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The nature of supply networks
\"Supply chains are networks. Supply chains are a simplification of what actually happens, and supply networks are much closer to what is real. When two companies engage in business as a buyer and a supplier, they form a buyer-supplier relationship. That is a dyad-two entities linked up in a relationship. Yet, triads are the smallest unit where we can begin to observe network dynamics. A common triad in supply networks is the buyer-supplier-supplier relationship. If we extend the supplier-supplier relationship horizontally, we get a supply base to a buying company. If we extend the buyer-supplier relationship vertically, we see an extended supply chain. If we combine the supply bases and extended supply chains, we end up with supply networks. Using the network concepts and theories, we study the structural and behavioral patterns of supply networks. Further, using the theoretical lens of complex adaptive systems, we examine the dynamic and evolutionary patterns of supply networks. By doing so, we consider how to help make supply networks become more resilient and robust\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
Kidney for Sale by Owner
Over the past decade in the United States, nearly 6,000 people a year have died waiting for organ transplants. In 2003 alone, only 20,000 out of the 83,000 waiting for transplants received them--in anyone's eyes, a tragedy. Many of these deaths could have been prevented, and many more lives saved, were it not for the almost universal moral hand-wringing over the concept of selling human organs. Bioethicist Mark Cherry explores the why of these well-intentioned misperceptions and legislation and boldly deconstructs the roadblocks that are standing in the way of restoring health to thousands of people. If most Americans accept the notion that the market is the most efficient means to distribute resources, why should body parts be excluded? Kidney for Sale by Owner contends that the market is indeed a legitimate—and humane—way to procure and distribute human organs. Cherry stakes the claim that it may be even more just, and more compatible with many Western religious and philosophical traditions, than the current charity-based system now in place. He carefully examines arguments against a market for body parts, including assertions based on the moral views of John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and Thomas Aquinas, and shows these claims to be steeped in myth, oversimplification, and contorted logic. Rather than focusing on purported human exploitation and the irrational \"moral repugnance\" of selling organs, Cherry argues that we should focus on saving lives. Following on the thinking of the philosopher Robert Nozick, he demonstrates that, with regard to body parts, the important core humanitarian values of equality, liberty, altruism, social solidarity, human dignity, and, ultimately, improved health care are more successfully supported by a regulated market rather than by well meant, but misguided, prohibitions.
eBook
Impact of green construction procurement practices on the success of circular economy in Ghana
PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of green construction procurement practices (GCPPs) on circular economy (CE) success by identifying environmentally sustainable procurement practices that can promote a CE in the construction industry. The goal was to promote circularity in construction through GCPPs.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was adopted and purposively selected 100 respondents for a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Data from the questionnaire survey were analysed using mean score ranking, One-sample t-test and regression analysis.FindingsThe study found that using on-site systematic waste management, project stakeholder commitment and support for green practices and environmental requirements in technical specifications, significantly impact CE success in construction, with a 12.8% variance in CE when green procurement is practised. This implies that GCPPs have positive repercussions on CE success, where the CE success is expected to change as GCPPs levels increase.Practical implicationsThe study provides insights into green procurement, promoting its use in infrastructure development and aiding clients, particularly in the government sector with insights into the challenges and practices involved in green procurement. Practitioners can also benefit from better implementing CE strategies to draft and manage contracts for infrastructure projects that prioritize circularity.Originality/valueThe limited impact of GCPPs on advancing CE principles in construction suggests policy and practice must strengthen procurement requirements to fully leverage spending and drive the sector’s transition towards a circular model. Also, novel insight is provided into the most effective types of GCPPs for promoting CE success, aiding policymakers in optimizing construction procurement strategies.
Journal Article
Dynamic capabilities for digital procurement transformation: a systematic literature review
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to achieve a collective understanding of the capabilities required for digital procurement transformation (DPT).Design/methodology/approachThe authors contextualize theory about dynamic capabilities (DCs) to integrate the fragmented body of literature on procurement digitalization by means of a systematic literature review (SLR). By extracting and clustering capabilities, as well as proven performance outcomes from existing literature in the field, the authors develop a conceptual model of the DCs required for DPT.FindingsThe authors first introduce and define DPT and the corresponding motivations that trigger firms to invest in advanced digital technologies. Second, by adopting the DC lens, the authors provide an overview of nine microfoundations required for DPT and highlight the strategic options procurement leaders can use when strategizing about adopting combinations of digital technologies. Third, the authors present a future research agenda on DCs for DPT.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed conceptual model must be verified and enhanced through further empirical research.Practical implicationsThe conceptual model can be used by procurement leaders as a starting point and framework when strategizing about digitally transforming the procurement organization.Originality/valueThe study is the first to synthesize previous research findings on procurement digitalization through an SLR in order to develop a fine-grained conceptual model that supports practitioners and researchers alike in better understanding the capabilities required for and potential performance outcomes of DPT.
