Managerial and Economical Aspects of the Just-In-Time System “Lean Management in the Time of Pandemic”
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This paper deals with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the scope of application of the Just-In-Time strategy and the possible effects on economic efficiency and the environment. Although the paper has considerable merit, it is poorly written. The presentation and writing style (e.g., descriptions of various aspects) should be improved. Some comments are as follows:
- There are some unexplained abbreviations in the manuscript, especially the abstract (e.g., LM, JIT). How are the readers supposed to know them?
- The introduction section is long. In fact, some parts in the beginning of the introduction section seem redundant. However, it fails to provide an adequate background on the examined concepts (e.g., LM, JIT).
- It is advised to break the introduction section into two sections: (1) introduction, and (2) literature review.
- The contributions of this paper, with respect to the existing literature, have not been clearly outlined.
- Section 2 should be provided with pertinent illustrations to help the readers understand the methodology.
- The logical flow of the article is poor. There are many very short paragraphs that do not fit in the context.
Author Response
Thank you for valuable remarks, which are very helpful
Reviewer: „- There are some unexplained abbreviations in the manuscript, especially the abstract (e.g., LM, JIT). How are the readers supposed to know them?”
Answer: I’ve explained
Reviewer: „- The introduction section is long. In fact, some parts in the beginning of the introduction section seem redundant. However, it fails to provide an adequate background on the examined concepts (e.g., LM, JIT).”
Answer: I wanted to refer to the essence of the Lean Management and Just-In-Time concepts, specifically identifying them with short production series, frequent deliveries without stocks and the use of specific Lean Management tools. I’ve shortened the introduction
Reviewer: „- It is advised to break the introduction section into two sections: (1) introduction, and (2) literature review.”
Answer: I’ve divided it into two parts
Reviewer: „- The contributions of this paper, with respect to the existing literature, have not been clearly outlined.”
Answer:I’ve written in the „5. Discussion and conclusions”:
Reviewer: „The article presents the results of simulations regarding the profitability limits of just-in-time use, the costs resulting from the change of the system from storage to the JIT system and the impact of JIT deliveries on external costs. Results of simulations conducted by the author of the article confirm the general views expressed in the literature on the profitability of deliveries in the JIT system. At the same time, to some extent, they help to better understand in which specific cases the solutions are beneficial. So far, no such calculations have been carried out and in this respect the simulations carried out by the author are a novelty and his contribution to scientific research in this area.”
- Section 2 should be provided with pertinent illustrations to help the readers understand the methodology.
Answer: I’ve added Fig. 1 and 2 in which I’ve explained the methodology
Reviewer: - The logical flow of the article is poor. There are many very short paragraphs that do not fit in the context.
Answer: I’ve corrected that
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors,
I have some concerns about your article.
First of all, in your Abstract you use certain expressions that are not usual for a scientific article.
In an article in a prestigious journal such as Sustainability, the phrase "The author doesn not agree..." is not used because it induces the idea of ​​a subjective attitude.
I recommend that you replace this phrase with "Research results have shown that ...".
In this way, the statement is based on the results obtained.
Also, in the Introduction you used expressions like "The author would like to point out at this point...".
Please avoid using "Author did / Author considers / Author would like to ..." (see row 113).
Instead of these expressions, use impersonal expressions such as "Research has shown that / Previous results have shown that ..."
At the moment, the Introduction chapter is very diverse and somewhat "scattered", without having a logical and concise line of presentation.
Readers are interested to quickly understand in the introductory chapter the problem studied in the article and to understand the objective of the proposed research.
The Introduction section must be seriously restructured so as to present clearly and concisely the important elements of the article: the research gap, the research goal, the research question and the research hypotheses.
I recommend you to also cite in the Introduction the following references: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-12-2019-0443, https://doi.org/10.3390/math9091058, https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci4030173, http://ecoforumjournal.ro/index.php/eco/article/view/464, https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2021-2-011, https://doi.org/10.1108/K-09-2017-0343.
