Title: Benchmarking external product variety in the Austrian agricultural industry

Authors: Markus Gerschberger; Romana Traxler

Addresses: Logistikum Steyr – The Logistics Competence Centre of the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria, Wehrgrabengasse 1-3, 4400 Steyr, Austria ' Logistikum Steyr – The Logistics Competence Centre of the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria, Wehrgrabengasse 1-3, 4400 Steyr, Austria

Abstract: High external variety is one of the main challenges to be faced within value networks. However, in practice there is a notable failure to manage this increasingly high variety and to embed variety management approaches in company structures. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is to present a benchmarking study of external product variety in the Austrian agricultural sector. In addition, a longitudinal case study showing the development of external variety in proportion to financial parameters in a specific company over the last ten years is executed. Finally the paper gives an overview of existing and planned variety management approaches in the company studied.

Keywords: external product variety; variety management; value networks; benchmarking study; data envelopment analysis; DEA; product complexity; value network complexity; logistics systems; Austria; agriculture; agricultural industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2013.053753

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2013 Vol.15 No.2/3, pp.129 - 142

Published online: 27 Sep 2013 *

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