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Byline: Laurence Iliff The growing demand for electric vehicles is upending the automotive supply chain at a time when it was already stressed by the coronavirus pandemic, rising material prices [...]

Ensuring a cold-chain supply chain for biologics has always been challenging. With the emergence of newer biologic modalities, more stringent cold-chain requirements need to be developed as the industry finds [...]

Amazon and Alibaba are pacesetters of the next supply-chain revolution GREG SMITH is obsessed with the freshness of strawberries. Walmart's top supply-chain executive in America is overhauling the retail giant's [...]

As organizations become increasingly specialized, their ability to engage the supply network in innovation efforts is becoming critical to their success. In addition, it is imperative for organizations to align internal research and development strategies with knowledge available in the supply network in order to gain superior innovation performance. In this article, we present some perspectives on supply network--enabled innovation and discuss two frameworks that integrate a firm's internal knowledge with that of its supply network to achieve innovation objectives. The inter-related frameworks discussed are anchored in the absorptive capacity and ambidexterity theories. They explicate how firms can effectively align internal innovation activities and knowledge available in the supply network to gain superior innovation outcomes. Keywords: innovation; supply network; absorptive capacity; ambidexterity, INTRODUCTION Recently, an increasing number of academic and practitioner articles in supply chain management have stressed the importance of leveraging supplier capabilities for innovation performance (e.g., Choi & Krause, 2006; [...]

This paper develops a novel framework to evaluate the integral performance of order picking systems with different combinations of storage and order picking policies. The warehousing literature on order picking [...]

WHEN CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN OR PRAISE A COMPANY'S products and service, they're often unwittingly condemning or lauding the organization's supply chain operations. These operations are typically behind the scenes, but efficient [...]

The efforts of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to establish a less-than-truckload network for the distribution of perishable commodities are described.

Mobile supply chain management (mSCM) is fast gaining recognition as a major source of cost reduction and supply chain performance. However, there is little published academic literature on the application and implementation of mobile and/or wireless technology in SCM. This article attempts to explore the challenges of mobile technology for successful implementation of mSCM. The implications of mobile or wireless technology for successful implementation of mSCM are examined with reference to three critical areas of SCM: (1) competitive advantage based on the notion of value chain analysis in SCM; (2) relationship management for successful collaboration along the supply chain and strategic partnerships; and (3) coordination and integration of disparate functions and activities to enhance overall supply chain performance. The article identifies the implications of mobile technology for SCM and develops propositions that have important consequences on the likelihood of a successful implementation of mSCM. Keywords: Mobile SCM: Wireless technology: Implementation; Coordination: Integration

Trite perhaps, but nonetheless true--the pace of change in the global marketplace has never been more rapid than today. New trade patterns are developing daily, and the parameters of doing […]

The globalization of business has created a whole new set of sourcing challenges and opportunities. Companies that focused on domestic sales for years now find themselves buying from and selling [...]

Supply chain innovation matrixes that can be applied to both commercial and military supply chains are presented in outlining the trade between efficiency and competition in military industrial research and development (IR&D). The findings indicate that when the public policy restrains inter-service rivalry the officerEs corps may gain absolute market power along the value-added chain and only prevent competence destroying innovations from diffusing.

A study investigating the role of innovation across supply chain management and the influence of knowledge accumulation on projects' specification and as a consequence of buyer-supplier co-development projects, is presented.

What started as a program to apply information technology to the vehicle development process at General Motors soon evolved into a broad collaborative initiative that embraced GM's external partners. As [...]

How do you succeed in an environment of increasingly complex supply chain processes and unrelenting demands for real-time response and control? The answer may come in the form of intelligent [...]

Supply chain initiatives over the last decade, while frustrating at times, have proved enormously beneficial to businesses. The most successful innovators viewed the supply chain as a strategic tool for [...]

This paper is reprinted from the last issue of the Journal when unfortunately the references were omitted. Abstract: Since the identification of the concept of supply chain management (1), the [...]

