Question

Understanding Supply Chain Management in Your Business Strategy

It’s now time for you to consider supply chain management (SCM) and SCM systems within the context of business strategy. Prior to answering the following questions, pick any organization you wish and prepare a one-page summary of who it is, it’s primary customers, and how it attempts to differentiate itself in the market.You are free to choose any organization that provides products to its customers.That is, stay away from organizations that primarily provide services such as financial service firms, insurance firms, and the like.Good candidate organizations may include Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Nordstrom, Wal-Mart, and the like.

Above-the-line versus below-the-line: In what ways could your organization use its supply chain management system to support above-the-line initiatives? In what ways could your organization use its supply chain management system to support below-the-line initiatives?

Porter’s Five Forces Model: In what ways could your organization use its supply chain management system to (1) reduce buyer power as a supplier, (2) reduce supplier power as a buyer, (3) reduce the threat of substitute products or services, and (4) reduce the threat of new entrants?

Value Chain: Within your organization, would supply chain management be seen as a support value process or a primary value process? Please justify your answer.

Answer 1

Organisation selected : GE Healthcare.

The company belongs to GE conglomerate and it is into healthcare product business since last 100+ years.

They tried to differentiate themselves through quality of products, technology embedding research and development etc. One of the striking feature of GE healthcare is their product service and warranty features ( after sales services).

The company successfully using their Supplychain strategies to align properly with their focussed areas especially by reducing cost of transportation, storage and distribution. Along with they order fuofilfulfi through predefined service level is another attractive feature of GE healthcare..

Porter's five forces model :-.The company drives their avkue hain through reducing the impact from buying power of suppliers as they have multichannel and multiple level of suppliers to meet the requirements. In addition threat of new substitutes are controlled through innovative products development and technology advancements.

Value chain is derived through continuous improvement, training and drveldevelo of employees , engaging employees through better career guidance and motivation to enhance their commitment and involvement. In addition agile network analysis of Supplychain through colloborative support of 3 Pl , customers etc.