This diploma thesis deals with the issue of packaging management. Using methods employed in logistics and modeling tool ARIS, the analysis will examine the current situation and its related problem areas. Subsequently, there will be designed such a management concept that would eliminate these areas in order to make the management process streamline, automate and to lead to overall reduction in logistics costs.

La presente tesis fue desarrollada con el objetivo de identificar la relación entre la Implementación del sistema integrado de gestión ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 e ISO 45001:2018 y la innovación como fuente de la ventaja competitiva en las empresas del sector servicios logísticos en Lima 2019 El alcance se circunscribe al sector servicios logísticos de almacenamiento, transporte y distribución, debido a que mueve alrededor de S/ 1,600 millones al año en el país y porque conocer el nivel de desarrollo de su sistema integrado de gestión podría ayudarlas a optimizar sus procesos enfocándose en gran medida por la mejora continua y la innovación que serían producto de la implementación del SIG y la ventaja competitiva. La investigación de enfoque mixto y diseño no experimental, transversal, correlacional, utilizó como instrumentos la entrevista y encuestas, aplicándolas a nuestro público objetivo y como principales resultados identificamos la relación positiva y fuerte que existe entre las herramientas del SIG, el impacto operacional y organizacional dentro de una empresa con la innovación como fuente de la ventaja competitiva como lo puede ser, la cultura de los colaboradores dentro de su empresa o la innovación en línea a sus productos/servicios, procesos o nuevos mercados a los cuales penetrar. En tanto a lo expuesto anteriormente, podemos concluir que tener una cultura de innovación en los tres campos que abordamos afecta de manera directa positiva a la implementación al sistema integrado de gestión de cualquier empresa del sector logístico en Lima y Callao (2019). El resultado de la presente investigación permite entender la implicancia de implementar un sistema integrado de gestión y como las variables que proporcionan evidencian la mejora en los estándares de los servicios ofrecidos, alcanzando un nivel superior con procesos estandarizados y costos controlados; relacionándose directamente con la innovación como fuente de la ventaja competitiva de las empresas del sector logístico en Lima y Callao. El hallazgo que podemos destacar como resultado de la investigación, es como la innovación del mercado va a requerir que las empresas puedan adaptarse con mayor velocidad a los nuevos lineamientos exigidos por el sector. Para poder brindar los servicios en un nuevo esquema bajo la situación de pandemia que se ha desarrollado en el primer semestre del 2020. Dentro de las recomendaciones, destacamos tres puntos claves; las oportunidades de financiamiento que pueden solicitar las organizaciones a los proyectos del estado para la implementación del SIG y de esta manera iniciar con el proceso. El segundo punto, las nuevas herramientas de gestión de procesos que las empresas deberían considerar para la homogenizar sus procesos. Por último, considerar para futuras investigaciones la implementación del SIG bajo el marco regulatorio del Covid-19 y como pueden hacer uso de sus beneficios para reducir el riesgo en la salud del personal. / This thesis was developed with the aim of identifying the relationship between the Implementation of the integrated management system ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 14001: 2015 and ISO 45001: 2018 and innovation as a source of competitive advantage in companies in the logistics services sector in Lima 2019 The scope of this project consists of delving into the logistics services sector storage, transportation and distribution, since it moves around S / 1,600 million a year in the country and improves the level of development of its integrated management system for all companies in the logistic sector. This could help them optimize their processes, focusing largely on the continuous improvement and the innovation that would be a product of the implementation of the GIS and the competitive advantage. The research with a mixed approach and non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational. As techniques, interviews and surveys were used, applying them to our target audience and as main results we identified the strong relationship that exists between the IMS tools, the operational and organizational impact within a company with innovation as a source of competitive advantage. from collaborators within the company or online innovation to your products / services, processes, or new markets to penetrate. As detail above, we can conclude that having a culture of innovation in the three fields we can address that this would enhance the integrated management system of any company in the logistics sector in Lima and Callao (2019). The implications of the conclusions we reached in this work allow us to understand the approach that should be taken when developing an integrated management system and how the benefits they provide are evidenced with the possibility of improving the standard of services offered, reaching a superior level with standardized processes and controlled costs, being directly related to innovation as a source of competitive advantage for companies in the logistics sector in Lima and Callao. Within our recommendations, we highlight three key points; the financing opportunities that organizations can request from state projects for the implementation of the IMS and with it start the process. The second point, the new process management tools that companies should consider for the homogenization of their processes. Finally, consider in future research to deepen the issues of IMS implementation under the regulatory framework of Covid-19 and how they can make use of its benefits to reduce the risk to personnel health. Among the discoveries that we can highlight is how the Market innovation will require that companies can adapt more quickly to the new guidelines required by the sector. In order to provide services in a new scheme under the pandemic situation that has developed in the first half of 2020. / Tesis

