Developing a Framework for Analyzing Global Supply Chain Security

--Satyendra Kumar Sharma and Bang Siddharth Vasant

Global supply chain security became a critical issue for governments and firms alike after the attacks of 9/11 in New York city. Past researchers have gone ahead of the classical notion of security in the context of supply chain as protection of facilities and inventory only. The paper aims at analyzing and explaining global supply chain security in an overall comprehensive way regarding all factors—the need for supply chain security, the measures that can be taken, their barriers to implementation and outcomes. A framework was formed to explain global supply chain security from all angles. The framework consists of elements like drivers (the need for supply chain security), strategies (measures to secure supply chains), barriers (limitations to implementation of security measures) and outcomes (results of security measures taken). The framework given in the paper can give a brief idea to practitioners and researchers about supply chain security on a comprehensive level. Each element of the framework can be picked up by researchers for future research.

© 2015 IUP. All Rights Reserved.

The Influence of Variables on Designing a Cloud Supply Chain Network: A Factor Analysis Approach

--Anil B Gowda and K N Subramanya

Cloud computing model offers a promise of cost savings with increased IT agility. Cloud industry is growing quickly and vendors are investing significant amount of money to develop Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and harness the benefits of cloud computing in various business activities. The aim of this paper is to analyze the benefits of cloud along with certain objectives focused on cloud services that would help in designing a better cloud Supply Chain Network (SCN). Cloud can offer tremendous benefits and advantages to the SCN. Many companies have already adopted Cloud SaaS and many more companies are in the process of adopting it. Companies globally are realizing that cloud computing can offer large benefits to the supply chain industry. A cloud service can be utilized to enhance the key parameters of SCN. Proper information available at any given point of time in the SCN leads to better decisions. The benefits achieved through the integration of cloud with the supply chain can be evaluated and assessed in terms of their relative importance. The knowledge of benefits offered by the cloud is useful in deciding the priorities in make or buy decision. This analysis helps in identifying benefits that can be grouped into factors. The factors will be useful in deciding the relative preference of one benefit over the other benefit depending on the application. Such factors will enable the information data structure of the SCN to perform more efficiently.

© 2015 IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Improving Alliances: Insights from the Practices of Successful Companies

--Jesús Morcillo, Angel Díaz and Luis Solís

This paper explores, based on literature review and case analysis, the key success factors in the formation of alliances. Its contribution rest on the identification of practical insights, namely: (i) formal processes of alliance management; (ii) formal mechanisms of alliance learning; (iii) teams responsible for the life cycle of the alliance (beginning to end); and (iv) the existence of an empowered alliance office. The study also finds that supporting suppliers in the alliances can be a cost-effective way to improve internal performance.

© 2015 IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Market Inclusion Through Enhanced Eco-Management in Bulgarian Farms

--Hrabrin Bachev

Enhancing environmental performance is a prospective way for increasing market inclusion, effectiveness and sustainability of small-scale farms in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Nevertheless, with very few exceptions there are no studies on forms, factors and efficiency of ‘eco-driven’ market inclusion of smallholders in modern supply chains in Bulgaria. This paper presents the findings of a first large-scale study on state, driving forces, and efficiency of market inclusion of farms through enhanced eco-management in Bulgaria. First, we identify diverse forms of eco-management in farms with different sizes, market orientation, product specialization, and location. Second, we assess costs, effects, and efficiency of eco-management, including the extent it contributes to increased market inclusion of farms. Third, we specify critical personal, economic, contractual, institutional, etc., factors of managerial choice in the eco-active farms. Finally, we estimate perspectives of expansion of this particular mode of market inclusion, and suggest directions for improving public policies and business strategies of smallholders.

© 2015 IUP. All Rights Reserved.