Can playing a game help supply-chain managers cope with the uncertainties of the real world?

The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is experiencing a prolonged surge in growth. Factors include robust demand in new and emerging markets, as well as increased exports of military equipment. Along with these promising new opportunities, however, comes a fresh set of supply-chain challenges.

The times they are a changin' for the players across pharmaceutical supply chains, from API suppliers to CMOs, to manufacturers, packagers, distributors, dispensers/pharmacies ... just about everyone across the chain.

Following the Volkswagen emissions scandal, EU member states have agreed to use tests that more closely mirror real road conditions to measure diesel cars' emissions.

The typical procurement organization invests heavily in supplier compliance but rarely reaps the value rewards. Compliance can often feel like a revolving door, with procurement teams evaluating the same risks and under-performing suppliers over and over again and never identifying the root causes or making real progress toward sustainability. Eventually, after a multi-year investment into a responsible sourcing program, procurement finds itself past the point of diminishing returns.

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and retailers are bulking up their supply chains to handle the expected surge in sales. Finding enough warehouse workers to fill the orders, however, could prove to be a tough challenge.