Lead time performance in the supply chain :ba case study of the equipment supply environment of the offshore oil exploration and production industry on the UK continental shelf

摘要

This research study is an examination of the influencing factors on lead time performancein a capital equipment supply environment. The research is being undertaken as a casestudy of the capital equipment supply environment of the offshore oil exploration andproduction industry on the UK Continental Shelf. The study methodology is justified asa case supply environment, with multiple sources of data from research instrumentsincluding: exploratory and detailed interviews and structured survey methods. Theliterature review examines time-based approaches to supply chain improvement and theliterature related to supply chain integration. Relevant literature related to supply chainsystems/structures and relationships/infrastructure are examined as potential influencingfactors on lead time performance. A background of the generic case environment isprovided, along with relevant literature related to the supply chain in oil exploration andproduction. The results of a survey of the state of integration of the offshore supply chainare presented and analysed, followed by the results of a structured mail survey within thecapital equipment environment. The survey information is used to inform the CaseResearch phase and define a division of the case environment related to differentcomplexity levels. Individual cases are analysed based on the framework from theliterature review and refined from the survey phase. The research questions are addressedat the level of each individual case and propositions derived which are then validatedbased on cross-case comparisons. Aspects of literature that are supported by the study arediscussed along with those areas where there is a contribution to literature. Contributionto supply chain theory is justified related to the derivation of a Types ClassificationModel as a means of understanding the generic nature of a capital equipment supplychain. Contribution to methodology is justified, based on the use of a supplyenvironment for study and the use of a supply chain trace-back method.