La presente investigación tiene como finalidad darle respuesta a la siguiente problemática ¿En qué medida influye la gestión logística en la Rentabilidad de las empresas comercializadoras de materiales eléctricos, año 2019? En el capítulo I se observará el marco teórico de cada una de las variables, en el cual se abarcará las definiciones, antecedentes, dimensiones, ventajas y desventajas, entre otras teorías relacionadas a la Gestión Logística y la Rentabilidad. Durante el capítulo II se menciona lo relacionado al planteamiento del problema, en el cual se detallará la situación problemática, estado de la cuestión y el planteamiento del problema, la justificación de la investigación, los objetivos e hipótesis planteados, así como las limitaciones que se puedan obtener a nivel investigativo y los parámetros. Durante el capítulo III se detallará la metodología la cual abarca el tipo y el enfoque de la investigación, así como la explicación de la investigación cuantitativa y cualitativa. En el capítulo IV se pasará a exponer los resultados no solo de la investigación cuantitativo, sino también cualitativa. En capítulo V se procederá a realizar un análisis en base a los resultados anteriormente expuestos. Por último, se podrá detallar tanto las conclusiones como las recomendaciones. / The purpose of this research is to answer the following problem: To what extent does logistics management influence the profitability of companies that sell electrical materials, in 2019? Chapter I will observe the theoretical framework of each of the variables, which will cover the definitions, background, dimensions, advantages and disadvantages, among other theories related to Logistics Management and Profitability. Chapter II mentions the issues related to the problem statement, which will detail the problem situation, the state of the question and the problem statement, the justification for the research, the objectives and hypotheses raised, as well as the limitations can obtain at the research level and the parameters. During Chapter III the methodology will be detailed which includes the type and focus of the research, as well as the explanation of the quantitative and qualitative research. In Chapter IV, the results of not only quantitative but also qualitative research will be presented. In chapter V an analysis will be carried out based on the results previously exposed. Finally, both the conclusions and the recommendations can be detailed. / Tesis

La presente tesis describe la gestión logística de la cadena de suministros en empresas proveedoras de suministros eléctricos, en función a los 4 eslabones que la componen: aprovisionamiento, producción, distribución y post venta y logística inversa, para determinar la influencia que tuvo en el éxito de estas empresas en Lima Metropolitana. Para ello, se analizó a cuatro empresas del sector, además de realizar un análisis de transformadores eléctricos importados, ya que es uno de los ejes principales que permiten un óptimo flujo de la corriente eléctrica. Nuestra investigación está dividida en 5 capítulos, los cuales se detallan a continuación: En el primer capítulo, se muestran los antecedentes nacionales e internacionales, como parte del marco teórico de la investigación. En el segundo capítulo, se abordó el plan de investigación, donde se formuló el problema, objetivos e hipótesis sobre el tema en estudio. El tercer capítulo, está centrado en la parte metodológica de la tesis, describiendo el diseño de la investigación, el tamaño de muestra, también se explica a detalle las técnicas de instrumentos de recolección empleados para realizar la investigación, asimismo se desarrollan las entrevistas y focus group para recolectar información valiosa sobre el rubro analizado. En el cuarto capítulo, se ha detallado el perfil de los entrevistados y el análisis de resultados para cada variable encontrada. Finalmente, en el último capítulo, se exponen las conclusiones y recomendaciones de la tesis, en base a los hallazgos encontrados en el capítulo anterior. / This thesis describes the logistics management of the supply chain in electricity supply companies, based on the 4 links that compose it: supply, production, distribution and post-sale and reverse logistics, to determine the influence it had on success of these companies in Metropolitan Lima. For this, four companies in the sector were analysed, in addition to carrying out an analysis of imported electrical transformers, since it is one of the main axes that allow an optimal flow of electrical current. Our research is divided into 5 chapters which are detailed below: In the first chapter, the national and international backgrounds are shown, as part of the theoretical framework of the research. In the second chapter, the research plan was addressed, where the problem, objectives, and hypotheses on the subject under study were formulated. The third chapter is focused on the methodological part of the thesis, describing the research design, the sample size, the collection instrument techniques used to carry out the research are also explained in detail, as well as the interviews and focus group to collect valuable information about the item analysed. In the fourth chapter, the profile of the interviews and the analysis of results for each code found have been detailed. Finally, in the last chapter, the conclusions and recommendations of the thesis are presented, based on the findings found in the previous chapter. / Tesis

