Supply Chain Ann Supply Chain Management Annotated

Supply Chain Ann

Supply Chain Management Annotated Bibliography

Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2010). Supply chain management: Strategy, planning and operation (4th ed.).Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

The text by Chopra & Meindl (2010) is an excellent starting point for this discussion, primarily because it serves as a rather exhaustive introductory reading on the subject. Providing academic explanation of the basic premise of supply chain management and an extensive investigation of the strategies used for maintaining and evaluating this business dimension, the Chopra & Meindl text is a highly useful primary and frequently employed reference source on the subject.

Lee, H.L. (2002). Unleashing the power of intelligence. International Commerce Review: ECR Journal, 2(1), 61-73.

The above source is well-supplemented by the article from Lee (2002), which adds a discussion about technological and practical advancement to the subject. Here, Lee identifies shifts both in capability and orientation, particularly vis-a-vis the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) strategy that would revolutionize grocery supply chain management in the 1990s. Lee provides the research here with a number of practical tactics that have been used to help move forward the efficiency, accountability and predictability of supply chain behaviors. Specifically, Lee notes that "practices such as information sharing, partnerships between manufacturers and distributors, logistics restructuring, vendor-managed inventory, collaborative planning, joint replenishment, UPC standards, electronic means of sharing data and making transactions, and the use of industry-standards in e-commerce, have made a significant impact." (p. 61)

Amazon.com Investor Relations (2013). Investor Relations. Retrieved May 9, 2013, from Amazon.com Investor Relations and Filings with the SEC: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-irhome&c=97664

As shown by the Amazon Investor Relations (2013) source, few companies have revolutionized supply chain management the way that Amazon has. Providing a storefront for infinite retailers while simultaneously offering its own shipping channels and outlets, the company's performance is highlighted by the figures presented on the Amazon Investor Relations webpage. This source provides our research with details about its stock price ($277.69 at the time of writing) and includes reports on its investor relations strategies. In relation to the broader subject of this assignment, the source demonstrates the economic success of Amazon's strategic approach.

Lapide, L. (2013). A tribute to the ever-evolving warehouse. Supply Chain Management Review, 17(2), 4-5.

Amazon's success is further reinforced in the source by Lapide (2013) which acknowledges that the warehouse-based company is currently expanding its operations. The Lapide article provides our research with recognition of the ways that shipping and warehousing alone can drive a business that is rooted in online sales. In other words, such companies are verily defined by their supply chain management strategies and little else.

Balocco, R., Miragliotta, G., Perego, A., & Tumino, A. (2011). RFID adoption in the FMCG supply chain: An interpretative framework. Supply Chain Management, 16(5), 299-315.

As a counterpoint to the innovations and progress made by company's such as Amazon, the article by Balocco et al. (2011) demonstrates how difficult it has been for some brick-and-mortar retailers to effectively reinvent their supply management strategies in accordance with shifts in the broader field. The study by Balocco et al. investigates the use of an RFId Information Technology solution and shows that implementation of this new strategy at Walmart has been met by obstacles. As it relates to the broader research subject, the source offers evidence that an organization must choose intuitively when adopting an IT solution for keeping up with modern supply chain expectations.

Chen, C., & Hasan, N. (2008). How to succeed with supply chain planning. Supply Chain Management Review, 30-36.

Perhaps one explanation for Walmart's struggles is underscored in the article by Chen & Hasan (2008), which addresses the relationship between supply chain strategy and the ability to absorb rapid shifts in demand. Chen & Hasan recommend the use of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) as a way for firms of every size to manage the impact of rapid demand shift. According to Chen & Hasan, "APS solutions have paved the way for broad operations changes such as sales and operations planning (S&OP) or lean supply chain initiatives. When properly deployed, APS can improve supply chain operations significantly as gauged by traditional measures such as inventory and customer delivery performance." (p. 30) This is an idea which may figure prominently into further research.

Duke, M. (2010). "Next generation Wal-Mart." Vital Speeches of the Day, 76(9), 425.

The article by Duke (2010) indicates that by pushing toward improved logistical management of the supply chain, Walmart feels it can continue to serve the evolving needs of its target consumers. According to Duke, "we can combine our stores, our systems, and our logistics expertise into one continuous channel to drive growth and serve the Next Generation Customer around the world. In global e-commerce, we will not just be competing. We will play to win." (Duke, p. 1)