Improving manufacturing performance by standardization of interprocess communication

A number of environmental forces such as increasing value chain network complexity, decreasing product life-cycle cost, and time-to-market requirements or increasing product complexity act upon manufacturing organizations, enhancing the acute need for organizational routines that foster efficient and effective communication between processes. Such organizational routines erode quickly in the absence of common standards for knowledge sharing, that is why successful manufacturing systems benefit from interprocess standardization. The purpose of this paper is to offer a standardization model of interprocess communication that increases manufacturing operational performance (MOP). First, we propose a novel holistic model that makes standardized interprocess communication possible in manufacturing organizations. Second, we propose a model for quantifying the implications of standardizing interprocess communication upon MOP. Finally, as a matter of application, we show the results of its successful implementation in one Japanese manufacturing organization.

Valorización energética de biomasas en el marco de la política energética española. Incentivos económico-financieros y políticos, aportación de valor añadido y prospectiva estratégica de desarrollo

El modelo económico actual basado en el consumo y en la búsqueda permanente de una mayor calidad de vida, unido a una población mundial en aumento, contribuye a incrementar la demanda de servicios energéticos para cubrir las necesidades de energía de las personas y las industrias. Desde finales del siglo XIX la energía se ha generado fundamentalmente a partir de combustibles fósiles (carbón, petróleo y gas), convertidos en el suministro energético predominante mundialmente. Las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero que genera la prestación de servicios energéticos han contribuido considerablemente al aumento histórico de las concentraciones de esos gases en la atmósfera, hasta el punto de que el consumo de combustibles fósiles es responsable de la mayoría de las emisiones antropogénicas (IPCC, 2012). Existen diversas opciones para disminuir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero del sector energético y con ello contribuir a mitigar el cambio climático, entre otras sería viable aumentar la eficiencia energética y sustituir combustibles de origen fósil por combustibles de origen renovable, pudiendo garantizar un suministro de energía sostenible, competitivo y seguro. De todas las energías renovables susceptibles de formar parte de una cartera de opciones de mitigación, esta tesis se centra en la bioenergía generada a partir de la valorización energética de las biomasas agrícolas, forestales, ganaderas o de otro tipo, con fines eléctricos y térmicos. Con objeto de mostrar su capacidad para contribuir a mitigar el cambio climático y su potencial contribución al desarrollo socioeconómico, a la generación de energía distribuida y a reducir determinados efectos negativos sobre el medio ambiente, se ha analizado minuciosamente el sector español de la biomasa en su conjunto. Desde el recurso biomásico que existe en España, las formas de extraerlo y procesarlo, las tecnologías de valorización energética, sus usos energéticos principales y la capacidad de implementación del sector en España. Asimismo se ha examinado el contexto energético tanto internacional y europeo como nacional, y se han analizado pormenorizadamente los instrumentos de soporte que han contribuido de manera directa e indirecta al desarrollo del sector en España. Además, la tesis integra el análisis de los resultados obtenidos mediante dos metodologías diferentes con fines también distintos. Por un lado se han obtenido los resultados medioambientales y socioeconómicos de los análisis de ciclo de vida input-output generados a partir de las cinco tecnologías biomásicas más ampliamente utilizadas en España. Y por otro lado, en base a los objetivos energéticos y medioambientales establecidos, se han obtenido distintas proyecciones de la implementación del sector a medio plazo, en forma de escenarios energéticos con horizonte 2035, mediante el modelo TIMES-Spain. La tesis ofrece también una serie de conclusiones y recomendaciones que podrían resultar pertinentes para los agentes que constituyen la cadena de valor del propio sector e interesados, así como para la formulación de políticas y mecanismos de apoyo para los agentes decisores, tanto del ámbito de la Administración General del Estado como autonómico y regional, sobre las características y ventajas de determinadas formas de valorización, sobre los efectos sociales y medioambientales que induce su uso, y sobre la capacidad de sector para contribuir a determinadas políticas más allá de las puramente energéticas. En todo caso, esta tesis doctoral aspira a contribuir a la toma de decisiones idóneas tanto a los agentes del sector como a responsables públicos, con objeto de adoptar medidas orientadas a fomentar modificaciones del sistema energético que incrementen la proporción de energía renovable y, de esta forma, contribuir a mitigar la amenaza que supone el cambio climático no solo en la actualidad, sino especialmente en los próximos años para las generaciones venideras. ABSTRACT The current economic model based on both, consumption and the constant search for greater quality of life, coupled with a growing world population, contribute to increase the demand for energy services in order to meet the energy needs of people and industries. Since the late nineteenth century, energy has been basically generated from fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), which converted fossil fuels into the predominant World energy supply source. Emissions of greenhouse gases generated by the provision of energy services have contributed significantly to the historical increase in the concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere, to the extent that the consumption of fossil fuels is responsible for most of the anthropogenic emissions (IPCC, 2012). There are several options to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the energy sector and, thereby, to contribute to mitigate climate change. Among others, would be feasible to increase energy efficiency and progressively replacing fossil fuels by renewable fuels, which are able to ensure a sustainable, competitive and secure energy supply. Of all the renewable energies likely to form part of a portfolio of mitigation options, this thesis focuses on bioenergy generated from agricultural, forestry, farming or other kind of biomass, with electrical and thermal purposes. In order to show their ability to contribute to mitigate climate change and its potential contribution to socio-economic development, distributed energy generation and to reduce certain negative effects on the environment, the Spanish biomass sector as a whole has been dissected. From the types of biomass resources that exist in Spain, ways of extracting and processing them, energy production technologies, its main energy uses and the implementation capacity of the sector in Spain. It has also examined the international, European and national energy context, and has thoroughly analyzed the support instruments that have contributed directly and indirectly to the development of the sector in Spain, so far. Furthermore, the thesis integrates the analysis of results obtained using two different methodologies also with different purposes. On the one hand, the environmental and socio-economic results of the analysis of input-output cycle life generated from the five biomass technologies most widely used in Spain, have been obtained. On the other hand, different projections of the implementation of the sector in the medium term, as energy scenarios with horizon 2035, have been obtained by the model TIMES-Spain, based on several energy and environmental objectives. The thesis also offers a series of conclusions and recommendations that could be relevant to the agents that constitute the value chain of the biomass sector itself and other stakeholders. As well as policy and support mechanisms for decision-makers, from both: The Central and Regional Governments, on the characteristics and advantages of certain forms of valorization, on the social and environmental effects that induce their use, and the ability of the biomass sector to contribute to certain policies beyond the purely energy ones. In any case, this thesis aims to contribute to decision making, suitable for both: Industry players and to public officials. In order to adopt measures to promote significant changes in the energy system that increase the proportion of renewable energy and, consequently, that contribute to mitigate the threat of climate change; not only today but in the coming years, especially for future generations.

