One of the most critical areas of development within the evolution of commerce is the acknowledgment that businesses can no longer compete as individual entities but instead must function as part of a supply chain. Within an ever-competitive business environment, the ultimate success of a business can often be tied directly to the overall functionality and efficiency of its supply chain. The notion that supply chain efficiency defines business advantage has led to the exploration of physical specifications of supply chains, with the primary undertone often centering around evaluating drivers of performance, a framework for optimization, potential vulnerabilities, and the overall nature and growth of the supply chain.
This book explores the nature and growth of competitiveness within supply chains. It discusses internal and external perspectives on supply chain efficiency and explores the risks and vulnerabilities of supply chain competitiveness.