The emergence of innovative technologies such as global positioning satellite (GPS) systems and the Internet has enabled the transportation industry to enhance its logistics and tracking capabilities. Shippers and carriers have begun to embrace these technologies to facilitate on-time delivery of their goods. Furthermore, the Internet allows more information sharing among industry players. GPS systems are gaining popularity in the vehicle tracking market because of their operational savings and reducing cost of GPS hardware., Your toy store has just had a run on the latest beanbag animal doll, and you need to know whether the next shipment will arrive before things turn ugly. You [...]

Long a region of turmoil, Latin America is seeing unprecedented stability and economic growth. Air carders are sending in planes in search of these new, more prosperous shippers Given Latin [...]

Food distributors are expected to incorporate reverse logistics in their future strategic business plans. Reverse logistics, which enhances recycling and waste disposal efforts, helps companies to observe federal, state and local reuse and recycling rules. The practice involves the recall of packaging and products back through the supply chain and is often conducted through third-party pallet pools., Reverse logistics is managing the supply chain in reverse. Within five years, it will play an important role in strategic business planning in the food industry. Products have typically moved [...]

The evolution in organizational management is threatening the function of logisticians in distribution corporations. Industry experts say the elimination of the logistics function is inevitable. Replacing traditional logistics is virtual logistics, a new concept which others call 'channel system.' It involves teaching and training students of the profession new techniques for overseeing the movement and storage of products., Is the logistics function about to transform itself out of existence, or just into something else? Imagine preparing yourself for years to become Vice President of Logistics only to see [...]

Consortiums or co-ops are the latest system being adopted by suppliers and distributors. Companies put in their resources altogether into one network to economize on transportation and warehousing. The advantages of co-ops include decreased inventories, more buying power, cost savings, improved service levels and reduced paperwork. This trend may be initiated by shippers or formed by suppliers through third parties., IF YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR LOGISTICS ECONOMY, A CO-OP CAN BOOST YOUR PURCHASING POWER. Co-ops, or consortiums, are one of the latest trends among suppliers and distributors. In this type of [...]

ACCESS is Conrail's latest PC-based tracking tool which allows shippers to trace shipment movements anywhere in the U.S. It is also one of the railroad industry's successful venture in information alliance. The success of ACCESS has been the impetus in the railroad's modernization by providing logistics information to shippers. Its advantages include easy tracking and easy location of any outbound load., BETWEEN APPLES AND ORANGES Comparing logistics services between rail and motor carriers is unfair, but the railroads are in a position to change that with information systems. While the railroads [...]

You have just handed the first order from a new client over to the order-entry department - a prestigious account that you have been pursuing for quite some time. This [...]

Information technology helps logistics managers compete in an age when accuracy and service count! Editor's Note: This issue of Traffic Management kicks off a special three-part series on logistics quality. [...]

Innovations in business distribution and logistics systems provide one of the last few options for cost reduction and performance improvement. Given that distribution and logistics account for 30-40% of total costs, these innovations have the potential for radically increasing service delivery speeds and efficiency. Such improvements were discussed at a conference jointly sponsored by Material Handling Engineering magazine and the International Quality and Productivity Center. In the case of US-based Baxter Health Care Corp., adversarial relations with both customers and suppliers over late and incorrect shipments gave way to better and faster service when a quality improvement initiative supported by a computer network was implemented. Similar experiences of Tupperware Home Parties and Philips Consumer Electronics are presented.

Many companies have realized that only a complete overhaul of their procedures will enable them to remain competitive. These reengineering projects focus primarily on logistics. The advantages of reengineering are that it creates a fresh perspective, it focuses on the company's goals and it stresses the importance of information technology. Information is presented on how to determine when reengineering is necessary., More and more companies are concluding that nothing short of a fundamental overhaul of certain basic processes (e.g., the order-to-delivery process) will keep them competitive. The majority of those reengineering [...]

