Edinburgh Napier University

  This paper provides generic guidelines to ensure an electronic supplier Kanban can be successfully implemented across an organization. This approach is based on case study work conducted within a European manufacturing SME. A framework in the form of an eight-step approach for implementing an electronic supplier Kanban, that has been tested, proven, and realized, provides a clear process to follow. These steps provide a clear process from mapping and analyzing the current situation, an analysis of potential suppliers with corresponding criteria, and an analysis of purchased items and bottlenecks in their use within the organization. The stepped approach further reviews the Kanban loop, which needs fully dimensioned, together with relevant information, supplier preparation for using the system, and then the integration of processes to ensure success in its use. Operational issues are comprehensively covered, together with strategic aims and the underlying problems that may impact upon success. The above approach can be used to both introduce new suppliers to the system as well as giving assistance to other companies wishing to implement e-supplier Kanban. This will need to be adapted and contextualized to individual organizational requirements.