Essentials of Supply Chain Management

The role of supply chain management (SCM) in most businesses cannot be overstated. It is
vital to the success of a business and to the satisfaction of its customers. In today’s competitive
business environment, SCM has become increasingly imperative. A SCM strategy is necessary
for firms to compete at the supply chain (SC) level. In order to boost SC performance, it is
necessary to integrate and coordinate strategies throughout the chain. Customers receive
products and services from retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers. This mechanism is intended
solely to enhance the value of their products, upstream and downstream, by facilitating the
proper flow of information and resources. Business integration is critical for this fast-paced
business to ensure a smooth flow of information within its physical network. In order to achieve
bottom-line results, business integration will facilitate coordination between different parties.
Companies realize that competition today takes place between SC networks rather than
among individual firms. SCM requires effective management of all the connected pieces.
The purpose of this book is to study, understand, and interpret the evolution of SCM. It covers
SC strategy, design, planning, controlling, management, and more, covering the holistic and
interconnected nature of SCM. By examining how SCs are evolving and looking ahead to
future developments, the text provides the rationale behind why SCM is critical.