Balancing internal supply chain logistics: a comparative analysis of manufacturing and service firm operations

Abstract

With the advent of high speed and large volume data transfer, logistics and supply chain management techniques have made great changes in internal supply chains. The present study dealt with three large organisations, at least regionally headquartered in the Pittsburgh, PA (US) metropolitan area, within the service industry and how they strategically leverage incentives to promote SCM-related concepts to attract and retain internal and external customers. Each segment will begin with a brief synopsis of the current situation, followed by examples of how the company incorporated logistical SCM-related systems into their strategic plans. In terms of SCM initiatives, each company was documented and their relationships explored with various operational and financial performance metrics, including information sharing, product and service customisation, long-term relationships, hedging strategies, advanced planning systems, leveraging the internet, supply network structure, and distribution network structure.