Transforming Supply Chains

Chapter 1

Adapt or die – the problems facing traditional supply chains

Surviving in today’s fast-moving topsy-turvy world

Introduction

As we approach the end of the second decade of the 21st century, the words of Bob Dylan in his album of the same name, The World Gone Wrong,¹ are ringing in our ears.

The impact of political instability around the world is impeding the efforts of global companies to efficiently drive cross-border trade. It will also disrupt global sourcing strategies designed to make in-bound supply chains leaner through accessibility to a greater diversity of sources. Indeed, ‘political risk is the new normal, as regulatory changes, both foreign and domestic, challenge global supply chains’.² To this we would add another ...