Prior to reading this DQ, please read the CLA2 assignment and understand what the assignment

is asking you to complete. Once you have an understanding of the CLA2 assignment, please
continue to the paragraph below to complete DQ1.
Using the Library Information Resource Network (LIRN), JSTOR, or any other electronic
journal database, research four (4) peer-reviewed articles that can be used to answer your
upcoming CLA2 assignment. Your discussion should summarize the articles in such a way that it
can justify any arguments you may present in your CLA2 assignment and should be different
from the abstract. In addition to your researched peer-reviewed article, you must include an
example of the article researched as it is applied by industry (company, business entity, and so
forth).
Please note: This article summary should not be the only articles researched for your CLA2
assignment. You may (and should) have several other articles researched to fully answer your
CLA2 assignment. The concept of this DQ is to allow students to be proactive in the research
necessary to complete this assignment. You may use your article summary, partially or in its
entirety in your CLA2 assignment.
Important: Please ensure that your reference for the article is in correct APA format, as your
reference in your discussion post. Depending on which electronic database you use, you should
see a Cite selection for your article. In addition, there should be a variety of articles summarized
and as such, students should have different articles summarized. Your summary MUST include
ALL of the following in your DQ post (include every item in the bullet list below, or you will not
receive full credit):
Do these in order:
 In correct APA format, write the Reference Listing for the article.
 Clearly state what the article is about and its purpose (a summary in your own words).
 Describe how you will use it in your upcoming assignment.
 Include the article Abstract in your posting (your summary should be original).
 Repeat for a total of four (4) peer-reviewed sources. 

