Mismatched strategies: the weak link in the supply chain?

Focuses on the failure of companies to align supply chain processes with corporate strategic goals. Presents results of research sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP and Stevens Institute of Technology in which supply chain executives were surveyed to determine which specific corporate strategies are aligned with supply chain practices. Only one business strategy – responsiveness – scored consistently high among the majority of respondents. Reduced time‐to‐market, low cost, high quality, and lowest total delivered cost also scored fairly high. The remaining strategies – profitable growth, increased market share, innovation, increased revenues, and working capital efficiency – scored less well. Conclusions for managers are drawn from these results.