PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the relationship between supply chain linkages and supply chain performance (cost‐containment and reliability of supply chain partners).Design/methodology/approachMultivariate regression models are developed in order to identify the characteristics of determinants of linkages in the supply chain stakeholders (suppliers, internal stakeholders and customers). The survey was administered to individuals identified from a list of US executive officers, directors, presidents, or vice presidents. Among four hundred respondents, 122 were considered as valid from those who practice supply chain management for their business operations.FindingsInternal integration is the most important contributor to cost‐containment while integration with the supplier is the best strategy to achieve supply chain reliable performance. Availability of electronic ordering systems for customers is an important strategy in cost‐containment. Fast and easy ordering is the best strategy for customer in performance reliability. Reliable delivery with supplier collaboration in managing a broad supply chain operation is the best way to link with suppliers. Access to the inventory information creates the most favorable environment in internal integration.Research limtations/implicationsA vigorous multivariate statistical modeling process was employed to seek a possible linkage between the level of integration and the supply chain performances at a different linkage stage. This study would open an avenue for further investigation using micro data such as financial performances, and other key supply chain indicators to operationalize some of the findings that this study presented.Practical implicationsThis paper explored the relationship between supply chain linkages and supply chain performance so that management will be able to pursue better supply chain strategies applicable directly to their business environment. Study results provide management with innovative insights for planning and executing applicable supply chain strategies.Originality/valueThis study presented overall and individual determinants of each linkage affecting supply chain performance. In addition, this study presented a valid and reliable measurement instruments that academicians as well as practitioners can use in measuring the supply chain performance.

AaSTIO~Cr It IS possible to significantly reduce the average cost of information retrieval from a large shared database by partltlomng data ~tems stored within each record into a primary and a secondary record segment An analytic model, based upon knowledge of data item lengths, transportation costs, and retrieval patterns, is developed to assist an analyst with this assignment problem The model is generally applicable to environments m which a database resides m secondary storage, and is useful for both unlprogrammlng and multlprogrammlng systems. A computatlonally tractable record design algorithm has been implemented as a Fortran program and applied to numerous problems Reahstlc examples are presented which demonstrate a potential for reducing total system cost by more than 65 percent KEY WORDS AND PHRASES data management, record design, record segmentation, optimization, network flows, btcntenon mathematical programs, branch and bound CR CATEGORIES 3 50, 3 71, 3 72, 5 40, 5 41, 8 1, 8 3

The representation of a collection of data in terms of its differences from some preestablished point of reference is a basic storage compaction technique which finds wide applicability. This paper describes a differential database representation which is shown to be an efficient method for storing large and volatile databases. The technique confines database modifications to a relatively small area of physical storage and as a result offers two significant operational advantages. First, because the “reference point” for the database is inherently static, it can be simply and efficiently stored. Second, since all modifications to the database are physically localized, the process of backup and the process of recovery are relatively fast and inexpensive.

The physical structure and relative placement of information elements within a data base is critical for the efficient design of a computerized information system which is shared by a community of users.

Generalized ModelAn important functional component of ever.y file organization is the set of search mechanisms which are used to locate individually identified records during the process of either update or retrieval. There have been a large number of computer-related search techniques developed in the past 20 years. The objective of this article is to synthesize many of these techniques into one parametrically describable search mechanism. This is accomplished by separating search techniques into two categries: addressing techniques, and tree searching techniques. Significant literature is surveyed for each category. The new concept of a TRIE-TREE search mechanism is then introduced, and used to combine these categories via a generalized model. The model has proven to be a pedagogic convenience in explaining the relation between alternative search techniques. It has also been used irk a practical application as a schema for alternative search strategies which are automatically evaluated during the process of a file organization design.