Strategic Alliances of Information Technology Among Channel Members

Abstract

This chapter explores novel ways of improving flexibility, responsiveness, and competitiveness via strategic information technology (IT) alliances among channel members in a supply chain network. To gain competitiveness, firms have to constantly update their operational strategies and information technologies through collaborative efforts of a “network” of supply chain members rather than the efforts of an individual firm. In sum, the foci of this chapter are: (1) an overview of supply chain management (SCM) issues and problems, (2) supply chain coordination and integration, (3) the latest IT applications for improved supply chain performance and coordination, and (4) strategic IT alliances. This chapter concludes with a discussion of business implications and recommendations of future research.

Utilizing Industry-led Innovation Capacity to Enhance Supply Chain Performance : An Empirical Study

“…Especially in relation to managing supply chains, and include, gaining efficiencies in terms of speedy and transparent communications and transactions; improving tracking and traceability; lowering transaction costs; and improving systems and operational integration (Chandrashekar, and Schary, 1999;Koch, 2010). Supply chain academic and practitioner literature often claim e-resources as strategic enabling capability (Devaraj et al, 2007;Hsu and Shih, 2007;Yu et al, 2001). E-resources are seen as platforms for supply chain reconfiguration and collaboration, and also adapting to dynamic changes by providing agility in supply chain response through speed and flexibility (Trienekens et al, 2011).…”