Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Investigatory study into the supply chain voids of Welsh industrial sectors.

Whitehead, Toni Ann 2010. Investigatory study into the supply chain voids of Welsh industrial sectors. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

[thumbnail of U584447.pdf] PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version
Download (43MB)

Abstract

This study explores 'immediate' and 'potential' supply chain voids (SCVs) in capability within three Welsh priority sectors and is sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). The research design employs a multiple case study strategy targeting Biosciences, Financial and Unmanned Systems utilising instruments such as secondary data, semi-structured and telephone interviews. The findings from this study demonstrate that SCVs are contingent upon different sectors, supplier search and the behaviour of searchers, organisational size and structure, technology, markets and the nature of supply and demand at the macro level, the lack of suitable suppliers, poor quality standards and high prices. The moderate development of Pare Aberporth and Unmanned Systems operations is impeding progress in the Welsh SME base owing to the lack of locally based customers with 'home base' capabilities, the early life-cycle position of the cluster, motivations of companies to move to the area, a deficiency of competition and the efficacy of economic development methods. The key contribution is the development and pilot testing of a 'Hoshin Kanri' policy deployment framework for operation by the WAG (and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)) whilst investigating 'immediate' and 'potential' SCVs across different sectors and firms. The study was limited to the deployment of WAG strategies and companies operating in Wales therefore, in order to position it within a wider United Kingdom (UK) context, other RDAs were consulted. In addition, the literature was used to compare Wales to other regions in the UK and elsewhere. Policy recommendations for the sponsors are identified and the findings are likely to be of interest to RDAs, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and UK Trade and Investment. The results have interest in relation to the framework and its application through aligning regional strategies to target SCVs using sustainable development and regional embeddedness criteria.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Business (Including Economics)
ISBN: 9781303191763
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 19 Mar 2016 23:33
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/55908

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics