Managing supply chain at high technology companies

Abstract

There is an expectation that high technology companies use unique and leading edge technology, and invest heavily in supply chain management. This research uses multiple case study methodology to determine factors affecting the supply chain management at high technology companies. The research benchmarks the supply chain performance of these high technology companies with supply chain of other supply chains at both strategic at tactical levels. The results indicate that at the strategic level the high technology companies and benchmark companies have a similar approach to supply chain management. However at the tactical, or critical, supply chain factor level, the analysis suggests that the benchmark companies (which happen to be companies dealing in commodity-type products) have a different approach to supply chain management.