Business Continuity in Supply Chain Management
Purpose of Study: As a small business owner and potential retail management executive, the
availability of products and services are vital to business operations. The occurrence of
major disasters have hindered and stopped business functions for many businesses. The
information reported in this paper could be useful to small business owners or anyone
interested in a career in retail or perhaps customers.
Opening Statement:
The Supply Chain in the Retail sector is as important as Customer Service,
Human Resources, Sales Management, or Credit Services; if products aren’t in the store,
there is no business. Businesses need smooth and uninterrupted access to vendors,
suppliers, designers, distributors and customers.
Findings:
Business Continuity Planning is becoming increasingly important to the success
and sometimes survival of any business. Disasters, man-made (9/11 terrorist attacks) and
natural (Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy) have shown the need for planning for the
unexpected and uncontrollable. Even online retailers such as Amazon, depend on smooth
and reliable delivery of their products from their suppliers, and delivery to their
customers.
Supply chain management relies on many things; efficient and accurate logistics,
competent, dedicated staff members and equally important, strategic planning. All these
things and more contribute to continued business operations in the event of disaster.
Major retailers like Sears, Macy’s, Home Depot or Wal-Mart are stores that customers
depend on for the bare necessities used during and after a disaster.
Any part of the supply chain can be outsourced, this transfers liability for that
product or service, however the risk cannot be outsourced. There are increasingly more
risks to the company within the supply chain, due to streamlined supply chains. Retailers
are always at risk of being associated with a vendor or
availability of products and services are vital to business operations. The occurrence of
major disasters have hindered and stopped business functions for many businesses. The
information reported in this paper could be useful to small business owners or anyone
interested in a career in retail or perhaps customers.
Opening Statement:
The Supply Chain in the Retail sector is as important as Customer Service,
Human Resources, Sales Management, or Credit Services; if products aren’t in the store,
there is no business. Businesses need smooth and uninterrupted access to vendors,
suppliers, designers, distributors and customers.
Findings:
Business Continuity Planning is becoming increasingly important to the success
and sometimes survival of any business. Disasters, man-made (9/11 terrorist attacks) and
natural (Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy) have shown the need for planning for the
unexpected and uncontrollable. Even online retailers such as Amazon, depend on smooth
and reliable delivery of their products from their suppliers, and delivery to their
customers.
Supply chain management relies on many things; efficient and accurate logistics,
competent, dedicated staff members and equally important, strategic planning. All these
things and more contribute to continued business operations in the event of disaster.
Major retailers like Sears, Macy’s, Home Depot or Wal-Mart are stores that customers
depend on for the bare necessities used during and after a disaster.
Any part of the supply chain can be outsourced, this transfers liability for that
product or service, however the risk cannot be outsourced. There are increasingly more
risks to the company within the supply chain, due to streamlined supply chains. Retailers
are always at risk of being associated with a vendor or
References: Benyoucef, M., & Forzley, S. (2007). Business Continuity Planning and Supply Chain Management. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 8(2), 14-22 May 18, 2014. Fernandes, R. A. (2011, March 16). Supply chain management and business continuity. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0865.html Hiles, A. (2011). The Definitive Handbook of Business Continuity Management (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Kildow, B. A. (2011). A supply chain management guide to business continuity. New York: American Management Association. Nash, K. S. (2012, February 20). How to Find Weak Links in Your Supply Chain. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 6(3), 222-227. Retrieved March 27, 2014. Sanders, S. (2014). [Personal Knowledge]. Unpublished raw data. Sears Brands, LLC. (2014). Corporate Governance. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from http://www.searsholdings.com/govern/compliance.htm Supply Chain Management. (2012, February 21). Retrieved May 23, 2014, from http://cmuscm.blogspot.com/2012/02/pareto-analysis-for-supply-chain-using.html Wright, J. (2013). Taking a Broader View of Supply Chain Resilience. Supply Chain Management Review, 17(2), 26-31.