Title: Strategic operations and logistics planning process for an integrated supply chain strategy

Authors: Ian Sadler, Amrik S. Sohal

Addresses: School of Management, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne City, VIC 8001 MC, Australia. ' Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, PO Box 197, Caulfield East VIC 3152, Australia

Abstract: This paper examines the design and implementation of an effective process of operations and logistics strategy. A process called Strategic Operations and Logistics Planning (SOLP) is developed from the Manufacturing Audit Approach to encompass operations, both internal to enterprises, and across the extended enterprise. The paper posits that SOLP can be used in enterprises with weak strategic planning skills based on successful testing of the process in three Australian meat processing companies. The comparative success of the SOLP process is underpinned by the use of action research involving external facilitation, group consensus and tailoring the process to meet the enterprise needs. The results suggest that the SOLP process is successful and that repeated use by a planning team improves its effectiveness in formulation and integration.

Keywords: operations strategy; logistics strategy; supply chain strategy; strategy formulation process; implementation; action research; Australia; supply chain management; logistics planning; manufacturing audit; extended enterprise; strategic planning; meat processing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2005.006244

International Journal of Business Performance Management, 2005 Vol.7 No.1, pp.71 - 86

Published online: 07 Feb 2005 *

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