Preface 5
Contents 6
Part 1 – Substantive Justification for Theory Building 6
Part 2 – Surveys in Supply Chain Management 7
Part 3 – Case Study Research in Supply Chains 8
Part 4 – Action Research in Supply Chains 9
Part 5 – Modelling Supply Chains 9
Is There a Right Research Design for Your Supply Chain Study? 11
1 Introduction 12
2 Substantive Justification for Theory Building 13
3 Surveys in Supply Chain Management 15
4 Case Study Research in Supply Chains 16
5 Action Research in Supply Chains 17
6 Modelling Supply Chains 18
7 Future Implications for Supply Chain Management Research 20
8 References 21
A Balanced Approach to Research in Supply Chain Management 24
1 Introduction 25
2 Qualitative Research in Logistics and Supply Chain Management 26
3 The Balanced Approach 28
3.1 The Qualitative Path 29
3.2 The Quantitative Path 30
3.3 Choosing a Research Approach 31
4 Discussion 33
4.1 Balanced Approach Examples 33
4.2 Conclusion 35
5 References 36
A Critical Discussion on the Theoretical and Methodological Advancements in Supply Chain Integration Research 39
1 Introduction 40
2 Evaluation of Supply Chain Integration Research 41
2.1 Limited Scope of Integration 41
2.2 Context and Supply Chain Integration 42
2.3 Supply Chain Integration as a Dyadic Concept 43
3 Antecedents of Supply Chain Integration 44
3.1 Business Characteristics 45
3.2 Level of Focus: Shared or Buyer Focus Resources 45
3.3 Supply Chain Integration 46
4 Methodological Issues 48
4.1 Surveys and Single Case Studies 48
4.2 Multi-Case Approach 48
5 Conclusion 50
6 References 50
Measuring Supply Chain Integration – Using the Q-Sort Technique 55
1 Introduction 56
2 Theoretical Background of Supply Chain Integration 57
3 Q-Sort Technique 59
4 An Application of the Q-Sort Technique 60
4.1 Samples 60
4.2 Findings 61
5 Conclusion 64
6 References 65
Supply Chain Management and the Challenge of Organizational Complexity – Methodological Considerations 67
1 Introduction – Methodology 68
2 Systems Thinking – A Dominating Position in SCM 68
2.1 Systems Thinking 68
2.2 The Origins of Holistic Systems Thinking 69
2.3 Problems with Holistic Systems Thinking 70
2.4 Further Problems with Current SCM Thinking 71
3 Radical Process Thinking and Complexity 72
3.1 Radical Process Thinking 72
3.2 The Complex Responsive Processes Perspective 74
3.3 Comparing Perspectives 75
4 Implications for SCM 76
4.1 Management Competencies 76
4.2 Research Method 76
4.3 Future Research Issues 78
5 Conclusions 79
6 References 79
The Configurational Approach in Supply Chain Management 82
1 Holistic View in Supply Chain Management 83
1.1 Holistic View 83
1.2 Configurational Approach 83
1.3 Supply Chain Management 85
2 Selected Supply Chain Management Configurations 85
3 Conclusions and directions for further research 92
4 References 95
Conducting a Literature Review – The Example of Sustainability in Supply Chains 97
1 Introduction 98
1.1 Aim and Outline 98
1.2 Basic Terminology and Delimitations 99
2 Literature Reviews as Content Analysis 99
3 The Example of Sustainability in Supply Chains 102
3.1 Relevance and Previous Reviews 102
3.2 Material Collection 103
3.3 Search for Related Papers 103
3.4 Descriptive Analysis 104
3.5 Category Selection 106
3.6 Interpreting Results of the Literature Review 108
4 Conclusion 109
5 References 110
Research Methodologies in Supply Chain Management – What Do We Know? 113
1 Background and Objectives 114
2 Scoping SCM 115
3 On Research Methods in Logistics and SCM 116
4 Research Methodology and Framework 117
4.1 Selecting Journals 118
4.2 Assessing Review Time Frame 118
4.3 Search for Papers and Paper Validation 118
4.4 Paper Review Based on Review Criteria 119
