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Open research questions in Quality and Supply Management

92 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,451 Quality and Supply Management papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Increase the sample size. • • Compare multiple retail organizations. • Examine the impact of advanced technologies on inventory management. • Conduct comparative studies across different retail sectors. REFERENCES Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2019). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning and Operation.

    Impact of Inventory Management Practices on Organizational Performance: A Case Study on Vishal Mega Mart · 2026 · DOI

  • Originality/value The study contributes by demonstrating that integration alone is insufficient; its performance effects are realized primarily through executional enablers, with L-IoT providing the strongest pathway by enabling real-time visibility and adaptive coordination in volatile project environments.

    From integration to performance: exploring the mediating roles of digital logistics and supply chain networks in oil and gas project firms · 2026 · DOI

  • The results provide a focus for the SCM literature to move away from the export-oriented garment industry in Bangladesh and towards the comparatively under-researched retail textile industry.

    Supply Chain Capabilities, Operational Constraints, and Performance in Bangladesh’s Textile Retail Sector: A Mixed-Methods Investigation · 2026 · DOI

  • Study is limited to ASM Technologies and may not be representative of other industries. Availability and access to data and information were limited in certain departments. Primarily concerned with the operational and logistical efficiency, rather than financial analysis of costs for SCM. 13. FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS Comparative analysis of the practices of SCM in various technology companies. Examination of new technologies (AI, IoT) that are being used to optimize supply chains. Study of sustainability practices in logistics and supply chain management. Assessment of risk management measures and their performance in a SCM. 14. REFERENCES 1. Suhashini, N., & Bharathi, S. (2024). A study on digital effectiveness of digital performance appraisal in an education institution sectors. Indian Literature, 68, 95. 2. Sharma, R. (2022). Good Supply Chain Management Practices. Journal of Operations and Logistics. 3. Kumar, P., & Singh, V. (2021). Integrated Logistics Management and Inventory Management. International Journal of Business and Supply Chain. 4. Mehta, A., & Shah, R. (2020). The adoption of technology in supply chains. Journal of Enterprise Information Systems. 5. Reddy, N. C. S., & Bharathi, S. (2026). A study on capital structure of Tata Motors Limited at Salem. International Journal of Business and Administration Research Review, 13(1). 6. Patel, A. (2019). Lean Supply Chain Practices. Asian Journal of Operations Management. 7. Ramesh, K. (2021). Supplier Relationship and Strategic Procurement. Supply Chain Research. 8. ASM Technologies Ltd. Internal Reports and Annual Publications. 9. Bharathi, S., & Arivumathi, N. (2026). A study on accident prediction and prevention in freight transport at Chendur Carriers Pvt Ltd. International Journal of Business and Administration Research Review, 13(1). 15. APPENDICES Process Flow of the SCM Activities at ASM Technologies in Appendix A. The tables in Appendix B provide details on inventory and distribution metrics. These charts offer a summary of how well suppliers performed.The chips in Appendix C provide a summary of the suppliers' performance. Interview questionnaire for SCM personnel is provided in Appendix D.An interview questionnaire for SCM personnel is attached as Appendix D. Appendix E: Warehouse and Logistics Operational Assessment I've written an entire academic report for “Supply Chain Management & Logistics at ASM Technologies Ltd.” in a wellformatted journal format with all of the 15 sections with detailed content for methodology, analysis, discussion and appendices. © Author(s). This work is peer-reviewed, openly published, and permanently archived This article is openly accessible and reusable with proper attribution.

    A Research on Supply Chain Management & Logistics in the Context of ASM TECHNOLOGIES LTD · 2026 · DOI

  • Based on the outcomes of this research, some recommendations are presented to enrich the adoption and effectiveness of lean supply chain practices among SMEs in Ghana: Firstly, customized training programs should be developed to equip SME managers and employees with practical knowledge of lean tools such as Kaizen, Just-in-Time (JIT), and Value Stream Mapping (VSM). Further collaboration with universities, business associations, and government 75 International Journal of Supply Chain and Logistics ISSN 2520-3983 (Online) Vol. 10, Issue No. 3, pp 62 - 78, 2026 www.carijournals.org agencies can provide certification courses and continuous professional development in lean supply chain management. Second, SMEs should extend lean practices beyond internal operations by fostering stronger supplier associations and collaborative procurement mechanisms. Building trust-based relationships with suppliers will improve responsiveness, reduce opportunism, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency. Lastly, SMEs should embrace digital solutions such as e-procurement platforms, e-sourcing technologies, and real-time data monitoring systems. These tools can streamline purchasing, optimize inventory control, and enable faster workflow adjustments, thereby reducing operational costs.

    The Impact of Lean Supply Chain Practices on Cost Performance among SMEs in Ghana · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on building stronger evidence for Lean’s long-term benefits through large-scale and lon- gitudinal studies, identifying the factors and mechanisms that support successful implementation in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, and examining the social impacts, such as occupational health and safety (OHS) issues, that may emerge from high-efficiency work environments.

