The Supply Chain Management (SCM) concept has received much attention as a method for achieving improved customer service, better inventory management, and better overall channel management. Keiretsu, a type of Japanese business network shares many of the goals of SCM, yet is implemented much...

The concepts of a supply chain and supply chain management are receiving increased attention as means of becoming or remaining competitive in a globally challenging environment. What distinguishes supply chain management from other channel relationships? This paper presents a framework for...

The paper begins with an overview of some of the forces that have shaped supply chain management and partnership relationships. Next the potential benefits and risks of involvement in supply chain management/partnership relationships are discussed from the perspective of both the shipper and the...

Purpose: This research seeks to identify the motivations, means and outcomes of supply chain integration (SCI) among firms in the middle market (i.e. those with annual revenues between US$10m and US$1bn). These firms often interface with larger, more powerful firms in the supply chain – both...

Practitioners and educators have variously addressed the concept of supply chain management (SCM) as an extension of logistics, the same as logistics, or as an all‐encompassing approach to business integration. Based on a review of the literature and management practice, it is clear that there...

Canadian and United states managers identified NAFTA‐related benefits and threats. These factors were related to the managers' overall perceptions of the effect of NAFTA on firm performance. Results indicated that NAFTA's perceived benefits include increased access to the Mexican market and to...

In 1998, the Council of Logistics Management modified its definition of logistics to indicate that logistics is a subset of supply chain management and that the two terms are not synonymous. Now that this difference has been recognized by the premier logistics professional organization, the...

In this exploration of formal international purchasing alliances, a broad overview of why firms become involved in international purchasing alliances is developed. Then, using a data base developed based on formalized international alliance activity reported in The Wall Street Journal ,...

Total cost of ownership is a concept which strives to analyze and understand the true cost of doing business with a supplier, going well beyond price. This paper briefly explores trends which have increased interest in total cost of ownership analysis. Barriers and benefits of total cost of...

While the concept of partnerships has received much attention in the literature, the focus has primarily been on the manufacturing firm. This paper explores the similarities and differences in partnerships from the perspectives of manufacturing and non‐manufacturing firms. Findings indicate...