Serving people in a sustainable way

As we discussed in class, a contemporary view of Supply Chain is from a Network Perspective. This Network is an integrated architecture which allows interaction between:

• End Customers
• Retailers
• Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Suppliers

But, what is the common “component” across this network?

In my opinion, we are.

We don’t want to be customers, retailers, distributors, manufacturers or suppliers, we want to be people. We learn, build communities and openly share what we like and need.

In recent years, we all are starting to care more about real things and environmental challenges, such as:

• Resource scarcity
• Climate change
• Security

This leads to a new way of doing business, considering our real needs and primary focus on sustainability. With brands that mean something. With strategies that don’t force, but flow with our learning’s. With supply chains that promote our interests. At the end, the companies who understand us (the audience) and our needs will be benefited.

For this reason, companies need to start collaborating in order to innovate and develop sustainable networks. Increasingly, the supply chain must consider factors such as traffic congestion in urban areas, energy consumption, CO2 emissions and the permanent rise in transportation costs. All of these are people related concerns.

The big question is: What impact will these new parameters have on the design of future supply chains? [1]

[1] “Future Supply Chain 2016” – Capgemini Green. Web. 05 Feb. 2012.

http://www.capgemini.com/insights-and-resources/by-publication/future_supply_chain_2016/