EFFICIENCY OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT. STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL APPROACH

Background: One of the most important issues subject to theoretical considerations and empirical studies is the measurement of efficiency of activities in logistics and supply chain management. Simultaneously, efficiency is one of the terms interpreted in an ambiguous and multi-aspect manner, depending on the subject of a study. The multitude of analytical dimensions of this term results in the fact that, apart from economic efficiency being the basic study area, other dimensions perceived as an added value by different groups of supply chain participants become more and more important.

Methods: The objective of this paper is to attempt to explain the problem of supply chain management efficiency in the context of general theoretical considerations relating to supply chain management. The authors have also highlighted determinants and practical implications of supply chain management efficiency in strategic and operational contexts. The study employs critical analyses of logistics literature and the free-form interview with top management representatives of a company operating in the TSL sector.

Results: We must find a comprehensive approach to supply chain efficiency including all analytical dimensions connected with real goods and services flow. An effective supply chain must be cost-effective (ensuring economic efficiency of a chain), functional (reducing processes, lean, minimising the number of links in the chain to the necessary ones, adapting supply chain participants' internal processes to a common objective based on its efficiency) and ensuring high quality of services (customer-oriented logistics systems).

Conclusions: Efficiency of supply chains is not only a task for which a logistics department is responsible as it is a strategic decision taken by the management as regards the method of future company's operation. Correctly planned and fulfilled logistics tasks may result in improving performance of a company as well as the whole supply chain. Fundamental improvements in supply chain efficiency may be ensured by analysing theoretical models on the strategic level and implementing a selected concept.