The construction industry is associated with problems such as low productivity and high costs. This has been highlighted in several government-funded reports in both Sweden and in the UK during the course of over two decades. The construction industry is a large industry sector employing hundreds of thousands and a large contributor to a country’s GDP. The problems therefore have a large impact on society. Some of the problems are rooted in the organizational structure of the construction industry. Compared to other manufacturing industries, the construction industry is organized in temporary organizations. The temporary organizations cause temporary supply chains, fragmentation among construction industry actors and adversarial relationships between those actors. Partnering has been but forward as a solution to overcome the temporariness and the adversarial relationships in the construction. Another solution to mitigate the problems suggested in the reports is supply chain management (SCM). Both concepts have been taken from the manufacturing industries and partnering has been more successful compared to SCM in the construction industry. In the construction industry the progress towards SCM has focused on logistics. In recent years dedicated third-party logistics (TPL) solutions have emerged in the Swedish construction industry, where a company is hired to manage the logistics in a construction project. The purpose with the research presented in this licentiate thesis is to explore how client initiated TPL solutions and partnering can be facilitators for SCM in the construction industry. Being a new phenomenon in the construction industry TPL solutions provide a logistical competence not necessarily included in a traditional construction project. Therefore, TPL solutions are of particular interest when studying the realization of SCM in the construction industry. In the process of realizing SCM in the construction industry, the construction clients have been put forward as having a crucial and important role. The clients are the initiator and funder of construction projects and as such the client can influence the course of a construction project. Therefore, it is of interest to study how the client can take an active role in this process. Initiating a TPL solution in a construction project is one way for a client to take an active part in the realization of SCM in construction. However, in order to study how clients can take an active role towards the realization of SCM in the construction industry, there have to be an understanding of how SCM is to be adopted to the construction industry context. SCM that derives from the manufacturing industry is designed to be used in long-term relationships with permanent organizational structures. The construction industry on the other hand is associated with short-term relationships and a temporary organizational structure. Partnering that is designed to mitigate the temporariness and establish long-term relationships have been quite successful in the construction industry, and could therefore be used as a facilitator for SCM in construction. To study the use of client initiated TPL-solutions in construction and the realization of SCM in the construction industry the following research questions have been addressed: RQ1: To what extent can a third-party logistics solution be a facilitator for client driven SCM in the construction industry? RQ2: How will upstream and downstream tiers be affected when a thirdparty logistics provider is used in a construction project? RQ3: How can partnering be used a mean to facilitate the realization of SCM in the construction industry? To answer the research questions two main methodologies have been used; case study for the empirically grounded research and conceptual studies for the analysis of the case studies as well as for comparing the two concepts of partnering and SCM. All questions have been grounded in literature and previous research. The findings of this research is therefore grounded in both theory and in practice. The main findings of this research is that TPL solutions are not a quick fix for realizing SCM in the construction industry. However, if used right a TPL solution can be an effective tool to address logistical issues in a construction project and to establish an interface between the supply chain and the construction site. By initiating a TPL solution the client addresses the importance of logistical competence in a construction project. A TPL solution does not have a purpose of its own; a TPL solution is a service function to the construction project, providing expertise on logistics management. There are also a number of driving forces and concerns that have been identified, if they are addressed prior to a TPL solution is implemented, the likelihood of its success will increase. Furthermore, both partnering and SCM rely on high trust and share several key components and issues that have to be addressed. Partnering on strategic level with several suppliers included can even be hard to distinguish from SCM. Wherefore, partnering is considered a facilitator for the realization of SCM in construction. By addressing the necessary issues in both concepts a good foundation for SCM is established.

