Title: Decisive factors for the adoption of just-in-time in Greek SMEs: a probit model

Authors: Fotios S. Missopoulos, Theologos Dergiades

Addresses: City Liberal Studies, Department of Business Administration and Economics, Affiliated Institution of the University of Sheffield, 17 Mitropoleos Str., 546 24, Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Department of Economics, University of Macedonia, Egnatias Street 165, Room 202, Thessaloniki 54006, Greece

Abstract: The Just-In-Time (JIT) technique is a difficult and, in many cases, a complex task to be implemented in any type of organisation, since a synchronisation of different activities in the supply chain is required. Investments in logistics information systems are imperative. This paper presents a theoretical framework of JIT and then explores the Greek business reality through the responses of Greek managers to the survey conducted in SMEs located throughout the country. The factors that are considered to be important in making a decision to adopt such a technique are investigated. The study reveals that Greek SMEs are not yet ready to incorporate JIT and the judgment for such a decision does not heavily consider some significant factors identified in the literature.

Keywords: just-in-time; JIT; supply chain management; SCM; logistics information systems; LIS; Greek SMEs; probit models; small and medium sized enterprises; Greece.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2007.012998

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2007 Vol.3 No.3, pp.344 - 355

Published online: 03 Apr 2007 *

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