Conference Papers by Charles Lau
World Conference on Supply Chain Management
Literature on supply risk management has consistently promoted the use of network capital to miti... more Literature on supply risk management has consistently promoted the use of network capital to mitigate supply risk of small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs). Many scholars in supply chain management have suggested that structural, relational and cognitive dimensions of social capital in both the buyer–supplier network and the network of peers within a cluster can play an influential role in mitigating the supply risk of SMEs. Although research interest in supply risk management through a social capital approach is growing, so far no study has been directed towards the development of an instrument to measure network capital in the context of SMEs. To supplement such inadequacy, this study conceptualizes, develops and validates four constructs of network resources/practices, namely, buyer–supplier social capital, cluster social capital, buyer–supplier integration and cluster cooperation, and supply risk construct. In developing the instrument, a rigorous process employing literature review, focus groups discussion, opinions of academics and experts, and agreement survey has been followed. Using the survey data collected from the apparel SMEs of Bangladesh for validation, the findings of the study suggest that the proposed instrument is a set of reliable and valid measures of the above-mentioned constructs. Therefore, it can be subsequently applied in other studies through a contextual modification as a means to examine various theoretical and conceptual models.
International Symposium on Logistics
Supply risk is an inevitable part of the supply chain of most businesses. This paper provides a c... more Supply risk is an inevitable part of the supply chain of most businesses. This paper provides a conceptual framework along with a set of research propositions that depict how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can mitigate supply risk by leveraging social capital gained via networking with their suppliers and peers. Through an extensive literature review, this paper reveals the types of network and dimension of social capital that can be used to mitigate the supply risk of SMEs. The conceptual framework and the research propositions put forward in this study are underpinned by social capital theory. The findings suggest that dimensions of social capital in both the buyer–supplier network and the network of peers can play an influential role in mitigating the supply risk of SMEs, thereby assist SME practitioners in improving operational performance of their firms. This study supplements the inadequacy in research on using the social capital approach in mitigating supply risk of SMEs.
Proceedings of 27th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2013), 2013
This paper explores the applicability of the demand-supply chain management (DSCM) approach to he... more This paper explores the applicability of the demand-supply chain management (DSCM) approach to help improve the supply chain performance of the Chinese fast fashion industry. Based on a comprehensive desktop research, the paper provides a thorough literature review on the paradigm evolvement from demand chain management (DCM) to DSCM and investigates the current supply chain approaches used by the apparel industry in China. The paper attempts to develop a theoretical DSCM framework that incorporates the various underlying drivers and obstacles of DSCM application. The proposed DSCM framework extends the conventional one-size-fits-all solution by advocating a dynamic outside-in thinking that integrates marketing value stream with multiple supply chain network solutions under an aligned organizational culture and leadership style.
Proceedings of 24th Australasian Conference on Information Systems , Dec 2013
Demand supply chain management (DSCM), which integrates market segmentation with supply chain str... more Demand supply chain management (DSCM), which integrates market segmentation with supply chain strategy supported by proper alignment in organizational configuration, is regarded by researchers as the next stage of evolution of supply chain management. Through an exploratory case study of the pharmaceutical industry, this study investigates the role of information systems / information technology (IS/IT) as an enabler of DSCM. The findings reveal that there is little alignment between IS and supply chain strategy even though technology is used widely in the company that is investigated. The lack of alignment has prevented the organisation from being DSCM capable. The study highlights the impacts of lack of alignment between IS and DSCM and helps practitioners understand the implications.
Papers by Charles Lau
Purpose – This study puts forward a demand chain management (DCM) framework underpinned by the al... more Purpose – This study puts forward a demand chain management (DCM) framework underpinned by the alignment theory and applies it to investigate the fashion apparel (FA) industry in China under the impacts of the latest economic transition.
Methodology – An exploratory multiple case study methodology involving five Chinese FA firms, each with a different business model and ownership type, was employed. Semi-structured interviews, on-site observations and review of company documents were conducted to collect information for analysis.
Findings – Using a conceptual DCM framework as a guide for analysis, the study finds that companies with a higher level of alignment with the external market situation and among the three internal DCM dimensions, namely, market management, supply chain management and organization management, appear to perform better under the rapidly changing economic conditions in China.
Theoretical contribution – This study contributes to knowledge by reviewing thoroughly the literature on supply chain management evolution and develops a DCM framework based on the alignment theory that represents the state of the art in this area. By extending the administration-integration-production-development (A-I-P-D) logic set adopted in the alignment theory, this study has also equipped the proposed framework with an empirical tool to measure alignment.
Practical contribution – By applying the framework to examine the Chinese apparel industry under the impacts of the latest economic transition, this study provides practitioners in the industry with guidance to help formulate strategies and a tool to measure alignment. The findings of the case study also offer insights to the industry to thrive in the rapidly changing businesses environment with dynamic uncertainties.
Keywords – Supply chain management, Demand chain management, Dynamic process alignment, China, Fashion apparel industry
Paper type – Research paper
Uploads
Conference Papers by Charles Lau
Papers by Charles Lau
Methodology – An exploratory multiple case study methodology involving five Chinese FA firms, each with a different business model and ownership type, was employed. Semi-structured interviews, on-site observations and review of company documents were conducted to collect information for analysis.
Findings – Using a conceptual DCM framework as a guide for analysis, the study finds that companies with a higher level of alignment with the external market situation and among the three internal DCM dimensions, namely, market management, supply chain management and organization management, appear to perform better under the rapidly changing economic conditions in China.
Theoretical contribution – This study contributes to knowledge by reviewing thoroughly the literature on supply chain management evolution and develops a DCM framework based on the alignment theory that represents the state of the art in this area. By extending the administration-integration-production-development (A-I-P-D) logic set adopted in the alignment theory, this study has also equipped the proposed framework with an empirical tool to measure alignment.
Practical contribution – By applying the framework to examine the Chinese apparel industry under the impacts of the latest economic transition, this study provides practitioners in the industry with guidance to help formulate strategies and a tool to measure alignment. The findings of the case study also offer insights to the industry to thrive in the rapidly changing businesses environment with dynamic uncertainties.
Keywords – Supply chain management, Demand chain management, Dynamic process alignment, China, Fashion apparel industry
Paper type – Research paper
Methodology – An exploratory multiple case study methodology involving five Chinese FA firms, each with a different business model and ownership type, was employed. Semi-structured interviews, on-site observations and review of company documents were conducted to collect information for analysis.
Findings – Using a conceptual DCM framework as a guide for analysis, the study finds that companies with a higher level of alignment with the external market situation and among the three internal DCM dimensions, namely, market management, supply chain management and organization management, appear to perform better under the rapidly changing economic conditions in China.
Theoretical contribution – This study contributes to knowledge by reviewing thoroughly the literature on supply chain management evolution and develops a DCM framework based on the alignment theory that represents the state of the art in this area. By extending the administration-integration-production-development (A-I-P-D) logic set adopted in the alignment theory, this study has also equipped the proposed framework with an empirical tool to measure alignment.
Practical contribution – By applying the framework to examine the Chinese apparel industry under the impacts of the latest economic transition, this study provides practitioners in the industry with guidance to help formulate strategies and a tool to measure alignment. The findings of the case study also offer insights to the industry to thrive in the rapidly changing businesses environment with dynamic uncertainties.
Keywords – Supply chain management, Demand chain management, Dynamic process alignment, China, Fashion apparel industry
Paper type – Research paper