Rows 293-295: "The following calculations were made: 1. The impact of the use of JIT deliveries on logistics costs in procurement based on the data assumed by the author for 4 product groups;"
Please argue why you chose 4 product groups. Which is the scientific criteria for this approach?
The same for row 305: "1. Deliveries to stocks over the distance of 800 km".
Why did you select this distance? What is the argumentation?
On page 7 in your manuscript, almost every sentence is a new paragraph. Please regroup the rows.
Rows 434-435: "Tables 6 and 7 show the financial results of Coca-Cola [38], PepsiCo [39] and one 434 pharmaceutical company - UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC. [40]"
You must duly justify the representativeness of these companies for the results you have obtained from the research.
Is this sample of companies representative of the entire industry? Or for the JIT model?
At page 7, in table 1 you use some acronyms (LTL and FTL: Road LTL/Road FTL). Please explain these acronyms, so that the readers understand their semantic.
The Discussion and Conclusions section must be revised.
In the Discussion, you have to present your findings by comparing them with other similar findings from the literature.
This way, you will highlight your own contribution to the field of knowledge.
In the Conclusions, please present your contribution, the research limitations, the managerial implications and the future research directions.
Kind Regards!
Author Response
Reviewer: I have some concerns about your article.
First of all, in your Abstract you use certain expressions that are not usual for a scientific article.
In an article in a prestigious journal such as Sustainability, the phrase "The author doesn not agree..." is not used because it induces the idea of ​​a subjective attitude.
I recommend that you replace this phrase with "Research results have shown that ...".
In this way, the statement is based on the results obtained.
Also, in the Introduction you used expressions like "The author would like to point out at this point...".
Please avoid using "Author did / Author considers / Author would like to ..." (see row 113).
Instead of these expressions, use impersonal expressions such as "Research has shown that / Previous results have shown that ..."
Answer: I’ve changed these expressions according to you suggestions
Reviewer: „At the moment, the Introduction chapter is very diverse and somewhat "scattered", without having a logical and concise line of presentation.
Readers are interested to quickly understand in the introductory chapter the problem studied in the article and to understand the objective of the proposed research.
The Introduction section must be seriously restructured so as to present clearly and concisely the important elements of the article: the research gap, the research goal, the research question and the research hypotheses”.
Answer: I’ve restructed it and added the research gap, the research goal, the research question and the research hypotheses
Reviewer: „I recommend you to also cite in the Introduction the following references:”
Answer: I’ve cited:
Agyabeng-Mensah, Y., Ahenkorah, E., Afum, E. and Owusu, D. (2020), "The influence of lean management and environmental practices on relative competitive quality advantage and performance", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 31 No. 7, pp. 1351-1372.
Ghobakhloo, M., Azar, A. and Fathi, M. (2018), "Lean-green manufacturing: the enabling role of information technology resource", Kybernetes, Vol. 47 No. 9, pp. 1752-1777.
And also:
Simboli, A.; Taddeo, R.; Morgante, A. Value and Wastes in Manufacturing. An Overview and a New Perspective Based on Eco-Efficiency. Adm. Sci. 2014, 4, 173-191
Reviewer: Rows 293-295: "The following calculations were made: 1. The impact of the use of JIT deliveries on logistics costs in procurement based on the data assumed by the author for 4 product groups;"
Please argue why you chose 4 product groups. Which is the scientific criteria for this approach?
Answer: I’ve added:
These are products that differ in terms of their value and loading parameters, which affect the costs of maintaining inventories, their storage and transport. Therefore, these simulations make it possible to present the benefits of using JIT for various product groups
Reviewer: „The same for row 305: "1. Deliveries to stocks over the distance of 800 km".
Why did you select this distance? What is the argumentation?”
