What is Supply Chain?
3 or more companies linked by one/more upstream or downstream flows.
-products, services, finances, information from a source to a customer
Downstream flow of products/services
movement of goods, information, promotion towards final customer
Two-way flow of info
both up and downstream
Upstream flow of finances
Movement of payment information, returns from the customer towards the manufacturer and other supply chain partners
Supply Chain Value Added
value added to products moving downstream: availability, manufacturing, packaging
value added to returns moving upstream: payment, feedback, product development
Production Costs
reduce costs by streamlining processes (little resistance)
Location
Value through better logistics (movement of goods)
Time
Reducing upstream and downstream flow time
Control
Firms better oversight of upstream and downstream flows
Channel Level
Layer of intermediaries performing some work to bring the product and its ownership closer to the final buyer. adds value
Types
All start with Producer (consumer channel)
-Direct to customer (no intermediaries)
-Purchase/sell for personal use: retailers to customers
-Wholesaler to retailer to consumers (large quantities from a variety of producers, warehouses) ex: groceries
-Distributors, retailers, consumers (buys noncompeting products, warehouses them)
Types of intermediaries
intensive, selective, exclusive
Intensive
distribution of products in as many outlets as possible (consumer products). Boosts revenue, impulse buying, convenience, awareness
ex: toothpaste, soap, Doritos
Selective
distribution of products through a limited number of dealers (luxury brands, reduces cost, improves relationship building, consistent with price/value)
ex: Samsung, apple, Rolex
Exclusive
Distribution of product through one/few intermediaries in a specific region, (automobiles, major appliances, furniture, exclusiveness, control, relationships
Pull strategies
gain customer interests for product (whole process promotions)
Push strategies
gain intermediaries interests for product (promotion by intermediary)
Supply chain orientation
Management philosophy guiding actions for managing upstream and downstream flows (outward focus)
Retail link program
suppliers can manage their own product data (inventory, sales, inventory turnover, etc)
Achieve
low inventory levels and inventory risk
Supply chain management
actions taken to coordinate the flows in a supply chain
-view as a system of interrelated companies that make up the supply chain and something to be managed
Tradeoffs
Sales person offers volume discount without knowing if the product is available
amount of inventory vs customer demand
Relation based strategy
Used to ensure that related companies function almost like one organization
Conventional distribution/marketing channel
one or more independent channel members, each separate business seeking to max own profits at the expense of the profit for the system as a whole