LOG502 | Distribution Systems: Concentrated Clustering | Case Assignment - Module 2 |
Jaime
10/30/2012
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The Core of Concentrated Clusters
Since the definition of supply chain management is, "the oversight of materials, information, and finances as they move in a process from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer", it only makes sense then that placing each part of the supply chain in close proximity to one another makes for easier oversight. (Rouse, 2010) This is the basis for the clustering theory. (DeWitt, Giunipero, & Melton, 2006) Not just in theory, but in practice as well, clustering has proven to give those companies involved in a supply chain distinct competitive advantages via its
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This all serves to make more options; with more specialized capabilities, available to the workings of a supply chain.
How Clustering Varies Among International and Domestic Firms
The fact that international firms are physically separated doesn 't inhibit them from enjoying the benefits of concentrated clusters. Ideally, clusters are formed via physical proximity but clusters can also be formed when each member of the chain is in some way interdependent on the others. This interdependence makes for easier supply chain management in that there is intensified focus on a common goal and a higher degree of commitment by everyone involved. As the relationships in these clusters mature, trust grows and conflict is decreased. Interdependence also encourages the sharing of privileged information among each part of the chain. This aspect of clusters even allows the companies to be more in tune with each other 's needs and ultimately the needs of the end user.
International firms can also keep the clustering concept in mind when choosing the location of its global branches. Participating in already established local clusters should be an option in the minds of managers. Furthermore, firms should implement the geographical clustering of their supply chain wherever they can, even if it is only at a couple of levels.
Location - where regional divisions of the business take responsibility for a specific function or particular products, whether locally, nationally or internationally
This would ensure that the solution is fully customizable according to the needs of supply base.
Suppliers want to have good satisfaction and feedback from their products, whilst managers will want to expand and create more stores, so they can increase their organisations income and budget.
Numerous organisations have effectively executed supply chain ideas with terrific results. Proficient supply chains have empowered these firms to contend better. What were the purposes behind their triumphs? What were the obstacles these firms confronted in their excursions to accomplish joining in their systems? How were they ready to beat
The Recommendation proposed here presented a global location selection reference tool for identifying key competences for potential sites and suggested how these competences can be used effectively and strategically in company’s supply chain. Additionally, the recommendation was addressed based on the assumption of locating all manufacturing stages at one site for worldwide distribution.
Locating a central distribution center will increase the control over inventory for Consolidated. Having small point of operations will reduce the amount of inventory that will be maintained at the sites. Each location will have different needs and only stocking the immediate customer needs at each location will reduce overall costs. The purchasing discount will be easier to maintain if all shipments come to one location which will also save the company money. Having a couple small vans deliver to regional locations within an hour is less costly than ordering extra just to meet the minimum purchase discount. The cost of shipping to small locations will be minimal and will save the company and customers money in the long term. If the contractors know of items that they will need for a job they can inform Consolidated and the special items can be delivered to the job site or picked up at the regional office. Communication is key and willing to provide the best service in a timely manner will reduce cost and increase profit.
The major advantage of grouping by geography is that decision rights for operations are assigned to individuals lower in the organizations. Individuals have more responsibility within the area and it “promotes coordination among the functions that must be completed to produce and market a particular product…” (Brickley, Smith, & Zimmerman, 2009, p. 403). It decentralizes decision rights and since compensation is usually based on performance, it provides incentive. Unfortunately, this means that workers and managers would be completely focused on their units and not others.
Proximity to raw materials gives benefits on distribution channel which is already organized by formers. This also gives an added advantage in reducing transportation costs
Many companies produce products from parts of raw materials that are purchased from suppliers, till these products are reach the markets and presented for the customers, then you have the supply chain starting from the purchase of raw material from different areas , through the manufacturing steps and stages till is being sold by the consumer. Some of supply chains are well defined and easy to determined, while there are other supply chains complex to analyze. However, supply chains vary with the size of the facility such as; complexities, performance, abilities, flexibility, quality, speed, dependability and cost of preparing goods for manufacturing and the chain length distribution. So the supply chain is a network of wholesalers, retailers, distributors, workers in the transport, storage facilities, suppliers, and manufacturers who participate in the production, delivery and sale of the product to the last consumer. A supply chain is a group of facilities that coordinate activities among it and to avoid the competitors. Moreover, to ensure the supply chain management is operating efficiently and generating the highest level of customer
The process of globalization has numerous significant effects on countries, organizations, and individuals. These effects can be observed in the quality of products, in their prices, but also in their availability. Because of globalization, numerous companies prefer to expand their business on international level. Some of them outsource some of their processes and activities to cheaper destinations that allow them to reduce their investments.
Supply chains represent the procurement, production and distribution activities of an organisation. Within a supply chain, these activities are viewed as linked and reliant on one another to produce the final outcome. It is believed that if one component of the chain fails, the whole chain is broken and product/service delivery goals will not be achieved.
Supply chain management refers to management of the movement of goods and services from one point to another. It also involves storage and flow of raw materials and manufactured products from the point of production to the point of consumption. There are several concepts and theories in the field of supply chain management. This paper seeks to explore various theories and concepts of supply chain management and how such theories impact various industries.
The main regional difference I global supply chain would be the cultural differences .Differences is languages ,beliefs and customs followed locally .Another aspect is the availability of infrastructure indifferent countries .The highway systems ,ports ,communication ,information and advanced manufacturing and ware housing technologies allow the development of advanced supply chain .Logistics infrastructure in many emerging markets are not fully in place due to the lack of adequate investments in this area .The logistics infrastructure and the other infrastructure in the third world nations is not always adequate enough to support the advanced global supply chain systems .Another area of difference is the difference in the operating levels and the performance evaluation and expectation .The operating standards of the developed world typically vary greatly .Some firms might have met high expectations and place great value on contracts and agreements Research and negotiations are essential to
Globalization is “the integration of economies around the world through the movement of goods, services and capital across borders” and is a dynamic process through which companies, corporations and organizations leverage their strengths, magnify their reach, and decrease costs by outsourcing multiple business processes (IMF Staff, 2008). The globalization of Starbucks’ supply chain played a crucial role in attaining organizational success, having a significant impact on its business operations. This report aims to analyze the challenges that globalization presents in a constantly evolving market, and evaluate the solutions that Starbucks has implemented to manage these challenges.
3. Highly refines supply chain that can cater to high demand of orders: The efficient coordination of the suppliers of