Papers by Heather Skipworth
Supply Chain Management, Jan 14, 2019
International Journal of Production Research, Nov 16, 2007
International Journal of Production Research, May 15, 2004
International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Feb 20, 2023
Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Sep 24, 2019
International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Aug 23, 2022
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationships between macro-, meso- and micro-level context... more PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationships between macro-, meso- and micro-level contextual factors that enable or inhibit the contribution of product service systems (PSS) to circularity. It is informed by the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and the multi-level perspective as theoretical lenses.Design/methodology/approachA theory elaboration approach is used through three in-depth case studies of UK and German manufacturers. Case studies provide use- and result-oriented PSS for personal computers, power tools and wind turbines. Multiple sources of evidence, including 20 semi-structured interviews, company documents and quantitative data, are triangulated to improve the validity of the results.FindingsEmpirical evidence for relationships between macro-, meso- and micro-level contextual factors show significant barriers to the extending and cycling of resource loops, primarily through maintenance, repairs and refurbishment. A firm’s environmental awareness has a determini...
Academy of Management Proceedings
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
PurposeDisasters are growing in frequency and scale, unmasking the systemic vulnerabilities of mo... more PurposeDisasters are growing in frequency and scale, unmasking the systemic vulnerabilities of modern supply chains and highlighting the need to understand how to respond to such events. In the context of an extreme event such as the COVID-19 pandemic, this research focuses on how networks of organizations leverage their combined resources and capabilities to develop, manufacture and deliver new products outside their traditional markets.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a theory elaboration process, the authors build on resource orchestration theory to develop data collection and analysis protocols to support a multi-case study research design. This research investigates four cases of newly formed networks that emerged in four different countries – Colombia, Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom–in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThese four networks in the investigation share common characteristics in terms of motivation and approach, creating patterns from w...
Production Planning & Control
The manufacturing sector in the UK is currently undergoing a significant supply chain transformat... more The manufacturing sector in the UK is currently undergoing a significant supply chain transformation and managers are re-evaluating supply chain location decisions to minimise the disruptions cause...
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
PurposeWhy do managers redesign global supply chains in a particular manner when faced with compo... more PurposeWhy do managers redesign global supply chains in a particular manner when faced with compounding geopolitical disruptions? In answering this research question, this study identifies a constrained system of reasoning (decision-making logic) employed by managers when they redesign their supply chains in situations of heightened uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted 40 elite interviews with senior supply chain executives in 28 companies across nine industries from November 2019 to June 2020, when the UK was preparing to leave the European Union, the US–China trade war was escalating, and Covid-19 was spreading rapidly around the globe.FindingsWhen redesigning global supply chains, the authors find that managerial decision-making logic is constrained by three distinct environmental ecosystem conditions: (1) the perceived intensity of institutional pressures; (2) the relative mobility of suppliers and supply chain assets; and (3) the perceived severity of th...
Journal of Business Research
Pearson Deutschland, 2019
While much is written in the literature about the benefits and strategic impact of form postponem... more While much is written in the literature about the benefits and strategic impact of form postponement (FPp), little is still known about its application. We address ‘how ’ FPp is applied in terms of its operational and logistics implications within manufacturing facilities. This paper is a retrospective study of the application of FPp in three diverse manufacturing environments: a manufacturer of specialist high voltage cabling equipment we call ‘Electrico’; a manufacturer of industrial electric motors we call ‘Motorco’; and a manufacturer of control systems and components mainly for automated telling machines we call ‘Controlco’. Our findings show that FPp improved responsiveness of manufacturing in all cases, but that none of the applications of FPp was ideal from a theoretical perspective. The production planning system must be both responsive and flexible to support the application. For highly customised products, the customer order decoupling point (CODP) must be located suffici...
The latest book in our Bite-Size Brexit range is now published! ‘Carmageddon?: Brexit & Beyond fo... more The latest book in our Bite-Size Brexit range is now published! ‘Carmageddon?: Brexit & Beyond for UK Auto’ looks at the manufacturing industry at the heart of the issuesaround Brexit, with the industry’s sophisticated just in time and other major logistical challenges.
This study challenges purchasing literature on its lacking consideration of contextual factors, r... more This study challenges purchasing literature on its lacking consideration of contextual factors, resulting in generic recommendations that oversimplify reality. Through a systematic review across purchasing maturity, purchasing strategic alignment and strategic purchasing literature, core conceptualisations are examined to understand underlying premises and the impact on performance links. This analysis highlights issues and unarticulated assumptions that limit the generalisability of any relationships with performance. The paper proposes a framework for future research that conceptualises alignment as a smaller gap between the current and target category maturity profile.
International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 2021
PurposeThis study investigates the impact of geopolitical disruptions on the manufacturing supply... more PurposeThis study investigates the impact of geopolitical disruptions on the manufacturing supply chain (SC) location decision of managers in UK multinational firms. The context of study is the UK manufacturing sector and its response to the UK's decision to leave the European Union (EU), or Brexit.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts an abductive, theory elaboration approach and expands on Dunning's eclectic paradigm of international production. A Delphi study over four iterative rounds is conducted to gather and assess insights into manufacturing SC location issues related to Brexit. The panel consisted of 30 experts and managers from a range of key industries, consultancies, governmental organisations, and academia. The Delphi findings are triangulated using a focus group with 38 participants.FindingsThe findings indicate that the majority of companies planned or have relocated production facilities from the UK to the EU, and distribution centres (DCs) from the EU ...
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Papers by Heather Skipworth