From the Paper
"Arthur 0. Lovejoy presents a view of the 'history of human ideal. In his book, The Great Chain of Being, he deals with the traditional view, plan, and structure of the world as accepted without question from later antiquity down to the end of eighteenth century by most philosophers, scientists, literary writers, and religious men. This concept and title of Lovejoy's book, "The Great Chain of Being" encompasses both the religious and secular world view of a time period in the history and development of human thought that spanned most of the past three thousand years and even though the past two centuries have given way to a drastic change in how the religious and secular communities view the world, the 'Chain of Being' while it can not be any longer accepted as the only way to view the world, it did create and is still creating-a foundation for our twentieth century thought. "

Tags:hierarchy, history, lovejoy, paradigm, religion

Abstract
This paper discusses a commodity chain with an emphasis on spatial economic geography. The primary objective of the paper is to identify the geographic factors that are intrinsically involved in the production and manufacture of a consumer product good. In this case, the commodity being examined in detail is the Apple iPod and its global supply chain.

From the Paper
"This document discusses a commodity chain with an emphasis on spatial economic geography. The primary objective is to identify the geographic factors that are intrinsically involved in the production and manufacture of a consumer product good. In this case, the commodity being examined in detail is the Apple iPod and its global supply chain. The Commodity Chain of the iPod Electronic companies are especially dependent on spatial economic factors relative to geography because of the global supply and manufacturing business model. Apple Computer, Inc. (Apple) is an innovative computing..."

Tags:ipod, commodity, chain

Abstract
The paper relates that De Beers' value chain begins with its Central Selling Organization or the CSO. The paper explains that while De Beers maintains some interest in mining activities its first real value center begins with the grading process of diamonds within the framework of its CSO operations where diamonds are assigned their market values (Cadieux, 2005, p.4). The paper reveals that for De Beers, the value chain can be described as being a sequence of primary business activities that add utility as well as value to its products or services (Value, 1996), and therefore, any organization can be subdivided into the components that add value to each of its processes comprising the production and delivery of its product or service. The paper relates that the reasons for examining an organization such as De Beers in this respect are many, but put briefly, being aware of a firm's value chain and its components tends to offer the greatest opportunity for De Beers to identify its sources of sustainable competitive advantage (Value, 1996, para.2).

From the Paper
"De Beers' value chain begins with its Central Selling Organization or the CSO. While De Beers maintains some interest in mining activities its first real value center begins with the grading process of diamonds within the framework of its CSO operations where diamonds are assigned their market values (Cadieux, 2005, p.4). For De Beers, the value chain can be described as being a sequence of primary business activities that add utility as well as value to its products or services (Value, 1996). Therefore, any organization can be subdivided into the components that add..."

Tags:de, beers, analysis

Abstract
This paper discusses the business to business and the business to consumer website supply chain characteristics such as scalability. The paper makes distinctions after delineating both traditional supply chains and identifying how traditional and e-business supply chains are being combined. The conclusion of the paper is that while the business to business websites and enterprises might have a shorter and more transparent supply chain with greater consumer integration, both employ many of the same technology solutions to complete or enhance their supply chains.

From the Paper
"This paper discusses the business to business and the business to consumer website supply chain characteristics such as scalability. Distinctions are made after delineating both traditional supply chains and identifying how traditional and e-business supply chains are being combined. The conclusion is that while the business to business websites and enterprises might have a shorter and more transparent supply chain with greater consumer integration, both employ many of the same technology solutions to complete or enhance their supply chains."

Tags:e, business, supply, chain

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that Xerox Corporation (Xerox) values its research and development activity as one of its core competencies and primary profit engines. The writer notes that Xerox specifically states that it views its technology and the development thereof as being a key link in its value chain: "technology-a past, present and future strong suit for Xerox. We routinely invest 6 percent of our revenues in research, development and engineering".

