Purchased goods and services are an increasingly large proportion of public and private enterprise budgets. Historically, purchased goods and services have accounted for less than a third of an enterprise's budget, but today many enterprises spend more than two-thirds of their budgets on purchased goods and services. Similarly, the Air Force and the Department of Defense (DoD) spend nearly half their budgets for purchased goods and services and an additional sixth on weapon procurement (with only a third going to military and civilian personnel costs). (See pp. 1-6.) Because of the growing importance of purchasing, many enterprises have sought to develop supply strategies for their purchased goods and services. This monograph is intended as a resource for procurement personnel developing supply strategies for the Air Force or DoD. It does not analyze current military procurement practices but rather synthesizes academic, business, and professional literature on developing and applying supply strategies. Its core is a synthesis of nearly a dozen different processes found in the literature.

The managed flow of goods and information from raw material to final sale also known as a "supply chain" affects everythingâ€"from the U.S. gross domestic product to where you can buy your jeans. The nature of a company's supply chain has a significant effect on its success or failureâ€"as in the success of Dell Computer's make-to-order system and the failure of General Motor's vertical integration during the 1998 United Auto Workers strike. Supply Chain Integration looks at this crucial component of business at a time when product design, manufacture, and delivery are changing radically and globally. This book explores the benefits of continuously improving the relationship between the firm, its suppliers, and its customers to ensure the highest added value. This book identifies the state-of-the-art developments that contribute to the success of vertical tiers of suppliers and relates these developments to the capabilities that small and medium-sized manufacturers must have to be viable participants in this system. Strategies for attaining these capabilities through manufacturing extension centers and other technical assistance providers at the national, state, and local level are suggested. This book identifies action steps for small and medium-sized manufacturersâ€"the "seed corn" of business start-up and developmentâ€"to improve supply chain management. The book examines supply chain models from consultant firms, universities, manufacturers, and associations. Topics include the roles of suppliers and other supply chain participants, the rise of outsourcing, the importance of information management, the natural tension between buyer and seller, sources of assistance to small and medium-sized firms, and a host of other issues. Supply Chain Integration will be of interest to industry policymakers, economists, researchers, business leaders, and forward-thinking executives.

The Department of Defense (DoD) may face challenges as it attempts to maintain its goal of spending about 23 percent of prime-contract dollars for goods and services with small businesses and at the same time apply strategic-sourcing practices to reduce total costs and improve performance and efficiency and in ways that will not conflict with small-business goals.

With the rise of global competitiveness among industries, it has become increasingly vital to develop novel strategies to assist in optimizing value-chain networks, thus helping to secure economic success. By employing engineer-to-order practices, many enterprises have improved their manufacturing processes. Supply Chain Strategies and the Engineer-to-Order Approach evaluates innovative processes and original operational models, frameworks, and architectures in the topic areas of industrial engineering and management science. Featuring optimized enterprise chain management strategies and emergent research within the field, this book is an essential reference source for professional, academics, and researchers specializing in enterprise operations and engineer-to-order procedures.

Like a magician reveals his tricks, it's high time to demystify the often-overrated role of big consultancies providing you with services in the field of restructuring, productivity and efficiency. You know full well that, at the end of the day, you are the one who does most of the consultants' work. You don't need the expensive "white collar" advice given to your management board. What you really need is stimulation for that vital "click" in your head! Something to help you accept the change process in a slightly different way. Some out-of-the-box oversight throughout the change management process never goes amiss. And being given the freedom by your management board to make a few mistakes while changing things is important too. Then just add a small dash of the charisma required to engage a critical mass of people around you, and you are now ready to become a real leader for change. You are the chief change officer and your people will rally around you. They will follow through on your change. Just remember one thing - once you read the book, change management will not become any easier in itself. You'll just become much better at being able to SCORE your change and WIN.

The U.S. Air Force plans to improve procurement through the implementation of additional purchasing and supply chain management practices. To emulate the success of commercial enterprises, the Air Force is establishing commodity councils to develop proactive, enterprise-wide strategies for purchasing key Air Force goods and services. This monograph helps the commodity councils approach the market research task. This monograph is organized around the process for conducting market research. It begins with background information, proceeds through the how-to steps for conducting market research, and ends with recommendations for next steps. The authors highlight lessons learned from both a literature review and from interviews with personnel at leading commercial enterprises.