Supply chain organization: a key enabler for successful supply chain management

Abstract

Well-functioning supply chains are reliable and responsive, and remain cost efficient despite being flexible. As supply chains become more global and complex, however, supply chain links become strained, and supply and delivery glitches tend to increase. Companies are often robbed of their ability to respond quickly because they are weighed down by overly complex structures that have arisen, for instance, after embarking on a quick session of mergers and takeovers. Other companies might be burdened by conflicting operating styles and processes, and a lack of standard procedures throughout the entire supply chain. This prevents them from being best-in-class, especially in today’s highly competitive business environment in which a smoothly run operation is paramount.