After 7 years on the High Risk List, interagency contracts may find a place in the US federal supply chain again. Contract sharing across departments has several benefits, but is the current system ready to manage the risks involved?
South African Minister in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel, announced plans for supply chain management reform across the public sector to develop consistent and uniform rules that will help the government obtain better value on public purchases. At the same time, Manuel discussed the need for performance agreements and stricter consequences among public employees.
The UK horse meat scandal continues to grow as officials investigate deeper. Over the last 7 years, the UK Border Agency has seized over 48 tons of meat entering the country illegally and doesn’t have the resources to control the problem alone. Government representatives are meeting with food industry leaders to reach a solution that…
For two decades, supply chain professionals have focused on reducing costs by trimming the unnecessary fat in their operations. Leaner production processes, lower on-hand inventory levels, and smaller, more frequent shipments created a just-in-time (JIT) supply chain that encouraged globalization. However, the risks and challenges associated with today’s supply chain aren’t always managed with a…
Local level governments take various approaches to procurement. Many use a traditional centralized purchasing system, while others have deregulated public procurement and allow departments more control over their purchasing decisions. Sullivan County, New York isn’t the only government adopting a hybrid system that combines the benefits of both centralized and decentralized processes.
Proper quality assurance measures are critical to reduce the return of goods and services to companies. When there’s an abundance of reverse logistics, it affects a number of facets of the organization, including inventory management, warehousing and storage, financials, and even losses and write-offs when you’re dealing with perishable goods.
Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly common, especially in sectors such as infrastructure and healthcare. Tenders and the procurement process, however, are typically not a collaborative effort. Scotland is changing that as the country prepares to host two major sports events in 2014.
As supply chains become more globalized, sustainable practices become a bigger challenge. NASA scientists have studied satellite images of the world’s oceans for more than a decade now, noting patterns that show signs of high pollution. The latest imagery shows high levels of nitrogen dioxide along heavily traveled shipping trails, especially the lane between Sri…
Corruption and lack of transparency are global concerns in public procurement. Emerging markets often face the biggest struggles when it comes to fighting corruption. Some nations are forming watchdog groups to encourage whistleblowers to stand up against corrupt practices, such as Tanzania. In South Africa, however, whistleblowers need protection, not encouragement.
Based on current population growth, humans will need three planets identical to Earth by the year 2050 if we hope to sustain our present lifestyles. Sustainable business practices, particularly in the supply chain, can reduce the impact society has on the environment, but can also cut costs for both businesses and consumers.