2008

• April 2008 

  The promise of prediction markets: A roundtable

  Although they draw together widely dispersed information, prediction markets face organizational and legal challenges.

2007

• May 2007 

  Understanding Latin America's supply chain risks

  Few executives in the region—or elsewhere—feel confident that their companies can manage these risks successfully.

• January 2007 

  Better logistics in European consumer goods

  Performance-based logistics allowances can unlock potential savings for manufacturers and retailers alike.

2006

• October 2006 

  Understanding supply chain risk: A McKinsey Global Survey

  Executives believe they face growing risk from disruptions to their supply chains—yet many are unprepared to manage those risks.

• July 2006 

  Coping with competition in European postal markets

  To fend off attackers, incumbent postal services must learn to act more like private businesses.

• March 2006 

  Recapturing your supply chain data

  Outsourcing parts of the supply chain has disrupted the flow of critical data. Targeted IT investments can restore what's missing.

2005

• September 2005 

  Can US auto suppliers stay ahead of Chinese rivals?

  Chinese parts producers do have one advantage—cheap labor—but that isn’t the whole game.

• September 2005 

  When to make India a manufacturing base

  Multinational corporations are starting to see the country's potential.

• April 2005 

  Getting more from call centers

  Used properly, they can be strategic assets.

  Includes:

• March 2005 

  The onshoring option

  California can do more than dream about retaining manufacturing jobs.

• February 2005 

  Lean cuisine

  Proven techniques from manufacturing might be the recipe for improving productivity in restaurants.

2004

• December 2004 

  Getting sourcing right in China

  Three issues hold the key to working successfully with Chinese suppliers.

• November 2004 

  When offshore manufacturing doesn't make sense

  Your company could be at sea if it doesn’t stay close to home.

• August 2004 

  North American auto suppliers: Beyond the Big Three

  Pressure is growing on auto suppliers to diversify their customer base. Are they up to the task?

• May 2004 

  Tough times for toolmakers

  The developed world’s tool manufacturers, no longer able to consistently trump competitors in emerging markets on price or quality, face painful choices if they are to survive.

• February 2004 

  Supply chain champs

  A new survey shows that consumer goods companies can streamline their operations without compromising customer service.

2003

• November 2003 

  Smart tags for your supply chain

  A new tracking technology is being touted by retailing and consumer product companies as the next big thing, but it isn’t ready for prime time.

• May 2003 

  Growing pains for logistics outsourcers

  The customers’ demands are outpacing the logistics providers’ ability to meet them.

• February 2003 

  Getting supply chain software right

  A study of early adopters of supply-chain-management software shows that it works best where it is needed most—but is no use as a bandage over flawed processes.

2002

• August 2002 

  The unexpected return of B2B

  Suppliers put off by open business-to-business exchanges might find that the newly emerging private ones offer a better deal—as well as four ways to play.

• June 2002 

  Moving goods in China

  China’s transportation and logistics market remains rudimentary and inefficient. Filling in the gaps could be a lucrative opportunity.

• May 2002 

  Freight expectations

  Freight transportation companies have moved slowly to keep up with modern business practices. Risk and revenue management could provide the boost the industry needs.

• February 2002 

  The other side of outsourcing

  Despite the difficulties, there is money to be made running routine operations for other companies.

2001

• November 2001 

  Make or buy?

  Before putting your assets in play, put them in order.

• August 2001 

  The false promise of mass customization

  Build to order will be hugely expensive and challenging, and its benefits are uncertain. But there is a cheaper alternative.

• June 2001 

  Getting smart about supply chain management

  B2B exchanges can't improve the efficiency of every element of the supply chain. An improved information flow is what they really have to offer.

2000

• August 2000 

  Best practice in logistics

  IT systems are as common as forklifts in modern logistics. “Best practice in logistics” describes a report showing that the best logistics services providers and their customers, going beyond the tracking of shipments by computer, are investing in highly integrated systems across internal and external supply chains.

• May 2000 

  The duel for the doorstep

  On-line vendors must offer customers complete satisfaction or lose them to off-line rivals

• February 2000 

  The other end of the supply chain

  By tweaking the demand-supply chain, suppliers can offer their customers completely new value propositions and improve their own operations—without having to weigh the benefits of customer service against its cost.

1996

• August 1996 

  Nobody calls me General anymore!

  An interview with Gus Pagonis, Executive Vice President for Logistics, Sears.

• May 1996 

  Retail logistics: One size doesn’t fit all

  Low-cost retailers discovered the power of logistics: now even high fashion leaders are paying attention. Different incentives and no cooperation. Do not minimize costs at the distribution center.

1995

• August 1995 

  Are you going out of fashion?

  PC and fashion producers face the same key challenge: balancing the cost of lost sales and obsolescence. Milanese fashion houses and Silicon Valley have made remarkable improvements.

• August 1995 

  Making logistics alliances work

  Logistics alliances—formal or informal relationships between companies and logistics providers—are rapidly emerging in Europe, North America, and, increasingly, East Asia. A McKinsey survey shows that their success depends on six best practices.

• May 1995 

  The Russian consumer revolution

  Three keys to success: distribution, distribution, distribution.

1994

• February 1994 

  Logistics alliances: The European experience

  An early report on the development to date of one key building block of the coming “network” economy.

1993

• August 1993 

  Harnessing the power of your suppliers

  Companies that effectively involve suppliers in their internal product development achieve a new strategic advantage.