Donald Eisenstein Studies Supply Chains and CEOs

Supply & Demand Chain Executive reported on a study by Don Eisenstein, professor of operations management, and a colleague. The researchers surveyed CEOs at mid-size and larger companies about their views on the role of supply chains and their organization’s strategy and success.

It’s not surprising that the majority of the executives said supply chains were an important part of their companies strategy. However, the study revealed that many (almost 82%) CEOs focused their supply chains on cost reduction, not growth.

When asked about the challenges they face with their supply chains, Eisenstein found “collaboration seems to be one of the key ways that CEOs are trying to move their supply chains toward a growth strategy”. The study provides several recommendations on how to achieve that goal, beginning with designing their processes around the customer and then working backwards.

Read "Executive Memo: The Supply Chain Disconnect".