• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.23-48
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• 2007

Category management has been implemented to enhance competitiveness in the food distribution industry since 2000 in Korea. This study helps to understand why suppliers achieve better or worse performance than competitors in a category. The major objective of this article is to explore which category tactics are effective to have influence on category performance when suppliers as a category captain implement category management with variety enhancer categories like shampoo, toothpaste, and detergent. The Nielsen data were analyzed using regression and Chow test. The empirical results that were varied upon the store type and market position found out which specific actions on product assortments, pricing, shelving, and product replenishment can increase category sales. Specifically, in the case of market leader in large supermarket, the significant indicators of category sales with respect to category tactics are the out-of-stock rate, the variance across brand shares, the forward inventory, and the days supply of a product. However, in the case of follower in large supermarket, the significant indicators of category sales are the variance across brand shares, the forward inventory, and the days supply of a product. On the other hand, in the case of small supermarket, the significant factors on category sales for both market leader and follower are the retail distribution rate, the variance across brand shares, the forward inventory, and the days supply of a product category. In sum, regardless of the store type and market position, dominant brands in a category, the forward inventory, and short days supply of a product improved performance in all categories. Critical difference is that the out-of-stock rate acted as a key ingredient for the market leader between large and small supermarket and the retail distribution rate for the follower between large and small supermarket. This article presents some theoretical and managerial implications of the empirical results and finalizes the paper by addressing limitations and future research directions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.477-480
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• 1996

The main objective of this research is to develop the optimal control method for a Distribution Center - multi Branch inventory distribution system. With the continuous review policy, the distribution center places an order for specific order quantity to an outside supplier, and the order quantity is replenished after a certain lead time. Also, each branch places an order for particular order quantity to the distribution center to satisfy the customer demands, and receives the replenishment after a lead time. When an out of stock condition occurs during an order cycle, a backorder is placed to the upper level to fill the unfilled demands. With these situation, variable demand and variable lead time are used for better industrial practice. Futher, actual lead times with a generic lead time distribution are used in developing the control model. Under the actual lead time model, the customer service measures actually attained for the distribution center and each branch are explained as the effective customer service measures. Thus, throughout the optimal control (using computer search procedures), we can set the desired service levels for the distribution center and each branch to produce the effective service level for each branch which is consistent with the goal level of service for each branch. At the same time, the entire distribution system keeps minimum inventories.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.55-64
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• 2001

The main objective of this research is to develop a model to select the optimal input service level for a distribution center-multi branch inventory distribution system. With the continuous review policy, the distribution center places an order for specific order quantity to an outside supplier, and the order quantity is replenished after a certain lead time Also, each branch places an order for particular order quantity to the distribution center to satisfy the customer demands, and receives the replenishment after a lead time. When an out of stock condition occurs during an order cycle, a backorder is placed to the upper level to fill the unfilled demands. With these situation, variable demand and variable lead time are used for better industrial practice. Further, actual lead times with a generic lead time distribution are used in developing the control model. Under the actual lead time model, the customer service measures actually attained for the distribution center and each branch are explained as the effective customer service measures. Thus, throughout the optimal control (using computer search procedures), we can select the optimal input service levels for the distribution center and each branch to attain the effective service levels for each branch which is consistent with the goal level of service for each branch. At the same time, the entire distribution system keeps minimum inventories.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.117-129
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• 2009

The bullwhip effect is known as the significant factor which causes unnecessary inventory, lost sales or cost increase in supply chains. Therefore, the causes of the bullwhip effect must be examined and removed. In this paper, we develop two analytical tools for the bullwhip effect control in supply chains. First, we develop the quantitative models for computing the bullwhip effect in a three-stage supply chain consisted of a single retailer, a single distributor and a single manufacturer when the fixed-interval replenishment policy is applied at each stage. The quantitative models are developed under the different conditions for the demand forecasting and share of customer demand information. They are validated through the computational experiments. Second, we develop a simulation-based decision support system for the bullwhip effect control in a more diverse dynamic supply chain environment. The system includes a what-if analysis function to examine the effects of varying input parameters such as operating policies and costs on the bullwhip effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.904-915
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• 2004

