Supply Chain Evolution and key elements of progress

Abstract: Supply chains evolve in accordance with changes in the market and their ambitions. The evolution of supply chain is correlated to different elements of progress in the business context referred to as performance measurement, innovation and clockspeed. These correlations are the starting point of moving the chain towards the higher goals and therefore are of most importance. In order to assure that the chain is moving on the right path in its evolutionary journey, the journey must start based on the most accurate data available. In chapter 1 an overview of evolution strategy is discussed and two definitions of supply chain evolution are provided. The second chapter begins with performance measures and its relevance to supply chain evolution. There is also a discussion of weighted approach to SCOR model and an introduction of some new measures for further research. Chapter 3 is discussing outsourcing strategies in different business structures based on product modularity. The concept of „modularity balance‟ and evolution advantages with regards to modularity are introduced. The evolution stages from inter-organizational level to network level are discussed. Also two solutions for dealing with uncertainty during evolutionary process are suggested. The double helix is introduced and discussed. In chapter 4, evolution aspects of different innovation methods within the supply chain is discussed. Primary and secondary innovations are introduced and the correlation between clockspeed and innovation is discussed.