Supplyketjun

Supplyketjun, or supply chain, refers to the network of organizations, people, activities, information flows, and resources involved in producing and delivering a product or service from initial supplier to end customer. The chain includes procurement of raw materials, manufacturing, storage, transport, distribution, and post-sale service, and extends across firms, industries, and borders.

Key participants include suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, distributors, retailers, and customers. Information systems, demand planning, procurement, production scheduling, and inventory management coordinate activities. Physical flows include materials, finished goods, and returns, while financial flows cover payments and credit terms.

Management aims to optimize the supply chain to maximize value by improving speed, reliability, quality, and cost efficiency. Decision areas include sourcing, production planning, inventory levels, transportation modes, and network design. Common performance measures include lead time, order accuracy, fill rate, inventory turnover, and forecast accuracy.

Frameworks and standards such as the SCOR model provide a reference for process performance; security and risk management standards like ISO 28000 address resilience. Trends include digitalization, data analytics, automation, and sustainability considerations, as well as strategies to enhance resilience against disruptions through diversification, nearshoring, or safety stock.