CSU-POM JOURNALS

CSU-POMTM.
California State University - Production Operation Management, Inc.

CSU-POM JOURNALS

Journal Archives
2009

1. Edward Chu

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 1-10

Title: Managing Capital Flows in Supply Chains of Fortune 500 Manufacturing Companies

Abstract: A company!|s trade and inventory policies determine the holding periods incurred to collect the accounts receivable, to convert inventories into sales and to payoff the accounts payable. In this study, accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable holding periods of 135 manufacturing companies in the 2008 Fortune 500 list in seven industries for the years 2003 to 2007 were compared by industry, by company size and by year. Comparison results indicate that all three holding periods are significantly different in different industries. The largest companies have the shortest accounts receivable and inventories holding periods while the accounts payable holding periods are statistically the same for companies of all sizes.

2. Paik, Chi-Chuan Yao, and Thomas Wedel

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 11-20

Title: The Relationship between the Level of Purchasing Development and the Performance of Small and Medium Sized California Enterprises

Abstract: The purposes of this study are to obtain information about the status of purchasing development strategies in California-based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), to examine the relationship between the level of purchasing development and the purchasing performance of SMEs, and to determine which purchasing development strategies are important in improving purchasing performance. This study found that the level of purchasing development is related to the purchasing performance of SMEs. Among several purchasing development strategies, building and fostering a long-term collaborative relationship with the key suppliers is important in enhancing the purchasing performance of SMEs.

3. Gamini Gunawardane

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 21-30

Title: Relationship between Dimensions of Internal Service Quality and the Nature of the Internal Service Encounter !V A Study in the Healthcare Industry

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an exploratory study in the health care management industry aimed at investigating whether the dimensions of internal service quality are dependent on the nature of the internal service relationship. A typology of internal service relationships and a set of internal service quality dimensions suitable for this industry were derived from the literature and interviews with service managers. Responses to a SERVQUAL type questionnaire and follow up interviews found that dimensions of internal service quality are dependant on the nature of the internal service relationship.

4. Raymond Boykin, Brian Hider, and Greg Turcotte

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 31-37

Title: Supply Chain Sustainability: Business Processes for the Carbon Footprint

Abstract: In order to make superior business decisions in the area of sustainability, one must have real time data on the critical parameters. In this paper, our goal is to define business processes to assist in development of a methodology to calculate the CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) footprint over the entire supply chain of a food production process (field to table). The process of defining these business processes is directly transferable to other industries as they attempt to measure sustainability parameters for their supply chains.

5. Adelina Gnanlet and Chandrasekharan Rajendran

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 38-48

Title: Meta-Heuristics in ARMA Forecasting

Abstract: Forecasting is an integral part of supply chain management, which improves information co-ordination and reduces bullwhip effect. In this paper, we develop a two-stage meta-heuristics based ARMA model that is parsimonious, has high forecast accuracy and is generalizable for time series datasets with no assumptions on seasonality, stationary and normal error distributions. We use simulated annealing to determine the best order of autoregression and order of moving averages. Genetic algorithm is used to determine the best coefficient of autoregression and moving average.

6. Wenge Zhu

CJOM, Vol.7(1), 2009, 49-57

Title: Impact of After-Sales Service on Supply Chain Management and sustainability for a Multi-Product Company

Abstract: A company selling multiple products through a retail channel has to increase the difference between its products more than a vertically integrated company would do (quality distortion). In this paper, we study the impact of after-sales service on quality distortion and supply chain sustainability. Our closed-form analytical results show that the quality distortion is reduced when the retail channel also provides after-sales service. Therefore, after-sales service can be used as a tool for supply chain coordination. Our results also provide new insights into the sustainability of the durable goods supply chain.

7. Xiaodong Zhao, Dalen Chiang, and Ru-Fang Chiang

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 58-64

Title: Product Similarity

Abstract: A fuzzy approach is presented to classify products by the concepts of product similarity and semi-similarity. We prove that the necessary and sufficient condition for two products to have the cost additivity property is product semi-similarity. We extend the product semi-similarity to product similarity. As an equivalence relation, product similarity can separate products of a firm into disjoint groups. Several equivalent properties of product similarity are presented. These tools can be used by management to group different products together and to determine products a firm should include in its product portfolio.

8. Krishna Kumar Krishnan, Vignesh Krishnamurthy, Id Jithavech, and Saeid Motavalli

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 65-76

Title: Simulation Modeling and Analysis of Distributed and Process Layouts

Abstract: Efficient layout design is important for reducing the operations and management costs. Distributed layouts are described as the next best layout solution for reducing material handling costs. Previous studies on distributed layouts have focused on analytical models. In this paper, the performance analyses of the various layouts under stochastic conditions are studied using simulation. The study is limited to distributed layouts with minimum part-order-splitting and process layouts. Performance parameters used are !V material handling cost, work-in-process, and cycle time. Based on the study it is found that distributed layouts using minimum-part-order splitting case provides better performance compared to the process layout.

