Utilization of time‐based strategies : Creating distribution flexibility/responsiveness

Explores how firms can use time‐based strategies within their distribution operations. Exploratory results are presented detailing strategic distribution responses employed to meet competitive challenges and gain competitive advantages. These firms have proactively worked to make their operations more flexible and allow them to respond more quickly to customer requests. They have developed capabilities to customize or tailor services to specific market segments in a timely manner, learned to prioritize requests and respond with differentiated service programs, and strategically exploited information capabilities in order to substitute “information for inventory” in a cost‐effective manner. The research results emphasize the important role distribution/logistics plays in supporting manufacturing and marketing efforts.