SUPPLY CHAIN INTRO
For over a decade, there has been an increasing interest in the use of supply chain methods to improve performance across the entire business enterprise. Supply chain management has become a standard part of the business lexicon, and many firms now have a functional supply chain group. In addition to individual companies, numerous industries have recognized the importance of supply chain integration. Initiatives that aim at getting multiple companies to work together toward a more streamlined and efficient supply chain have been developed. The most well known of such industrywide initiatives include the Quick Response of the apparel industry, the Efficient Consumer Response of the grocery industry, the Efficient Foodservice Response of the foodservice industry, as well as other initiatives in the pharmaceutical, automobile, aerospace, personal computer, and semiconductor industries. The widespread interest in supply chain management has led to innovative ways to re-engineer the supply chain, new software solutions to help companies plan and operate their supply chain, and new business models and services for existing and new players in the supply chain. The advances of the Internet have helped fuel the development of these innovations and new operating models. New ways to communicate, connect, transact and collaborate among supply chain partners have emerged. New channels of distribution as well as creative products and services have also come to the marketplace. At the same time, research interest in supply chain management has also been increasing.