Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

An investigation of supply network typologies

Research Student: Fiachra CollCentre for Strategic Manufacturing (Strathclyde University)Logistics and Supply Chain Research Group (Dublin Institute of Technology)

Ph.D. Supervisor: Umit BititciCentre for Strategic Manufacturing(Strathclyde University)

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

What is a supply network?

“The supply chain... refers to the complex network of relationships that are required in order to turn raw materials into physical products and services for ultimate consumption.” Cox

Key characteristics:

Transformation of materials

Interfirm coordination

Network of firms

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Rationale

“No attempt to model anything like a whole [supply] network…indeed, we might ask whether a task should be attempted” Macbeth

“It is the role of the academic to codify “better” [supply chain] practice… based on robust theoretical conceptualisation” Cox

“Many well known typologies… [classification of organisations] include only a few aspects of organisational life as a basis for classification and squeeze these into as few categories as possible.” Rich

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Objectives

To validate the supply network approach in the investigation of several coordinating companies with distinct end-products operating in a competitive environment.

To critically assess current supply chain classification systems.

To create an approach to investigating supply networks.

To identify typologies (variations within the supply network) based on an analysis of the data generated by using the approach.

To validate these typologies by comparing them with other existing networks.

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Gaps in existing research

Do supply networks and chains exist in the ‘real world?’

Purposive nature of existing research inhibits cross-concept comparisons.

Disparate/ contradictory theories from a variety of disciplines.

Failure to distinguish between prescriptive and descriptive approaches.

Prevalence of traditional ‘common-sense’ models.

Evolution or revolution?

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Methodological issues

In essence there are two approaches to creating a multi-character typology based on actual data:

empirical approach- exhaustive use of independent characters

theoretical approach; use ‘a priori’ theory to define universe of characters.

Richness of approach- too few characters and all supply networks are homogenous- too many and they are all different.

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Components Systems philosophy forms the ‘point of

entry’ for investigation

Components are derived from a comprehensive review of previous:

supply chain theories

supply chain classifications

extended enterprise knowledge

schools of research that overlap with the supply chain

Supply network

dataComponents

Describe individual

system

Supply chaintheories

(….)Extended enterprise

Supply chainclassifications

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Components

Structure

Purpose

Performance

Environment

External inhibitors & drivers

GlobalisationTechnologyLegislature

State of market & industry

Supply network objectivesIndividual firm objectivesSuper-organisational objectivesConflicting objective resolution

Nature of organisationSupply network- of what?Number of firmsCritical/non-critical network boundaries Density of networkCo-ordination mechanism

Performance of networkPerformance of networkCo-ordination of strategy

Individual & super-organisational performance measures

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Draw conclusions

ResearchObjectives

Define components

Supply network

data

Describe individual

system

Compare system against

ideal types

Research approach

Existing typologies

(ideal types)

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

Industrial contribution

Different supply network types to choose from enable firms to quickly determine what are the critical network characteristics to concentrate on.

The development of specific tools in supply chain management are contingent upon robust theoretical concepts.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that company-wide modelling forms a necessary precursor to BPR- therefore network-wide modelling should provide a means of accelerating the successful evolution of a supply network.

Fiachra Coll30-Jan-01

RPD 2001

State of research

Completed to date: Four conference papers Four thesis chapters

Work in progress Remaining thesis chapters Implementing case study approach in selected

companies Collaborating on supply chain research proposal

(Ireland) Papers for forthcoming IMR conference (Dublin)

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RPD 2001

Conclusion

Contact details: Tel: +353 1 402 3116email: fiachra.coll@dit.ie