The role of contemporary Web technologies in supply chain management

Abstract

Ever changing market circumstances and globalization have caused electronic business (e-business) and supply chain management to integrate and virtual supply chains to emerge. E-business comprises all forms of business transactions and information sharing which is performed using information and communication technologies between companies, companies and their consumers, or companies and public administration. Supply chain is thus considered a unique and continuous business process, supported with goods and information flows throughout the entire distribution channel, where each company is part of the chain and boundaries between companies are non-existent. In times of economic uncertainty, cost reduction through rationalization and automatization of business processes, and improvement of productivity and quality of goods and services, become necessary for company's survival. In this context, the role of information and communication technologies in supply chain management is discussed, with particular attention to the contemporary web technologies such as extranet and Web 2.0.