Benchmarking supply chain operations

Peter Gilmour

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

1999, Vol 5, Issue 4, pp. 259-266

 

1)      Evolving supply chain networks have introduced the need for more strategic measures in:

  1. a) Cost
  2. b) Throughput
  3. c) Productivity

2)      Eleven capabilities to determine logistical sophistication

  1. a) Six process capabilities
  2. i) Customer driven dialog
  3. ii) Efficient distribution

iii)     Demand driven sales planning

  1. iv) Lean manufacturing
  2. v) Supplier partnering
  3. vi) Integrated supply chain management
  4. b) Two Technology capabilities
  5. i) integrated information systems
  6. ii) advanced information technologies
  7. c) Three Organization capabilities
  8. i) Integrated performance measurement
  9. ii) Team work

iii)     Aligned organization structure

3)      Conclusions and Key Points

  1. a) A selection of companies in an industry are surveyed based on current position and future intended position and rate themselves on a scale of 1-4
  2. b) Companies achieving a level of 4 are considered a benchmark
  3. c) In some industries a level of four in any given category may be strategically unnecessary