Abstract
Purpose - Consumer goods supply chains are characterized by continuously changing customer trends. Early detection of these trends is crucial for deriving successful long-term supply chain strategies. This paper presents a systematic process to support decision makers in assessing future-relevant issues and developing strategies.Design/methodology/approach - In order to contribute to the quality of long-term decision making for supply chain strategy, we combine Strategic Issue Management (SIM) and corporate foresight methodology. We develop a procedure that integrates the Delphi technique and SIM to empirically demonstrate how ‘Delphi-based SIM’ can support supply chain strategy development. Findings - We demonstrate how to craft a strategy for consumer goods supply chains supported by Delphi-based SIM. We are able to include and evaluate uncertain and ambivalent future developments. Pertinent strategic issues for the consumer goods supply chain include: consumer demographics, automated ordering, city supply, and concept stores. For the reference company, five different strategic paths were created and evaluated.Practical implications - It is challenging for companies to be well prepared for dynamic business environments and to successfully establish a robust supply chain strategy. We develop a systematic Delphi-based SIM for detecting and evaluating signals and integrating them into supply chain strategy development.Originality/value - To date, a structured approach to integrate uncertain and ambivalent issues into supply chain strategy development is missing. With SIM and corporate foresight, we provide novel methods for strategy development in the consumer goods supply chain.
Purpose - Consumer goods supply chains are characterized by continuously changing customer trends. Early detection of these trends is crucial for deriving successful long-term supply chain strategies. This paper presents a systematic process to support decision makers in assessing future-relevant issues and developing strategies.Design/methodology/approach - In order to contribute to the quality of long-term decision making for supply chain strategy, we combine Strategic Issue Management (SIM) and corporate foresight methodology. We develop a procedure that integrates the Delphi technique and SIM to empirically demonstrate how ‘Delphi-based SIM’ can support supply chain strategy development. Findings - We demonstrate how to craft a strategy for consumer goods supply chains supported by Delphi-based SIM. We are able to include and evaluate uncertain and ambivalent future developments. Pertinent strategic issues for the consumer goods supply chain include: consumer demographics, automated ordering, city supply, and concept stores. For the reference company, five different strategic paths were created and evaluated.Practical implications - It is challenging for companies to be well prepared for dynamic business environments and to successfully establish a robust supply chain strategy. We develop a systematic Delphi-based SIM for detecting and evaluating signals and integrating them into supply chain strategy development.Originality/value - To date, a structured approach to integrate uncertain and ambivalent issues into supply chain strategy development is missing. With SIM and corporate foresight, we provide novel methods for strategy development in the consumer goods supply chain.