Gosling, J; Towill, D and Naim, M (2012) Learning how to eat an elephant: Implementing supply chain management principles. In: Smith, S D (ed.) Proceedings of 28th Annual ARCOM Conference, 3-5 September 2012, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract
There have been a range of calls for the construction industry to address perceived structural failings and adopt supply chain management best practice models. However, many studies in the construction sector report poor uptake. A possible reason for this is a failure of companies to implement their supply chain improvement programmes effectively. Such changes may involve companies adopting new approaches, new processes and new ways of working. In order to manage this daunting undertaking, the role of managing new knowledge and sequencing activities is important. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the anatomy of a long term supply chain improvement programme in the construction industry. Building on established supply chain management principles, and models of supply chain learning, a longitudinal case study is analysed. Insight is given into the role of learning and the sequencing of activities. The paper contributes by refining established supply chain management frameworks.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | supply chain management; learning organisation; sequencing; implementation; change management |
| Index terms: | construction sector, construction industry, implementation, best practice, change management, programme, case study |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, business, contractual arrangements, management, industry analysis, project controls |
| Topics: | Procurement, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Time Control, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here