Supply Chain and Distribution Management

Term Paper , 2009 , 45 Pages , Grade: 83 %

Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance

This assignment will explore various aspects of an efficient Supply Chain and Distribution Management System.
The authors believe that after reading this work, a company knows exactly what needs to be considered when creating a successful Supply Chain and Distribution Management System.
The examples, chosen in the text, of companies such as Dell, DHL, Wal-Mart, as well as Toyota illustrate how companies achieved improvements in their Supply Chain or Distribution Management System. Additionally, the authors explain various manufacturing processes used by different companies.
What needs to be understood is that the costs, time and risks involved have to be carefully planned, evaluated and continuously observed as the environment can change very quickly.
In today’s environment it is supply chains competing against each other rather than companies competing against each other (Fynes, De Burca and Voss, 2005).
“If you are not able to meet your customers increasing specific demands, you will not be able to compete with those who can - and will” (i2, 2008).

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1.1. Introduction
• 2.1. Supply Chain Management
  • 2.1.1. What is Supply Chain Management?
  • 2.1.2. Benefits and Problems of Supply Chain Management
  • 2.1.3. The Importance of Supplier Relationships in Supply Chain Management
  • 2.1.4. The Emergence of Global Supply Chain Management
  • 2.1.5. Supply Chain Management in Developing Countries
  • 2.1.6. Technology in Supply Chain Management
    • 2.1.6.1. The Role of Internet in Supply Chain Management
    • 2.1.6.2. Technology Trajectory in Developing Countries
• 3.1. Manufacturing Process
  • 3.1.1. Just-In-Time
  • 3.1.2. Issues with Just-In-Time
  • 3.2.1. Total Quality Management
  • 3.3.1. Synchronous Manufacturing
  • 3.4.1. Mass Customization
  • 3.5.1. Six Sigma
  • 3.6.1. Dell's supply chain management strategy
• 4.1 Distribution management
  • 4.1.1 Warehouse / Distribution centre
    • 4.1.1.1 Warehouse functions
    • 4.1.1.2 Warehouse operations
  • 4.1.2 Inventory
    • 4.1.2.1. Wal-Mart's inventory technologies
    • 4.1.2.2. Toyota's Warehouse and Inventory control
  • 4.1.3 Transportation
    • 4.1.3.1 Modes of transportation
    • 4.1.3.2 Key drivers for a third-party distribution
    • 4.1.3.3 DHL: An example of an efficient third-party distributor
    • 4.1.3.4 Toyota's Logistic
• 5.1 Value Chain
• 6.1. Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This assignment aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of efficient Supply Chain and Distribution Management Systems. It emphasizes the importance of careful planning, evaluation, and continuous observation of costs, time, and risks involved in creating a successful system. The text highlights how companies like Dell, DHL, Wal-Mart, and Toyota have implemented successful strategies for optimizing their supply chains and distribution networks. Key themes explored in the text include:

• The Importance of Supply Chain Management in a Globalized Economy
• The Challenges and Opportunities of Global Sourcing, Particularly in Developing Countries
• The Role of Technology in Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency
• Various Manufacturing Processes, Including Just-In-Time, Total Quality Management, Synchronous Manufacturing, Mass Customization, and Six Sigma
• Effective Warehouse and Inventory Management Practices

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides an overview of the globalized economy's need for supply chain integration to achieve "speed to market." It highlights the importance of innovation in global supply chain management and integration for companies to thrive in this competitive environment. It further discusses the challenges and opportunities of warehouse operations and inventory management, emphasizing the need to reduce inventories while improving customer service, productivity, and stock-keeping units within limited space.

The section on Supply Chain Management defines the concept and explores its benefits and problems. It delves into the importance of supplier relationships, the emergence of global supply chains, and the challenges of managing them in developing countries. The role of technology in supply chain management is discussed, including the importance of the internet and technological trajectories in developing countries.

The Manufacturing Process section examines various production methods, including Just-In-Time, Total Quality Management, Synchronous Manufacturing, Mass Customization, and Six Sigma. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of each method and provides examples of how companies utilize them in their operations. The section also includes a detailed analysis of Dell's supply chain management strategy.

The Distribution Management section focuses on warehouse and distribution center functions and operations. It discusses the importance of inventory management and provides examples of Wal-Mart's and Toyota's successful strategies. It also examines different modes of transportation and the benefits of third-party distribution, using DHL as an example. The section concludes with a brief overview of Toyota's logistics approach.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key terms and focus topics covered in this text include supply chain management, distribution management, global sourcing, manufacturing processes, Just-In-Time, Total Quality Management, Synchronous Manufacturing, Mass Customization, Six Sigma, warehouse operations, inventory management, transportation, and third-party distribution. The text also examines the impact of technology, particularly the internet, on supply chain efficiency and the challenges of managing supply chains in developing countries.

• College: University of Western Sydney (Sydney Graduate School of Management)
• Grade: 83 %
• Authors: Rakowski (Author), Cheuk Yin Tang (Author), Kammala (Author), Sorraphetpisai (Author), Sahai Mathur (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 45
• Catalog Number: V135654
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640437597
• ISBN (Book): 9783640437658
• Language: English
• Tags: Supply, Chain, Distribution, Management