Title: A study into the impacts on retail operations performance of key strategic supply chain decisions

Authors: Peter F. Wanke, Rebecca Arkader, Alexandre M. Rodrigues

Addresses: The COPPEAD Graduate School of Business, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Edificio do Coppead, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21949-900, Brazil. ' The COPPEAD Graduate School of Business, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Edificio do Coppead, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21949-900, Brazil. ' Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Abstract: Based on a simulation methodology, this study aims at understanding and exemplifying the impact of key manufacturer production and distribution decisions on the key performance indicators in retail operations. More specifically, primary and secondary effects of alternative push/pull and centralisation/decentralisation inventory decisions on service level, average inventory, frequency of shipments and stock out indicators in retail operations are quantified by means of simulation of the operation of a simplified supply chain. Results of a MANCOVA analysis experimentally point out possible contradictions between the strategic positioning of manufacturing operations and retail operations performance.

Keywords: supply chain operations; strategic positioning; simulation; retail performance; MANCOVA; supply chain management; SC; supply chain decisions; key performance indicators; KPI; manufacturing performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2008.022072

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2008 Vol.4 No.2, pp.106 - 118

Published online: 17 Dec 2008 *

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