Operations Management For Dummies, 2nd Edition
by Mary Ann Anderson, Edward J. Anderson, Geoffrey Parker
Chapter 14
Understanding Supply Chain Basics
IN THIS CHAPTER
Breaking down the supply chain’s structure
Selecting the right supply chain strategy
Understanding causes of and solutions to the bullwhip
Boosting supply chain performance
You may have heard the saying “You’re only as strong as your weakest link.” Nothing is truer for a company’s supply chain — the businesses that provide the materials that you need to do business. Sometimes, the failure of just one supplier can drastically affect your ability to deliver quality goods and services to your customers in a timely manner.
The importance of efficient supply chain management has significantly increased as companies outsource more and more functions that go into their products and services. In the past, companies were traditionally vertically integrated, meaning that they produced a great majority of the components in their products. Today, however, firms now take on a horizontal structure, with many suppliers providing the products and services that once were done in-house. The costs associated with the purchase of goods and ...
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