not companies’. It can be argued that network competition requires a much greater focus on managing the interfaces that connect the individual players in that network and exchanging and leveraging knowledge across the network. This paper sets out to establish a framework whereby the critical interfaces and the knowledge sharing benefits can be identified and how the strength of the relationships at those interfaces can become the basis for building organisational reputation and create an environment more conducive to co-operation and knowledge sharing. Finally, the paper analyses the potential impact of reputational risks in influencing the perception of stakeholders about the organisation. Whilst the idea of value-adding networks based on closely connected providers of capabilities and resources is appealing, it should be recognised that, if not properly managed, the actions of the stakeholders in those networks can impact the risk profile of the business significantly—particularly reputational risk. The more that organisations become part of complex global networks, the more dependent they become upon the other network members for knowledge and other resources. Because of this dependency there is always the danger that the reputation of the focal firm can be damaged by the actions of other network members, hence reducing the likelihood of future collaborative working and knowledge exploitation. Using examples drawn from a variety of industries, the paper highlights the potential for reputational risk if the critical network interfaces are not closely managed. It will be argued that by actively managing relationships with stakeholders in the network the risk to the organisation's reputation can be mitigated and the sharing of knowledge simultaneously enhanced.
Open Access
Exploring Relationships and Information Exchange in Grocery Supply Chains: a Case Study of the Enablers and Inhibitors.
(Cranfield University, 2002) Barratt, Mark A.; Christopher, Martin
The last decade has seen a growing interest from academics and practitioners in the development of collaborative supply chain relationships based on information exchange. Most of the evidence gathered within this management research area has been biased towards the role of the buyer/supplier dyadic exchange in the integration of the supply chain. The role of the other parties and the systemic nature of supply chain management have been relatively ignored. Previous research in this area has also been biased due to the narrow focus of investigation, with one problem being obtaining access to all parties involved in the supply chain. The purpose of this study was to overcome the aforementioned research biases and therefore, contribute to the understanding of the collaborative relationship development process from a broader supply chain perspective. Open access was gained to six organisations across three tiers of a coffee supply chain in the UK grocery sector. Within this context, a theory building approach was applied to the data collected in the case study. Through constant comparison and coding of data from multiple strategic, tactical, operational, inter- and intra-organisational exchanges within the same context, several findings were made. An interesting finding from the research is the evolving role of the supply chain integrator, whereby the manufacturer seeks to balance the needs of its retail customers with the sourcing and procurement of raw and packaging materials from its suppliers. In terms of the concepts of supply chain relationships and information exchange, there are a number of common enablers and inhibitors. The inter-relationship between the two concepts is however complex and requires further study. The other findings of the research are expressed as a tentative theoretical framework and a series of new emerging enablers and inhibitors to collaborative relationships and information exchange in the supply chain. Finally the enablers and inhibitors grounded from the case study provide a guide to the relational and often context specific factors that can influence the development of collaborative supply chain relationships based on information exchange.
Open Access
Exploring the link between relationship quality and loyalty: Gaining Insights into Manufacturer-Supplier Relationships
(Cranfield University, 2003-02) Lemke, Fred; Christopher, Martin
Manufacturers across industry sectors are gradually reducing their supplier base. Consequently, suppliers need an appropriate strategy to ensure preferred supplier status. It is argued, that `softer' - or more intangible - relationship factors potentially have the power to distinguish suppliers. But what are the intangible factors? How does a customer value them? Do they have an impact on the supplier selection process at all? Questions like these describe an area that has become a topic of considerable debate. Surprisingly, the relationship quality idea, although recognised as an important concept, has hardly received any empirical attention. Therefore, the research question of the present PhD project is stated as follows: In commercial customer-supplier relationships, what is relationship quality (RQ) from the customer's standpoint and how does it relate to the customer's loyalty? The researcher explored the question in three German industry sectors: 1) Engineering, 2) Electronics, and 3) Process. Studies concerned with softer aspects of business-to-business relationships as well as research dealing with supplier selection processes are typically based on preconceived views. Condensing the understanding of relationship quality to a narrow and ambiguous definition, however, would simplify a complex issue. This thesis represents the first study that has explored in-depth the relationship quality concept and its influence on the customer's loyalty. The research comprised three stages. The first stage was a telephone survey of German managers involved in supplier management. The aim was to explore key issues of supplier management such as determining the way suppliers are selected and capturing views on supplier relationships. The second stage was concerned with the exploration of the quality of supplier relationships in detail and the case study approach was the chosen research strategy. The researcher conducted plant visits that included analysis of company documents and in-depth interviews. These were guided by the repertory grid technique. It was found that manufacturers rely on three tangible measures alone when selecting suppliers - price, product quality, and delivery performance. Furthermore, manufacturers have a clear view as to what high-quality supplier relationships are made of. The third stage determined the link between the quality of relationships and the manufacturer's loyalty. The researcher employed an experimental research strategy in the form of a conjoint analysis. Participants evaluated suppliers based on the three tangible and a selection of intangible relationship quality criteria. The study uncovered to what extent the softer relationship quality factors come (unconsciously) into play in the process of selecting long-term supplier relationships.
