The effects of the lack of coordination within the supply chain

The present article refers to the bullwhip effect that negatively influences the supply chain performance. This effect is experienced by various industries, from fast moving consumer goods to IT products. The consequences for the supply chain members are the following: increased costs, lower profitability, longer lead times and lower product availability. The main factors that generate this effect are the types of incentives provided by suppliers to the downstream customers, the information distortion, the order placing practices, the pricing policies encouraging the forward buying and the specific behavior of the supply chain members focused on local optimization. The only way in which supply chain members may eradicate the bullwhip effect is to enhance coordination among the subsequent stages. Some of the strategies to be considered are the alignment of goals and objectives, data sharing among members, single stage control of replenishment, strategies for the improvement of the operational performance, stabilizing orders with appropriate pricing strategies and building strategic partnerships and trust. The incidence and amplitude of the bullwhip effect may be reduced by strategies and decisions that are harmonized along the stages of the supply chain. The key words in the endeavor to diminish the bullwhip effect are cooperation, coordination, communication and trust.