While supply chain efficiency is important, companies need to focus more attention on reducing risk to their financial performance resulting from supply chain disruptions.

Though the market advantage has shifted away from shippers, DuPont still manages to acquire ocean services that provide competitive advantage across its supply chains.

For "complexity masters," the world can be a dependable supplier and profitable market. But lackluster business performance is an unpleasant side effect for companies ill prepared for globalization and mounting value-chain complexity.