LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGY
The literature used in this study consists of periodicals, including: International
Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management, California Management Review.
Journal ofBusiness Research. Production and Inventory Management, and Purchasing.
Several theses related to JIT also were studied as part ofthe research. Two reference
books on the subject ofJust-In-Time purchasing by Abdolhossein Ansari and by Peter
Grieco provided valuable reference material. An additional book on Japanese
Manufacturing Techniques by Richard Schonberger was included in the research
materials. In addition to the literature, interviews were conducted with various
contractor representatives that are presently involved in the Buy Response Vice Inventory
(BRVI) program and with personnel at the Defense General Supply Center (DGSC) who
are responsible for implementation and management ofthe BRVI program.
An extensive questionnaire was sent to ten commercial contractors that represent
successful parties to long-term contracts and provide direct vendor delivery to Defense General Supply Center (DGSC) customers. The companies represented include: 3M
Company, Eastman Kodak, Rayovac Corporation, Grimes Aerospace and Mine Safety
Appliance.