Supply chain is a critical activity for small businesses and multinational corporations (MNCs) today. Supply chain management is essential for large and small businesses. Supply chain activities have led to the formation of the supply chain industry.
The industry includes transportation companies involved in logistics and supply chain activities. “The supply chain process entails the activities involved after the purchase of raw materials to the delivery of products and services to the consumer” (Naslund and Hana 483).
It is agreeable that there are new trends in this industry. To begin with, multinational corporations (MNCs) and large companies continue to implement new strategies in order to remain successful in their businesses. “Many companies will be looking forward to utilize integrators while others will use direct sourcing options in the future” (Naslund and Hana 484).
As well, companies in the chain supply industry will consider the best ways to improve transportation and service delivery. The approach will help them provide quality services to their customers.
Studies indicate that more corporations will be using integrators in the coming years (Hortacsu and Chad 1). The industry will also come up with new ways towards a “greener strategy”. This is the case because of the issue of global warming and climate change.
Supply chain collaboration will be evident in the future in order to promote a “win-win” situation. The question of corporate social responsibility will also become a fundamental issue whereby companies in the industry.
Companies in the industry will be required to support different communities and social welfare (Naslund and Hana 494). The use of social media, networking, and resource management will become critical aspects of chain supply in the future.
The above trends in supply chain explain why integrators will have a major role to play in the industry. Integrators will play a significant role towards making supply chains successful. In supply chain, negotiators promote a mutual understanding between the parties involved.
Integrators promote effective sharing of information and ideas. Supply chain integration is therefore “a strategy aimed at improving coordination and management of supply chains” (Naslund and Hana 494).
Many companies today require constant integration and coordination in order to make their supply chains successful. An integrator will help maintain the best relationships between organizations and their stakeholders (“Getting the Most from Supply Chain Analytics” 1).
Supply chain integration addresses most of the issues affecting a company and its partners. Supply chain integrators can provide useful answers to the questions related to delivery methods, ethical issues, legal aspects, and standards of practice. As well, integrators can help companies manage their supply chain practices (Naslund and Hana 496).
As the industry continues to grow, supply chain integration will continue to remain a critical part of supply chain management. Integrators will help address most of the complexities and challenges encountered during transportation and management.
It is also evident that different players are involved in the supply chain industry (Naslund and Hana 498). The situation explains why organizations should embrace the importance of integrators in order to promote their supply chain operations.
The above changes and trends in the industry explain why companies and multinational corporations should embrace the use of integrators. This will help address most of the challenges, risks and uncertainties encountered during the process.
Although some companies and organizations might decide to use direct sourcing options, it is evident that the role of supply chain integrators is relevant today than ever before (“Getting the Most from Supply Chain Analytics” 1). By so doing, companies will be able to promote a successful supply chain in order to achieve their goals.
Works Cited
“Getting the Most from Supply Chain Analytics.” The Wall Street Journal 27 November 2013: 1. Print.
Hortacsu, Ali, and Chad Syverson. “Why Companies Acquire Their Supply Chains: Hortacsu and Syverson.” Bloomberg 1.1 (2012): n. pag. Web.
Naslund, Dag, and Hana Hulthen. “Supply chain management integration: a critical analysis”, Benchmarking: An International Journal 19.4 (2012): 481-501. Print.