The effective management of business logistics will serve as a critical aspect of any company's efforts to gain competitive advantage. Logistics functions as a key business process in the delivery of quality service to customers. In order to effectively facilitate a customer-centered logistics process, companies need to address various customer demands, such as a high level of product availability, on-time delivery, shorter order placement-to-delivery cycle time, flexible packaging and labelling, zero damage at receipt, and after-sales support. Any gaps in customer quality arising from differences in suppliers' perceptions and customers' expectations should also be bridged., Today's companies strive to be customer-focused. They want to be known as quality leaders; they seek world-class status. They recognize that to accomplish these objectives they must think globally and [...]

Three words can sum up current business philosophy when it comes to manufacturing success. They are flexibility, integration and velocity. It is the last of these words that offers industrial […]

The effect of new logistic technologies on inventory investments are described. These technologies are innovations in technology, organization, economy and management with regard to production, trade, transportation and communication geared towards increasing the efficiency of material flows. Although efficiency is often associated with automation and sophisticated equipment, this is not always the case as seen in the lunch-box carriers in India. Economic circumstances largely determine the degree of the effect these technologies have on inventory investments.

We live in the era of new information technologies. The focus is on the word "new", and "news" comes daily into the old and traditional worlds of logistics and transportation. […]

The Internet is becoming the predominant way for apparel manufacturers, retailers and raw materials suppliers to streamline their logistics and supply chains. In fact, supply chain management is entering a new age, as Internet information-transfer technical standards take root and communications infrastructures in various parts of the world are upgraded. In Asia, manufacturers such as Ralph Lauren and Liz Claiborne are using the Internet to communicate with materials suppliers., The Internet is shaping up as the key global communications tool for retailers, manufacturers and raw materials suppliers seeking to streamline supply chains and logistics. As technical standards for sharing [...]

Freight payment is still an active participant in the shipping industry although there is a development of a wide range of logistics services. Shippers claim that client loyalty still prevails and that logistics companies often lack the knowledge to provide specialized services. Freight-payment companies, however, remain concerned with their businesses' future because of recent developments in logistic softwares that can hasten and make shipping processes more efficient., Freight-payment companies are surviving in the era of total logistics outsourcing - even as they face new and bigger challenges. They're surviving because they can make what shippers pay worth [...]

The household moving and storage industry has expanded its functions to third-party logistics. Third party logistics, which now constitutes the bulk of the industry's business, covers a number of tasks including inventory reporting and other asset management functions. For example, Atlas Van Lines views the non-household specialized market, especially fine arts exhibits and trade shows, as its fastest growing market., Old-fashioned household goods carriers counter a tough market through high-tech operations. The $7-billion moving and storage industry is mature and fraught with perils beyond its control. That's the downside. But [...]

JUST WHEN YOU WERE GETTING GOOD AT PLAYING THE EFFICIENT MANUFACTURING GAME, THEY CHANGED THE RULES. There is a law of physics that states, 'a body in motion tends to [...]

Fuzzy logic allows for a range of values for each piece of data. For example, GE has included a fuzzy logic system in its washers to learn the habits of its users, and Saturn uses a fuzzy logic system in its cars to analyze driving conditions and shift gears less frequently, saving gasoline. Logistics managers could use a fuzzy system to input a variety of data, including point-of-sale data, climate information and demographics, to forecast sales for a particular product. Such systems will be used with increasing frequency in support systems used by logistics managers., THE FUZZY LOGIC ALGORITHM WILL MAKE THE LOGISTICS PROFESSIONAL'S JOB GO A LOT SMOOTHER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. By now you have probably heard of fuzzy logic or fuzzy systems. [...]

THE SEAMLESS ENTERPRISE IS THE LATEST BUZZ WORD IN BUSINESS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT LOGISTICS? The seamless enterprise. You may have heard the term at [...]