Title: Managing time and complexity in supply chains: two cases from the textile industry

Authors: Stefan Seuring, Maria Goldbach, Julia Koplin

Addresses: Supply Chain Management Center, Institute for Business Administration, Carl von Ossietzky-Universitat Oldenburg, Uhlhornsweg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany. ' Supply Chain Management Center, Institute for Business Administration, Carl von Ossietzky-Universitat Oldenburg, Uhlhornsweg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany. ' Supply Chain Management Center, Institute for Business Administration, Carl von Ossietzky-Universitat Oldenburg, Uhlhornsweg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany

Abstract: Introduction of new products often challenges existing supply chains as they might not be suitable to meet changing requirements. This is especially true if additional criteria are to be met, such as, environmentally-sound production. Among others, this can be attributed to two issues, one being the management of time, the second the management of complexity. The paper addresses the question of how time and complexity affect the introduction of green products. First, a brief description of supply chain, time and complexity management will be given. Next, the product-relationship matrix as a conceptual approach to supply chain management will be used to structure the discussion of time and complexity effects in a supply chain. Third, two case studies will be presented taking organic cotton at OTTO, a mail-order business, and eco-polyester at Steilmann, an apparel producer, as examples. The comparison of the two supply chains provides valuable insights into the problems and how they might be overcome.

Keywords: supply chain management; sustainability; time management; complexity management; textile industry; apparel industry; clothing industry; case studies; environmental management; green supply chains.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2004.004864

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2004 Vol.1 No.2, pp.180 - 198

Published online: 07 Jul 2004 *

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