En el Perú, el 95% de las empresas son MYPES, las cuales son las más importantes impulsadoras del enriquecimiento económico del Perú pues aportan el 40% del Producto Bruto Interno (PBI). Sin embargo, existen factores que afectan directamente a su productividad, lo cual genera una baja competencia por lo que existe una gran mortalidad de empresas en el país. Algunos factores que no dejan que las empresas tengan la potestad de crecer con éxito y así librarse su aniquilación, se encuentran los factores operativos, en específico, la gestión logística. En el Perú, la industria textil y de cuero es una de las actividades económicas de las microempresas manufactureras que posee el mayor porcentaje de participación, donde la fibra de alpaca es la que más destaca, y dentro de la ciudad de Puno se tiene la mayor cantidad de cabezas de alpaca a nivel mundial. En el presente trabajo de investigación se desarrolla en base al estudio realizado dentro de las MYPES textiles en Puno acerca de la fibra de alpaca, y la realización de un planteamiento de un proceso básico de Gestión Logística por medio de una de las herramientas de la gestión de procesos y del modelo integrado de Gestión Logística para estandarizar el proceso y así tener productos uniformes. Todo esto con la finalidad de lograr un comportamiento asociativo entre las MYPES y puedan cumplir con una mayor demanda en los pedidos. / In Peru, 95% of the companies are MYPES, which are the most important promoters of the economic enrichment of Peru since they contribute 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, there are factors that directly affect their productivity, which generates low competition for which there is a high mortality of companies in the country. Some factors that do not let companies have the power to grow successfully and thus escape their annihilation, are operational factors, specifically, logistics management. In Peru, the textile and leather industry is one of the economic activities of the manufacturing microenterprises that has the highest percentage of participation, where alpaca fiber is the one that stands out the most, and within the city of Puno there is the largest number of alpaca heads worldwide. This research work is developed based on the study carried out within the textile MYPES in Puno about the alpaca fiber, and the realization of an approach to a basic process of Logistics Management through one of the management tools of processes and the integrated model of Logistics Management to standardize the process and thus have uniform products. All this in order to achieve an associative behavior between the MYPES and can meet a greater demand in the orders. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

Thesis (MBA) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study was to investigate challenges faced by Supply Chain Management (SCM) officials in the implementation of the procurement process at the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Sekhukhune and Capricorn District as per the approval by TREC. The researcher requested the Head of Department for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to grant approval to conduct the study at Sekhukhune and Capricorn Districts. The Head of Department delegated the Departmental Research Committee to attend to the researcher’s request. The Departmental Research Committee advised the researcher and granted approval to conduct the study at Waterberg, Mopani and Vhembe District offices, since the researcher is working at Sekhukhune District sharing the same complex with Capricorn District office. A qualitative research method was used to collect data which was collected using structured interview questions. Participants in the study were officials working at Waterberg and Vhembe District. The researcher was unable to conduct research at Mopani District due to the unavailability of the participants. The findings revealed that SCM officials are not adequately trained but are still expected to deliver service efficiently and effectively. The study further revealed that there is a shortage of staff and SCM officials are struggling to deliver because of IT Infrastructure network problems. It was concluded that SCM Practitioners are facing some challenges in the implementation of the procurement process at Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Waterberg and Vhembe District offices. The respondents indicated that there is a shortage of staff and also that posts which are vacant are not given priority. In addition, the IT Infrastructure Network problem was a big challenge to SCM Practitioners since they are without network most of the time while their systems require daily network access. The research indicated that officials are not well trained and that there is lack of communication between the districts and Head office. It is recommended that vacant posts be filled immediately after the post becomes vacant and that the Department should develop a communication tool which will be circulated to all SCM officials. Management at head office is advised to arrange iv monthlymeetingsanda SCM forum inviting all SCM officials starting from the lower level upwards to address challenges and update each other about the new developments within the Unit. It is recommended that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development introduce intensive Training programmes within the Department to ensure that SCM Practitioners remain well informed. It is also recommended that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development make a concerted effort to train top management in order to solicit their full support to the districts. It is recommended that the Department develops its SCM policy. The Department is advised to install Wi-Fi to officials working for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at all five Districts in order to promote effective and efficient service delivery. It is recommended that the Department should allocate all necessary Logis training to SCM officials before they get access to the system. The Department needs to work with Provincial Treasury on the allocation of the items which need to be procured e.g seed and seedling in order to speed up service delivery. It is recommended to the Department to appoint well qualified and experienced SCM officials to fill vacant posts, to offer training to officials who are already within the Unit and provide Bursaries to SCM officials to acquire long-term qualifications such as Diplomas and Degrees.

The logistics issue is one of the biggest challenges faced in today's construction industry. An increasing number of projects suffer from logistics problems that need to be examined, problems that are increasingly common in line with the high housing output. These problems are important to investigate as it especially affects savings, planning, damage and time and more. The list can be made long and is increasingly prevalent in today's construction industry. The purpose of this study is to provide solutions for improving logistics management at a construction site by comparing three different projects. Through this comparison, the authors have identified the parameters that influence logistics flow negatively, how efficient logistics flow can be achieved, and whether it is profitable with a logistics program. BTH Bygg currently has a number of different projects. The focus will be on the project Lyngsåsa, located in Dalarö, which is the primary project for this study. Furthermore, Lyngsåsa is to be compared with the Rosenlundsparken and Steninge Slottsby projects. Lyngsåsa is the only project of the above that has used Ahlsell's logistics program due to previous logistics problems. Exploration of the study has been based on the combination of literature studies, electronic information search, questionnaire and interviews. The survey was divided into professionals and officials on the three projects and interviews have been conducted for more responsible officials with experience and knowledge to get a deeper picture of the subject. The result shows that logistics programs are good for projects that are more complex, projects that suffer from production stoppages. The study shows that projects that are located closer to the city center have limited areas. In this study we recommend a logistics program for the Rosenlundsparken project. Parameters that adversely affect the logistics flow are poor communication and poor planning. Tools that construction companies can utilize are 7R, 5S and JIT. / Logistikfrågan är en av de största utmaningar som bemöts i dagens byggbransch. Allt fler projekt lider av logistikproblem som måste granskas, problem som är allt vanligare i takt med den höga bostadsproduktionen. Dessa problem är viktiga att undersöka då det i synnerhet påverkar besparing, planering, skador och tid med flera. Listan kan göras lång och är allt mer förekommande i dagens byggbransch.Syftet med denna studie är att ge förslag på lösningar som kan förbättra logistikhanteringen på en byggarbetsplats genom en jämförelse mellan tre olika projekt. Genom denna jämförelse har författarna som mål tagit fram vilka parametrar som påverkar logistikflödet negativt, hur ett effektivt logistikflöde kan åstadkommas samt om det är lönsamt med ett logistikprogram.I dagsläget har BTH Bygg en del olika projekt. Fokus kommer att riktas åt projektet Lyngsåsa som ligger i Dalarö vilket är det primära projektet för denna studie. Vidare skall Lyngsåsa jämföras med projekten Rosenlundsparken och Steninge Slottsby. Lyngsåsa är det enda projektet av ovanstående som har använt sig utav Ahlsells logistikprogram på grund av tidigare logistikproblem.Utforskning av studien har baserats på kombination av litteraturstudier, elektroniska informationssökning, enkätundersökning samt intervjuer. Enkätundersökningen delades till yrkesarbetarna och tjänstemän på de tre projekt och intervjuerna har utförts för mer ansvariga tjänstemän med erfarenhet och kunskap för att få en djupare bild av ämnet.Resultatet visar att logistikprogram är bra för projekt som är mer komplext, projekt som lider av stopp i produktionen. Studien visar att projekt som är placerade närmare till stadens centrum har begränsade ytor. I denna studie rekommenderar vi ett logistikprogram för projektet Rosenlundsparken. Parametrar som påverkar logistikflödet negativt är dålig kommunikation och dålig planering. Verktyg som byggföretag kan utnyttja är 7R, 5S och JIT.

