Supply chain defined

The chemical industry has concentrated on science and production and also has given substantial attention to manufacturing. But it has given less attention to the supply chain, defined as the critical link between the supplier, the producer, and the customer. This is an important component of green chemistry. 

Definition of this supply chain configuration dimension includes specifying the number of tiers in the supply chain, defining general types of units in each tier, and identifying specific constraints for the tier as a whole (for instance, the number of suppliers required). 

The coordinated approach contracting relationships built on collaboration, trust and close interpersonal ties define the coordinated approach. This approach means that the producer inherits the responsibility and costs of social auditing as they are passed down the supply chain. This is achieved, however, within the framework of close retailer-supplier relationships. Although subcontracting exists, known networks of traceable suppliers are involved. As such, it is possible to exert considerably greater control over the ethical trading process. 

The text summarises the activities and outcome of the Organic HACCP project (www.organichaccp.org) that was completed in 2005, how a database of critical control points (CCPs) was developed for some representative supply chains and how this was used to define a set of recommendations that were then developed into leaflets with advice to producers, processors, retailers or consumers, respectively. The chapter will thus explain how companies at every step of the production chain can utilise the concepts to improve customer satisfaction in a cost-effective manner. Finally, it will describe an example of implementation in a group of collaborating companies and suggest where additional activities are needed in order to develop the concept further. 

After all the answers from the interviews had been uploaded, an expert analysed each supply chain for each of the seven defined criteria for quality and safety microbial toxins and abiotic contaminants potential pathogens natural plant toxicants freshness and taste nutrient content and food additives fraud social and ethical aspects. For example, an expert on freshness and taste would check each major step in a supply chain for tomatoes to determine if it fulfilled the definition of a CCP (HACCP, Principle 2) in relation to freshness and taste for this commodity. If the step was considered to be a CCP, the answers in the questionnaire that related to relevant substeps at this step would be reviewed, to assess the control procedures that were in use for this CCP. The expert would then fill in the text field, structuring the input to consist of the following points ... 

Based on the characterization of a supply chain, supply chain management (SCM) can be defined as a process oriented approach to procuring, producing, and delivering end products and services to customers. It includes sub-suppliers, suppliers, internal operations, trade customers, retail customers and end users. It covers the management of materials, information, and fund flows [2],... 

Different planning philosophies prevail in industry simultaneous planning approaches and successive planning approaches. While the first one is clearly the best choice in smaller well-defined planning situations, in supply chains often thousands of individual decisions need to be made and coordinated. Due to the high degree of complexity successive planning approaches are therefore often chosen in practice. 

Here, it can bee seen that system modules are not directly matched to process structures defined in the Supply Chain Planning Matrix. Also, the asymmetry between market facing parts of procurement and sales are not intuitive. However, APS extend the perspective on business applications extending the classical tasks of ERP and transactional systems to a management and planning level. With APS implemented in multiple industries and validated specifically in the process industry (Schaub/Zeier 2003) or also for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) (Friedrich 2000), importance will further grow. 

Summarizing, demand is not a given input quantity to be fulfilled in the traditional supply chain management sense but is defined more differentiated as a mix of fixed contract demand to be supplied and spot demand providing company a degree of freedom in making active sales target decisions. 

Mentzer JT, DeWitt W, Keebler JS, Soonhong M, Nix NW, Smith CD, Zacharia ZG (2001) Defining Supply Chain Management. Journal of Business Logistics 22 (2) 1-25... 

Fig. 14.3 shows schematically how the hydrogen infrastructure options - comprising the whole supply chain of hydrogen from production (central or onsite), via transport and distribution to the (implementation of) refuelling stations - are modelled in MOREHyS. It has to be noted, that from the point of view of model implementation, transport refers to the transportation of hydrogen between different areas, while distribution is defined as the transportation of hydrogen within the... 

Finally, if the registrant can prove that all risks are under control and the substance can be safely manufactured and used, the corresponding initial exposure scenario is defined as the final exposure scenario. In the end, the final exposure scenario is communicated within the framework of extended safety data sheets in order to ensure the safe use of the substance down the supply chain (Caveat The legal text of REACH usually refers to the term exposure scenario while in reality speaking of the final exposure scenario.) By contrast, if the registrant fails to lower the risk characterization ratio below 1, despite the aforementioned refinements and modifications, he must prevent the use of the substance under circumstances where the risks are not controlled. 

However, although these aspects are discussed as separate topics below, in line with the way scientific studies and regulatory issues are normally defined, most consumers still see them as parts of a holistic picture where the good intentions of the people involved in the food supply chain are the most important assurance for all aspects of food quality. In this context, stringent safety measures and sophisticated process control, which are the cornerstone of food quality assurance schemes in conventional supply chains, maybe seen by consumers at best as self-imposed restrictions that prove the sincerity of these good intentions, and at worst as unfair, unnecessary burdens introduced through lobbying from big profit business to support its suppression of small-scale or local producers. 

This article addresses the above listed problems and related issues, offers recommendations for their rational solution. Namely, it has been defined that the main priorities of transit countries in the South Caucasus region in a foreseeable future are diversification of imported fuel supply, enhanced use of local energy sources, improved self-sufficiency by rehabilitation/renovation of existing electricity and gas supply chains, and the planning of strategic reserves combining water, liquid fuel and gas. 

The dissertation consists of 5 chapters in addition to this introduction. Chapter 2 lays the foundation by establishing the role of production network design within supply chain management. To this end key terms are defined, the role of Advanced Planning Systems in production network de-... 

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