Following the PART I, which explored the concept of ＇Fashion Goods＇ and ＇Basic Goods＇ in terms of design elements and operational differences, this study, PART II, examined the differences in merchandising process of the two different types of goods. Merchandising process was divided into three stages; planning, production, and presentation. The study adopted a qualitative approach by use of eighteen in-depth interviews with merchandisers and designers with a minimum of six years and a maximum of 15 years of career experience in apparel industry. According to the type of goods, different merchandising practices were found. Especially material and production order/reorder practices were noteworthy. Fashion goods had high possibility of using high-quality materials sourced abroad and few of them were reordered. In other words, reorder practices were established for basic goods only; replenishment was actively implemented for higher inventory turn of basic goods; usually materials and production for basic goods were sourced domestically. In conclusion, based on the differences, more refined merchandising strategies of apparel companies and consistent theory building in this field are required for fashion and basic goods respectively.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.25-37
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• 2013

Purpose - The structure of retailing has changed as retailers develop markets in response to business environment changes. This study aims to analyze the general situation of retailers in order to predict future global strategy using case studies of overseas expansion strategy and the Metro Group's global strategy. Research design, data, and methodology - The backgrounds to the new retail business model and retailer classification are analyzed as theoretical data. In addition, the key success point of the Metro Group's "cash and carry" strategy is analyzed as is the Metro Group's global CFAR (collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment) strategy. Finally, the plan for cooperation and precise forecasting under the Metro Group's supply chain management are analyzed from the promotion environment viewpoint. Related materials analyzed included the 2012 annual report, the Metro Group's web page, and a video interview with the executive in charge of global strategy and the new market development department. Some data were revised to avoid disrupting essential aspects of the case studies. Results - The important finding was that the Metro Group could be a world-class retail company with its successful global expansion strategy. The Metro Group's global strategy's primary goal is to have a leading business position in Eastern and Western Europe. The "cash and carry" strategy is highest priority in its overseas expansion strategy. Moreover, the Metro Group has standardized product planning capacity, which could be applied in various countries with different structural and cultural backgrounds. This is the main reason that the Metro Group could rapidly become successful in the Eastern Europe and Asian markets through its structural overseas expansion strategies. In addition, the Metro Group emphasizes the importance of supply chain management. Conclusions - First, retailers should create additional value through utilizing the domestic market, market power, and economies of scale to launch a global strategy to maximize benefits from diversification. Second, the political, economic, and cultural background of the target country needs to be understood to successfully implement the overseas expansion strategy. Third, the main factor of successful cooperation with a local partner is how quickly the company gains total understanding of the business resources and core competence of its partner. All organizations should focus on the achievement of goals in order to successfully operate the partnership. Fourth, retailers should improve their business, financial and organizational structure. Moreover, the work processes and company culture should also be improved to respond strongly in the competitive global market. Fifth, the essential point of a successful retail business is the control capacity of its branding and format. The retailer could avoid forecasting errors through supply chain management by perfectly distributing the actual amount of its inventory. In addition, the risks along the supply chain are effectively shared between the supply chain partners. Finally, the central tendency of the market is to gain in strength with this taking place across all parts of the business.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.145-152
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• 2009

Manufacturer's competitiveness in the MRO industry, which is to stimulate the growth of the business-to-business e-commerce market, has recently become more important. A nuclear parts manufacturer was supplying products based on irregular demand from clients which differs from ordinary MRO business practices. The reason for this is the Nuclear Parts Manufacturer has fallen behind the e-commerce performance of other industries, and they lack global competitiveness due to the low efficiency of the individual companies within it. In this study, we developed an MRO based a-Marketplace system to minimize repetitive ordering of raw materials, lack of reusability and inefficiency of transaction processing which was a result of the former legacy business practice, In order to accomplish the purpose of this study, we implemented a web based automated CR system which considered the characteristics of the nuclear parts manufacturing: the system has sub modules such as ordering, product management, transaction management, warehousing and raw material handling. As a consequence of the system implementation, H corporate successfully automated ordering of raw materials, quotation processing and inventory management compared to the legacy business process, achieving increased efficiency by reducing wasteful resources.