Title: Domestic automobile industry supply chain and operational effectiveness in recessionary environments

Authors: Alan D. Smith

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, Robert Morris University, 600th Fifth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3099, USA

Abstract: The fundamental dynamics of supply chain and inventory management techniques in the US domestic automobile industry, in particular General Motors, throughout the current economic downturn has placed considerable stress on supplier integration relationships. Types of processes and procedures were documented, especially with emphasis on GM|s history, sales numbers and new product development. Supply chain and inventory management systems used at GM before and during the recession and some of such changes on supplier relationships were discussed. Sufficient documentation exists that suggests that relatively poor supplier integration and antiquated inventory management have put GM at a competitive disadvantage relative with global economic downturn simply hasten the unveiling of decades of mismanagement.

Keywords: automobile industry; business strategy; customer relationships; inventory management; manufacturability; operational effectiveness; recession; service operations; supply chain management; SCM; automotive supply chains; General Motors; domestic supply chains; USA; United States.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2011.043005

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2011 Vol.4 No.6, pp.661 - 684

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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