Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility

IFS Launches Eco-Footprint Management Tool Within Its Apps Suite

March 4, 2009

Taking Supply Chain Visibility to New Levels

February 20, 2009

Leonardo Vitolo, dir. of log. & value networks, LOGyCA, Bogota, Colombia

RFID is finally becoming the solution that will make integrated supply chain management possible. 2009 promises to be a banner year for the technology, with the introduction of new and more ambitious applications.

Supply Chain Network Design: Architecting a Green Future

February 19, 2009

Nari Viswanathan, vice president and principal analyst, Aberdeen Group

The focus on green network design allows companies to reach to the core of the green supply chain movement by optimizing resources and reducing waste.

What Does Obama Mean to the Supply Chain World?

February 19, 2009

Simon Ellis, practice director, Manufacturing Insights, an IDC company

Certainly we expect the new president to favor legislation protecting consumers as well as incentives to reduce job losses to low-cost manufacturing countries. But it is not clear how much of an effect he will be able to have, at least in the short term. We do expect to see significant investments in infrastructure/public works projects and a continuation, for now, of recent defense spending levels.

Risk Management Emerges from the Shadow of Compliance

February 19, 2009

John Hagerty, vice president and research fellow, AMR Research

With new crises seemingly emerging weekly, risk management has taken on a new urgency. Leading companies recognize the importance of a solid supply chain risk discipline, but grapple with scope, ownership, metrics, and ties to other types of strategic and operational risks facing the business.

Global Recession, Obama's Policies to Affect Supply Chains

February 19, 2009

Dr. Edgar E. Blanco, MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics

The election of Barack Obama in the United States, the repercussions of the global "financial bailout" and a potential increase in environmental regulations will affect supply chain operations at multiple levels. The ability to quickly monitor and absorb these changes in supply chain structures will be the main agenda for 2009.

Rebalance Supply & Demand to Prepare for Recovery

February 19, 2009

Simon Ellis, practice director, Manufacturing Insights, an IDC company

2009 is certainly shaping up to be a difficult year for manufacturers. Tight credit markets, poor consumer confidence and retail sales, along with low manufacturing activity, suggests that overall supply chain investment activity will be reduced and cost-savings activities will be prioritized.

There Are Seven Market Trends to Watch for in This Vertical in 2009

February 19, 2009

Lora Cecere, vice president, consumer products, AMR Research

If history is our guide, sales of food and beverage products will rise in the economic downturn. Food staples (cereal, bread, milk) along with convenience meals will gain volume as more families eat at home. It appears that 2009 is a time for food and beverage manufacturers to create big brands in big economies.

The Green and Smart Supply Chains of the Future

February 19, 2009

Stephen Stokes, v.p., sustainability & green technologies, AMR Research

The green imperative is expanding into virtually all walks of life and all facets of the economy. Demonstrating green credentials is increasingly a minimal stakeholder expectation and business risk management factor, and is shifting from an order-winning to an order-qualifying attribute. Swallow that carbon pill! A whole swath of additional environmental expectations may well be just around the corner, as well as a whole new way of looking at "green" and the environment.

Looking Green in the Eye

February 19, 2009

Dr. Edgar E. Blanco, MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics

For the last three years global corporations have added "green" and "sustainability" to the supply chain agenda, in particular with respect to climate change and carbon footprint reductions. This trend coincided with unprecedented economic growth and record-breaking energy prices. With recession looming, supply chains will face their true commitment to the environment as they adjust operations.