Achieving Supply Chain Integration: Connecting the Supply Chain Inside and Out for Competitive Advantage

Though many modern companies and their leaders recognise that supply chain integration is a critical aspect of competitiveness, actually becoming integrated has proven to be quite difficult for most, for a variety of reasons. Prior to the year 2000, integrating first vertically, and later horizontally within the organization was "all the rage" in creating a successful supply chain. Since then, it has become apparent that integrating a company's internal functions with those of partnering suppliers and customers yields additional advantages. Integration benefits organisations by enabling not only the smooth and efficient flow of products through the supply chain, but also by providing access to resources and capabilities held by partners that otherwise may have been costly to develop internally. Yet, how to actually go about integrating remains somewhat a mystery, and it is hard to prioritise which processes and functions should be integrated, and in what ways, in order to yield the greatest performance benefits to an organisation. Via a collection of essays on both internal and external process and relationship integration, this book intends to assist both students and managers in approaching the integrating process, such that they approach the problems and benefits of integrating with their eyes wide open. Examples from industry of both successful and unsuccessful integrations are used to illustrate best practices and common mistakes. The full text downloaded to your computer With eBooks you can: search for key concepts, words and phrases make highlights and notes as you study share your notes with friends eBooks are downloaded to your computer and accessible either offline through the Bookshelf (available as a free download), available online and also via the iPad and Android apps. Upon purchase, you will receive via email the code and instructions on how to access this product. Time limit The eBooks products do not have an expiry date. You will continue to access your digital ebook products whilst you have your Bookshelf installed.