The role of supply‐chain management in world‐class manufacturing: An empirical study in the Saudi context

Abstract

Manufacturers are facing intensifying challenges from both local and international competitors in the marketplace. In order to survive, manufacturers must be able to manage the dynamic market variables and satisfy their customers better than their competitors. Recent investigations have started to look in a more detailed manner at particular management techniques and practices to provide better advice on how these manufacturers should react to this challenge. One of the alternatives that seek to leverage manufacturers' ability to compete is developing a high standards relationship starting with their customers and ending with their vendors, which defines the term supply‐chain management (SCM). The same hurdle is facing Saudi manufacturers. This paper is based on an empirical study, which analysed a sample of 104 manufacturing organisations in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, using a mailed questionnaire.The survey tackled uses relating to, and particularly focused on, SCM. The paper concludes with a model of the effective management of SCM in an integrated manufacturing management proposal based on world‐class practices.

Citation

Al Falah, K., Zairi, M. and Moneim Ahmed, A. (2003), "The role of supply‐chain management in world‐class manufacturing: An empirical study in the Saudi context", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 396-407. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030310481979