MIT Supply Chain Strategy is an independent newsletter published by IOMA with the mission to drive competitive advantage by linking corporate strategy and supply chain management. Its 12 issues each year shepherd senior executives from a broad cross section of industries and corporate disciplines through developing a strategy that defines how their supply chain should work.
The management of a company's lifeline— its supply chain—underpins its competitiveness. Organizations that understand this, and fuse corporate strategy and supply chain management to create a strategic asset become market leaders. Yet many enterprises—and otherwise sage business leaders—still fail to make this crucial connection. Supply Chain Strategy exists to help both leaders and laggards bridge the gap between supply chain professionals and the boardroom.
Soaring commodity costs, materials shortages, and market volatility have put supply management firmly in the hot seat. It is not an enviable position to be in. Then again, as the temperature rises, so does the status of supply management. But is the function equal to the challenge?
Large multinational manufacturers are used to riding the ups and downs of commodity price trends and have the wherewithal to keep tabs on global operations. Companies in the midsize category can find the ride a lot bumpier if they do not marshal their resources—particularly in the supply management area—with great care.
Top supply chain leadership talent is not easy to come by as the range of skills and experience needed to fulfill the role becomes broader in scope. But you can make the recruitment task easier by being more flexible on the must-have attributes you are looking for in candidates.
More evidence that rising costs and the appreciation of the renminbi are eroding China’s competitiveness as a global manufacturing center comes from the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai) in a new report.
Picture yourself watching a flock of birds heading for sunnier climes while listening to a favorite tune on your iPod. The image might conjure memories of long-lost contemplative moments. It also represents supply chain’s new era of change management.
MIT-CTL Supply Chain Strategy is part of...
Corporate Financial Management