摘要:

This article examines the nature of Japanese subcontracting practices and compares them in detail with equivalent behavior in the West. The contrast is made between the multi‐sourced, adversarial relationships typical in Western subcontracting relationships and the cooperative single‐sourced approach favored by Japanese industry.Particular attention is paid to the supposedly common Japanese practice of awarding long‐term contracts to single sources. It is argued that although this practice is indeed prevalent in the Japanese auto industry, the nature of the relationship between buyer and supplier is frequently less than cooperative. The argument is advanced that this interpretation of trading relationships stems from a misinterpretation of events in two radically different cultures. It is suggested that many apparently cooperative, egalitarian relationships in Japan are actually deals made between unequals, with the buyers wielding huge amounts of power over their single sources.The article concludes with a warning about the dangers of making direct international transfers of poorly understood business practices.

ISSN:0022-4030    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-493X.1990.tb00492.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

For the entire firm to experience a consistent level of success in today's rapidly changing environment, purchasing operations and activities must be synchronized with the strategy of the firm and attuned with the variable external forces. No longer can purchasing serve the growing firm with “plain vanilla” service, utilize methods and procedures of a decade ago, and have one set of approaches for all possible tasks. As firms adapt to ever changing situations and move toward more proactive strategic modes of operation, purchasing must also progress through various stages of evolution. This article draws on extensive field interviews to present a road map outlining how purchasing can function as a productive contributor to the mission of the ever changing and increasingly sophisticated firm.

ISSN:0022-4030    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-493X.1990.tb00493.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

This article describes a modified weighted point model for aiding decision makers with the prepurchase evaluation of vendors. Referred to as vendor profile analysis (VPA), the model is designed for use on microcomputers employing spread sheet software, such as Lotus 1‐2‐3 and Symphony. The power of VPA stems from its use of the Monte Carlo simulation technique for modeling the uncertainty associated with predicting vendor performance on evaluative criteria. The use of Monte Carlo simulation simplifies decision makers' input to the evaluation model and provides output that contains considerably more information upon which to base purchase decisions than do standard weighted point decision models.

ISSN:0022-4030    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-493X.1990.tb00494.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Uncertainty about what constitutes ethical conduct has increased markedly for purchasing people in recent years. This article reports the results of a study that was conducted jointly by Ernst&Whinney and NAPM's Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies, with support fromPurchasing Worldmagazine. Thirty‐nine states, the District of Columbia, and Canada were represented among the survey respondents. The questionnaire utilized in the study requested detailed information in the following areas: (1) ethical practices, (2) buying experience, (3) acceptance of favors, (4) narrative comments, (5) organizational profile, and (6) personal data about the respondent. The results of the study were compared with those from a similar regional study conducted in 1975 by Ernst&Whinney and also with the results of a 1978 purchasing ethics study conducted by the Illionis Institute of Technology.The current study indicates that the vast majority of purchasing personnel conduct their business affairs in an ethical manner; however, they do not agree on how ethical standards can be enforced. Adoption of a formal ethics policy is considered helpful in preventing dubious practices, but respondents report that today top management is issuing fewer policy statements concerning ethical standards of conduct than it did twelve years ago.

ISSN:0022-4030    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-493X.1990.tb00495.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The market for natural gas is in the continuing process of deregulation. As this process progresses, it changes the cost effectiveness of various purchasing strategies for large‐scale users. This article outlines the direction of the deregulation movement and suggests an approach that buyers can use to adapt to the changing market environment.

ISSN:0022-4030    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-493X.1990.tb00496.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

METRIC, STANDARDIZATION, AND GLOBAL MARKETS:The Implications for U.S. Industry, 60 pages. “A New MAPI Study Focuses on the Role of Metric in Helping U.S. Industry Be More Competitive in Global Markets”

ISSN:0022-4030    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-493X.1990.tb00497.x

出版商:Wiley    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY