Qualitative and Temporal Determinants in Integrated Supply Chains

Abstract

The paper addresses the matter of relevance of an integrated supply chain for attaining high efficiency in operations of individual businesses. What proves to be decisive of the success is how businesses handle individual problems under the supply chain. Furthermore, optimum organisation of the supply chain is often a serious challenge for enterprises forced to function with growing efficiency and deliver products matching individual customer needs. Integration of the supply chain is inextricably linked with the concept of time management, since objectives of the supply chain integration are compatible with those of the time based competition strategy, such as lower costs, higher quality, larger product diversity, higher flexibility and sensitivity to customer needs as well as shorter response time. The paper provides a discussion on the universal concepts which prove to be most suitable for solving multi-faceted challenges and addressing newly emerging trends, oriented towards quality, time and flexibility. The problem of time management strategies, being crucial elements of an integrated supply chain, has also been addressed.