Journal Article
Supplier relationship management : how to maximize vendor value and opportunity
This book shows that supplier relationship management is a strategic discussion requiring cross-functional interaction and internal alignment at the highest level. SRM involves an appraisal of the current and potential value that suppliers bring to a firm and a frank and constructive business-to-business dialogue about how to improve the relationship. This book explains the Supplier Interaction Model, a key tool that will help the reader get the most from supplier relationships. Case studies show how to apply SRM principles. Topics covered include: identifying value-adding opportunities in the supply chain; applying true partnering approaches to maximize the benefits for both organizations; working the 'critical cluster' of high-performing suppliers, where the greatest opportunity for advantage lies; reviewing suppliers to encourage constant gains in quality and cost; looking to suppliers for innovation and better practices; and turning SRM strategy into a major competitive advantage. This book is for chief procurement officers, operations managers, purchasing officers, supply chain executives, C-level executives, and non-procurement managers.-- Edited summary from book.
BOOK
A systematic review of pooled procurement of medicines and vaccines: identifying elements of success
Introduction
Pooled procurement of health commodities has increasingly been promoted as a solution to reduce prices, increase availability, and achieve more efficient procurement processes. However, little is known about what is required to implement pooled procurement mechanisms successfully and how they function under specific circumstances. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to synthesize empirically grounded insights by identifying the elements that are essential for setting up and operating pooled procurement mechanisms of medicines and vaccines.
Methods
Our review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for empirical studies on pooled procurement of medicines and vaccines using various search terms. Publications were assessed based on predetermined eligibility criteria.
Results
Our initial search yielded 1596 publications, of which 44 were eventually included in our review. Most of the included articles focused on pooled procurement mechanisms that operated on a sub-national level (43%), procured a variety of products (38%), and were set up with the goal to contain costs (64%). The review identified several elements that are essential for pooled procurement mechanisms to function. We organized these elements around three key actors in the mechanism: buyers, the pooled procurement organization, and suppliers. To participate in pooled procurement, buyers need a sufficient level of technical capacity, financial capacity and compatible laws and regulations. To carry out pooled procurement, the pooled procurement organization needs sufficient financial capacity, technical capacity, and independent operations. To supply the mechanism with health commodities, suppliers need sufficient incentives, such as a sufficient market size and a prompt payment mechanism.
Conclusion
Pooled procurement mechanisms are very diverse. They differ in characteristics and organizational structures and are set up to achieve a variety of goals. While certain essential elements are more likely to increase successful implementation and functioning of pooled procurement mechanisms, the organizational structure must be aligned with the goals of the mechanism, and adapted to the local contextual environment.
Journal Article
Procurement skills and procurement performance in public organizations: The mediating role of procurement planning
Skills are important qualities that procurement practitioners should have because they are relevant to procurement activities. Given its significance, this study investigates the influence of procurement skills on procurement performance in public organizations in Tanzania. Furthermore, the study investigates the mediating effect of procurement planning on the relationship between procurement skills and procurement performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted, with data collected from public procurement practitioners in Dodoma City, Tanzania, using a structured questionnaire. To ascertain the hypothesized relationships, structural equation modeling was used. The findings indicate that procurement skills have a positive and significant influence on procurement performance in Tanzanian public organizations. Furthermore, procurement skills and procurement planning are significant and positively related and procurement planning significantly influences procurement performance. Finally, procurement skills have an indirect influence on procurement performance through procurement planning. The study concludes that procurement planning mediates the relationship between procurement skills and procurement performance. Therefore, procurement skills should be used to improve procurement planning in public organizations and procurement performance. In this regard, public organizations should ensure that practitioners are adequately trained to improve their skills in preparing and implementing procurement plans for improving procurement performance in their respective organizations.
Journal Article