    Applications of lean manufacturing in the textile garments industry · 2026 · DOI

  • To further strengthen the understanding and applica- tion of lean in this sector, future research should focus on broader, quantitative validation and specific process mecha- nisms. Future work should address the key research questions concerning the social issues and challenges that arise from lean prac- tices and how they should be managed [44]. Future research should focus on building stronger evidence for Lean’s long-term benefits through large-scale and lon- gitudinal studies, identifying the factors and mechanisms that support successful implementation in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, and examining the social impacts, such as occupational health and safety (OHS) issues, that may emerge from high-efficiency work environments.

    Applications of lean manufacturing in the textile garments industry · 2026 · DOI

  • 0), which emphasises sustainability, human-centricity and resilience, mapping the current interrelationship and future research directions, the role of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology remains underexplored.

    Industry 5.0's pillars and Lean Six Sigma: mapping the current interrelationship and future research directions · 2024 · DOI

  • The study also contributes to the literature by proposing an alternative approach to planning production and innovatively combining Lean tools with MRP, which has rarely been explored in previous research.

    Improving Service Level in Textile SMEs through Lean and MRP Integration: A Case Study · 2024 · DOI

  • Originality/value LSS is acknowledged as the most well-known hybrid methodology; however, due to its relative newness, it has not been studied in great detail.

    The moderating role of Lean Six Sigma practices on quality management practices and quality performance in medical device manufacturing industry · 2022 · DOI

  • Originality/value Studies on lean enablers in the mining sector are scarce in the literature, and this study is a novel contribution of exploring lean enablers in the Indian coal mining industry using an integrated approach of ISM–MICMAC and SEM.

    A study on key lean enablers of the coal mining sector using ISM, MICMAC and SEM · 2020 · DOI

  • Findings The review revealed a set of functions governing the SCPM system that have not been fully explored in previous research: the process focus, prioritisation, integration and causality functions of a SCPM system.

    Key characteristics for designing a supply chain performance measurement system · 2019 · DOI

  • The generalizability of this study’s findings is limited to similar supply chains around a multinational company consisted of companies that have at least ISO 9001 standard, but also fulfill other industry-specific requirements.

    Customer satisfaction and ISO 9001 improvement requirements in the supply chain · 2018 · DOI

  • The fact that there is currently no consensus as to a generally accepted definition of BPM software makes it difficult to define the criteria for its selection.

    Understanding the Success Factors in Adopting Business Process Management Software: Case Studies · 2018 · DOI

  • These are as follows: unclear specifications and terms of references from suppliers; insufficient information provided to SME suppliers to ensure understanding of requirements; insufficient feedback and support; no support of SME suppliers based on their Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) status; limited or no use of business support programs by SME suppliers; and external factors such as access to finance, changes in the economy, and location.

    Factors Contributing to SMEs Failure in Meeting Supplier Performance Standards · 2016 · DOI

  • Originality/value – Although many issues related to SD have been widely researched individually, few studies have been reported with a model to quantify, monitor, analyze, and evaluate the growth of SD performance in manufacturing environment in Indian context.

    Analyzing the performance of supplier development: a case study · 2014 · DOI

  • Research limitations/implications The major limitation of this research is that the survey was taken in the Mid‐western USA and involved only SME manufacturing organizations.

    Measuring the effectiveness of managerial action in SMEs · 2007 · DOI

  • Research limitations/implications The paper shows that the possibility of enriching the theories and practices of TQM implementation and extending the knowledge and applications of “soft” and “hard” factors need to be explored.

    Exploring soft versus hard factors for TQM implementation in small and medium‐sized enterprises · 2006 · DOI

  • The findings revealed that all participating nurses demonstrated low levels of lean management knowledge, indicating a substantial gap in understanding lean principles and their practical application within healthcare settings.

    ASSESSMENT OF NURSES' KNOWLEDGE REGARDING LEAN MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS · 2026 · DOI

  • A paradigm shift is occurring in the manufacturing sector globally due to the digitization of operations; however, studies specific to the maintenance aspect are scarce.

    Assessing Critical Barriers to Smart Maintenance Implementation in Indian SMEs: ISM–MICMAC Based Structural Analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The harmonization of multiple management systems, amidst increasing competition and growing customer requirements, is not limited to the technical unification of documentation but represents a strategic task requiring top management involvement and corporate culture transformation.

    Synergy of Quality Management Systems and Lean Production · 2026 · DOI

  • 2022 Manzoor, U., Baig, S.A., Hashim, M., Sami, A., Rehman, H.U. and Sajjad, I.

    Streamlining Efficiency: Integrating Lean Principles in Agile Supply Chain · 2026 · DOI

  • Considering these gaps in the Six Sigma literature, this study fills an important gap in research by implementing a detailed Six Sigma study, enhanced with hypothesis testing and a thorough measurement system analysis, on the aesthetics and appearance of the product.

    A thorough Six Sigma DMAIC application for household appliance manufacturing systems · 2020 · DOI

  • In the last years, several excellent technological solutions have been developed, but often their application in the field was limited and ineffective due to the gap in knowledge and commitment required and available in the ward’s personnel.

    An innovative procedure for introducing the lean concept into the internal drug supply chain of a hospital · 2018 · DOI

  • Design/methodology/approach – The method is a multiple case study of two textiles supply chains with a special focus on the rarely addressed interface between the manufacturer and the retail chain.

    Logistics performance management in textiles supply chains: best-practice and barriers · 2015 · DOI

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92 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,451 Quality and Supply Management papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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