Title: Achieving competitiveness through supply chain integration

Authors: Jan Stentoft Arlbjorn, Chee Yew Wong, Soren Seerup

Addresses: Department of Entrepreneurship and Relationship Management, University of Southern Denmark, Engstien 1, DK 6000 Kolding, Denmark. ' Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 16, DK 9220 Aalborg, Denmark. ' Gumlink A/S Dandyvej 19, DK 7100 Vejle, Denmark

Abstract: Supply chain development can take place in several steps, from functional optimisation, then internal integration, dyadic integration and last, integration in chains and networks. Before external integration gives true value, order in own house must be achieved. This paper presents a case study of a Danish manufacturer that has gone through a major transformation process, and the paper intends to discuss how such a Business Process Reengineering (BPR) project aimed to achieve internal integration. The paper demonstrates how improved competitiveness can be obtained through a synchronous implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system together with BPR activities. From the very first day of the project, there was a clear focus on the construction and refinement of prototypes of core processes to meet competitive criteria. The paper provides further support for improving supply chain performance by creating transparency of vital supply chain information through ERP implementation and BPR.

Keywords: supply chain integration; enterprise resource planning; ERP; business process reengineering; BPR; transparency; chewing gum industry; best practice; supply chain management; SCM; Denmark; supply chain information.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2007.011447

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2007 Vol.3 No.1, pp.4 - 24

Published online: 30 Nov 2006 *

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