Information Management in the Supply Chain

The material scope of the data, information and knowledge transfer in a supply chain must be broad, as the marketing and supply of a product or service require measures involving research and development, finance, purchase, production, logistics, marketing and sales. 

Many business processes are shared by entities in the supply chain. The literature on the topic suggests various approaches to recordkeeping. These approaches may be quite sketchy, covering the supply chain operation in just three macro-processes (Chopra and Meindl 2004) or very detailed (Cooper, Lambert and Pagh 1997 Manganelli and Klein 1998 Bovet and Martha 2000). However, without doubt, the most important supply chain processes are the following (Croxton et al. 2001, p. 14 ff.)  

information and knowledge on the purchase market suppliers, product structure and design the subjects of flow (raw materials, production materials, work-in-progress, finished products, packaging, returns, waste and residual products) the sales market and end-consumers are aU transferred in supply chains. This means that there are multiple soiuces of data. Information and knowledge. These sources are presented in Table 6.1, taking into accoimt the internal and external sources, divided into primary and secondary somces. 

Employees of aU supply chain links Products and resources moved in the supply chain Research results (of purchase market, sales market, new product development) Observations (of competitors, competitive supply chains) External experts and consultants Third-party employees Universities and science institutes Industry organisations, chambers of commerce Fairs, symposia, conferences Competitive products Customers and potential customers 

In-house reporting Process specifications, technology Product specification Production system technical documentation Logistics system technical documentation Data and knowledge bases Third-party documents, specifications, data Specialist publications books, periodicals, newsletters Reports and analyses of research companies and state institutions Data and knowledge banks, repositories and news bulletins 

---

Devara], S., Krajewski, L. and Wei, J.C. 2007. Impact of eBusiness technologies on operational performance the role of production information integration in the supply chain. Journal of Operations Management, 25, 1199-1216. 

In this section, we discuss the role that information plays in the supply chain, as well as key information-related decisions that supply chain managers must make. 

The benefits of these supply chain collaboration models have been widely studied by management scientists (Gavimeni et al., 1999). For example, Lee and his colleagues (1997) first study the notion of lack of information sharing in the supply chain and the resulting bullwhip effect. Chen et al. 

All available and relevant information on substances on their own, in preparations and in articles should be collected to assist in identifying hazardous properties, and recommendations about risk management measures should systematically be conveyed through supply chains, as reasonably necessary, to prevent adverse effects on human health and the environment. In addition, communication of technical advice to support risk management should be encouraged in the supply chain, where appropriate."... 

Furthermore, REACH includes new or increased demands on the bidirectional flow of data and information in the supply chain (Tide IV) and places demands on downstream users (Tide V). For instance, REACH includes provisions on safety data sheets for substances on the candidate list (Article 31 and Annex II) and forces suppliers of articles to actively provide information for the safe use of the articles (Article 33). In addition, REACH entities consumers to, without charge, request information within 45 days on the safe use of articles containing SVHCs in concentrations above 0.1 wt% (Article 33). It remains to be seen to what extent the increased flows of information will impact on the management of chemicals. However, companies that work with environmental management systems and companies located closer to consumers in commodity chains will probably seek more actively to decrease chemical-related risks. 

The various measures for product orientated risk management of chemicals early in the supply chain (Fig. 16.1) before or at the time chemicals are introduced on the market, referred to here as chemicals control, aim at improved control of the flow of chemicals to the market, including appropriate information to users on risks and... 

There are some key reasons for regulating the flow of chemicals to the market independently of other legislation. One reason is the need for preventive measures early in the supply chain, covering protection of the environment, workers, consumers and property. Preventive measures, such as risk and safety information (labelling and SDS), as well as bans and restrictions on trade with very hazardous chemicals support, simplify and make more cost-efficient risk management for exposure and emission control at later stages (transport, use, waste handling, etc.). 

Downstream users as well as any others in the supply chain have the obligation to inform up the supply chain in cases of new information on hazardous properties, regardless of the uses concerned or any other information that might call into question the appropriateness of the risk management measures identified in the safety data sheet supplied to him, which shall be communicated only for identified uses. 

Supply chain management advances rest firmly on the flow of information. Overwhelming paper flow, separate computer systems and databases, and nonnetworked computer systems are unacceptable in the supply chain era. Linking computers on a single platform of information with fast access to all information needed to make decisions fosters enterprise-wide solutions that make up supply chain management. 

But before approving the expansion, Industrial s management wanted a supply chain audit of the entire system. This meant an analysis of all physical and informational flows throughout the system. Industrial wanted a complete analysis of every step in the supply chain, inside and... 

---