An exploratory study of long supply chain competition: Selected cases in the South African aerospace sector

 

 

L.J. Richardson^I; D.R. Snaddon^II

^ISchool of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, lauriejrichardson@gmail.com
^IISchool of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, roy.snaddon@wits.ac.za

 

 

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ABSTRACT

This article investigates how supply chains, especially long supply chains, compete in the South African aerospace industry. A multiple case study methodology is employed, involving six selected firms. Semi-structured interviews provide the primary source of data. Multiple case analysis identifies similarities in competitive dimension criteria for supplier-firm and customer-firm units in the supply chain. Results indicate that supplier-firm units compete on the basis of speed, dependability, quality, flexibility, and cost. Customer-firm units compete on the basis of speed, quality, and flexibility. The results also identify focus areas for future research into how long supply chains compete in the South African aerospace industry.

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OPSOMMING

Hierdie artikel ondersoek hoe voorsieningskettings, veral uitgerekte kettings, meeding in die Suid-Afrikaanse lugvaartindustrie. 'n Meervoudige gevallestudie-metodologie is gevolg waartydens ses ondernemings bestudeer is. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude was die primêre bron van data. Meervoudige gevalle-analise identifiseer ooreenkomste in die mededingingskriteria vir leweransiers- en kliëntefirmas. Die resultate toon dat leweransiers kompeteer op spoed, betroubaarheid, kwaliteit, aanpasbaarheid en koste. Kliëntefirmas ding mee op grond van spoed, kwaliteit en aanpasbaarheid. Die resultate identifiseer fokusareas vir verdere navorsing op hierdie terrein.

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* Corresponding author.
1 The author was enrolled for an MSc Eng (Industrial) degree in the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Witwatersrand.