The primary elements for sourcing a supply partner

The primary elements for sourcing a supply partner

One of the primary elements for sourcing a supply partner is cost and a solid practice to have is receiving at least three quotes from highly qualified suppliers. However, there is more to an RFQ (Request for Quote) than just a financial breakdown of requested parts and/or services. The use of multi-round competitive bidding ultimately results in a pricing war between suppliers; a war that reduces their costs, but also reduces profit margins. This...
Sourcing New Product Innovation Success

Sourcing New Product Innovation Success

Launching new products is both exciting and stressful, but also costly, labor intensive, time consuming, & data complex …painful.   Our goal is to outline a repeatable method for success from idea to production that can reduce your product cost, timing, and risk. The new product and service development (NPSD) process is a major task for any firm.  The NPSD process embodies all of the steps necessary to take the product...
The New Product Design Process and Design for Environment

The New Product Design Process and Design for Environment

Here is a copy of the research paper associated with this blog: Click here for details on my NPD and environment research This study examines the role played by environmental issues during the new product design process.  These issues are studied through an exploratory research project based on case studies of ten companies.  The firms studied can be categorized into one of five major groups: Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority,...
Robust Payment Terms and Creative Buyer-Supplier Financing

Robust Payment Terms and Creative Buyer-Supplier Financing

Industry is expected to see a multitude of suppliers complaining about cash-flow issues.  But the supplier havoc, for the most part, does not need to happen.  The solution might be as simple as robust payment terms and creative buyer-supplier financing. Large OEM buying organizations often try to negotiate not paying suppliers for as long 90-180 days after they actually receive material and/or services. As a function of being the customer...
Why Your Supplier Data Management Strategy is Key to Company Agility

Why Your Supplier Data Management Strategy is Key to Company Agility

A robust process and the supporting systems for managing information about suppliers can create a competitive advantage for companies and allow them to out innovate competitors. Large amounts of data, specifically supplier identification, qualification, and engagement information, has become overwhelming to track. The data required for processing, distributing or selling products and services is often inaccurate, inconsistent, and incomplete. The fact remains that most organizations have no real strategy when...
ISO 14000 as a Means of Achieving a Competitive Advantage

ISO 14000 as a Means of Achieving a Competitive Advantage

Click here for full access to ISO 14000 paper Formally adopted in 1996 by the International  Organization of Standardization, ISO 14000 represents a new voluntary international environmental standard which will likely be adopted by the vast majority of corporations. While the literature is clearly divided in its assessment of ISO 14000, an underlying common theme is that the decision to achieve ISO 14000 certification constitutes a major undertaking for most...
Investigating the Linkage Between Total Quality Management & Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing

Investigating the Linkage Between Total Quality Management & Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing

Here is the research paper associated with this blog... Curkovic, S., Melnyk, S.A., Handfield, R.B., and Calantone, R.J.  “Investigating the Linkage Between Total Quality Management and Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing.”  IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, vol. 47, no. 4, November, 2000, p. 444-464. Click here for a copy of the paper associated with this blog Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing (ERM) is a relatively new concept that can be viewed as a product...
Why are U.S. Firms Becoming Socially Responsible & Sustainable (or aren’t they)?

Why are U.S. Firms Becoming Socially Responsible & Sustainable (or aren’t they)?

While the literature is clearly divided in its assessment of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, an underlying common theme is that the decision to achieve Sustainability constitutes a major undertaking for most firms, especially in the supply chain.  Such an undertaking, it is argued, does not take place in a vacuum.  Rather, it is a response to a number of factors or influences.  However, no research to date has empirically identified...
Identifying the Factors for Successfully Managing Supply Chain Risks

Identifying the Factors for Successfully Managing Supply Chain Risks

This project’s focus was on the structure, implementation, and maintenance of a formal system for managing risks in the supply chain.  A common theme is that the decision to manage supply chain risks constitutes a major undertaking for most firms.  Such an undertaking, it is argued, does not take place in a vacuum.  Rather, it is a response to a number of factors or influences.  However, no research to date...
The Relationship between Quality and Business Performance: It is not super obvious

The Relationship between Quality and Business Performance: It is not super obvious

Here is the research paper associated with this blog, click Another paper associated with this blog In my study of first tier suppliers to North American automobile manufacturers, we examined relationships between competitive dimensions of quality (e.g., design quality, conformance quality) and overall firm performance (e.g., ROI, Market Share).  Most quality programs identified by examining international practices have focused on improving quality control through strengthening conformance to specifications.  However, conformance...