Sustaining higher education using Wal‐Mart's best supply chain management practices
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 11 April 2008
Abstract
Purpose
The costs in higher education are increasing and need to be controlled. This paper aims to demonstrate what lessons higher education could learn from Wal‐Mart's reasons for its financial success with its focus on efficient and effective supply chain management (SCM) best practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Wal‐Mart's best practices in SCM were investigated through a secondary data literature review.
Findings
Wal‐Mart's best practices in SCM can be categorized into four segments: strategic concepts, logistics and distribution, information technology, and supplier collaboration. The company's technology, outsourcing, and collaboration practices are particularly useful in higher education.
Research limitations/implications
The adoption of Wal‐Mart's best practices was investigated for only one service industry (higher education). Future research could apply these practices to other service industries, such as hotels and transportation.
Practical implications
Higher education is looking for best practices to help control costs and can learn from Wal‐Mart's best practices.
Originality/value
Past research has focused on applying the best practices of other colleges and universities to higher education. Benchmarking Wal‐Mart's best practices can add further value to the sustainability of higher education.
Keywords
Citation
Comm, C.L. and Mathaisel, D.F.X. (2008), "Sustaining higher education using Wal‐Mart's best supply chain management practices", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 183-189. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370810856323
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited