Identifying critical success factors in designing effective and efficient supply chain structures: A literature review

Abstract

The present research mainly focuses on the review of existing literature on the topic of critical success factors (CSF) in supply chain structures. The main aim of this study is to identify the major critical success factors (CSF) that have been identified previously by academics and researchers during their research on the topics related to the discipline of supply chain management. The literature survey technique has been applied for the present research. This research is based on a critical review of seventy-three published studies on supply chain structures obtained from most important research databases by using the keywords related to supply chain structures such as barriers in the supply chain, critical success factors in supply chain structures. This study will not only contribute towards the existing literature on supply chain structures but will also help researchers to acknowledge the importance of critical success factors in supply chain structures. One of the major aspects of research regarding the supply chain is to reduce cost and that can only be done via effectiveness and efficiency in the processes, which depend on different variables at every level. The researchers have identified many critical success (CSF) factors in designing effective and efficient supply chain structures are a mutual partnership, executing communication and information expertise, support from senior management, human resource management, environmental uncertainty, value-addition process, business management, generating business culture, developing relationships between customer and supplier, logistics. The present research will also highlight the importance of different factors in achieving the effective and efficient in supply chain structures which enable organizations to not only reduce cost but also help them to achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction. This study will also be beneficial for managers as it will enable them to identify the critical success factors for their supply chain structures, keeping in view the nature and business environment of their organization.