Thesis TOC – Supply Chain Management

An Examination of Company Managers' Views on

Integration of Supply Chain in Iran

SUBMITTED BY :
ADIL WAQAR

STUDENT ID :

Supervised By :

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 Table of Contents
Chapter 1............................................................................................................................1
Introduction........................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background..........................................................................................................1
1.2 Supply Chain Management (SCM).....................................................................2
1.3 Supply Chain Integration: Definition and Importance........................................4
1.4 Problem Discussion.............................................................................................5
1.5 Research Problem and Research Questions.........................................................6
1.6 Conclusion...........................................................................................................7
Chapter 2............................................................................................................................8
Literature Review..............................................................................................................8
2. Literature Review........................................................................................................8
2.1 Collaboration as a Means of Interfirm Integration..............................................8
2.2 Information Technology and Integration...........................................................16
2.2.1 Information Sharing...................................................................................16
2.2.2 Information Integration Tools....................................................................19
2.2.2.1 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems..........................................20
2.2.2.2 Adoption of EDI / XML Technologies in Supply Chain.............................21
2.3 Supply Chain Performance................................................................................22
2.3.1 Enablers of Efficient Supply Chain...........................................................22
2.3.2 Performance Measurement Systems..........................................................27
2.4 Theoretical Framework......................................................................................31
2.5 Supply Chain Dimensions in Relation with Integration....................................32
2.6 Frame of Reference............................................................................................34
Chapter 3..........................................................................................................................37
Research Methodology....................................................................................................37
3. Methodology..............................................................................................................37
3.1 Research Philosophy................................................................................................38
3.1.1 Epistemology....................................................................................................38
3.1.2 Ontology...........................................................................................................39
3.1.3 Axiology...........................................................................................................39
3.2 Research Purpose.....................................................................................................40
3.3 Research Approach..................................................................................................41
3.4 Research Strategy....................................................................................................42
3.5 Time Horizon...........................................................................................................44
3.6 Data Collection Method...........................................................................................45
3.6.1 Sampling Design...............................................................................................45
3.6.1.1 Sampling Frame.........................................................................................46
3.6.1.2 Sampling Technique...................................................................................46
3.6.1.3 Proper Sample Size....................................................................................49
3.6.1.4 Response Rate............................................................................................50
3.6.2 Data Collection and Type of Data: Primary vs. Secondary..............................51
3.6.2.1 Data Collection Instrument: Questionnaire Design..................................51
3.6.2.2 Pilot Testing...............................................................................................54
3.7 The Credibility of Research Findings......................................................................54

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 3.7.1 Reliability.........................................................................................................55
3.7.2 Validity.............................................................................................................57
3.8 Summary of Research Methodology.......................................................................57
Chapter 4..........................................................................................................................59
Data Analysis and Results...............................................................................................59
4. Data Analysis and Results.........................................................................................59
4.1 Descriptive Statistics...............................................................................................59
4.2 IT Integration...........................................................................................................62
4.3 Collaboration with Partners.....................................................................................65
4.4 Performance Improvement......................................................................................69
4.5 Comparison between Iranian and European Firms..................................................74
Chapter 5..........................................................................................................................76
Discussion and Conclusion..............................................................................................76
5. Discussion and Conclusion........................................................................................76
5.1 Overall Conclusions.................................................................................................76
5.2 Theoretical Contributions........................................................................................80
5.3 Managerial Implications..........................................................................................80
5.4 Limitations...............................................................................................................82
5.5 Suggestions for Future Research.............................................................................82
References.........................................................................................................................83

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