Literature Review
Supply chain mapping is important to any organization’s supply chain system. It helps businesses learn about their services and products, how they are produced, where, and to whom. It forms the foundation for developing an effective risk management strategy, responsible sourcing programs, and due diligence in the supply chain. The process of supply chain mapping brings different benefits to business organizations. These benefits go beyond meeting legal requirements and Visibility. This literature review provides a comprehensive analysis of the benefits of supply chain mapping based on the existing literature. The goal is to understand how business organizations utilize this strategic supply chain tool.
Definition And Benefits of Supply Chain Mapping
According to Queiroz et al. (2020), supply chain mapping is the process of visually representing the activities, entities, and flows that make up a supply chain. It typically consists of three parts: the flow map, which illustrates how products, materials, and information move within the supply chain; the entity map, which identifies key stakeholders and where they are located; and the activity map, which outlines the processes involved in producing and distributing products or services. Supply chain mapping provides an understanding of the entire system and enables organizations to identify areas for improvement. Supply chain mapping is an important tool for organizations to understand, analyze and manage their supply chain networks. It provides insights into how materials, resources, and goods flow throughout the entire system and can be used to identify potential problems and opportunities for improvement. In this literature review section, we will explore the benefits of supply chain mapping.
Ivanov (2021) documented that the primary benefit of supply chain mapping is that it allows businesses to analyze and visualize their operations from end-to-end, uncovering areas where efficiency can be improved. It also enables companies to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, reduce costs, and improve customer service. Additionally, supply chain mapping can help businesses determine the best suppliers, ensure compliance with industry regulations, and identify any potential risks associated with the supply chain. By mapping out the components of their supply chain, businesses can develop strategies to streamline their operations and optimize performance. This can lead to improved efficiency and cost savings, increased customer satisfaction, and enhanced competitive advantage. Furthermore, supply chain mapping can help organizations meet sustainability goals by reducing their carbon footprint and helping them become efficient.
According to Duan et al. (2020). supply chain mapping can be used to analyze customer needs and identify bottlenecks in the supply chain that can potentially lead to cost savings. Supply chain mapping allows companies to gain visibility into their entire supply chain, from raw materials to customer delivery. The benefits of supply chain mapping include better decision-making, improved customer service, and increased cost efficiency. By analyzing the entire supply chain from end to end, companies can identify inefficiencies and find ways to reduce costs and improve operations.
A study by Boone et al. (2019) documented that having a clear picture of the entire supply chain allows for more accurate forecasting and improved customer service by reducing lead times and providing better Visibility into order fulfillment. Another benefit of supply chain mapping is comparing different commercial software solutions (Wang et al., 2019). Companies can make informed decisions about which one best meets their needs by comparing different software solutions. Different software solutions offer different features and levels of complexity, so it is important to choose the one that fits the company’s particular needs. By comparing different software solutions, companies can determine which offers the best cost savings and overall value.
Rejeb et al. (2019) noted that supply chain mapping enables companies to understand their supply chain networks better. By creating visual representations of their entire systems, companies can more easily identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, such as reducing transportation times and cutting costs. Additionally, mapping out a supply chain can help to reveal areas where certain components may be redundant or unnecessary. This can then lead to improved efficiency and cost savings.
A study by Khan et al. (2022) found that supply chain mapping can help businesses anticipate market changes and adapt quickly to them. By keeping track of how different components interact within the system, companies can more easily spot potential shifts in demand and adjust their strategies accordingly. Additionally, mapping out a supply chain can allow for better planning for seasonal fluctuations or other trends in the market.
Finally, supply chain mapping allows for improved communication between different organizational departments. By providing a single platform for information sharing, different parts of the business can better collaborate on decisions and strategies, leading to more effective decision-making.
Furthermore, having a detailed map of the entire system can also help stakeholders outside the company, such as suppliers and customers, better understand how the system works. Overall, there are numerous benefits to creating and utilizing a supply chain map. Companies can improve their operations and make more informed decisions through improved understanding, enhanced communication, and better anticipation of market changes.
