Supply chain defination.doc

Contents 1 Definitions 2 Problems addressed by supply chain management 3 Activities/functions 3.1 Strategic level 3.2 Tactical level 3.3 Operational level 4 Importance of supply chain management 5 Historical developments in supply chain management 6 Supply chain business process integration 7 Theories of supply chain management 8 Supply chain centroids 9 Tax efficient supply chain management 10 Supply chain sustainability 11 Components of supply chain management integration 12 Supply chain systems and value 13 Global supply chain management 14 See also 15 References 16 External links Definitions More common and accepted definitions of supply chain management are: Supply chain management is the systematic, strategic coordination of the traditional business functions and the tactics across these business functions within a particular company and across businesses within the supply chain, for the purposes of improving the long-term performance of the individual companies and the supply chain as a whole (Mentzer et al., 2001).[3] A customer focused definition is given by Hines (2004:p76) Supply chain strategies require a total systems view of the linkages in the chain that work together efficiently to create customer satisfaction at the end point of delivery to the consumer. As a consequence costs must be lowered throughout the chain by driving out unnecessary costs and focusing attention on adding value. Throughout efficiency must be increased, bottlenecks removed and performance measurement must focus on total systems efficiency and equitable reward distribution to those in the supply chain adding value. The supply chain system must be responsive to customer requirements.[4] Global supply chain forum - supply chain management is the integration of key business processes across the supply chain for the purpose of creating value for customers and stakeholders (Lambert, 2008).[5] According to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), supply chain m