Abstract
The changing business environment has sharpened the focus on the need for robust approaches to supply chain management (SCM) and the improvement of supply chain capability and performance. This is particularly the case in Ireland, which has the natural disadvantage of a location peripheral to significant markets and sources of raw materials which results in relatively high transport and distribution costs. Therefore, in order to gain insights into current levels of diffusion of SCM, a survey was conducted among 776 firms in the Republic of Ireland. The empirical results suggest that there is a need for more widespread adoption of SCM among Irish firms. This is particularly the case in relation to the four main elements of SCM excellence reported in this paper. The design of supply chain solutions is a highly skilled, knowledge-intensive and complex activity, reflected in a shift from 'box moving' to the design and implementation of customised supply chain solutions. Education and training needs to be addressed by stimulating the development of industry-relevant logistics and SCM resources and skills.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 347-358 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Bibliographical note
This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Sweeney, E., Wagner, C-M., & Huber, B. (2008). Supply chain management diffusion among firms in the Republic of Ireland. International journal of logistics research and applications, 11(5), 347-358. International journal of logistics research and applications 2008 © Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13675560802389122Keywords
- supply chain management
- logistics
- adoption
- diffusion
- Republic of Ireland