Product-Process Matrix Position and Electronic Data Interchange Implementation - Report Example

PRODUCT-PROCESS MATRIX POSITION AND EDI IMPLEMENTATION of the of the Introduction The article highlights the importanceof EDI or electronic data interchange in business operations. EDI can be stated as business document exchange from one computer to another. It is platform created to enable customers and suppliers to directly interact with each other. The author has not stated a particular research problem but the issue revolves around adoption of EDI technique by small or medium sized firms and large scale firms. Significance of research issue is explained in context of contribution of EDI towards small scale and large scale enterprises. Research variables identified are EDI breadth and position of firms within product-process life cycle. Terminologies like product-process matrix or EDI facet has been properly explained in the article, followed by academic literature. There has been description given about research studies conducted on this issue in order to outline framework for the current study. Research objectives are not stated clearly in this article but four hypotheses has been identified in the study. Methodology Author has specified about research methodology within data and measurement section. This measurement aspect denotes data analysis process followed in the research study. Data regarding research issue was acquired from informant managers who are based in production area. Managers belonging to IT departments were also questioned so as to obtain information about breadth, diversity, volume and depth of EDI. Author also states that prior research techniques would also be encompassed in this study. As per the article, data was obtained through pencil and paper survey. Descriptive statistics is indicated as an analysis tool so as to draw correlation between product or process structure variables, and supplier and customer EDI facets. Limitations of the research design have also been included in this study for highlighting further scope of this research paper. Research limitations portrayed by researcher are limited sample size in terms of few industries and few countries. The data being used for the study is outdated since it has been collected; accessibility of EDI technologies has gradually increased. Researcher highlights only one method Product-Process Matrix which forms a major limitation of the research study. Any sampling methods are not specified by researcher, but target audience has been mentioned in the article. Description about research instruments are adequate since each instrument described shall perform a particular task. Researcher states that descriptive statistics would help in achieving correlation between variables. ANCOVA model or Analysis of Covariance will be utilized to test four hypotheses of the study. Reliability of such statistical tools is high because there is no researcher’s interpretation in the process. These tools ensure high reliability because of automated answers rather than encouraging any human error. Ethical considerations are strongly associated with research methodology. This is because production managers and IT managers would be approached for providing information. Researcher shall not influence managers to provide confidential information in order to provide meaningful insights to the research study (Hollingworth and Ahmad, 2011). Methods for data collection have not been elaborately explained but its application in context of the study is highlighted by researcher. Research methods chosen are appropriate since it eradicates scope of biasness in the research study. On the contrary, small sample size has been selected which might not provide appropriate research outcomes. Results Results of the study have been properly presented in this particular article. There are statistical tools incorporated in order to analyze validity of data collected. Data has been obtained from previous study such as World Class Manufacturing. Automobile manufacturing, electronics and machinery are key industries from where data shall be obtained. Descriptive statistics was employed to effectively analyze collected data. It clearly revealed a correlation between product and process structure variables. The measurement of EDI diversity and breadth is mentioned properly by researcher to outline EDI facets. As per the article, EDI facet with suppliers is largely emphasized by EDI facet with customers. The study has also taken into consideration a control variable which was not used during finding correlation between other research variables. There was another aspect called as product customization and this is viewed as negatively correlated with EDI volume and breadth of customer and supplier. Other results identified in this article was no such correlation between customer and supplier EDI Depth with that of product customization. EDI Diversity of supplier and customer with product customization though was positive but was not significant. ANCOVA had also been incorporated in this study so as to deliver accurate results and perform appropriate hypothesis testing. There were significant differences outlined by this tool between mean level of EDI Depth, Breadth and Volume of suppliers. On the other hand, there was scope for interpreting obtained data in a different way. This is because results just reveal EDI aspects implemented by sample firms which would be beneficial rather than focusing on any efficiency gains or cost savings. The major findings of the article are represented in a tabular format but direct data acquired through survey is not encompassed within the article. There are no alternative conclusions in the article. Conclusion of this study states that cost-focused EDI facets are closely knitted with operational objectives. Research limitations are only centred towards research hypotheses. Alternative limitations are not incorporated since it would divert attention of audience. The stated research objectives are addressed properly. There are tools employed so as to test all possible hypotheses of the study. Descriptive analysis helps in testing initial hypotheses whereas ANCOVA is used to test later hypotheses of the research study. Supporting data in terms of collected data are used for statistical analysis. ANCOVA summary is presented in the article along with group mean and descriptive statistics. These tables’ helps in portraying accurate results which can be further analyzed or interpreted to address chosen research hypotheses. Discussion Results obtained from ANCOVA analysis indicates that EDI Volume and Breadth would be implemented by all those firms focusing on cost minimizing strategy. This aspect is strongly correlated with research conclusion of certain firms are able to adopt EDI facets efficiently. In the article it has been concluded that EDI connections with customers or supplies is mainly beneficial for large transactions. Research results through ANCOVA are able to denote correlation between these two aspects. Alternative limitations tend to disrupt the research study and hence are not encourage by many researchers. In this study focus has been on determining EDI facets and then relating them with firm size and benefits. Limitations highlighted only revolve around restricted sample size, few number of industries accessed for data, outdated material being referred, etc. Similarly there is no such alternative conclusion in this article. Conclusion is totally based on the study indicating benefits of EDI and its impact on operational leverage of firms. There is no such direct indication between current and previous research findings. However while going through the entire study it is clearly evident that previous research findings did not focus on firm size or relationship between suppliers and customers, to precisely study impact of EDI. Correlation techniques used in this research paper was not included in earlier study. Variance is also observed in the form of studying EDI facets with extended support from Product-Process Matrix. Limitations of the study can be denoted as researcher’s view for further scope of carrying forward the study. The study had been confined to certain industries with small sample size. On the other hand, cost efficient aspect is avoided in the article which can be included in later studies. EDI implementation and manufacturing strategies of firms can be correlated in future research papers. Theoretical significance is emphasized throughout the research study. It can be stated that Product-Process Matrix is regarded as the theoretical framework in the entire study. Findings of the study have been directly linked with the framework in order to have better understanding. Practical significance lies in context of collected data from various industries. Production managers and IT heads have responded to research questions. Revision of practice or theory has not been recommended by author in the study but there are limitations highlighted which could not be covered during this research. Any theoretical revision is not recommended but there is scope for further manufacturing strategy frameworks. EDI technology has gained significance recently and hence research should have been based on more recent data. Concluding your review The research is worthwhile since proper understanding can be developed about relationship between EDI techniques and firm’s performance. Cultural context does not form a prime area in research design. The entire design is developed considering research objectives and tools to be implemented in order to obtain research outcomes. Significant errors can occur during analysis while conducting statistical test and this might violate the entire study. The results outlined in the article are original and are supported by appropriate discussion. This article is well structured because there is a proper flow of information from theoretical background to analysis and finally limitations and conclusion. The sections included are not of equal length but there exists a logical connectivity. In this study, easy language style has been used to provide clarity along with reasonable and unbiased presentation. On the other hand, previous research work on this topic has also been given equal importance. Reference Hollingworth, D. G. and Ahmad, S. (2011). An empirical examination of product-process matrix position and edi implementation. California Journal of Operations Management, 9 (2), pp. 42-58. Read More