Article 1
Title of the Article- ‘The effect of supply chain management practices on supply chain and
manufacturing firms’ performance’ by Mohammed Abdi, Kevin D.Barber, Jose Arturo Garza-
Reyes and Vikas Kumar (May 2017)
Abstract
 “The purpose of this paper is to theorise and develop seven dimensions (strategic supplier
partnership, level of information sharing, quality of information sharing, customer service
management, internal lean practices, postponement and total quality management) into a supply
chain management (SCM) practices (SCMPs) construct and studies its causal relationship with
the conceptualised constructs of supply chain performance (SCP) and manufacturing firms’
performance (MFP). The study also explores the causal relationship between SCP and MFP.
(Barber, Garza-Reyes, Kumar & Abdi, 2017).”
Summary
In their paper, Barber, Garza-Reyes, Kumar & Abdi (2017) present the result of data
collected via a survey of 249 Jordanian manufacturing firms. This survey was done to test the
relationships between SCMPs (Supply Chain Management Practice) and SCP (Supply Chain
Performance), SCMPs and MFP (Materials Requirement Planning) and SCP and MFP using
linear regression, structural equation modelling (SEM), ANOVA and Pearson correlation. From
the survey, it was found that SCMPs had a positive direct relation with SCP which had further
positive effect on MFP and again, SCMPs had a direct positive effect on MFP. This survey
suggests that higher and better level of SCM practices can help enhance supply chain and
organizational performance. Based on this, organizations can develop better knowledge on their
supply chains to assist in formulating more effective management strategies. This article found
out that other industrial firm’s theories like competitive strategy, cost analysis and political
economy are affected by the process in which SCM is applied. A conceptual framework
including LIS determination, strategic supplier partnership, internal lean practice and TQM
philosophies was also developed based on the survey that would be helpful to Jordanian
manufacturing firms and other developing countries with similar capacity and conditions
(Barber, Garza-Reyes, Kumar & Abdi, 2017).
Purpose & Use in the Upcoming Assignment
This paper in general aims to find the relation between supply chain management, supply
chain performance and organizational performance. It was found out that the variables shared
direct and positive relationship with each other. I will use this article in my upcoming CLA2
assignment to better provide an analysis on how supply chain management is linked to
organization performance while also concerning other particulars of operations management like
capacity planning, materials requirement planning which is the driver of internal and external
processes in an organizations and operational performance. This article can be used to show how
organizations tie up their external process, supply chain management which is ultimately linked
to organizational performance.
Article 2
Title of the Article- ‘Two-level Linear Programming’ by Wayne F. Bialas and Mark Karwan
(1984)
Abstract
 “Decentralized planning has long been recognized as an important decision making
problem. Many approaches based on the concepts of large-scale system decomposition have
generally lacked the ability to model the type of truly independent subsystems which often exist
in practice. Multilevel programming models partition control over decision variables among
ordered levels within a hierarchical planning structure. A planner at one level of the hierarchy
may have his objective function and set of feasible decisions determined, in part, by other levels.
However, his control instruments may allow him to influence the policies at other levels and
thereby improve his own objective function. This paper examines the special case of the two-
level linear programming problem. Geometric characterizations and algorithms are presented
with some examples. The goal is to demonstrate the tractability of such problems and motivate a
wider interest in their study (Bialas & Karwan, 1984).”
Summary
In their paper, Bialas and Karwan (1984) propose a general mathematical structure which
specially categorizes linear programming for two-level linear resource control problem. Linear
programming is a method used to achieve the best results like lowest cost or maximum profit in a
mathematical model whose variables share a linear relationship (Stevenson, 2018). It is used to
find the optimum solution for a given problem that has certain constraints. It contains an
objective function and linear inequalities. Linear programming in this article has been used to
model structured economic units which will in turn predict the inefficiencies of non-Pareto-
optimal measurements and findings true controls in hierarchical organizations. This article
justifies extreme point solution technique to find local and global optimal solutions to two-level
linear resource control issues. One of these issues can be how much taxes to charge for each of
the other linearly related variable like violation of pollution standards measured in greenhouse
gas emissions. The authors suggest that the findings can be applied to problems like floodplain
planning, job incentive programs and control of oil imports (Bialas & Karwan, 1984).
Purpose & Use in the Upcoming Assignment
The purpose of this article is to examine the use of two-level linear programming to
demonstrate tractability of different issues where two variables share a linear programming. The
intention of the author was to divert more attention to this field of study. This article not only
describes what linear programming but also proves relation of linear programming to operational
issues, mentions its possibilities and explores specific examples where linear programming can
be applied. All this I can use in my CLA2 assignment to provide a detailed understanding of the
concept of linear programming, its uses, its relevance, and relation to internal and external
processes of an organization.
Article 3
Title of the Article- ‘Strategic analysis of logistics and supply chain management systems using
the analytical network processes by Laura Meade and Joseph Sarkis (September, 1998)
Abstract
 “This paper explores and illustrates an analytical framework to assess an organization’s
logistics strategy. The optimum logistical system is evaluated based on three primary levels: the
organizational/supply chain relationship involved, the principles of logistics required, and the
attributes of these principles. The principles of logistics are defined and developed as strategies
for achieving coordination and integration of the logistics network and supply chain. The
analytic network process, a systemic analytical model, will be utilized to evaluate logistics
strategies for an organization that seeks to be adaptive to dynamic competitive environments
(Meade & Sarkis, 1998).”
Summary
In their article, Meade & Sarkis propose a system of logistics analysis based on the
analytical network process. This system was evaluated on three levels; supply chains
relationships involved, principles of logistics required and the attributes of those principles.
Logistics analysis as defined in the paper is the system to evaluate the responsiveness, quality
and value creation by the logistics of an organization which concerns three flows; flow of goods,
services and information from organization to the destination up to its final disposal. Analytic
network process in this paper stems from regression coefficients obtained from OLS regressions
which determine the alternatives that is analyzed by linking the performance of the alternative to
organizational performance. The model used for ANP in this article is a chain wherein
alternatives are placed in a matrix which affects the performance matrix which affects the
capacity matrix which happens to affect the alternative matrix. This can effectively analyze
interplay and risks involved in logistics of an organization. For logistics analysis, the steps as
advised by this article is network formation, alternative discussion, node comparison, matrix
generation, value addition, value synthesis and sensitive analysis. This will help calculate the
priority coefficient which can be used to calculate the value addition efficiency of a logistics
system (Meade & Sarkis, 1998).
Purpose & Use in the Upcoming Assignment
The purpose of the article is to suggest a framework to analyze the logistics system of an
organization. I will use this article in my CLA2 to present a logistics analysis. I can provide
example of a logistics system scenario wherein ANP can be used to assess the effectiveness of
logistics and alternatives present in that logistic system for other reasons like making it more
sustainable. This way, I can link logistics analysis to internal factors of operation management
like operational performance and capacity planning.
Article 4
Title of the Article- ‘Critical success factors in enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
implementation: An exploratory study in Oman’ by Shatat (2015)
Abstract
“The ERP system has been the subject of much academic discussion in recent times. The
impact that a successful implementation can have on an organization cannot be overstated. The
factors which are crucial to the successful implementation of an ERP system are commonly
known as Critical Success Factors (hereinafter CSFs). This study investigated the CSFs that play
a crucial role during the implementation process in Omani organizations. Moreover, it identified
the CSFs that are most important in ensuring a successful ERP system implementation. The
survey was distributed to 35 enterprises using an ERP system. The managers of those enterprises
identified 10 CSFs as the most important (Shatat, 2015).”
Summary
In his paper, Shatat (2015) studies the ERP systems of 35 Omani enterprises to find the
most critical success factors for ERP. ERP makes the control of internal environment of an
organization like people, systems, structure and conditions more efficient. It is a technology
infrastructure which helps in integrating information. ERP system gained recognition in the
1990s and more and more organizations are investing in ERP. But there have been significant
failures like Ell’s ERP failure costing $115 million in 2001. While applying ERP, an
organization goes through three stages; pre-implementation, implementation and post-
implementation. As per the article, following are the most important CSFs; performance
evaluation, project champion, top management support, clear goals and objectives, user
involvement, strategic IT planning, user planning and education, teamwork and composition,
vendor support and education on new business process. These factors determine the successful
implementation of an ERP system (Shatat, 2015).
Purpose & Use in the Upcoming Assignment
The purpose of the article is to study the reasons of failures of ERP of many companies
and an organization’s low rate of satisfaction with its ERP. It further aims to find what factors
are important for an organization to find its ERP more satisfactory, resourceful and efficient. I
will be using this article in my CLA2 to bring example of how ERP which concerns almost all
internal processes of an organization can be optimized and how they have been working and how
they should actually work.

