Traditionally, in-house manufacturers have used the supply chain primarily to secure raw materials or components for production. They could manage risk by walking down the hall or simply calling the responsible department to directly force reporting parties to take action. But now, as more companies rely on a web of partners and contract manufacturers dispersed around the globe, they have less control over the supply chain community. This indirect management of partners makes for very complex challenges and supply chain owners--along with every interconnected partner and customer--are faced with more risk, more often.
Source: Industry Week