Supply Chain Management As A Value Driver 505801

Supply Chain Management As A Value Drivera Successful Supply Chain Str

Supply Chain Management as a Value Driver A successful supply chain strategy includes good design and implementation. However, supply chain strategy is not considered truly successful until there is a measurable contribution to the bottom line. To be successful, managers must plan, forecast, and execute the operational plan as well as face and overcome the organizational, partner-based, and personnel-based factors that can diminish value. Effective supply chain management continues to grow in importance as a competitive differentiator for most companies. However, most companies fail to realize a competitive advantage or value for the customer.

Using the module readings, Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, research supply chain management. As you examine the readings in this module, consider how change affects all stakeholders in the supply chain and apply those reflections to the following questions: What do you consider are some of the problems that affect supply chain management success? Using at least two current examples, discuss effective supply chain strategies that were used by a company to positively impact organizational effectiveness and yield desirable results. Write your initial response in 300 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail, include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA Style, and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Paper For Above instruction

Supply chain management (SCM) is crucial for organizational success, serving as a strategic tool that adds significant value and competitive advantage when executed effectively. Yet, many companies face persistent challenges that hinder SCM success, including demand variability, supply disruptions, and inadequate communication among stakeholders (Christopher, 2016). Addressing these problems requires robust strategies that enhance resilience and responsiveness within the supply chain.

One prominent issue in SCM is demand unpredictability, which complicates inventory management and production scheduling. A notable example is the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which disrupted the supply chain of several automotive manufacturers like Honda and Toyota. These companies responded by diversifying suppliers and increasing inventory buffers, which helped mitigate future risks (Ivanov, 2020). The strategic procurement adjustment enabled them to maintain production continuity despite external shocks, demonstrating effective risk management.

Another critical challenge is supply interruption due to geopolitical tensions or natural disasters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many firms, including Apple Inc., faced severe supply chain bottlenecks owing to factory closures in China. In response, Apple adopted a multi-sourcing strategy and increased local manufacturing capabilities to reduce dependency on a single supplier or region. This shift improved supply chain resilience and reduced lead times, enhancing organizational responsiveness (Choi & Rogers, 2021).

Both examples underscore the importance of incorporating supply chain flexibility and diversification strategies. Companies that proactively adapt by decentralizing sourcing and implementing real-time data analytics can better anticipate disruptions and respond swiftly. This proactive approach not only minimizes risks but promotes efficiency, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage (Christopher, 2016).

In conclusion, successful supply chain management hinges on addressing risks through strategic planning, diversification, and technological integration—elements that state-of-the-art firms employ to turn supply chain challenges into opportunities for improvement.

References

Choi, T. M., & Rogers, D. S. (2021). Supply Chain Resilience in the Face of COVID-19 Disruptions. International Journal of Production Economics, 235, 108109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.108109

Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & Supply Chain Management (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

Ivanov, D. (2020). Predicting the Impact of COVID-19 on Supply Chain Dynamics: A Scenario-Based Planning Approach. International Journal of Production Research, 58(14), 4345–4363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2020.1756920