Food market analysis: a case study of the Glocal methodology in the Dominican Republic

The present paper provides an insight into the food value chain of three specific sectors (fruit and vegetables, poultry and rice) in the Dominican Republic. The Glocal methodology used for the study combines a global view with local conditions and thus it can be applied to food markets. Each of these food chains is analyzed by following traditional industrial organization theory, based on structure, conduct and performance. Regarding the specific case of the Dominican Republic, different sources of information are used to analyze the weaknesses of the studied chains, including direct interviews. The food value chains of fruit and vegetables, poultry and rice in the Dominican Republic show a lack of structure and they are undergoing changes; however, they also have great opportunities to improve efficiency by making some changes.

Governance Structure Choices in Supply Chain Management Evidence from Spanish and Chinese Pork Chain Cases

The author participated in the 6 th EU Framework Project ―Q-pork Chains (FP6-036245-2)‖ from 2007 to 2009. With understanding of work reports from China and other countries, it is found that compared with other countries, China has great problems in pork quality and safety. By comparing the pork chain management between China and Spain, It is found that the difference in governance structure is one of the main differences in pork chain management between Spain and China. In China, spot-market relationship still dominates governance structure of pork chain, especially between the numerous house-hold pig holders and the great number of small slaughters. While in Spain, chain agents commonly apply cooperatives or integrations to cooperate. It also has been proven by recent studies, that in quality management at the chain level that supply chain integration has a direct effect on quality management practices (Han, 2010). Therefore, the author started to investigate the governance structure choices in supply chain management. And it has been set as the first research objective, which is to explain the governance structure choices process and the influencing factors in supply chain management, analyzing the pork chains cases in Spain and in China. During the further investigation, the author noticed the international trade of pork between Spain and China is not smooth since the signature of bi-lateral agreement on pork trade in 2007. Thus, another objective of the research is to find and solve the problems exist in the international pork chain between Spain and China. For the first objective, to explain the governance structure choices in supply chain management, the thesis conducts research in three main sections. 10 First of all, the thesis gives a literature overview in chapter two on Supply Chain Management (SCM), agri-food chain management and pork chain management. It concludes that SCM is a systems approach to view the supply chains as a whole, and to manage the total flow of goods inventory from the supplier to the ultimate customer. It includes the bi-directional flow of products (materials and services) and information, and the associated managerial and operational activities. And it also is a customer focus to create unique and individual source of customer value with an appropriate use of resources, leading to customer satisfaction and building competitive chain advantages. Agri-food chain management and pork chain management are applications of SCM in agri-food sector and pork sector respectively. Then, the research gives a comparative study in chapter three in the pork chain and pork chain management between Spain and China. Many differences are found, while the main difference is governance structure in pork chain management. Furthermore, the author gives an empirical study on governance structure choice in chapter five. It is concluded that governance structure of supply chain consists of a collection of rules/institutions/constraints structuring the transactions between the various stakeholders. Based on the overview on literatures closely related with governance structure, such as transaction cost economics, transaction value analysis and resource-based view theories, seven hypotheses are proposed, which are: Hypothesis 1: Transaction cost has positive relationship with governance structure choice Hypothesis 2: Uncertainty has positive relationship with transaction cost; higher uncertainty exerts high transaction cost Hypothesis 3: The relationship between asset specificity and transaction cost is positive Hypothesis 4: Collaboration advantages and governance structure choice have positive relationship11 Hypothesis 5: Willingness to collaborate has positive relationship with collaboration advantages