Supply chain replenishment: before-and-after EDI implementation

Purpose: This study seeks to determine whether electronic supply chains using electronic data interchange (EDI) are more successful than nonelectronic supply chains using manual (paper) purchase orders by analyzing the supplier-manufacturer link in the SC. Design/methodology/approach: Identical products are analyzed before-and-after EDI implementation in an organization, therefore representing both electronic supply chain products and non-electronic supply chain products. Findings: The empirical findings indicate that the EDI supply chain is more effective than the manual supply chain in terms of: shorter order cycles, greater availability, lower (purchase) price, and lower (transaction) cost. Originality/value: The present research study provides for a number of future research possibilities. First, the present research study focuses only on the supplier-manufacturer link of the SC. Other links in the SC (man ufacturer-distributor, distributor-retail outlet, and retail outlet-customer) should be analyzed for products that have been replenished manually and then replenished using EDI.