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The challenges that logistics faces in the retail industry must be investigated in the context of the specific retail sector as well as the degree of development of the retail market. The research focus in this paper is on logistic processes in supermarket supply. The aim is to deepen the understanding of logistic processes and then to investigate the possibilities of their enhancement by applying radio frequency identification (RFID) as a higher level of information technology for product identification in retail supply chains. The research was conducted in one of the top ten trade companies in the emerging Serbian market. Simulation modelling was performed for one supply chain category, followed by quantification of time and cost performance of the current logistic processes (AS-IS model). Then, in accordance with the capabilities of RFID system, improvements are proposed and integrated into a new simulation model (TO-BE model). The obtained results can be utilised as part of a broader research when deciding on the implementation of modern information technologies in supply chains.

The supply chain management has been marked by many conflicts between internal and external agents of the productive chain. Notwithstanding, a new administrative practice based on collaboration and intensive exchange of information has emerged as a new form of relationship amongst the distinct agents. Based on that, this study aims to understand the existing relationship between the internal and the external firms collaboration, and the systematic flow of information required by the supply chain management. To accomplish this, a two stages multi-method research was conducted. The first stage, exploratory in nature, had the objective to know in details the nuances of collaboration practice amongst the related agents. Five executives from capital goods industry and others related were surveyed by means of in depth interviews, and the collected data was be interpreted by content analysis. Additionally, a survey was conduct with 49 respondents regarding theirs opinions bout the importance of specific attributes of collaboration The second stage, descriptive in nature, had the intent to establish the relationship between collaboration and in use information systems at the companies, as well their impacts on the firm s productive and logistics performance. Similar to the first stage procedures, other 43 respondents from capital goods and related sectors were surveyed by means of a structured form. The data obtained was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The results pointed to some meaningful relations between collaboration attitudes, information system s management, and logistic performance. A varied set of aspects of collaboration inter and intra firm were also evidenced, with an interesting preeminence for the compromise attribute in despise of the confidence. The difficulties to obtain a meaningful sample had an impact on a broader generalization of results, which implicates that a relationship between the factors exists, but they do not diminish the contributions for the field s research, considered the limitations and the scarcity of broader generalization s research in Brazil. Suggestions for additional research recommended a new tryout of validation of the model sketched, with more controlled samples. The needs for the inclusion of governance and power in future studies were also mentioned, and a recommendation for a specific study exploring the Compromise attribute of collaboration in Brazilian companies were also included. A gestão da cadeia de suprimentos tem se caracterizado por conflitos entre os diversos agentes internos e externos que compõem a cadeia produtiva. No entanto, nova prática administrativa caracterizada pela colaboração e troca intensiva de informações tem surgido como uma nova forma de se relacionar com os diversos agentes. Por conta disso, este estudo teve como objetivo compreender a relação entre a colaboração inter e intra empresas, e o fluxo sistematizado de informações requeridas pela gestão da cadeia de suprimentos. Para isto efetuou-se uma pesquisa multimétodos composta de duas etapas. A primeira etapa, de natureza exploratória, teve a finalidade de conhecer com maior profundidade as nuances da colaboração praticada pelos agentes envolvidos. Foram entrevistados 5 executivos de empresas do setor de bens de capital mecânicos e adjacentes, cujos dados coletados por meio de entrevistas em profundidade, foram tratados pela análise de conteúdo. Ainda na primeira etapa foi conduzido um levantamento que contou com 49 respondentes que se manifestaram sobre a importância de determinados atributos da colaboração. A segunda etapa, de natureza descritiva, teve a finalidade de estabelecer a relação da colaboração com os sistemas de informações vigentes nas empresas bem como seu impacto nos desempenhos produtivos e logísticos. Da mesma forma que na primeira etapa foi feito um levantamento que contou com 43 respondentes do setor de bens de capital mecânicos, e de montadoras e autopeças. Os dados coletados foram tratados pela estatística descritiva e inferencial. Os resultados apontaram para algumas relações significativas entre atitudes de colaboração, gestão de sistemas de informação, e desempenho logístico. Um variado conjunto de aspectos da colaboração inter e intra empresas também foram evidenciados, com uma interessante proeminência para o atributo de comprometimento em detrimento do atributo da confiança. A dificuldade de obtenção de uma amostra significativa impactou nas possibilidades de uma generalização maior dos resultados, que implicaram que existe uma relação positiva entre os fatores estudados, no entanto esta limitação não diminuiu a contribuição para o campo, ainda mais na vertente brasileira, cuja pesquisa de grande abrangência é limitada, senão rara. Como sugestões de prosseguimento foram recomendadas novas tentativas de validar o modelo esboçado, com amostras mais controladas. Também se evidenciou a necessidade de incluir questões de poder e governança nas análises futuras, e se recomendou um estudo específico sobre o entendimento do atributo de Comprometimento nas empresas brasileiras.

Purpose - To analyze the relationship between supply chain management maturity, supply chain performance and financial performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME:s). Design/methodology/approach - The data comprises 15 SME:s that participated in a local logistic study in Gävleborgs län. The levels of supply chain mature within these firms were based upon an interview study and the financial performance of the firms was then examined using financial reports-based data. Findings -The results of this study indicate that there is a strong relationship between SCM maturity and SC performance in SMEs, some relationships between SCM maturity and financial performance, as well as some relationships between SC performance and financial performance. This means that if firms use maturity indicators in the SCOR areas to improve their processes, they will most likely achieve a positive effect on supply chain performance and probably also on financial performance. The result implies that the supply chain maturities in these firms are higher than expected with no one at the adHoc level. While this study is based on a rather small number of participating firms, it would be valuable to further test the significance of the indicated correlations between SCM maturity and performance in a large-scale survey. Research limitations/Implications - The research is an attempt to understand supply chain maturity and it´s implication on financial performance. Developing supply chain maturity is an opportunity for a company to gain superior performance. The use of this approach has been validated in several previous research studies. The research limitation of this study is the small number of participating firms. Practical implication - Maturity models could be valuable frameworks for corporate management. This study provides statistical evidence that a SME firm that has achieved a higher maturity level in their supply chain management also can achieve higher SC performance and financial performance as well. The study further confirms the maturity model from Lockamy and McCormack (2004) as a very reliable tool for this purpose, even in extremely small firms. Originality/Value - This study is one of very few to focus on supply chain maturity of SME:s and analyze the linkage between financial performance and supply chain maturity in SME:s. This is particularly significant since earlier research implicate that SME:s has a very low maturity and in addition to that a high potential of improvements in this area. Maybe the findings of this study can be a starting point for these SME:s to take their maturity to a higher level and improve their financial performance. These findings might be valuable for further research in the linkage between maturity and superior performance in SME:s. Key words - Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Performance, Supply Chain Maturity, Financial Performance, Logistic Performance. Paper type - Thesis/research paper