Translating knowledge of supply chain uncertainty into business strategy and actions

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to present the process and results of the application of a decision‐making tool, namely TAPS, which enables translation of knowledge of supply chain uncertainty into business strategy and actions.

Design/methodology/approach

The knowledge of supply chain uncertainty is collected from previous research performed under enterprise resource planning (ERP)‐controlled manufacturing environments. The knowledge is used as the input for TAPS and is mapped to investigate and formulate appropriate business strategy and action plan to manage supply chain uncertainty in such environments.

Findings

The results of knowledge translation provide a set of guidelines to academics and practitioners, which indicates the underlying causes of supply chain uncertainty in ERP‐controlled manufacturing environments in a priority order, and the suitable business strategy and actions that could potentially be adopted to manage the uncertainty.

Practical implications

Owing to the increasing level of complexity and uncertainty intoday's enterprises, translating knowledge is suggested to be useful in assisting decision making and business strategy formulation.

Originality/value

This research provides a successful case example of knowledge translation process of supply chain uncertainty into business strategy and actions, which enables creation of sustainable strategies to manage uncertainty based on the concept of knowledge management and learning.

Citation

Koh, S.C.L. and Tan, K.H. (2006), "Translating knowledge of supply chain uncertainty into business strategy and actions", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 472-485. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410380610662898