References

Barber, K. D., Garza-Reyes, J. A., Kumar, V., & Abdi, M. R. (2017). The effect of supply chain
management practices on supply chain and manufacturing firms’ performance. Journal of
Manufacturing Technology Management.
Bialas, W. F., & Karwan, M. H. (1984). Two-level linear programming. Management
science, 30(8), 1004-1020.
Meade, L., & Sarkis, J. (1998). Strategic analysis of logistics and supply chain management
systems using the analytical network process. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and
Transportation Review, 34(3), 201-215.
Shatat, A. S. (2015). Critical success factors in enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
implementation: An exploratory study in Oman. Electronic Journal of Information Systems
Evaluation, 18(1), 36.
Stevenson, W. (2018). Operations management (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

In CLA1 you were able to identify key aspects to operations management. You presented topics
such as product and service design, capacity planning and strategies to increase quality without
sacrificing performance. In this assignment, we want to move towards a larger picture of the
organization in terms of how internal and external processes work together as a system that
round out operations management. Your job is to present an analysis that tie inputs, outputs and
material requirements to planning, forecasting and supply chain management. A logistics
analysis should also be presented.
Your analysis should include aspects of linear programming, various types of manufacturing
models (when manufacturing products), and rely on competing internationally via the effective
use of Supply Chain Management and Logistics. Your response must demonstrate your ability to
think critically and to solve problems that have to do operations management and the relationship
of activities involving procurement to delivery of product.