4.5 Limitations 119
5 Current Research Methods Within SCM 119
5.1 Primary Actor of Analysis 120
5.2 Level of Analysis 120
5.3 Main Purpose, Research Design and Time Frame 121
5.4 Theoretical Area 123
5.5 Containing Elements of Philosophy of Science 123
5.6 References to Methodology 124
6 Conclusion 124
7 References 126
8 Appendix 128
The Role and Importance of Survey Research in the Field of Supply Chain Management 130
1 Introduction 131
1.1 The Importance of Surveys in the Field of Business and 131
Logistics Research 131
1.2 Methodology 131
2 A State-of-the-Art Survey Research in the JBL from 1993 to 2003 132
2.1 Description of the Population and the Sample 132
2.2 Types of Questionnaires – The Research Design 133
2.3 The Sampling Procedures 134
2.4 The Type of Data 139
3 Conclusions and Outlook 141
4 References 141
Web-based Surveys in Logistics Research: An Empirical Application 143
1 Introduction 144
2 Literature Review 145
2.1 Mail or Postal Surveys 145
2.2 Internet or Web-based Surveys 146
3 Application of Web-based Survey Methodology 147
3.1 Survey Context and Research Objectives 147
3.2 Web-based Questionnaire – Design and Features 149
4 Survey Findings 150
4.1 Notification and Incentive Strategy 150
4.2 Response Quality 151
4.3 Time to Respond 152
4.4 Degree of Question Difficulty and Appropriateness of 153
Questionnaire Length 153
4.5 Convenience and Capability for Collecting Qualitative 154
Data 154
4.6 Costs 154
5 Study Limitations 155
6 Conclusions 155
7 References 156
SCM Research Methodologies: Employing Structural Equation Modeling 159
1 Introduction 160
2 What is SEM? 160
2.1 Characteristics of SEM 161
2.2 How Can We Use SEM? 162
3 An Example 165
3.1 Stage 1: Model Specification 166
3.3 Stage 3: Estimation 168
3.4 Stage 4: Assessment of Fit and Model Modification 168
3.5 Stage 5: Interpretation and Discussion 170
4 Final Comments 170
5 References 171
6 Appendix 174
Structural Equation Modeling as a Basis for Theory Development within Logistics and Supply Chain Management Research 175
1 Introduction 176
2 Structural Equation Modeling within Research 176
2.1 Contribution of SEM to Theory Development 177
2.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of SEM 178
2.3 Guidelines for the Use of the Covariance-Based SEM 179
3 Impact of Logistics on Firm Performance 181
3.1 Impact of Logistics' Input 182
3.2 Impact of Logistics' Output 183
3.3 Empirical Analysis of Logistics’ Impact 184
4 Conclusion 188
5 References 188
Customers’ Perceptions of Service Quality by TPL Service Providers in the United Kingdom - A Confirmatory Factor Analysis 191
1 Introduction 192
2 Logistics Service Quality 193
3 Methodology 193
3.1 Qualitative Study and Instrumentation 195
3.2 Sampling and Survey Procedures 197
4 Results 198
4.1 Measurement Model Evaluation 199
4.2 Reliability and Validity 201
5 Discussion 202
6 Conclusion 203
7 References 204
Third Party Logistics in Thailand – From the Users’ Perspective 207
1 Introduction 208
2 Literature Review 209
2.1 Reasons for Outsourcing Logistics Activities 209
2.2 Selection of 3PL Providers 210
2.3 Critical Success Factors of 3PL 210
2.4 Impacts of the Use of 3PL Providers on User Firms 211
2.5 Measurement of Logistics Service 211
2.6 Regional Studies of the 3PL Industry 212
3 Research Question and Methodology 212
4 Findings and Discussion 214
4.1 The Role of 3PL in Thai Manufacturing 214
4.2 Performance of Thai 3PL in Regard to Service Quality 216
4.3 Impact of 3PL on Thai Manufacturing Firms Using 3PL 217
4.4 Acceptance of 3PL by Thai Organizations 219
4.5 Findings Summary 219
5 Conclusion 220
6 References 220
A Market-Oriented View of SCM – Researching Criteria and Instruments in the Public Procurement Process 223