Answer: I’ve added:
JIT deliveries are performed at such distances that will ensure direct delivery from a supplier within one day (or more frequently) for a given mode of transport, what allows for complete elimination of stocks in such a system. For road transport in Europe, the limit distance will be 800 km (the average speed of a road vehicle in Europe is 70-90 km / h), and for rail transport it will be 720 km (the average speed of a train in Europe is 30 km / h).
Reviewer: On page 7 in your manuscript, almost every sentence is a new paragraph. Please regroup the rows.
Answer: I’ve regrouped them
Reviewer: Rows 434-435: "Tables 6 and 7 show the financial results of Coca-Cola [38], PepsiCo [39] and one 434 pharmaceutical company - UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC. [40]"
You must duly justify the representativeness of these companies for the results you have obtained from the research.
Is this sample of companies representative of the entire industry? Or for the JIT model?
Reviewer: At page 7, in table 1 you use some acronyms (LTL and FTL: Road LTL/Road FTL). Please explain these acronyms, so that the readers understand their semantic.
Answer: I’ve explained:
Road - Less Than Truck Load Road - Full Truck Load
Reviewer: The Discussion and Conclusions section must be revised.
In the Discussion, you have to present your findings by comparing them with other similar findings from the literature.
This way, you will highlight your own contribution to the field of knowledge.
In the Conclusions, please present your contribution, the research limitations, the managerial implications and the future research directions.
Answer: I’ve added:
The aim of the research was to identify the conditions in which the Just-In-Time system, in which storage is completely eliminated and deliveries are performed frequently in small quantities, is profitable both from the point of view of the profitability of enterprises and the natural environment.
These conditions are as follows:
- Transport distances;
- The scale of operation (production and sales volumes);
- Transport technologies;
- Sizes of deliveries;
- Value of the goods transported
- Load parameters (weights and volumes),
- Costs of logistics processes
- Time and punctuality of deliveries.
The article presents the results of simulations regarding the profitability limits of just-in-time use, the costs resulting from the change of the system from storage to the JIT system and the impact of JIT deliveries on external costs. Results of simulations conducted by the author of the article confirm the general views expressed in the literature on the profitability of deliveries in the JIT system. At the same time, to some extent, they help to better understand in which specific cases the solutions are beneficial. So far, no such calculations have been carried out and in this respect the simulations carried out by the author are a novelty and his contribution to scientific research in this area.
[…]
The author also postulates to conduct further research on the described issues in order to verify and detail the simulation results presented in this article.
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors,
I have read the revised version of the article and I have the following recommendations:
- In the Introduction, at rows 83-85 you defined a research hypothesis: "In the article the hypotheses was that there is no basis to claim that the current pandemic situation will contribute to a radical departure from the JIT concept in favor of, for example, Agile in supply chains.". I recommend you to add a clear and distinct paragraph in the section "5. Discussions and Conclusions" and discuss there if the research hypothesis is supported or not.
- The references should be enriched. I recommend you to include in you article the following resources: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-03-2020-0086, https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104142, https://doi.org/10.18178/joams.8.2.43-48, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-0097-7.
- Within the section "5. Discussions and Conclusions", on pages 17-18 you have too many paragraphs (carriage returns). Please reorganize them in 3-4 compact paragraphs.
Kind Regards!
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Below may answers:
- In the Introduction, at rows 83-85 you defined a research hypothesis: "In the article the hypotheses was that there is no basis to claim that the current pandemic situation will contribute to a radical departure from the JIT concept in favor of, for example, Agile in supply chains.". I recommend you to add a clear and distinct paragraph in the section "5. Discussions and Conclusions" and discuss there if the research hypothesis is supported or not.
