Free Academic Research Paper On Supply Chain Management

The topic of research is “Issues in Supply Chain Management”. The research study on this topic will give an understanding about supply chain management and its various facets. How supply chain management is important to businesses and what are major issues faced by the organizations in effective supply chain management. This study will be based on case studies and their analysis.
Supply Chain Management is a relatively new concept. It is often confused with logistics function of the organization. Logistics is only a function of the supply chain management. It includes other functions like sourcing, conversion and procurement as well. It is the management and movement of raw materials into the business, their conversion into perspective products and then outward movement to the end consumers through the interconnected links or nodes. The channel members of the supply chain are normally suppliers, distributors, whole sellers, retailers and customers etc.
Supply chain management is getting much familiarity and it is essential for an effective business now. It is becoming an essential part of competitive businesses and the organizations are spending effort and resources in supply chain management to create value for the customers and to have competitive advantages. Supply chain management is a difficult task as it has complex structural formations and involves different processes. Some of the processes or business activities involved in the supply chain are customer service and relationship management, returns, procurement, selection, demand management, flow management and development of products.
The organizational culture and values also affect the supply chain management and healthy cultures have positive effects on their supply chain ultimately creating value for the customers. Supply chain management is now an important domain of competitive business and it should be given due importance. It must not be left to chance and should be managed properly.