RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 An investigation of supply network typologies Research Student: Fiachra Coll Centre for Strategic Manufacturing (Strathclyde University) Logistics and Supply Chain Research Group (Dublin Institute of Technology) Ph.D. Supervisor: Umit Bititci Centre for Strategic Manufacturing (Strathclyde University)

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 What is a supply network?  “The supply chain... refers to the complex network of relationships that are required in order to turn raw materials into physical products and services for ultimate consumption.” Cox  Key characteristics: Transformation of materials Interfirm coordination Network of firms

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Rationale  “No attempt to model anything like a whole [supply] network…indeed, we might ask whether a task should be attempted” Macbeth  “It is the role of the academic to codify “better” [supply chain] practice… based on robust theoretical conceptualisation” Cox  “Many well known typologies… [classification of organisations] include only a few aspects of organisational life as a basis for classification and squeeze these into as few categories as possible.” Rich

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Objectives  To validate the supply network approach in the investigation of several coordinating companies with distinct end-products operating in a competitive environment.  To critically assess current supply chain classification systems.  To create an approach to investigating supply networks.  To identify typologies (variations within the supply network) based on an analysis of the data generated by using the approach.  To validate these typologies by comparing them with other existing networks.

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Gaps in existing research  Do supply networks and chains exist in the ‘real world?’  Purposive nature of existing research inhibits cross- concept comparisons.  Disparate/ contradictory theories from a variety of disciplines.  Failure to distinguish between prescriptive and descriptive approaches.  Prevalence of traditional ‘common-sense’ models.  Evolution or revolution?

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Methodological issues  In essence there are two approaches to creating a multi-character typology based on actual data: empirical approach- exhaustive use of independent characters theoretical approach; use ‘a priori’ theory to define universe of characters.  Richness of approach- too few characters and all supply networks are homogenous- too many and they are all different.

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Components  Systems philosophy forms the ‘point of entry’ for investigation  Components are derived from a comprehensive review of previous: supply chain theories supply chain classifications extended enterprise knowledge schools of research that overlap with the supply chain Supply network data Components Describe individual system Supply chain theories (….) Extended enterprise Supply chain classifications

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Components Structure Purpose Performance Environment External inhibitors & drivers Globalisation Technology Legislature State of market & industry Supply network objectives Individual firm objectives Super-organisational objectives Conflicting objective resolution Nature of organisation Supply network- of what? Number of firms Critical/non-critical network boundaries Density of network Co-ordination mechanism Performance of network Co-ordination of strategy Individual & super-organisational performance measures

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Draw conclusions Research Objectives Define components Supply network data Describe individual system Compare system against ideal types Research approach Existing typologies (ideal types)

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Industrial contribution  Different supply network types to choose from enable firms to quickly determine what are the critical network characteristics to concentrate on.  The development of specific tools in supply chain management are contingent upon robust theoretical concepts.  Anecdotal evidence suggests that company-wide modelling forms a necessary precursor to BPR- therefore network-wide modelling should provide a means of accelerating the successful evolution of a supply network.

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 State of research Completed to date: Four conference papers Four thesis chapters Work in progress Remaining thesis chapters Implementing case study approach in selected companies Collaborating on supply chain research proposal (Ireland)  Papers for forthcoming IMR conference (Dublin)

RPD 2001Fiachra Coll 30-Jan-01 Conclusion Contact details:Tel: