PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of the postponement strategy by wineries in the state of Minas Gerais (Southeastern Brazil), in order to identify the types of postponement adopted by these companies, the implementation process and the results obtained after their adoption.Design/methodology/approachTwelve exploratory case studies were conducted in wine-producing companies, as well as on-site visits and semi-structured interviews with the managers of the companies surveyed.FindingsThe adoption of form postponement was verified in the companies studied mainly for table wine production, occurring most commonly during the bottling and labeling stages.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper analyzed the application of the postponement strategy in Southeast Brazil. Future research should analyze the application of this strategy in other regions of the country and abroad.Practical implicationsThe information acquired in this research can contribute to a more adequate practical application of the postponement strategy in a little-known industry sector.Originality/valueIn addition to discussing and verifying the application of the postponement strategy in the wine industry, this research presents information to assist in its implementation, use and consolidation.

Postponement can be understood as a way to change the form, identity, or location of products at the latest possible point in time and can be applied at different levels in the supply chain. A detailed theoretical framework that can assist companies in adopting, consolidating, and evaluating this strategy is not available in the literature. The aim of this paper is to propose a model approach to the postponement concept based on drivers, steps for implementation, and performance measures. This study used a qualitative approach and the theoretical-conceptual method focused on the literature review and the development of new theories on the adoption of the postponement strategy. The time frame of the study included articles on the subject between 1950 and 2012. A theoretical framework that shows the variables and steps required to implement the postponement strategy was created.

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of postponement strategies in companies that produce tomato-derived products in order to identify the types of postponement adopted by these companies, the implementation process, and the major changes after their adoption. Design/methodology/approach – Three exploratory case studies were carried out in manufacturers of tomato products, where interviews were conducted with general managers in the manufacturing and logistics sectors. Findings – The application of time and form postponement was verified in the companies studied, and the implementation of the postponement strategy led to changes in the productive process of tomato-derived products. These changes involved the movement of the decoupling point and the increase in the make-to-order production, which had positive impacts on the businesses. Research limitations/implications – This paper analyzed the application of postponement in a specific sector of the food industry. Future research must analyze the application of this strategy in other segments of the food industry and other sectors as well. Practical implications – The information acquired in this can contribute to a more adequate application of postponement in a little-known industry sector. Originality/value – In addition to further discussion on the issue and verification of postponement application in food companies, this research presents information to assist the adoption, use, and consolidation of the postponement strategy.

O propósito deste artigo foi investigar a aplicação prática do postponement em empresas alimentícias brasileiras e identificar as abordagens (passos) para aplicação desta estratégia nestas empresas. Além da maior discussão sobre o tema, a principal motivação para este trabalho é o estudo desta estratégia em um setor em que o tema é ainda pouco explorado. Foram apresentados seis estudos de caso em empresas alimentícias do segmento de fabricação de conservas de frutas, tais como processadoras de tomate e laranja. Este trabalho traz duas contribuições principais. A primeira é a apresentação de uma estrutura conceitual, com as principais abordagens para a implementação do postponement obtidas da literatura, que pode e deve ser adequada para diferentes setores da indústria. A segunda é uma primeira adequação desse quadro para empresas da indústria alimentícia, especificamente empresas processadoras de tomates e produtoras de suco de laranja. Dentre as principais conclusões deste trabalho, pode-se destacar que a aplicação do postponement é uma prática cada vez mais frequente no segmento investigado e tem transformado as relações entre empresas. Adicionalmente, foi verificado, que nenhuma das empresas estudadas apresentava uma estrutura formalizada para aplicação da estratégia de postponement, sendo sua implantação baseada apenas na experiência dos seus gestores.