International Journal of Services and Operations Management 

About: International Journal of Services and Operations Management is an academic journal published by Inderscience Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Supply chain & Supply chain management. It has an ISSN identifier of 1744-2370. Over the lifetime, 900 publications have been published receiving 7309 citations. The journal is also known as: IJSOM.

Rapid manufacturing: impact on supply chain methodologies and practice

Abstract: This paper demonstrates the use of Rapid Manufacturing (RM) as the enabling technology for flexible manufacturing in a number of industrial sectors. This paper discusses the evolution of Rapid Prototyping (RP) to RM and the current issues that require further research for the successful integration of this technology within manufacturing companies. The use of RM will have particular impact on supply chain management paradigms such as lean and agile and has particular strategic fit with mass customisation. The effect of RM will have on these paradigms is discussed and confirmed with example cases from automotive production, motor sport and medical devices industries. In conclusion, RM has already been shown in the three cases to offer benefits, particularly where fast reconfiguration of the manufacturing process is required and with the production of customised components.

Development of a framework for lean manufacturing systems

Abstract: Researchers worldwide have proposed various frameworks for Lean Manufacturing (LM), which act as a guide and provide direction to managers. A review of these frameworks revealed that they suffer from various shortcomings. Hence, in this paper, an attempt has been made to resolve some of the drawbacks by developing a new framework. To accomplish this, a comparative analysis of the existing literature is carried out to identify a comprehensive list of about 65 LM elements for the proposed framework. The main feature of the proposed framework is that these 65 elements are categorised according to the decision levels and the stakeholders, apart from classifying them with respect to the competitive priorities and business functions of an organisation. A case study is presented in support of the proposed framework. Hence, it is believed that this framework can rectify the problem of improper understanding by both the management and employees.

A framework for organisational change management in lean manufacturing implementation

Abstract: Lean manufacturing system has been widely applied in manufacturing companies worldwide. However, the low success rate of lean transformations in many countries has given a cause for concern. Much of the literature had pointed out that the main reason is due to the failure in managing the change process during a lean manufacturing transformation. This paper presents a thorough literature review for lean manufacturing approach in the context of organisational change management. Finally, the authors have proposed an organisational change framework for lean manufacturing implementation that would serve as the basis for further empirical research and validation. The framework will further expand the body of knowledge by linking organisational change management with the transition to implementing a lean manufacturing system.

Total quality management and service quality: an exploratory study of quality management practices and barriers in service industry

Abstract: During the last two decades, the level of total quality management (TQM) awareness has considerably increased in the service industries. With the ever-increasing customer demand, the global competition service industries are forced to re-think to improve their TQM practices and overcome the barriers during the implementation of TQM for maximum benefits. Further, the extent of the literature review reveals that no study has addressed these two issues

What is the right cash conversion cycle for your supply chain

Abstract: Supply chain finance is undergoing a transformation. Supply chains are often so tightly coupled that the domino effect of suboptimal working capital management can lead to financial glitches at a single supplier and even bankruptcy. Thus, each working capital management decision should consider every upstream and downstream partner within the supply chain. The cash conversion cycle (CCC) is therefore an excellent measure of a firm's performance. Results indicate a significant negative relationship between the CCC and return on capital employed (ROCE). We argue that the optimal level of CCC for responsive supply chains must be assessed holistically, and conclude that the right working capital management depends on the business model, its specific supply chain design configurations, and risk aspects within the supply chain.