Comparison of Two Supply Chain Mapping Commercial Software Solutions
When it comes to supply chain mapping, commercial software solutions are an increasingly popular choice for businesses looking to improve their logistics processes. With the right solution, companies can get a comprehensive view of their supply chain, enabling them to make informed decisions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction. The first is Supply ChainMapper from Merit Solutions, which provides a comprehensive view of the entire supply chain, from suppliers and warehouses to customers (Raj et al., 2021). The second solution is Visibility from RedPrairie, which offers Visibility into global supply chains with real-time tracking capabilities (Logistics Online, n.d.). Both solutions have their strengths and weaknesses, so it is important to consider both when deciding which solution to use. In terms of features, Supply ChainMapper offers a wide range of options, such as customisable workflow diagrams and live tracking data. Visibility, meanwhile, provides greater control over logistics data, allowing users to set up real-time alerts to track shipments and ensure accuracy.
Regarding usability, Supply ChainMapper is designed for quick setup and easy integration with existing systems. On the other hand, Visibility requires a more complex setup and has more technical requirements (Raj et al., 2021). This could be a disadvantage for businesses that need more resources or expertise to implement the software properly. In terms of cost, Supply ChainMapper is generally less expensive than Visibility. However, cost should be one of many factors in deciding which solution to use; other considerations include user requirements, available resources, and technical capabilities.
Ultimately, the best supply chain mapping solution will depend on a business’s individual needs and preferences. However, by comparing two popular solutions—Supply ChainMapper and Visibility—businesses can make an informed decision that ensures they get the most out of their investment. Businesses must consider all aspects of supply chain mapping before investing time and money in a system. By evaluating all relevant factors, including the specific needs of organizations and budgets, people can select the right solution for business.
References
Boone, T., Ganeshan, R., Jain, A., & Sanders, N. R. (2019). Forecasting sales in the supply chain: Consumer analytics in the big data era. International Journal of Forecasting, 35(1), 170–180. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/intfor/v35y2019i1p170-180.html
Duan, J., Zhang, C., Gong, Y., Brown, S., & Li, Z. (2020). A content-analysis-based literature review in blockchain adoption within the food supply chain. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(5), 1784. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/5/1784
Ivanov, D. (2021). Digital supply chain management and technology to enhance resilience by building and using end-to-end Visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9495948
Khan, S. A. R., Piprani, A. Z., & Yu, Z. (2022). Supply chain analytics and post-pandemic performance: Mediating role of triple-A supply chain strategies. International Journal of Emerging Markets, (ahead-of-print). https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJOEM-11-2021-1744/full/html
Logistics Online. (n.d.). RedPrairie Warehouse Management Solutions. RedPrairie Warehouse Management Solutions. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://www.logisticsonline.com/doc/redprairie-warehouse-management-solutions-0002
Queiroz, M. M., Ivanov, D., Dolgui, A., & Fosso Wamba, S. (2020). Impacts of epidemic outbreaks on supply chains: mapping a research agenda amid the COVID-19 pandemic through a structured literature review. Annals of operations research, 1-38. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10479-020-03685-7
Raj, J., Hoque, A., & Saha, A. (2021, March). Integrated Micro-Video Recommender Based on Hadoop and Web-Scrapper. In International Conference on Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics (pp. 128-140). Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-82469-3_12
Rejeb, A., Keogh, J. G., & Treiblmaier, H. (2019). Leveraging the internet of things and blockchain technology in supply chain management. Future Internet, 11(7), 161. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/11/7/161
Wang, Y., Singgih, M., Wang, J., & Rit, M. (2019). Making sense of blockchain technology: How will it transform supply chains? International Journal of Production Economics, 211, 221-236. https://econpapers.repec.org/article/eeeproeco/v_3a211_3ay_3a2019_3ai_3ac_3ap_3a221-236.htm
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