Hypothesis 6: Capability to collaborate has positive relationship with collaboration advantages Hypothesis 7: Uncertainty has negative effect on collaboration advantages It is noted that as transaction cost value is negative, the transaction cost mentioned in the hypotheses is its absolute value. To test the seven hypotheses, Structural Equation Model (SEM) is applied and data collected from 350 pork slaughtering and processing companies in Jiangsu, Shandong and Henan Provinces in China is used. Based on the empirical SEM model and its results, the seven hypotheses are proved. The author generates several conclusions accordingly. It is found that the governance structure choice of the chain not only depends on transaction cost, it also depends on collaboration advantages. Exchange partners establish more stable and more intense relationship to reduce transaction cost and to maximize collaboration advantages. ―Collaboration advantages‖ in this thesis is defined as the joint value achieved through transaction (mutual activities) of agents in supply chains. This value forms as improvements, mainly in mutual logistics systems, cash response, information exchange, technological improvements and innovative improvements and quality management improvements, etc. Governance structure choice is jointly decided by transaction cost and collaboration advantages. Chain agents take different governance structures to coordinate in order to decrease their transaction cost and to increase their collaboration advantages. In China´s pork chain case, spot market relationship dominates the governance structure among the numerous backyard pig farmer and small family slaughterhouse 12 as they are connected by acquaintance relationship and the transaction cost in turn is low. Their relationship is reliable as they know each other in the neighborhood; as a result, spot market relationship is suitable for their exchange. However, the transaction between large-scale slaughtering and processing industries and small-scale pig producers is becoming difficult. The information hold back behavior and hold-up behavior of small-scale pig producers increase transaction cost between them and large-scale slaughtering and processing industries. Thus, through the more intense and stable relationship between processing industries and pig producers, processing industries reduce the transaction cost and improve the collaboration advantages with their chain partners, in which quality and safety collaboration advantages be increased, meaning that processing industries are able to provide consumers products with better quality and higher safety. It is also drawn that transaction cost is influenced mainly by uncertainty and asset specificity, which is in line with new institutional economics theories developed by Williamson O. E. In China´s pork chain case, behavioral uncertainty is created by the hold-up behaviors of great numbers of small pig producers, while big slaughtering and processing industries having strong asset specificity. On the other hand, ―collaboration advantages‖ is influenced by chain agents´ willingness to collaborate and chain agents´ capabilities to cooperate. With the fast growth of big scale slaughtering and processing industries, they are more willing to know and make effort to cooperate with their chain members, and they are more capable to create joint value together with other chain agents. Therefore, they are now the main chain agents who drive more intense and stable governance structure in China‘s pork chain. For the other objective, to find and solve the problems in the international pork chain between Spain and China, the research gives an analysis in chapter four on the 13 international pork chain. This study gives explanations why the international trade of pork between Spain and China is not sufficient from the chain perspective. It is found that the first obstacle is the high quality and safety requirement set by Chinese government. It makes the Spanish companies difficult to get authorities to export. Other aspects, such as Spanish pork is not competitive in price compared with other countries such as Denmark, United States, Canada, etc., Chinese consumers do not have sufficient information on Spanish pork products, are also important reasons that Spain does not export great quantity of pork products to China. It is concluded that China´s government has too much concern on the quality and safety requirements to Spanish pork products, which makes trade difficult to complete. The two countries need to establish a more stable and intense trade relationship. They also should make the information exchange sufficient and efficient and try to break trade barriers. Spanish companies should consider proper price strategies to win the Chinese pork market

