Supply chain management: perceptions of upper level and production managers

Abstract

Many industry experts and academics have suggested that supply chain management is an effective tool that an organisation might employ in order to streamline its channel relationships and ultimately positively impact its bottom line. The present study examines these issues by conducting in-depth interviews with 20 upper and production level managers from five organisations of varying size. Results indicate that the managers surveyed all believe that supply chain management has been a significant benefit to their organisation in terms of strengthening relationships with suppliers, reducing amount of held inventory and improving profitability.