Integrated Supply Chain Report

Integrated Supply Chain Report

Pauline Aoki

May 5, 2014

John Jaroszeski

ISCOM/352

Integrated Supply Chain

Supply chain is the process from the initial raw material to the ultimate consumption of the finished product linking across supplier-user companies. The definition of supply chain is also known as the functions within and outside a company that enables the value chain to make products and provide services to the customer. Supply chain consists of multiple members like suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and customers

An integrated supply chain consists of close collaborative relationships with incorporated data and business processes. The collaborations include internal integration, customer integration, relationship integration, technology, planning integration, measurement integration, and supplier integration (Westbrook, 2002).

Integrated supply chain facilitates the organization’s ability to deliver the right product, to right customer, at right time, and at right place. The integrated supply chain creates close links and relations among buyers, suppliers, customers, and companies. In today’s business environment supply chain is managed through integration of different activities and partners in supply chain.

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Contribution to Organizational Efficiency and Effectiveness

Supply chain consists of suppliers, manufacturers, transporters, warehouses, retailers, third party logistic service, and customers. The integration helps to maximize the organizational effectiveness and efficiencies. The objective to manage supply chain is to maximize the global value generated relative to profit generation. Supply chain integration is not achieved overnight. There are many obstacles to overcome to create effective supply chains. The integration is not only beneficial for the company but also for the partners also, e.g., suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers. Basic benefit starts from the trust...