Adding value to service providers: benchmarking Wal‐Mart

Abstract

Purpose

Wal‐Mart is the largest retailer in the world, and one of its drivers of financial success is its focus on efficient and effective supply chain management (SCM). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate what service providers could learn from these SCM best practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Wal‐Mart's best practices in SCM were investigated through a literature review of secondary data.

Findings

Wal‐Mart's best practices in SCM were categorized into four segments: strategic concepts, logistics and distribution, information technology, and supplier collaboration. These practices were then applied to the healthcare industry.

Research limitations/implications

Wal‐Mart's best practices were only applied to one service industry (the healthcare industry). Future research could apply these practices to other service industries such as higher education and the airline industry.

Practical implications

Most service providers can add value to their services by learning from some, if not all, of Wal‐Mart's best practices in SCM.

Originality/value

Very little past research has focused on applying the best practices in SCM of a traditional retailer or product provider to service providers. Insight into Wal‐Mart's best practices can add value to many service providers.

Citation

Blanchard, C., Comm, C.L. and Mathaisel, D.F.X. (2008), "Adding value to service providers: benchmarking Wal‐Mart", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 166-177. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635770810864875