Open Access
Global logistics for world markets
(1987) Christopher, Martin
Open Access
Guanxi as a supply relational risk source in China: a systematic review of western forms of relational governance and Guanxi
(2006-08) Jia, Fu; Christopher, Martin; Rutherford, Christine
It is well known that China has become the world’s manufacturing centre in the past two decades. More and more Western firms outsource their products, semi-finished products, materials and services to China. In this process, some are successful while others fail. It is true that there are various reasons for failure but one of the most important ones is the cultural differences between the West and China. The question is: what is the rationale behind the success or failure of dealing with the cultural differences? Guanxi is one of the major dynamics in the Chinese society where business behaviour revolves around it. The objective of this paper is to review Western forms of supply relational risk management and compare them with Guanxi. First of all, a synthesized concept of supply relational risk is coined. Secondly, synthesized models of both Western forms of supply relational risk management and Guanxi are proposed. Ten sources of risk are identified based on the comparison; these are presented as assumptions to be tested through field research. The main differences between the Western and Chinese forms of relationship management are: 1) Affection is an element of Guanxi which is missed by the Western business relationship management; 2) Chinese are responsible for family, while Westerners are responsible for society. 3) There are no such concepts as face and renqing in the West, which originated from hierarchically ancient China and are the key elements of Guanxi. Risk implications derived from these differences are presented. Finally, the outcome of the review is the identification of two PhD research questions and limitations and learning points of this review.
Open Access
An Integrated Model for the Design of Agile Supply Chains
(MCB UP Ltd/Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2001) Christopher, Martin; Towill, Denis R.
The latter part of the 20th Century saw the lean production paradigm positively impact many market sectors ranging from automotive through to construction. In particular there is much evidence to suggest that level scheduling combined with the elimination of muda has successfully delivered a wide range of products to those markets where cost is the primary order winning criteria. However, there are many other markets where the order winner is availability. This has led to the emergence of the agile paradigm typified by ‘quick response’ and similar initiatives. Nevertheless, ‘lean’ and ‘agile’ are not mutually exclusive paradigms and may be married to advantage in a number of different ways. This paper explores ways in which hybrid strategies can be developed to create cost-effective supply chains and proposes an integrated manufacture/logistics model for enabling the essential infrastructure.
Open Access
Integrating field service management and product policy with corporate strategy : a systematic approach
(Cranfield University, 1988-09) Mathe, H.; Christopher, Martin
This research is concerned with the development and implementing of an integrated management system appropriate for use within the field service activities of an industrial firm. Field service or after-sale service management system is viewed as an integrated process which includes several service producing subsystems. The purpose of their interacting is to achieve a given level of operational availability, as well as a relative adjust.:::-oent, throughout the products life cycle which improve the customer loyalty. The- growth and profitability of numerous companies tend to be progressively founded on the development of challenging service policies which go along with the commercialisation of tangible products. Even today, little has been written on the question of after-sales service, with the exception of some technical developments related to the reliability and maintenance of complex equipment's. Consequently, the first objective of this research consists in proposing a conceptual definition of service-mix associated, before and after the sales act, with the commercialization of tangible products. Having identified the management deficiencies existing in certain companies, both conceptual and technical, an integrated management system is theoritically developed which . overcomes theses deficiencies. Such a system is partly based on a product management approach, applied to the case of after sales. It is composed of four stages : 1. Formulation of the after sales strategy as being the expression of the company's prevailing mode of competition 2. Elaboration of the services programming antl information systems 3. Designing of the organisational structure 4. Identification of performance control tools well adapted to the after sales activity. The management model of the after-sales service function is viewed here as a set of mechanisms that integrate the offer "product service" furnished by an industrial firm. It is thus a process which concurs to a more efficient management of lone more or less conflicting interfaces existing between the different functions contributing to the design, production, distribution and support of the functionality required by the market.
