Understanding integrated global sourcing
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
ISSN: 0960-0035
Article publication date: 1 September 2003
Abstract
The ability to satisfy customer demands while responding to relentless competitive pressure requires creative and often complex approaches to managing a firm's supply chain. Perhaps more than any other area, executive managers increasingly believe that a concept called globalization offers the best opportunity to achieve major performance gains. One area where many companies can begin to capture the benefits of globalization is global sourcing, which involves the worldwide integration of engineering, operations, and procurement centers within the upstream portion of a firm's supply chain. Unfortunately, capturing the benefits potentially offered by globalization is often limited by a lack of understanding concerning how to pursue this important topic. To help overcome this limitation this article presents a five‐level continuum that illustrates the differences between international purchasing and global sourcing, examines the factors that are the most critical to global success, and concludes with a brief discussion of future global sourcing directions.
Keywords
Citation
Trent, R.J. and Monczka, R.M. (2003), "Understanding integrated global sourcing", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 33 No. 7, pp. 607-629. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030310499286
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited