Both postponement and outsourcing have been identified as important characteristics of modern and competitive supply chains. The implementation of postponement may require extensive (spatial) reconfiguration of the supply chain. Presents findings from interviews with managers of food,...

This article examines the changes in the relationship between government departments and the UK construction industry brought about by the privatisation of the Property Services Agency (PSA). In particular, it shows that while there has been some encouragement for closer, and more long‐term,...

Given the rapid rates of technological improvements possible, using modern biotechnology, the product life cycle of new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is likely to be short and, hence, those investing in their development will desire access to the widest international market possible....

Automatic replenishment systems that restock inventory based on actual demand triggers rather than relying on long‐range forecasts and layers of safety stock have been implemented in a great number of firms in recent years. Now these same firms are taking supply chain cooperation to another...

The Canadian lamb industry is small compared to lamb industries in many other countries and the supply chain for lamb is weak and fragmented. Without improvements in the flow of information, product quality and continuity of supply, the formal supply chain in Canada may collapse and Canadian...

The large‐scale introduction of a new packaging concept requires co‐ordination in two areas: organisational co‐ordination is necessary (negotiations between the parties involved), as well as technical co‐ordination (technical specifications). These aspects are analysed in this paper on...

Presents recent evidence of supply chain developments in the UK fresh produce industry, based on interviews with chief executives from some of the country’s most successful suppliers. A number of success factors were evident, to varying degrees, in all of the companies interviewed. These...

Argues that logistics networks in the building industry will develop in relation to transaction‐specific investments in new information technologies such as EDI and PDI. This is particularly the case where strategic considerations play a subordinate role and efficiency arguments are stressed....

Explains some of the thinking that informs both the case study articles that appear in the same issue of Supply Chain Management: An International Journal and the EPSRC funded research project currently being undertaken at the Centre for Business Strategy and Procurement. A review is provided of...