Analyst Insight: The demand for increased efficiency in China distribution is driving some incremental improvements in supply chain. Growth is on the rise for domestic transportation, localized supply chain IT solutions are experiencing revenue growth, and the amount of automation installed in new facilities is on the rise. Changes are also happening in real estate and there is an increase amongst importing and exporting. - Jim Serstad, Managing Director Asia, Tompkins International

Analyst Insight: Companies competing in the chemical and energy industries continue to place a high priority on sustainability and environmental responsibility. The high visibility of these factors in today's society certainly helps make the case for sustainability and environmental responsibility in terms of maintaining a positive brand image. However, leading firms are also recognizing that efforts to drive sustainability and protect the environment are also helping to deliver additional value beyond brand image. - John Santagate, Research Manager, IDC

Law enforcement is hot on the trail of cargo thieves. But the thieves are hot on the trail of your shipments.

Food manufacturers across the globe have admitted failing to put in place basic safeguards to protect vulnerable workers in their supply chains - almost one year on from laws to stop slavery, child labor and unethical working practices.

Can we predict the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by examining the track record of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta)? Well, maybe.

It is the human rights abuse that everybody likes to maintain is not happening. But within corporate supply chains across the developing world – from the cocoa-growing lands of the Ivory Coast to the seafood sector of Thailand – human trafficking and modern day slavery is still commonplace, with people being made to work and live in appalling conditions with little or no pay.