Managing the impact of product variety and customisation on business function and supply chain performance: A comparison between the UK and South Korea

摘要: Mass customisation is displacing mass production, and a conspicuous trend for businesses to extend the variety of their products in order provide more tailored solutions choice customers. Flexibility-enhancing initiatives have been implemented help adopt customer-centric strategies satisfy high-variety ambitions. Such can require major changes way key business functions are organised; yet it imperative that these profitably achieved without an overall deterioration function performance. In particular, most manufacturers started recognise trade-off exists between product supply chain manage impact variety, numerous variety-related improve performance suggested. However, different levels approaches affect differently. This research aimed assess potential on test model designed qualified by level customisation. Further investigation determine typical differences focus according Lastly, findings compared UK South Korea. By adopting quantitative method, survey 364 manufacturing sector companies from Korea was conducted. The results theory developments support contradict exiting views issues. contributions this fourfold: First, analysis examined five including engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, logistics marketing type also investigated relationships performance, degree offered. An increase found influence differently depending combination offered demonstrate low types typically had significant than high with variety. addition, displayed highest negative due mismatch organisational decision-making providing managers working environments guidance how supportive design heterogeneous market requirements responses. specific important managerial implications adoption under profiles. Second, tested models management increases is, relationship control modularity, cellular postponement flexibility, agility, cost efficiency customer service. Adopting agility concept as external competence attempted develop procedure impacts strategy explored further considering scenario, flexibility resulting positive effect cost-efficiency However, context played relatively insignificant role context. These explaining structural performance. Third, dedicated addressing revealed associated higher relationships, strategy, differentiation, context, while leadership prove general related characteristics customisation; however, partnership suppliers contradictory case through joint development problem-solving. Finally, compares its As expected, exhibits customisation, service differentiation Korea, displays UK. comparison reveals weaknesses strengths two countries. For increased issue needs be overcome. On other hand, has lower international set up achieve global competitiveness. Generally, proposition chain. It contributes current literature arguing complex varies Finally, appropriate managing manufacturer’s effective efficient