Supply Chain Management Article Library

Aug 18, 2004

Growing Emphasis on Product Lifecycle Management

To improve the communication between suppliers, customers, vendors, and distributors, companies are beginning to invest in product lifecycle management (PLM) software. Product lifecycle management is “an integrated, information-driven approach to…

Aug 4, 2004

The Role of Organizational Design

More organizations are seeking new approaches to compete through a competitive supply chain strategy. Many of these strategies involve the following elements: Development of a centrally led supply chain organization…

Jul 29, 2004

Success in Diversity Supplier Programs

Many organizations are striving either to establish or to improve diversity supplier initiatives. These plans aim to increase corporate purchasing from companies that are at least 51% owned, operated, and…

Jul 21, 2004

Conflict of Interest – A Hot Topic!

With the increased focus on ethical behavior, more and more companies are examining their conflict of interest policies, especially as they relate to procurement. When an individual is hired by…

Jul 13, 2004

Effects of Weather on the Supply Chain

Weather plays a big role in what consumers buy at the store or what customers buy from their suppliers. Producers must pay attention to this information because having the wrong…

Jul 7, 2004

Managing Complexity in the Supply Chain: Motorola’s War on Supply Chain Complexity – Part 2

In the last column, I shared an example of how Motorola is reducing complexity in their supply chain. This initiative was started by Theresa Metty, senior VP of procurement at…

Jun 30, 2004

The Antonov: Fast Shipping for Large Items

While not a household name, Russian-built Antonov aircrafts have played an important role in transportation and logistics. The Antonov 124 was initially built to move Russian military cargo, but its…

Jun 23, 2004

Managing Complexity in the Supply Chain – Part I

I recently sat on a panel of supply chain executives in Las Vegas, at the Better Management Live! Meeting sponsored by SAS. The theme of this panel was to have…

Jun 9, 2004

The Key Ingredient For Success: Competent People

p. One of the most important drivers for success in deploying supply chain initiatives today is people. A high priority for supply chain executives is to understand what the key…

Jun 2, 2004

The Increasing Necessity for Reverse Logistics

Due to environmental regulations and consumer pressures to increase customer service, companies are focusing on reverse logistics. Reverse logistics can lead to improved relationships with supply chain partners, improved profits…