sustainingsupplychainmanagementinnewzealand.docVIP

Sustaining Supply Chain Management in New Zealand C Basnet*, Associate Professor P Childerhouse, Senior Lecturer L R Foulds, Professor of Manufacturing Management V Martin, Senior Lecturer Department of Management Systems Waikato Management School University of Waikato Private Bag 3105 Hamilton 2020 New Zealand *chuda@waikato.ac.nz (Corresponding author) Abstract This paper reports on an exploratory study of supply chain management practices in New Zealand. The results from our survey of New Zealand manufacturers indicate that there has been a significant increase in the general awareness of lean manufacturing, supplier integration and quality improvement strategies. However practice is still lagging behind. We present these results and discuss challenges that are currently being faced by New Zealand organizations seeking to sustain and improve their supply chain management processes. Certain facets of supply chain management that require special emphasis in the New Zealand scene are discussed and some examples of companies overcoming their supply chain management challenges are presented. Finally, we summarize our conclusions and indicate directions for further research. Key phrases: Supply chain management, management processes, design, quality, and sustainability. 1. INTRODUCTION Improved supply chain management (SCM) capability is critical to many New Zealand organizations, which are often distant from their suppliers and markets, in their efforts to compete in ever more demanding business environments. This is because New Zealand supply chain managers along with their international counterparts are being confronted with: growing competition, pervasive change, relentless advances in technology, ever-shorter life cycles, and alterations to the openness of markets. Better communications and logistical innovations have increased global accessibility. Technological advances and economic development have increased market opportunities but also created mo