Organizing Supply Chains in a Time of Change

A preliminary study conducted by the research team indicates that it is possible to identify several cross-functional organizational forms that appear among leading firms. However, the advantages and disadvantages of alternative organizational forms have not yet been established. While firms can organize their internal supply chain-related activities in many different configurations, it is likely that only a limited number of structural configurations will provide the ability to survive and thrive in today’s competitive global market.

Phase I and II (2010)

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How are leading firms evolving to quickly and in an effective manner respond to constantly changing business conditions? The purpose of our proposed research was threefold:

• to identify existing and emerging organizational forms that firms use for managing global supply chains;
• to describe the advantages and disadvantages of alternative organizational forms under differing conditions; and
• to determine the conditions under which each structural form is likely to be effective.

CSCMP Explores…

An issue dedicated to this topic is coming out in late summer 2011.

Phase III (2012)

The results of the previous phases of the research project identified the primary global supply chain organizational forms that appear among leading firms. However, the research has not specifically established the advantages and disadvantages of alternative organizational forms.

Managers interviewed pointed to some of the synergies, flexibilities and other advantages associated with their organizational structures. Our aim in Phase III of this research is to more concretely determine the pros and cons of these structures. We expect to confirm that trade-offs in structural design exist, and that certain structural configurations will help companies thrive or struggle in today’s competitive global market in different ways.