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This study aims to evaluate the relative importance of critical performing supply chain (SC) processes instrumental in reducing the Time to Market (TTM) of a firm by taking the case of an apparel company. An integrated decision support system based on the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been employed to prioritize the critical strategic factors and their relevant sub-factors essential for TTM. This approach also allows determining the degree of impact of each factor on the company’s TTM. The results show the instrumental role of Plan and Deliver in SC processes in reducing the TTM. Within Plan and Deliver, the role of demand forecasting error and service quality was found to be substantial in controlling TTM. The findings of the study can be helpful for the managers and decision-makers to identify the key areas at the operational level that need to be improved and has an impact on strategic level performance, i.e., TTM. The use of a decision support system to identify the critical supply chain processes and sub-processes is the major contribution of this study.

Technological advancement is re-defining supply chains (SCs) processes and soon traditional ways of managing SCs will no more be feasible and effective. Due to recent advancement in technology, digitalization has become an emerging topic among decision-makers and researchers. To cope-up with this emerging trend in customer behavior and remain competitive, organizations must move from their traditional ways of managing their SCs to digital supply chains (DSCs) for improved organizational performance. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is in two folds: First, to identify critical factors of DSCs that are essential for transitioning traditional SCs to DSCs to improve organizational performance. Second, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is used to establish the relationship among critical factors and MICMAC (Matriced’ Impacts Croise´s Multiplication Applique´e a´un Classement) used to identify the driving and dependency power of the critical factors. Thus, this study identified fifteen DSC critical factors and established their direct and indirect effect on DSCs. The results show that “SC resilience”, and “proactive prevention” have the highest dependency power factors whilst “integration” and “advanced operational models” have the highest driving power factors. This study can help SC managers and decision-makers to understand the critical factors essential in adopting DSCs for improving organizational performance.

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to adopt a supply chain performance measurement (SCPM) framework as proposed by (Dweiri and Khan 2012) to model a novel SCPM index (SCPMI) system to measure and improve supply chain performance (SCP).Design/methodology/approach - The adopted SCPM framework developed by Dweiri and Khan (2012) is used to model a generic SCPMI framework aided by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method and inputs from industrial experts. To exemplify the applicability and efficiency of the generic SCPMI system, an automobile assembling company from an emerging economy was used. This SCMPI system is used to measure, improve and measure post-improvement SCP guided by DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) methodology.Findings - The study’s initial measurement results showed an average SCP of the case company over a four-month period as 82 per cent. DMAIC methodology was used to identify inherent problems and proposed improvements. The post-improvement SCP measurement saw an improvement from an average of 82 to 83.82 per cent over the four-month period.Practical implications - The proposed generic SCPMI framework aided by AHP-DMAIC has been successfully implemented in a case company. After implementation, managers and decision-makers saw an improvement in their SCP. The proposed SCPMI system and results can be useful for benchmarking by manufacturing organizations for continuous SCP improvement.Originality/value - An original SCPMI framework proposed is general in nature and can be applied in any organization.

Objective: The study was carried out to evaluate the frequency and types of gestational. Trophoblastic diseases (GTD) inendometrial curettings received for histopathology examination. Data Source: Pathology Department, Shifa Naval Hospital Karachi. Design ofStudy: It was a Retrospective Descriptive Observational study. Setting: Department of Pathology, Pakistan Naval Ship; Shifa Naval HospitalKarachi. Period: From 2009 till 2010. Material & Methods: A total of 170 cases of endometrial curettage were examined. All specimensreceived with a diagnosis of product of conceptions (POC) or with the clinical suspicion of a gestational trophoblastic disease were included.Results: It was observed that partial mole identified in 57.1 % cases followed by complete mole 21.4%, choriocarcinoma 14.2% and placentalsite Trophoblastic disease 7.1% cases. Nearly half of the cases were diagnosed as having a gestational trophoblastic disease; these were fromthe age groups of 26-30 years followed by 21-25 years. Conclusions: Hydatidiform mole is the commonest gestational trophoblastic disease.Most complete moles are detected clinically but partial moles are misdiagnosed as abortions therefore all cases of abortions should be sent forhistopathological examinations.

In the past decade, multiple researchers have focussed on various techniques and models of finished goods inventory, distribution and transportation. This paper emphasises the role of these processes in forward supply chain, according to their requirements and needs as they may occur, to expedite the process. This research is based on a qualitative approach. The study strives to find out and deduce the different segments of forward supply chain and the inter-relation between them. This paper gives a precise description of the usage of tools and techniques that may be most appropriate for the specific combination of multiple situations of forward supply chain of particular firm. As handling finished goods inventory is the initial step of forward supply chain processes and it is the most significant and extravagant factor in an industry as it amounts to 50% of the total capital investment. Then comes the distribution; another driver, which is the main component of contributing to a company's effectiveness and finally while transportation plays an integral part from the beginning to the end of a supply chain. This research paper is implied to the forward supply chain processes for which finished goods inventory and outbound logistics have been considered. The paper furnishes some realistic suggestions for the inventory, distribution and transportation managers regarding the selection of a feasible model as per their system requirements.