Supply Chain Management in the Real World

Steven Nahmias
Operations and MIS Department
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA 95053


Several companies have experienced dramatic reductions in costs and/or increases in sales by implementing fundamental changes in their supply chain management strategies. Some of these strategic coups include outsourcing of manufacturing, outsourcing of logistics, postponement of the final configuration of the product, and mass customization. I discuss several of these successes, and the lessons they hold for academic researchers. In addition, if time permits, I will provide a brief overview and comparison of the major players in the supply chain software arena.