Supply Chain Efficiency

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the supply chain issues and solutions of several industry competitors in the retail environment. The writer first looks at industry competitor Office Depot, which has leveraged technology applications to integrate its sales floor and sales staff into its supply chain solutions. The second industry competitor discussed is Wal-Mart which has used technology applications to make its supply chain more efficient and responsive which reduces or eliminates the need for inventories at all.

Outline:
Abstract
Office Depot
Wal-Mart

From the Paper:

"These and other technological innovations have allowed Office Depot to complete integrate its retail environment into its supply chain which has led to the union of all its relative sales channels: fixed locations, e-commerce, and catalogue/mail order, into one seamless sales environment for its customers. This seamless environment is carried over to the sales floor of Office Depot locations where its sales people have real-time access to stock and inventory levels as well as order and deliver status data which also implies that its sales associates are also part of the supply chain. Such an integrated environment not only increases the productivity and the effectiveness of employees but it elevates the overall experience of the customer as well and in this fashion Office Depot has responded not only efficiently but appropriately to its supply chain challenges."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ernsberger, R. (2002). Wal-Mart World: Can the Arkansas Giant Export its Price-cutting Around the World? Newsweek, May 20, p.50.
• Johnson, W. and Weinstein, A. (2004). Superior customer value in the new economy: Concepts and cases. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
• Karake-Shalhoub, Z. (2002). Trust and loyalty in electronic commerce: An agency theory perspective. Westport, CT: Quorum Books.
• Nutt, P. (2006). Comparing Public and Private Sector Decision- Making Practices." Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 16.2, p.289+.
• Office depot 2006 annual report. (2004). Investor Relations (online). Retrieved Jul.5, 2007< http:// ccbn.mobular.net/ccbn/7/1000/1058/

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