According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, global supply chain barriers found in administrative policies and government infrastructure have a greater impact on trade than tariffs and taxes. The research includes 18 case studies in various industries around the world and outlines several ways countries can work together to boost global GDP.
Quality control standards have evolved to fit different production methods since the Middle Ages but it wasn’t until shortly after the Industrial Revolution that quality inspections and specialized departments for quality control came into being. Quality assurance as it is known today was first introduced in Japan in the mid 1940s. Q.A. found its place…
According to the latest Carbon Disclosure Project Report, 70% of global corporations and suppliers believe that climate change could significantly impact their revenues in the near future. Extreme weather conditions are the biggest concern, already affecting nearly a third of the organizations included in the report.
Apple’s supply chain has received a lot of media attention recently. The company broke the record for shipping the most mobile phones in a quarter, but unfair labor practices, environmental concerns, and supply chain changes have shed a more negative light on the mobile tech leader.
Wal-Mart announced changes to their supply chain policies shortly after a clothing factory in Bangladesh went up in flames. The fire killed over 100 employees at a facility subcontracted by a Wal-Mart supplier without the retail giant’s approval. Under Wal-Mart’s current policy, suppliers have three chances to rectify noncompliance issues like this, but that will…
Mobile technology makes it easier to stay connected on both business and personal levels. Companies are already using mobile apps to check inventory, pricing, and distribution information, but some global leaders are taking mobile computing innovation to new levels in supply chain management.
Award-winning U.S. procurement firm, GEP recently released their Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Outlook trend report for 2013. The report outlines eight key trends that will impact procurement strategies this year, along with a market outlook of eight major sectors.
Consumers who buy value-priced burgers in UK supermarkets may get more than beef between their bread according to tests by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Because of the low price of the burgers, the mixture must contain at least 47% real meat, but there are other laws that…
Achieving a perfect balance between supply and demand is one of the biggest challenges of supply chain management and business operations. From pharmaceuticals to renewable energy, supply and demand affects everyone, regardless of industry.
Since the launch of the first iPhone in 2007, Apple has led the mobile technology market. Apple stocks, however, dropped to the lowest point in 11 months after the company cut supply orders for this quarter. Increased competition is one likely cause of the iPhone 5’s less-than-forecasted demand, but there are several other speculations. The…