Performance of Supply Chain Models in Business Practice - Key to Supporting Corporate Strategy

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to personally express my gratitude to all that strength me in my research to complete this thesis.

I would like to expressly thank the University of Huddersfield and his dedicated staff for their support while studying and conducting this research paper.

My special thanks to my parents for their advice, encouragement and support all along my study.

I am grateful to my project supervisor Jayne Hemmingham whose expertise and enthusiasm from the beginning stimulated my project in its development.

My chancellor in China and best friend Dr. Wallace Bai (Centre Principal Kaplan China) for his help and support through my whole student life.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

This dissertation project analyses the classification of supply chain models associated with the corporate strategy that can be a necessary help for global businesses in the selection of supply chain management to gain the competitive advantage. The aim is to review the different classification of supply chain models within the different global organizations and industries to obtain an optimal integration of supply chain management across the corporate strategy. It provides the detailed explanation of the different concept of the corporate strategy and its interface with the supply chain management. After that it shows the critical literature review on the supply chain classification. It includes the reviewing firm aspect of manufacturing strategies and how they are implemented. In addition to this, a comprehensive discussion over the supply chain management role as an intermediate for business strategy is also covered. Key performance measure literature for assessing supply chain is also reviewed so as to suggest an original approach to compare supply chain model. Another analysis is also included to experiment the supply chain models designed using real data.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

SCM Supply Chain Management

BTO Build-to-Order

BTOSC Build-to-Order Supply Chain

BTS Build-to-Stock

ETO Engineer-to-Order

TSCM Traditional Supply Chain Management

OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer

MAU Modular Assembly Unit

JIT Just-in-Time

OTD Order-to-Delivery

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONSV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Introduction2

Supply Chain Management SCM2

Problem Statement5

Research Aims and Objectives5

Significance of the Study6

Hypothesis/Research Question6

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW8

Theoretical Framework8

Supply Chain Management8

Consistency between Corporate Strategy and Supply Chain10

Leader of Cost10

Leader of Operation10

Leader of Innovation11

SCM and Enterprise Value12

Customer Service12

Customer Service and Distribution Network12

Outsourcing13

Importance of Logistics Management and Supply Chain13

Supply Chain Business Model14

Corporate Strategy14

Warehousing17

Outbound Logistics18

Marketing and Sales19

Marketing Channels19

The Supply Chain Models20

Manufacturing22

Competitive Advantage23

Supply Chain Integration26

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY29

Research Design29

Literature Selection Criteria30

Keywords Used30

Research Approach31

Chosen Method- Inductive Approach32

Paradigm of Study32

Qualitative Research33

Quantitative Research34

Case Study34

Design of Single Case Study35

Chosen method: Case Study36

Data Sources37

Primary Data37

Secondary Data37

Literature Reviews38

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS39

Volvo Cars39

Automotive Industry40

Build to Order - Supply Chain (BTOSC) in Automotive Industry41

Suppliers in BTOSC in Automotive Industry43

Suppliers in Automotive BTOSC43

Supplier Parks43

Synchronous, Sequential JIT in Supplier Parks45

OEMs in BTOSC in Automotive Industry48

BTOSC Manufacturing System48

Build-to-Order/Build-to-Stock Border ...