Demand Satisfaction Communities: New Operational Relationships in the Information Age

The recent emergence of new organizational forms, for which the term demand satisfaction communities (DSC) is proposed, raises the question as to whether supply chain management practices are about to become obsolete. By tracking the history of practices and comparing them with those required to support the newly emerging forms of organizational relationships, it is possible to conclude that we are indeed on the threshold of a major change. Supply chain managers need not be intimidated. They are as well placed as anyone to play significant roles in creating and managing the new communities.