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Using a real-life data set, we investigate the benefit of sharing market sales information in a setting where a theoretical model argues there is no benefit from such a collaboration scheme. The set of real Electronic Point Of Sales (EPOS) data and the orders that were placed by a retailer to a suppler was used. We have focused on products that operate under an every day low price strategy. To measure the benefit of the second echelon player the Standard Deviation of the Prediction Errors (SDPE) is used as this is linearly related to inventory costs. It is revealed that the second echelon player can reduce its SDPE by between 8% and 19% by exploiting the shared EPOS data, suggesting that there is a benefit to information sharing. Furthermore, it is proposed that the noise element that is originally contained in the EPOS series is the major source of the information sharing benefit. Keywords: Supply chain management; Multi-echelon; Information sharing; Order-up-to policy; Everyday low price products; Quick Scan

The details on the contribution of cars produced by the current vehicle supply system in the previous years (2001 to 2004) in United Kingdom are discussed. The simulation analyses of the aspects of scheduling activities that determines the scope for improvements in the supply chain of the automotive schedule systems is also discussed. The result showed that the current vehicle supply system is not capable of supporting build-to-order (BTO) products.

We investigate the dynamics of a hybrid manufacturing/remanufacturing system (HMRS) by exploring the impact of the average return yield and uncertainty in returns volume. Through modelling and simulation techniques, we measure the long-term variability of end-product inventories and orders issued, given its negative impact on the operational performance of supply chains, as well as the average net stock and the average backlog, in order to consider the key trade-off between service level and holding requirements. In this regard, prior studies have observed that returns may positively impact the dynamic behaviour of the HMRS. We demonstrate that this occurs as long as the intrinsic uncertainty in the volume of returns is low —increasing the return yield results in decreased fluctuations in production, which enhances the operation of the closed-loop system. Interestingly, we observe a U-shaped relationship between the inventory performance and the return yield. However, the dynamics of the supply chain may significantly suffer from returns volume uncertainty through the damaging Bullwhip phenomenon. Under this scenario, the relationship between the average return yield and the intrinsic returns volume variability determines the operational performance of closed-loop supply chains in comparison with traditional (open-loop) systems. In this sense, this research adds to the still very limited literature on the dynamic behaviour of closed-loop supply chains, whose importance is enormously growing in the current production model evolving from a linear to a circular architecture.

The reliability model with covariates for machinery parts has been extensively studied by the proportional hazards model (PHM) and its variants. However, it is not straightforward to provide business recommendations based on the results of the PHM. We use a novel method, namely the Conditional Inference Tree, to conduct the reliability analysis for the automobile engines data, provided by a UK fleet company. We find that the reliability of automobile engines is significantly related to the vehicle age, early failure, and repair history. Our tree-structured model can be easily interpreted, and tangible business recommendations are provided for the fleet management and maintenance.

Lean and agile manufacturing paradigms are complementary within the correct supply chain strategy. However, the need for agility and leanness relies on total supply chain, specifically through consideration of market knowledge and positioning of the coupling point. In a case study involving a personal computer manufacturer, results show that lean manufacturing paradigm with level scheduling and a Kanban system is adopted when dealing with the upstream side of the decoupling point. Agile manufacturing paradigm, meanwhile, is adopted when dealing with the downstream side of the decoupling point.

Flexibility is an issue widely studied in the manufacturing literature, but only recently has attention been paid to flexibility in logistics and supply chain management. Flexibility is taking prominence due to the uncertainties and disruptions created in the production and distribution processes of an organisation and its respective supply chains. This paper aims at studying the level of transport flexibility achieved in the ocean transportation industry to gain understanding on the strategic choices of carriers to cope with market changes and customer demand. Our analysis indicates the different strategic choices ocean transportation companies need to make with regards to transport flexibility.

Based on a literature review of previous research and case studies, this paper develops a conceptual model that traces and categorises different interorganisation information coordination and control mechanisms in the logistics domain. The conceptual model is referred to as the B2B E-business Reference Architecture (ERA). Studies in system architecture have largely focused on the technical perspective of e-business within an enterprise, with little research on the interorganisation perspective especially in the context of tailored logistics. Via the synthesis of literature, four fundamental architectures, dealing with different logistics scenarios, are proposed and discussed in detail with supporting case examples identified from the literature. This paper concludes by drawing implications for current research as well as highlighting future research opportunities.