Supply Chain Management

The outline of Book on Supply Chain Management The proposed subject study on Supply Chain Management is to review its operational concepts with the dimension of scope and method that will be relevant to operation system in Saudi Arabian companies and also to introduce indeed a model system with an objective of value addition to face competitiveness from the Western model of supply chain management. Producers are facing multifarious challenges from both local and international competitors in the present marketplace. Furthermore to survive, manufacturers must be able to manage the dynamic market variables and satisfy their customers in a well organized manner better than their competitors existing in the market. Recent studies have revealed to market players to look in a more detailed manner at principle, practice and management techniques to evolve better methods to be adopted by these manufacturers to react to the diversified challenges for functional sustaining in the extended globalized market. One of the alternatives that seeks to leverage manufacturers' ability to compete in developing a high standard relationship starting with their customers and ending with their vendors, which defines the term supplychain management (SCM). In the wake of unpreparedness to manage the coming changes in the dynamics of this field, the hurdles are being faced by the Saudi manufacturers. The present study and outline of the book which analyzes a sample operation in the field of SCM in five major companies like Al- Marai (Products: Milk, Cheese, juices), Aujan (juices), Pepsi (Pepsi, Miranda, 7up Slice) and Western Bakeries (Slice Bread, Cake, Biscuit and Pastries) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the basis of using information, mailed questionnaire, by one to one interviews with the concerned officials as well as related surveys also. The study concludes with a model of the effective

management of SCM in an integrated manufacturing management proposal based on world-class practices operating in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Organizations facing internal and external challenges and to find out the solutions on effective supply chains management, to compete in the global market and this concept of business relationships extends beyond the traditional enterprise boundaries and seeks to organize entire business processes throughout a value chain of multiple companies. In the emergence of global and cross cultural market, the nature of business strategies have passed through a dynamic change and after the post liberalized economy, outsourcing and information technology have enabled many organizations, such as Dell, Pepsi , Coca Cola, Aujan Soft Drinks, Proctor & Gamble, and Hewlett Packard, to successfully operate solid collaborative supply networks in international standard. In the 21st century, major changes in the business environment have contributed to the development of supply chain networks. Firstly, as an outcome of globalization and the proliferation of multinational companies, franchisee, strategic alliances and business partnerships, the significant success factors were highlighted. We have entered in the era of synergy and collaboration between corporate giants, like Carrefour and Savola Groups and Ikae which has placebo effect in the whole industry and market, and it is posing challenges to other players of business entity. No company can afford to remain unaffected in this highly interactive and collaborative business environment. Now it is business expediency to evolve the best method to be adopted for existence in these neck to neck competitions. Secondly, the present era is witness of boundaries of nations melting away and the world has come to a globalised village and the whole credit naturally thanks to revolution in the information technology. The technological changes, particularly the dramatic fall in information communication costs, which are a significant component of transaction costs drastically lowered than the past two decade ,have led to changes in coordination among the members of the supply chain network.

This study will highlight a functional view of the supply chain across the enterprise and cover all processes of demand and supply management, warehousing, collaborations.. This study essentially covers the following: o Elements of a supply chain o The scope of an enterprise supply chain o Demand and supply planning o Supply chain network design o Transportation and warehouse management o Supply chain collaboration o Reverse logistics management o Supply chain technology logistics, supply chain network design, and partner

The objective of this book is to evolve a better supply chain management keeping in view the Saudi Arabian business efficacy in comparison to the Western modal of the operation to ensure to bridge the gap of management competitiveness between Saudi corporate and the West entrepreneurs. It has an objective to chalk out mechanism to measure the future needed change in the field of supply chain management to ensure its future efficacy of Saudi Arabian business players to the exposed competitiveness of the world.

Dr Mohammad Naquib Associate Professor Umm Al Qura University Makkah. KSA