Answer: At the end of this chapter I’ve written:
„The hypothesis presented in the article was that there is no basis to claim that the current pandemic situation will contribute to a radical departure from the JIT concept in favor of, for example, Agile in supply chains. In the author's opinion, this hypothesis was supported. First of all, the essence of the Just-In-Time system, as well as the whole concept of Lean Management, is not the complete elimination of stocks. The goal is to increase the efficiency of these processes by eliminating wastage such as excess inventory. The Just-In-Time system with complete stock-free (daily deliveries or several times a day directly to the production line) even before the pandemic was not always profitable. The economic calculation has always determined whether and to what extent such a system should be implemented. Crisis situations such as a pandemic do not have to result in the abandonment of the Lean Management concept in favor of, for example, Agile. On the contrary. It is difficult to talk about using real Just-In-Time in global supply chains, even if air transport was involved. Paradoxically, if a pandemic were to shorten the lengths of supply chains, it would be favorable conditions for the implementation of the JIT system, with a higher degree of integration and flexibility than before. Moreover, if such a reallocation were to take place, it would also have a positive effect on the natural environment. This is another example that in the field of logistics, especially transport, there may be a convergence of business and social goals.
- The references should be enriched. I recommend you to include in you article the following resources: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-03-2020-0086, https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104142, https://doi.org/10.18178/joams.8.2.43-48, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-0097-7.
Answer: I’ve already included:
Agyabeng-Mensah, Y., Afum, E., Agnikpe, C., Cai, J., Ahenkorah, E. and Dacosta, E. (2021), "Exploring the mediating influences of total quality management and just in time between green supply chain practices and performance", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 156-175. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-03-2020-0086
As for:
Dospinescu, N.; Dospinescu, O.; Tatarusanu, M. Analysis of the Influence Factors on the Reputation of Food-Delivery Companies: Evidence from Romania. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4142. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104142
I think that the subject does not concern the problems presented in the article, and what is more, according to the research results:
„Based on the obtained results, we concluded that the research hypotheses H2, H3, H5, H6, H7, and H9 were supported. This means that the relationships regarding the indicators like the quality of food, the price associated with the food-delivery service, the variety of the menu, the taste of the food, the perception of companions, and the quality of the electronic application were confirmed. The hypotheses were not supported for the indicators regarding the duration of the order processing, the attitude of the staff, and the method of delivery”
so the delivery strategies don't matter here
So I’ve added:
Atour Taghipour, Phuong Hoang, and Xue Cao, "Just in Time/Lean Purchasing Approach: An Investigation for Research and Applications," Journal of Advanced Management Science, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 43-48, June 2020. doi: 10.18178/joams.8.2.43-48
Garnett, P., Doherty, B. & Heron, T. Vulnerability of the United Kingdom’s food supply chains exposed by COVID-19. Nat Food 1, 315–318 (2020).
I’m especially grateful for the:
Atour Taghipour, Phuong Hoang, and Xue Cao, Just in Time/Lean Purchasing Approach: An Investigation for Research and Applications. Journal of Advanced Management Science 2020, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 43-48
Because it confirms the results of my research and I’ve added in the 4.1.:
„The results of these simulations confirm the views expressed in the literature that relatively greater benefits from the implementation of the Just-In-Time system are achieved in larger enterprises [42]”
I’ve also added at end of the 5. Discussions and Conclusions:
„However, it should be borne in mind that the distance resulting from the location of the source of supply is not the only factor of supply certainty, so important in the Just-In-Time system. Even with local sources of supply, there may be disruptions due to a pandemic - such as absenteeism of workers, lack of certain materials, packaging, machinery, cleaning supplies, but also services - such as transport services. Such problems may even occur in industries which, due to their specificity, may be more local in nature compared to other industries. Such an industry is, for example, the food industry, which is characterized by a high degree of vertical integration and is exposed to the influence of external factors. Even in this industry, however, the impact depends on the degree of import dependency which can be high in some countries such as the UK [48].
Taking into account the above conclusions, it can be concluded that there is a need to continue research on these issues”
- Within the section "5. Discussions and Conclusions", on pages 17-18 you have too many paragraphs (carriage returns). Please reorganize them in 3-4 compact paragraphs.
Answer: I’ve reorganized them
Thank you for these recommendations
