Supply chains are becoming increasingly complex but the management solutions are often simple and focus on the critical aspects of the business model. ARE YOU MAKING the most of your extended supply network? Recent research at the University of Cambridge indicates that the capabilities of a company's extended supply network can be a vital source of competitive advantage in international markets - in many cases despite the absence of advanced management or planning systems. As manufacturing enterprises become increasingly globalised, the supply chain is becoming more fragmented, with multiple players engaged in key aspects of the value chain. This has seen the emergence of suppliers offering specialised operations (research, design, production, service) which are capable of serving widely dispersed markets. It is generally assumed that managing these increasingly complex international supply chains requires sophisticated management techniques. Many companies have installed advanced planning systems for just this reason - systems that require skilled staff to implement the complex processes involved.
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