1 Introduction 224
2 The Theoretical Background 225
3 Design of the Survey 228
4 Analysis 230
5 Applicability of the Method for Researching Problems in SCM 233
6 References 234
Case Study Research in Supply Chains – An Outline and Three Examples 238
1 Introduction 239
2 Supply Chain Management 240
3 Case Study Research 241
3.1 Research Purpose 241
3.2 Research Process 242
3.3 Ensuring Quality of Case Study Research 242
4 Three Examples of Case Research in Supply Chains 243
4.1 Otto – Introduction of Organic Cotton Apparel 244
4.2 Steilmann – Supply Chain Target Costing for Polyester 245
Linings 245
4.3 Ecolog – A Closed-loop Supply Chain for Polyester 247
Apparel 247
4.4 Comparing the Research Methods in the Three Cases 249
5 Conclusion 250
6 References 251
A Proposal for Case Study Methodology in Supply Chain Integration Research 254
1 Introduction 255
2 Research Purpose and Questions 257
3 Theoretical Justification 258
4 Methodology 261
4.1 Research Structure 261
4.2 Sampling 262
4.3 Instrumentation 262
4.4 Collect Data 264
4.5 Data Analysis 265
4.6 Data Quality 266
5 Contributions 266
6 References 268
Using Case Study Methods in Researching Supply Chains 270
1 Introduction 271
2 The Case Research Process in Supply Chains 271
2.1 Stage 1: Defining the Research Question 272
2.2 Stage 2: Instrument Development and Case Selection 273
2.3 Stage 3: Data Gathering 274
2.4 Stage 4: Data Analysis 277
2.5 Stage 5: Disseminating the Research Findings 278
3 Critical Decisions Within Case Research on Supply Relationships 279
3.1 Design Decision 1: A-priori Theoretical Framework 279
3.2 Design Decision 2: “Relationship” as Heart of the Case 280
3.3 Design Decision 3: Broad Sampling 281
3.4 Design Decision 4: Use of Similar Protocols to Converse 282
across Studies 282
3.5 The Rigor of Case-Based Research 283
4 Conclusion 284
5 References 284
Multilevel Issues in Supply Chain Management 286
1 Introduction 287
2 Behavioral Issues in Supply Chain Management 288
3 The Specification of Levels and Their Interrelatedness 290
4 Construct at Different Levels and Measurement Issues 292
5 Data Structures and Analysis 296
6 Summary and Conclusion 298
7 References 298
Cost Management along the Supply Chain – Methodological Implications 301
1 Introduction 302
1.1 Literature Review 302
2 Research Method 303
2.1 Sample Size 304
2.2 Data Collection 305
2.3 Case Analysis 307
3 Results 307
3.1 Discussion 307
4 Findings 312
5 Contribution of Research 312
6 Conclusion 313
7 References 313
Case Studies and Surveys in Supply Chain Management Research – Two Complementary Methodologies 317
1 Introduction 318
2 Case Studies and Surveys: Complementary Methodologies 320
3 A SCM Research Project: “Does SCM Lead to a Better Performance?” 321
3.1 Research Objectives 321
3.2 Research Methodologies and Research Purpose 322
3.3 The Exploratory Multiple Case Study 323
3.4 The Explanatory Survey Research 325
4 Case Studies and Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages 329
5 Conclusions 330
6 References 331
Towards Triangulation – Blending Techniques in Supply Chain Management Context 333
1 Introduction 334
2 Grounded Theory Overview 334
2.1 SCM and the Use of Grounded Theory 335
2.2 Blending Techniques 336
2.3 Case Study Description 336
2.4 Analysis 339
2.5 Findings 339
3 Conclusion 342
4 References 346
Action Research in Supply Chain Management – An Introduction 350
1 Introduction 351
2 The History of Development of Action Research 351
3 Basics of Action Research 356
4 Problems and Perspectives of Action Research 358
5 Conclusion 362
6 References 363
The Application of Action Learning and Action Research in Collaborative Improvement within the Extended Manufacturing Enterprise 366
