The Structure of Global Supply Chains: The Design and Location of Sourcing, Production, and Distribution Facility Networks for Global Markets

Abstract

In today's marketplace, most companies realize that it is essential to be aware of and participate in international markets. Furthermore, it becomes transparent that the footprint of the firm's global facilities for sourcing, R+D, production, distribution and sales, and the effective coordination of all flows between them become the major determinants of competitive success. In other words, global supply chain management is a core business process of the utmost strategic importance and all firms have to manage it as such. The authors provide a better understanding of the development of the right "footprint" of a global firm in its effort to supply its markets in environments of fast paced competition and tremendous uncertainty. The authors focus on the structure of global supply chains and the detailed choices involving the network of facilities at all stages of the supply chain in order to successfully execute the global business strategy.