Tags:xerox, value, chain

Abstract
This paper studies the principles that guide the creation of a build-to-order supply chain. Through researching various industries and firms to grasp some of the accepted principles of the supply chain process, this report attempts to answer why, what and how a reliable, collaborative supply chain can be structured. The paper details a variety of aspects in constructing and operating a successful supply chain. For example, the paper studies how some supply chains reach a breaking point when sufficient and supportive management policies are not implemented. The paper demonstrates how the support of management systematizes the process for addressing a company's needs as well as offers the management team a viable way to forecast supply chain system degradation.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose
Globalization
Definition
Methodology/Approach
Findings
Brief History
The Big Picture
Research Limitations
Implications
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"The build to order supply chain process has been and will continue to be affected by the phenomenon of globalization. The fact that the utilization rates of global resources are being consumed at unbelievable rates is good indicator that the current need for efficiency will only increase. For example, resources such as oil, coal and other fossil fuels are being consumed at very high levels. "The global appetite for crude in 2003 will grow by a robust 1.9 percent, or 1.44 million barrels a day, and in 2004 by 1.5 percent, or 1.16 million barrels a day. The IEA raised its estimates for daily demand growth in the two years by 160,000 barrels and 90,000 barrels, respectively." (Stanley)"

Tags:supply, chain, managment, build, to, order, collaborative, planning, strategic, planning, operations, strategy, logistics, distribution

Abstract
This paper looks at value chains and the relative merits of constructing a value chain as a strategic device for management are illustrated and the value chain of a specific company is diagrammed to further illustrate a value chain's strategic utility. Further, activity based costing is examined as a beneficial tool in assigning value to individual links in the chain while core competencies are shown to be the primary goal of assigning links.

From the Paper
"The value chain can be described as, "...the sequence of major business activities that add utility (usefulness) to the products or services provided by an organization to its customers" (Hwang, 1999, p.95). With that in mind any organization can be subdivided into the components that add value to each process comprising the production and delivery of its product or service. The reasons for examining an organization in this respect are many, but put succinctly, being aware of one's value chain and its components, "...will yield the greatest competitive advantage..."(Value, 1996, para.2). Establishing competitive advantage in today's marketplace has taken on proportions of mythic importance given that today's competitors may arise from any region and in many forms. Thus, for Chain Store Guide, dissecting its value chain is not an exercise in futility, but rather, an exercise of necessity."

Tags:value, chain, csg

Abstract
In this article the application of simulation supply chain analysis is examined. The writer discusses how it can be applied to a manufacturing business in order to improve supply chain flow and reduce inventory and lead-time at all levels of production. The writer also looks at the background behind the whole process. In addition, the writer gives an example of its application to the apparel industry.

From the Paper
"A supply chain process is made up of the flow of materials information and services and the monitoring and control of this flow which includes raw materials procurement, production, inventory, management, order processing, warehousing, transportation and distribution. The development of functions to support these operations is known as supply chain management. S.C.M. Systems can be developed from the top down starting with a model at a high abstraction level and refining it by a number of steps until the desired level of detail is reached ... "

Tags:simualtion models, supply chain management

Abstract
The paper explores the underlying strategies in the online business context relative to the supply chain. These points of contrast are seen after pointing out that the traditional SCs are adept at recognizing how internet business platform SCs should be integrated. The project's conclusions are that while the B2B web platform SC may be more effective with a greater degree of client integration, both of them employ many of the same features and technology platforms necessary to compete in the marketplace.

From the Paper
"This research project discusses a business to business (B2B) supply chain (SC) and the business to consumer (B2C) SC. Additionally the underlying strategies in the online business context relative to the SC are examined. These points of contrast are seen after pointing out that the traditional SCs are adept at recognizing how internet business platform SCs should be integrated. The project's conclusions are that while the B2B web platform SC may be more effective with a greater degree of client integration, both of them employ many of the same features and technology platforms..."

Tags:supply, chain, examples

Abstract
This paper examines the Ford Supply Chain strategy. It discusses the nature of the existing supply chain, how it could be improved and what savings would result. It contrasts the Ford model to the Dell model.

From the Paper
"In this case study we are presented with the question of whether Ford Motor Company can and should interact with suppliers similar to the way that Dell and other high tech companies have developed to interact with their suppliers. Some people at Ford believe that goal of cost saving through closer links with suppliers is not achievable because of the substantial differences between computer and car sales. The existing supply chain at Ford has literally thousands of suppliers selected primarily on ..."

Tags:Virtual corporation, ISO 9000, quality control, supplier partnerships, costs of ownership vs. acquisition costs.