The construction industry is associated with problems such as low productivity and high costs. This has been highlighted in several government-funded reports in both Sweden and in the UK during the course of over two decades. The construction industry is a large industry sector employing hundreds of thousands and a large contributor to a country’s GDP. The problems therefore have a large impact on society. Some of the problems are rooted in the organizational structure of the construction industry. Compared to other manufacturing industries, the construction industry is organized in temporary organizations. The temporary organizations cause temporary supply chains, fragmentation among construction industry actors and adversarial relationships between those actors. Partnering has been but forward as a solution to overcome the temporariness and the adversarial relationships in the construction. Another solution to mitigate the problems suggested in the reports is supply chain management (SCM). Both concepts have been taken from the manufacturing industries and partnering has been more successful compared to SCM in the construction industry. In the construction industry the progress towards SCM has focused on logistics. In recent years dedicated third-party logistics (TPL) solutions have emerged in the Swedish construction industry, where a company is hired to manage the logistics in a construction project. The purpose with the research presented in this licentiate thesis is to explore how client initiated TPL solutions and partnering can be facilitators for SCM in the construction industry. Being a new phenomenon in the construction industry TPL solutions provide a logistical competence not necessarily included in a traditional construction project. Therefore, TPL solutions are of particular interest when studying the realization of SCM in the construction industry. In the process of realizing SCM in the construction industry, the construction clients have been put forward as having a crucial and important role. The clients are the initiator and funder of construction projects and as such the client can influence the course of a construction project. Therefore, it is of interest to study how the client can take an active role in this process. Initiating a TPL solution in a construction project is one way for a client to take an active part in the realization of SCM in construction. However, in order to study how clients can take an active role towards the realization of SCM in the construction industry, there have to be an understanding of how SCM is to be adopted to the construction industry context. SCM that derives from the manufacturing industry is designed to be used in long-term relationships with permanent organizational structures. The construction industry on the other hand is associated with short-term relationships and a temporary organizational structure. Partnering that is designed to mitigate the temporariness and establish long-term relationships have been quite successful in the construction industry, and could therefore be used as a facilitator for SCM in construction. To study the use of client initiated TPL-solutions in construction and the realization of SCM in the construction industry the following research questions have been addressed: RQ1: To what extent can a third-party logistics solution be a facilitator for client driven SCM in the construction industry? RQ2: How will upstream and downstream tiers be affected when a thirdparty logistics provider is used in a construction project? RQ3: How can partnering be used a mean to facilitate the realization of SCM in the construction industry? To answer the research questions two main methodologies have been used; case study for the empirically grounded research and conceptual studies for the analysis of the case studies as well as for comparing the two concepts of partnering and SCM. All questions have been grounded in literature and previous research. The findings of this research is therefore grounded in both theory and in practice. The main findings of this research is that TPL solutions are not a quick fix for realizing SCM in the construction industry. However, if used right a TPL solution can be an effective tool to address logistical issues in a construction project and to establish an interface between the supply chain and the construction site. By initiating a TPL solution the client addresses the importance of logistical competence in a construction project. A TPL solution does not have a purpose of its own; a TPL solution is a service function to the construction project, providing expertise on logistics management. There are also a number of driving forces and concerns that have been identified, if they are addressed prior to a TPL solution is implemented, the likelihood of its success will increase. Furthermore, both partnering and SCM rely on high trust and share several key components and issues that have to be addressed. Partnering on strategic level with several suppliers included can even be hard to distinguish from SCM. Wherefore, partnering is considered a facilitator for the realization of SCM in construction. By addressing the necessary issues in both concepts a good foundation for SCM is established. / <p>QC 20181004</p>

Supply chain resilience refers to the capability of a supply chain to both withstand and adapt to unexpected disturbances. In today's turbulent business environment, firms are continually seeking to create more resilience within their supply chain through increased information communication technology use and enhanced business-to-business relationships. The focus of this dissertation is the investigation of how information communication technology creates resilience at the differing process levels of supply chain operations. Past research into information communication technology use within supply chains has often been conducted at the macro-level of supply chain phenomena. As such, there is still much to understand about how decision-makers interact with information communication technology at the micro-level of supply chain decision-making. A more in-depth, broad coverage of this interaction will provide both practitioners and academics a better understanding of how to leverage information communication technology in achieving supply chain resilience. To meet this aim, this dissertation contains three essays that re-orient conceptual thinking about supply chain phenomenon, explore how advances in information communication technology influence business-to-business relationships, and identify how information communication technology effects the decision-making of supply chain managers.