9. Harish C. Bahl and Neelam Bahl

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 77-83

Title: An Empirical Comparison of Lot-Sizing Methods Available in an ERP System

Abstract: The single-item lot-sizing methods, an important component of material requirements planning systems, determine purchase or production quantities when the demand forecast over the planning horizon is known. Material requirements planning modules in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, such as SAP R/3, contain several lot-sizing procedures embedded in the software. SAP R/3 provides four minimum-cost lot-sizing procedures. In this research, we empirically test the four methods by solving well-known benchmark problems. These methods differ significantly in their effectiveness, and we provide some guidelines for the selection of lot-sizing procedures in different manufacturing environments.

10. Robert Saltzman

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 84-92

Title: An Optimization Model for Scheduling Classes in a Business School Department

Abstract: This article describes how an optimization model has been used recently to more effectively schedule classes in an average-sized business school department. Each semester this department offers approximately 46 classes taught by 20 different instructors in one of 32 time slots. A myriad of constraints must be satisfied while trying to maximize faculty preferences for courses and teaching times. Using the model has reduced the time needed to generate high-quality schedules from more than a day to less than three hours, and kept our schedule within the department!|s allocated time slots, eliminating the need for staff to find additional rooms.

11. Hamid Pourmohammadi and Reza Ramazani

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 93-99

Title: Decentralization of a Postal Company

Abstract: In this study, mathematical programming is employed to propose a new business model for a postal company. The Iranian Postal Company has been operating as a centralized business unit. All postal packages are delivered to a postal center in the capital. After sorting and inspection operations, these packages are distributed to their final destinations. We suggest an alternative decentralized operation, where packages are collected in a regional center and after performing the basic operations, they are transferred to final destinations in the region or to other regional centers. We developed a mathematical model to obtain the optimal number of postal regions, the provinces each region covers, and the optimal location of the postal center in each region.

12. J. M. Moghaddam

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 100-109

Title: Acquiring Career Preparation Skills through Internship: Students!| Expectations and Personality Traits

Abstract: Internships are expected to provide students with career preparation skills. Such expectation, however, may vary among students. This study empirically evaluates the perceived internship potential in providing students with career preparation skills and investigates the impacts of students!| personality traits on their perceptions. The findings of this study suggest that students who have not yet taken an internship have higher expectation of internships than those who have taken or are currently taking one. Likewise, personality traits have more impact on perceptions of those students who have not yet taken an internship.

13. Zinovy Radovilsky and Vishwanath G. Hegde

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 110-119

Title: A Framework to Assess Effectiveness of Online Model for Operations Management Courses

Abstract: As business schools extend their online offerings, concerns are being expressed about the effectiveness of online courses compared to traditional courses. In this research, we develop a new framework to assess the effectiveness of online model for teaching operations and supply chain management (OSCM) courses. Further, we evaluate the effectiveness of an OSCM course using this new framework. The results of this study show that the online teaching model is as effective as the traditional in-class model for the evaluated course.

14. Michael H. Way

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 120-129

Title: Accommodating Diverse Learning Styles: Using Streaming Video to Support Learning in Online Courses

Abstract: This paper examines the benefits of using streaming video as a tool for asynchronous online teaching. The performance of students in sections of an online Data Analysis course using streaming video were compared to those in synchronous, conventional sections of the same course. How the use of streaming video can affect different types of learners is also explored. Results showed the impact of streaming video to be large, as student performance in the online classes far exceeded those in conventional classes. Evidence was found that the benefit of streaming video varies depending on learning style.

15. Maureen Lojo

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 130-135

Title: A Comparison of Clicker Effectiveness for Multiple Choice and Quantitative Questions

Abstract: This article describes an empirical study of clicker effectiveness in an undergraduate operations management course. The study compares the performance of students in clicker sections with those in non-clicker sections on two types of exam questions, open-ended quantitative and multiple choice qualitative. Results show that the use of clickers during class lectures had a statistically significant impact on performance on open-ended quantitative exam questions, but no measurable impact on multiple-choice qualitative exam questions.

16. Ming Zhou, Taeho Park, and John Yi

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 136-143

Title: Commonalities and Differences between Service and Manufacturing Supply Chains: Combining Operations Management Studies with Supply Chain Management

Abstract: The service sector of the US economy has been gaining importance. As the service sector evolves, the study of service supply chain starts to gain attention. In this study, we conduct an exploratory review on the studies of manufacturing and service supply chains. We focus on the studies that explore the differences and commonalities between manufacturing and service supply chains. We combine operations management literature with supply chain studies in order to provide an inter-disciplinary framework that brings up both the operational and strategic views on the management commonalities and differences between the two types of supply chains.

17. Haw-Jan "John" Wu

CJOM, Vol. 7(1), 2009, 144-153

Title: Using field trips to enhance student learning in operations management: Literature Review and Field Observations

Abstract: Field-based learning has long been used by teachers to enhance student learning. This article reviews literature on pedagogical issues of using field trips in higher education and business programs. The article discusses the concerns and logistics challenges for using field trips and explains how field trips may help faculty achieve their desired learning outcomes. The author reports what students feel about participating in field trips in an undergraduate entry level operations management course at a public university. The author then points out the need and the directions of future research in using field trips based on literature and student responses.