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Owing to ill-structured, dynamic environments and the presence of multiple decision-makers with conflicting viewpoints, comprehension, analysis and support of the supplier evaluation process becomes more and more difficult. Moreover, with the complexities of issues such as the role of leadership, the influence of group formation, and analysis of disagreements, it cannot be predictable that there will ever exist a solution to cope with all imprecise, multi-criteria/multi-actor situations. A fuzzy association rules-based approach may be suited for the judgement of human subjects. In this paper, we develop an approach based on Fuzzy Association Rule Mining to support the decision makers by enhancing the flexibility in making decisions for evaluating suppliers with both tangibles and intangibles attributes. Also, by checking the fuzzy classification rules, the goal of knowledge acquisition can be achieved in a framework in which assessments could be established without constraints, and consequently checked and compared in several details. The efficacy and intricacy of the proposed model for finding fuzzy association rules from the database for supplier assessment is demonstrated with the help of numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents findings based on an extensive survey of Indian automobile companies. Five companies have been selected for detailed case studies. Their experiences in the manufacturing strategy process are analysed. Although the companies represented a diversity in terms of sales volume, product range and geographic location, they shared several commonalties including use of advanced manufacturing technologies and other improvement activities. Competitive strength was sustained through quality, innovation and delivery. The process of strategy formulation varied among the companies in terms of participants, complexity and degree of formalization, the practice of each company is different. The process of manufacturing strategy formulation seems to be in line with corporate strategy, though the companies followed a traditional top down approach in formulation of manufacturing strategy under the umbrella of corporate strategy. A taxonomy is proposed using cluster analysis where the companies are classified in four strategic manufacturing groups: reactive enterprise, neutral enterprise, active enterprise and proactive enterprises. Competitive priorities, order winners and critical success factors are identified for these companies after rigorous discussions with the managers. Based on strategic manufacturing issues, the manufacturing competence index for the companies has been worked out. A framework for manufacturing strategy is also proposed based on experiences of the case companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to rapid advances in information and communication technologies, business organisations have focused their attention to increase the degree of coordination among multiple organisations and multiple functions within an organisation. This article reviews the literature base and development of supply chain management through various coordination mechanisms and contracts. It addresses the coordinated planning between two or more levels of the supply chain by reviewing various buyer-supplier coordination models under different scenarios. An attempt has also been made to identify the critical gaps in the literature with suggested directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is aimed at providing a broad review of the main approaches to information related issues in a dynamic supply chain, through the description of the main characteristics, techniques, ongoing developments and research activities. The literature is examined from the perspective of the existing information systems that support supply chain dynamics at operational and strategic levels, with its inherent focus on web-enabled collaboration among supply chain partners. Various issues related to integration of core processes across organisational boundaries through improved communication, partnerships, alliances and cooperation in vague and uncertain conditions are also addressed. We review the recent trends in supply chain management and analyse how diverse modelling techniques such as agent technology and Petri net can be applied to support dynamic supply chain configuration. The purpose of this article is to consolidate the existing research efforts concerning the issues related to information systems in dynamic supply chains, and to identify promising emerging issues for further study in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain coordination (SCC) is an effective approach to improve supply chain (SC) performance. The coordination can be achieved when interdependent entities work together by sharing resources and information to achieve common objectives aligned to maximise customer value for the entire SC. There are a number of mechanisms by which the SC members can coordinate, e.g. contracts, information sharing, information technology and collaborative initiatives. To communicate frequently and effectively, the partners are required to have good information systems and capability to share information. To coordinate with each other the SC members are required to have capabilities to implement coordination mechanisms effectively. In this paper, a model is proposed to measure the effect of these mechanisms on the extent of coordination. Currently, there is no scale of measurement reported in the literature to measure the SCC. A fuzzy logic approach combined with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed to evaluate the extent of coordination. The proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study of an automotive parts manufacturer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to derive supplier service quality dimensions in the context of supply chain. Initial service quality dimensions were derived from an extensive literature review on the subject followed by refining through a series of procedures needed for scale development. Data was collected from 117 working executives of manufacturing organisations in India. The respondents were asked to assess supplier service quality in supply chain based on the perception and expectation scales. Further, data was summarised for respondents stating a high level of external service quality. Factor analysis resulted in a seven-factor structure as representative of supplier service quality in supply chain. The SSQSC tool will be beneficial to practising managers in identification of opportunities for improvements in supplier service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of TQM, it is essential that the organizations identify a few key critical success factors, which should be given special attention for ensuring successful implementation of TQM program. The concept of critical success factors (CSFs) and their use in supporting planning efforts was originated from the approach associated with the development and implementation of management information systems. This paper represents a review of the literature on CSFs and supported by various philosophies of TQM. Such factors are considered as conducive to the success of TQM implementation. Based on an exploratory study of Indian organizations engaged in manufacturing and services, CSFs have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous improvement is an imperative for being competitive. The studies show that total quality management (TQM) is an effective tool for continuous improvement. The literature on quality management shows that there is need of a model which can compare the industries on the basis of components of TQM. This paper describes the multi-attribute decision model using the analytic hierarchy process for the assessment of the quality status of industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents findings of a survey of Indian manufacturing companies. The study included companies from four major sectors namely, automobile, electronics, machinery, and process. Responses from 103 companies are analysed for various issues in manufacturing strategy. Companies are categorized in three strategic manufacturing groups as