Category: Customer Content

Business analytics addresses an increasing demand in organizations of all types to understand data related to their operations. Investments in information systems throughout the enterprise over the last 10-15 years are generating tremendous amounts of data, and companies will spend at least the next 10 years developing processes that generate insight from those data. In addition to data generated internally, many companies are exploring the effects of external data, primarily present in...

Click for full access to ISO 14000 & Sustainability paper Many of the espoused criticisms of sustainability standards (i.e., ISO 14000) by managers seem valid on the surface but may actually mask an underlying strategic position of an organization. Our research demonstrates that companies who fully integrate a formal environmental management system (EMS) can reap significant benefits internally and externally in terms of a sustainable supply chain strategy. Standards such...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...