Open Access
Lead time performance in the supply chain :|ba case study of the equipment supply environment of the offshore oil exploration and production industry on the UK continental shelf
(Cranfield University, 2000-12) Nisbet, D. J.; Christopher, Martin
This research study is an examination of the influencing factors on lead time performance in a capital equipment supply environment. The research is being undertaken as a case study of the capital equipment supply environment of the offshore oil exploration and production industry on the UK Continental Shelf. The study methodology is justified as a case supply environment, with multiple sources of data from research instruments including: exploratory and detailed interviews and structured survey methods. The literature review examines time-based approaches to supply chain improvement and the literature related to supply chain integration. Relevant literature related to supply chain systems/structures and relationships/infrastructure are examined as potential influencing factors on lead time performance. A background of the generic case environment is provided, along with relevant literature related to the supply chain in oil exploration and production. The results of a survey of the state of integration of the offshore supply chain are presented and analysed, followed by the results of a structured mail survey within the capital equipment environment. The survey information is used to inform the Case Research phase and define a division of the case environment related to different complexity levels. Individual cases are analysed based on the framework from the literature review and refined from the survey phase. The research questions are addressed at the level of each individual case and propositions derived which are then validated based on cross-case comparisons. Aspects of literature that are supported by the study are discussed along with those areas where there is a contribution to literature. Contribution to supply chain theory is justified related to the derivation of a Types Classification Model as a means of understanding the generic nature of a capital equipment supply chain. Contribution to methodology is justified, based on the use of a supply environment for study and the use of a supply chain trace-back method.
Open Access
Logistics outsourcing in the UK forecourt convenience retail sector : the supply chain role of third party service providers
(Cranfield University, 2001-03) Bolumole, Yemisi; Christopher, Martin
Outsourcing, where an organisation charges an external provider with the performance of an activity, has attracted growing interest in recent years as organisations have considered whether it is in their best interest to perform activities in-house or externally. Academic attention has also focused on the notion of supply chain management through effective Logistics management in organisations, as increased emphasis has been placed on the importance of seamiess supply chain processes for the achievement and sustenance of competitive advantage. Some academic theorists recommend that in order to achieve this, organisations should focus on their core, value-adding activities and outsource the non-core, non value-adding ones. In the UK, some petrol retailers have adopted Logistics outsourcing as a strategy through which supply chain solutions can be implemented within their petrol forecourt convenience retail operations. This research explores factors which influence these outsourcing decisions, the nature and supply chain impact of the outsourcing strategies and evaluates the supply chain role of Logistics service providers (3pls) and the implications of Logistics outsourcing in general for supply chain management and for the future of the 3pl industry. The study examines outsourcing from are source-based, transaction costs and supply chain perspective, highlighting the rationale behind organisations' decisions to outsource activities for which they lack in-house capability and which third parties can provide at lower costs. The study adopts an exploratory, theory building case-study approach in which data is gathered primarily through indepth interviews with informants from retailers and 3pls. Data analysis is carried out through a strategy of within- and cross-case evaluation of findings, highlighting key patterns and relationships in the data.
Open Access
The logistics service providers in eco-efficiency innovation: an empirical study
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2013-09-02T00:00:00Z) Rossi, Silvia; Colicchia, Claudia; Cozzolino, Alessandra; Christopher, Martin
Purpose: Sustainability and the search for solutions that are both efficient and ecologically sound (eco-efficient) have become topics of great interest. However, companies seeking to develop supply chain solutions that are eco-efficient are often hampered by their ability to control the wider supply chain and they may need to draw upon external support from logistics service providers (LSPs). This paper aims to explore the innovative strategies undertaken by LSPs in the eco-efficiency arena and the logistics and learning capabilities needed to achieve eco-efficiency in supply chains. Design/methodology/approach: The insights derived from a Systematic Literature Review approach to identify the most relevant articles to be included in the analysis represented the starting point for building our empirical investigation, based on case studies with in-depth interviews to investigate the phenomenon under consideration and to explore trends and evolving paradigms. Findings: The Systematic Literature Review enriches the existing literature by drawing upon three bodies of knowledge, i.e. logistics service providers, eco-efficiency and logistics innovation, and putting them into a single framework. The findings from the interviews suggest that although LSPs are well placed to implement innovative initiatives for eco-efficiency there is a range of inhibitors that prevent major change programmes. Research limitations/implications: The research reported in this paper is exploratory and limited in its scope. It is based on in-depth interviews within six companies. However, it does provide a platform from which more detailed research may be conducted. Practical implications: The managerial implications arising from the research offer a wide range of current practices in sustainability, from which strategic and operative directions to compete can be derived. Originality/value: There is little existing literature that addresses the innovative strategies undertaken by LSPs in influencing and moving supply chains towards eco-efficiency and hence the present paper is meant to help fill this gap. Keywords: Logistics Service Providers, Eco-efficiency, Logistics Innovation, Sustainable supply chain.

Browsing by Author "Christopher, Martin"

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