Managing Inflexible Supply Chains
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 1 July 1998
Abstract
Logistics managers are faced with greater customer volatility, higher customer service expectations and pressure to reduce costs. If these conflicting pressures are to be reconciled, increased supply chain flexibility is vital. Enhanced flexibility is achieved through two types of changes to the supply chain: structural changes, including processes, physical resources and linkages/relationships; and, system changes, including how information is used and decisions taken. Structural changes include reducing lead‐times from suppliers, JIT manufacture, and holding stocks at customers' sites. System changes may include speeding information flow and deploying information technology to improve planning and control of the supply chain.
Keywords
Citation
Jenkins, G.P. and Wright, D.S. (1998), "Managing Inflexible Supply Chains", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 83-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/09574099810805852
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited