Traits of Best Supply Chains

Traits of Best Supply Chains
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Traits of Best Supply Chains
Abstract
The effective supply chain has become an emergent strategy for companies to gain a competitive advantage and improve their performance in today’s business environment. This research identifies various traits that make the best supply chains. Studies show that the supply chain contributes to the growth of a business. Therefore, there is a need for organizations to incorporate the best traits in their daily operations. Data was collected using secondary tools, including journal articles and books that highlight the characteristics of best supply chains. Findings show that the best supply chains are accompanied by leadership consistency, innovation, strong planning capabilities, network design, clarity, delivery speed, and flexibility.
Key Words: Supply Chain, Traits, competitive advantage
Introduction
Over the past years, supply chains have been noted to play significant roles in business efficiency. Due to the increasing global trade, the production factors involved in consumer products and sourcing from destinations worldwide have strengthened the interdependence between the producers and wholesalers on the global supply chains (Aschemann-Witzel et al., 2017). Today, emerging technologies have highly impacted supply chain management. The literature behind the supply chain has offered numerous definitions of the supply chain. In simple terms, a supply chain refers to a network between a corporation and its suppliers to produce and distribute goods to consumers (Cooper & Ellram, 2013). This network includes different entities, people, activities, information, and resources. A supply chain exists in the manufacturing and service industries, although the chain's complexity may change with company and industry (Georgise et al., 2014). Numerous studies have documented numerous traits that determine the best supply chains. Based on business-business relations, the following characteristics have been observed: leadership consistency, innovation, strong planning capabilities, network design, clarity, delivery speed, and flexibility.
Research Questions
The primary research question is: What are the traits of the best supply chain? The secondary research question is: How do these traits help the supply chain achieve business efficiency and customer satisfaction?
Research Objectives
* To identify traits of the best supply chains.
* To determine how the identified traits help the supply chain achieve business efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Methodology
In developing findings, this study utilized existing research from previous studies. These existing studies were derived online using search engines like Google. Key terms used for the search include ‘‘traits of best supply chains,’’ ‘‘characteristics of best supply chains’’, ‘‘characteristics of n effective supply chain,'' and ''characteristics of the best class supply chain''. A lot of books and journal articles associated with the subject emerged from the search. They were selected based on t...