Designing a strategic sourcing process for low volume, high technology products
Name
50740115-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
8.34 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
d3e50c210d3ba10842ee5e563f195781
Author(s)
Blaha, Dwight Allen, 1971-
Advisor(s)
Charles H. Fine and Duane S. Boning.
Date Issued
2002
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Axcelis Technologies, Inc. is a capital equipment manufacturer for the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor industry is evidenced by a volatile business cycle that follows the traditional bullwhip effect - that is, companies further up the supply chain see greater demand variability. As an equipment provider, Axcelis is positioned relatively far up the supply chain and therefore, managing these business cycles is an important initiative. Strategic sourcing helps companies manage the cyclical industry by focusing on core competencies, leveraging the expertise of industry leaders, reducing the bullwhip effect, and reducing the number of individual purchased parts. For companies to execute a sourcing initiative, strategic concepts need to be translated into tactical tools. To develop these tactical tools, this thesis presents a generic four-phase framework: define the overall sourcing process, develop the process objectives, design the required tools, and implement the procedure. Using a case study approach, this four-phase sourcing methodology is compared to a pre-existing process that was more informal and undocumented. The case study shows that the recommended sourcing process reduces the time to outsource a product by 16%. Finally, this work also highlights the importance of incorporating supply chain decisions into new product development and provides an initial framework from which future research may be conducted.
Description
Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2002.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-85).
Subjects
Sloan School of Management.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Leaders for Manufacturing Program.
MIT Department
Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Sloan School of Management
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