Auto component supply chain: a path to global India

Supply chain management works to bring the supplier, the distributor, and the customer into one cohesive process. The Supply Chain Council defined supply chain as ‘Supply Chain: The flow and transformation of raw materials into products from suppliers through production and distribution facilities to the ultimate consumer., and then Sunil Chopra and Meindl, (2001) have define Supply chain management as ‘Supply Chain Management involves the flows between and among stages in a supply chain to maximize total profitability.’ After 1950, supply chain management got a boost with the production and manufacturing sector getting highest attention. The inventory became the responsibility of the marketing, accounting and production areas. Order processing was part of accounting and sales. Supply chain management became one of the most powerful engines of business transformation. It is the one area where operational efficiency can be gained. It reduces organizations costs and enhances customer service. With the liberalization of world trade, globalization, and emergence of the new markets, many organizations have customers and competitions throughout the world, either directly or indirectly. Business communities are aware that global competitiveness is the key to the success of a business. Competitiveness is ability to produce, distribute and provide products and services for the open market in competition with others. The supply chain, a critical link between supplier, producer and customer is emerged now as an essential business process and a strategic lever, potential value contributor a differentiator for the success of any business. Supply chain management is the management of all internal and external processes or functions to satisfy a customer’s order (from raw materials through conversion and manufacture through logistics delivery.). Goods-either in raw form or processed, whole sale or retailed distribution, business or technology services, in everyday life- in the business or household- directly or indirectly supply chain is ubiquitously associated in expanding socio-economic development. Supply chain growth competitive performance and supporting strong growth impulse at micro as well as micro economic levels. Keeping the India vision at the core of the objective, the role of supply chain is to take up social economic challenges, improve competitive advantages, develop strategies, built capabilities, enhance value propositions, adapt right technology, collaborate with stakeholders and deliver environmentally sustainable outcomes with minimum resources.

Social issues in sustainable supply chain networks: state of the art and further research directions

The study of supply networks sustainability is a field with a long path behind. Nonetheless, most studies to date are focused on the environmental sub dimension of sustainability, while the social perspective in supply chain networks research still shows a potential for pioneering contri butions. Moreover, from the development standpoint we have observed a paradigm shift advancing from a narrow concept of development, centered on purely economic dimensions, towards more refined issues such as inclusive business, shared value or poverty footprint, all of which are highly related to supply chain activities. In this paper we present a review of the current state of the art on social sustainability of supply chains and we identify the main existing trends in this field. After conducting this study, we can state that a new sphere of knowledge is emerging at the interface between sustainable supply chain networks and development research. The academic community is called to play an important dovetailing role in this scenario by advancing both conceptual and methodological contributions.