Literature is reviewed in support of a study that will assess the effectiveness of alternative logistics management policies to assure the attainment of required levels of product quality in small manufacturing firms. Literature is reviewed in the following topical areas of interest:
Supply-chain management plays a central role in the management of an organizationÆs value-chain. Essential to the effectiveness of an organizationÆs supply-chain management are the concepts and procedures associated with cycle-time reduction and just-in-time resource management (Sharland, Eltantawy, & Giunipero, 2003). Cycle-time reduction and just-in-time resource management are most frequently associated with manufacturing operations. In fact, however, these elements of supply chain management are equally relevant in a variety of operational contexts (Delattre, 2005). Similarly, just-in-time concepts are applicable to functions other than inventory management.
Waste, considered in the context of managing production operations, refers to any activity that detracts from the creation of value. In the current environment of global business operations, competitive advantages derive in large part from the integration and coordination of the various activities of the value chain. In such an environment, it is important to reduce total costs as well as design, production, and distribution times (Nichols, 2003).
The global environment in which business functions today requires achievement of high standards of performance in quality, timeliness, total costs, and customer service. To reach these levels of performance simultaneously, a company must change and improve all the phases in the value chain continuously. In each phase of the value chain (design, purchasing, production, and distribution), these actions must involve organization and management, management systems, and technology management and application (Dasgupta, 2003).
The reductio...