1 Introduction 367
2 The Extended Manufacturing Enterprise 368
3 Action Learning 369
4 Action Research 369
5 Research Base 370
6 Action Learning and Action Research in the EME 371
6.1 Action Learning in the EME 371
6.2 Action Research 374
7 Discussion 376
7.1 Action Learning 376
7.2 Action Research 377
8 Conclusions 379
9 References 380
Integrating Environmental and Social Standards into Supply Management – An Action Research Project 382
1 Introduction 383
2 Methodology of Action Research 384
2.1 Objective and Specifics 384
2.2 Research Process 385
2.3 Quality Criteria 387
2.4 Research Methods 388
3 Outline of the Research Project 389
4 Action Research as Applied in the Project 391
4.1 Single Stages of the Process 392
4.2 Research Methods Used 393
4.3 Conformance with Quality Criteria 394
5 Conclusions 395
6 References 396
Supply Chain Diagnostics to Confront Theory and Practice – Re-Questioning the Core of Supply Chain Management 398
1 The Core of Supply Chain Theory and Realities of Practice 399
1.1 Supply Chain is Not Supply Chain and Player is Not 399
Player 399
1.2 Need for Hypothesis and Empirical Data from Practice 400
2 Exploring a Set of Hypotheses on Supply Chain Management 401
2.1 Combining Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches – 401
Bootstrapping of Theory and Practical Experience 401
2.2 “Top-Down”- The Good Supply Chain in Theory 402
2.3 “Bottom-Up”- The Problems Shown in Practice 405
2.4 Structuring Principles, Key Challenges, Root Causes and 406
Symptoms 406
3 Gaining Data – Involving the Stakeholders 408
3.1 Informing, Challenging and Asking 408
3.2 Basic Structure of a Diagnostic Session 410
3.3 Using the Data 411
4 References 411
A Logistics and Supply Chain Approach to Seaport Efficiency – An Inquiry Based on Action Research Methodology 414
1 Introduction 415
2 Action Research in Ports and Logistics: Relevance and Applications 416
2.1 Basis and Features of Action Research 416
2.2 Problematical Issues in Port Logistics and SCM Research 417
2.3 Action Research and its Relevance to Port Logistics and 419
Supply Chain Performance 419
3 AR Project: Description, Methodology and Analysis 421
3.1 Research Design and Procedure 421
3.2 Results and Analysis 423
4 Conclusion: Criteria for Methodological Rigor and Testing 426
5 References 427
Supply Chain Management Research Methodology Using Quantitative Models Based on Empirical Data 431
1 Introduction 432
2 Supply Chain Management Research 432
3 Developments in Quantitative Modeling 434
3.1 Examples - Descriptive Empirical Quantitative Research 436
3.2 Examples - Normative Empirical Quantitative Research 437
4 Discrete Event Simulation Modeling in Quantitative Research 437
5 Aspects of Mixed Methods Research 440
6 How to Conduct and Document Research with Quantitative Models Based on Empirical Data? 441
7 Conclusion 442
8 References 443
Of Stocks, Flows, Agents and Rules – ”Strategic” Simulations in Supply Chain Research 445
1 Usage and Utility of Strategic Simulations 446
1.1 Modeling and Simulation as Research Methodology 446
1.2 System Dynamics and Agent-Based Simulation 447
1.3 Simulation Studies in the SCM Literature 449
2 Stocks and Flows? Or Agents and Rules? 451
2.1 The Hammer and the Nail – Using the Right Tool for the 451
Right Problem 451
2.2 Agents and Rules – Modeling Structural Emergence 453
2.3 Stocks and Flows – Modeling Complex Decision Making 454
3 …or Both? 457
4 References 458
Analysis of Supply Chain Dynamics through Object Oriented Simulation 461
1 Introduction 462
2 The Bullwhip Effect: Determinants and Triggers 462
3 Object-Oriented Modeling with Modelica 465