per Miller and Roth's taxonomy. The Manufacturing Competence Index (MCI) and Business Performance Index (BPI) were also calculated for each group, the results of which show a positive correlation between these two indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For past two decades many organisations have tried to implement integrated information management systems for better production management based on co-ordination of information and therefore activities of different departments. Although Enterprise Resource Planning systems have been in the market for the past decade, many industries find it difficult to implement such systems due to the amount of work involved in streamlining the documentation, customisation and of high costs reported in implementation. An attempt is made through this paper to propose an integrated model, which can be easily understood by production personnel, with specific emphasis on the textile sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents findings of an extensive survey of Indian process companies. Based on the survey, three companies have been selected for detailed case studies. Their experiences in the manufacturing strategy process are analysed. Although the companies represented diversity in terms of product type, sales volume, longevity and geographic location, they shared several commonalities including use of advanced manufacturing technologies. The process of strategy formulation varied among the companies in terms of participants, complexity and degree of formalization. Competitive priorities, order winners and critical success factors are identified for these companies. Based on strategic manufacturing issues, manufacturing competence index for the companies has been worked out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A business process reengineering (BPR) project concerning a supply chain management (SCM) system of a heavy machinery manufacturing company has been discussed in this paper. The BPR implementation process model has been described. The principal objective of this project has been to bring about radical changes in the mind sets, management styles and systems of a very mature but large organization in India. The implementation process has been very successful because the model has been explored by an organizational development initiative. BPR is both feasible and worthwhile in business only when ideas and ideals are put willingly in practice; and is practised in a collaborative mode to get closer to the people, especially at the floor level, and to customers and suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total quality management can be viewed as a systems approach that considers every interaction between the various elements of the organization. Its paradigm applies to all enterprises, both manufacturing and service. The operations and the challenges faced in service organizations are, however, vastly diff erent from those in manufacturing. This is highlighted by the intangible nature of the services and the difficulty in measuring the quality. The organization studied here is a consultancy and technology transfer wing (CTFW) in an educational institute of national importance. This study was primarily motivated by the nature of services provided by the CTFW and the perception among industries that quality may also be initiated at academic institutions. A SWOT analysis emphasizing the need for quality initiatives at the CTFW was carried out. Once the need was established, various tools such as customer surveys, brainstorming sessions and quality function deployment were applied to determine the present status of the CTFW on the quality management front. The findings formed the basis for suggestions on a framework for implementing quality initiatives at the CTFW . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purchasing has become a vital part of just-in-time (JIT) systems because of its potential for quality improvement and cost saving. This paper reviews and classifies the literature on JIT purchasing. The importance of attributes in JIT purchasing has been identified. A survey of the attributes was carried out in Indian context. The relative importance of such attributes is highlighted. Based upon this work, some research directions are also identified which need close scrutiny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vendor rating can be done using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) by a single decision maker or a group of decision makers. This approach may suffer from some drawbacks including bias in estimation process. The proposed methodology in this paper involves estimation by a group on an individual basis following the principle of anonymity. A control chart is constructed with an upper control limit and a lower control limit. Implementation ofthiscontrol chart will take into account the dynamic nature of vendor performance and also can be used for continuous monitoring of the vendor performance. This procedure can be used for a single vendor as well as for multiple vendor rating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The twentieth century has been the hallmark for managing total productivity, where the emphasis is towards maximization of outputs commensurate with the consumption of inputs. This is being challenged now to evolve the world class manufacturing strategy requiring a paradigm shift. This shift is towards green productivity, which looks forward to socially appropriate production and consumption aiming at value innovation and resource conservation. This paper is an attempt to outline the concepts and experiential learning about green productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. In recent years, strategic considerations relating to manufacturing management in the electronics industry have undergone transformation at a very rapid rate. They are being driven by pluralistic customer demands and influenced by technological innovations and competitive interventions. This paper reports on the strategic adoption and implementation of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) in an Indian electronics enterprise which has collaborative alliance with a multinational corporation (MNC) in the USA. A hybrid model has been formulated using the nominal group technique (NGT) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate various alternative AMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investing large sums of money on advanced manufacturing technologies AMT involves critical decisions and requires appropriate justification. Researchers have adopted numerous approaches to justify AMT. Selection of AMT involves decisions which are critical to the growth and profitability of the company. Nevertheless, selection and justification processes for AMT are unstructured problems and must analyse large numbers of economic, analytical, and risk factors in a decision support environment. In this paper, a decision support system DSS is developed using economic, multi-attribute, and approaches for selection and justification of automation technologies. The salient features of the system are demonstrated by a case situation. risk evaluation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classically, economic lot size models have been used separately for procurement and production subsystems. However, when the raw materials are used in production, the procurement policies are dependent on the schedule and the batch size for the product. Hence, it is necessary to unify the procurement and production policies; The just-in-time (JIT) environment pro, des an ideal setting for such a coordination between the procurement and production policies. The model proposed here is a traditional inventory model recast into a model for a JIT system for a single product, multistage batch environment aiming at the minimization of total variable cost and thereby determining the batch sizes for the product and raw material order sizes. A JIT system aims at minimizing setup time and this feature is captured in the proposed model. The computational experience reported in this paper is based on a number of simulated problem sets. The possible domain of application is also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]