SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FACTOR OF INCREASED FIRMS COMPETITIVENESS

In light of frequent economic changes companies are faced with the need of adopting new approaches towards the market. Old, classical methods often prove to be inadequate and, once successful companies are now facing great difficulties. Proof of this are the mergers within the automotive and telecommunications business segments, reconfiguration of these markets and repositioning of their leaders. One of the reasons for this situation often cited both in the specialized economic theory and in practice is Supply Chain Management (SCM). This relatively new concept is very progressive both in structure and in content. Intra-organizational supply chains, meant to ensure cohesion (connection) between the mother company and its subsidiaries, have evolved into interorganizational ones. The latter, composed of different organizational links, are aimed at correlating their activities. Both types of supply chains have a series of common elements: Their aim is to increase business competitiveness on the market Are based on the integration of activities within the chain and intense communication between its members They represent the result of the change of approach that businesses have based on theories contrary to zero sum game, based on economic interdependencies and trust between partners They use extensively informational technology and free access to information from the common data base There are a number of factors worth mentioning that had a very important role in the development of Supply Chain Management: globalization, IT&C development, evolution of relations between industry and trade, configuration of the markets, development of the business strategic function, extensive outsourcing and subcontracting. Thus, supply chains become global, consistent with the trends of economic globalization and emergence of global supply sources. This creates new issues related to transport organization, customs operations, warehousing
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and goods storage, ancillary services, etc. 3PL and 4PL type firms are increasing their presence within the supply chains and, often, take over the task of leading them. Current statistics clearly suggest that good performing firms are based on strong (reliable) management and organization of supply chain. Within the framework of global competition it is difficult to operate independently. Therefore, the joint activity of multiple companies organized in a supply chain offers increased market power and is a source of competitive advantage. In this context, we believe that Romanian enterprises can also find a method of increasing competitiveness through Supply Chain Management. They need to realize the importance of SCM and implement a related solution to organize their activities. This issue of the journal would like to focus on a series of subjects regarding the creation, organization and management of supply chains and best practices ensued from the empirical research conducted by the authors. Thus, we can begin a new phase in the dialogue between the scientific community and Romanian business environment by providing ideas and solutions suitable to the current economic framework of conducting commercial transactions and successful market approach. Associate Editor, Cristinel Vasiliu

Amfiteatru Economic