3.1 Modelica at a Glance 465
3.2 Why Use Modelica for Supply Chain Modeling? 468
4 The “Supply Chain” Modelica Library 469
4.1 Introduction 469
4.2 Company 470
4.3 Assembly Line 470
4.4 FP (and RM) Warehouse and Manager 471
4.5 Building an Actual Instance of Company 471
5 First Evidences on SC Modeling with Modelica 472
6 Concluding Remarks 473
7 Appendix: The “Supply Chain” Modelica Library 474
8 References 476
The Potential of Cooperative Game Theory for Supply Chain Management 477
1 The Relevance of Stability, Trust and Rationality for Supply Chain Management 478
2 Analyzing Supply Chain Management with Game Theory 479
2.1 Introduction to Game Theory 479
2.2 Formal Description of a Cooperative Game 481
2.3 The Shapley-Value and Its Axioms 482
3 Analyzing Supply Chain Structures with Cooperative Game Theory 485
4 Concluding Remarks 489
5 References 489
6 Appendix 491
Modeling the Effect of Product Architecture Modularity in Supply Chains 492
1 Introduction 493
2 Mathematical Modeling as Research Methodology 494
3 Product Architecture Modularity 496
4 Modularity at the Supply Chain Level 497
4.1 Model Setting – Supply Chain Level 497
4.2 Example: Chrysler Jeep’s WIPERs 499
5 Modularity at the Focal Firm Level 500
5.1 Model Setting – Focal Firm Level 500
5.2 Example: Chrysler Jeep’s WIPERs (Continued) 503
6 Conclusion and Discussion 505
7 References 505
Heuristics in the Multi-Location Inventory System with Transshipments 508
1 Introduction 509
2 Model Setup 510
2.1 Notation 510
2.2 Parameter Assumptions 511
2.3 Model Formulation 512
3 Solution Methodology 513
4 Numerical Results 516
5 Conclusions 521
6 References 522
Contract Typology as a Research Method in Supply Chain Management 524
1 Introduction 525
1.1 Context 525
1.2 Organization of the Document 526
2 Studied Variables 526
2.1 Time Horizon 526
2.2 Number of Products 527
2.3 Information Exchange 527
2.4 Demand 527
2.5 Type of Contract 528
2.6 Costs 529
2.7 Quantity Per Order 529
2.8 Delivery Splitting 530
2.9 Quantity Flexibility 530
3 Application Case 530
3.1 News Vendor 530
3.2 Model 533
4 Conclusion 535
5 References 536
Load Dependent Lead Times – From Empirical Evidence to Mathematical Modeling 538
1 Introduction 539
2 Load Dependent Lead Times – Empirical Evidence 540
3 Models Including Load Dependent Lead Times 543
3.1 Indirect Approaches 543
3.2 Aspects of Queuing Theory 543
3.3 Indirect Integration of Load Dependent Lead Times 544
3.4 Clearing Functions 546
4 Conclusions 551
5 References 552
Recovery Network Design for End-of-Life Vehicles 554
1 Introduction 555
2 Challenges for the German Automotive Industry 555
2.1 Review of the Developments in Legislation 555
2.2 Consequences for the German Automotive Industry 556
3 A Decision Support Tool for Recovery Network Design 557
3.1 Network Configuration 557
3.2 Towards Combining Optimization and Simulation 559
Procedures 559
3.3 The Optimization Tool 559
3.4 The Simulation Tool 560
4 Possible Enhancements 568
5 References 569
Modeling and Integrated Assessment of Mass and Energy Flows within Supply Chains 570
1 Introduction 571
2 Methodology Approaches for Mass and Energy Flow Management 572
2.1 Practical Applicability 572
2.2 Technical Scope for Optimization 574
3 Multi Objective Pinch Analysis (MOPA) 575
3.1 Pinch Analysis Methodology 575
3.2 Inter-Enterprise Approach 577
3.3 Multi Objective Approach 577
4 Conclusions 581
5 References 581
Socrates Thematic Network to Enhance European Teaching and Research of Operations as Well as Supply Chain Management 585
1 Introduction 586
2 Importance of the Thematic Network 587
3 Objectives and Tasks of the Thematic Network 588
4 Contact Us 589
5 References 589
Editors 590
Authors 592