Factors Influencing Green Supply Chain Collaboration

This assignment delves into the key factors that drive effective collaboration within green supply chains. It examines the role of various elements, such as environmental regulations, stakeholder engagement, and technological advancements, in shaping collaborative practices. Students are expected to analyze research articles and provide insights into the complex interplay of these factors in promoting sustainable supply chain operations.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Impact of Supply Chain Management on the performance of the organization: A case study of
Woolworths
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Table of Conte
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Background of the Study...........................................................................................................5
1.2 Research Aim.............................................................................................................................6
1.3 Research Objectives...................................................................................................................6
1.4 Research questions.....................................................................................................................6
1.5 Research Purpose.......................................................................................................................7
1.6 Research Rationale....................................................................................................................7
2.0 Literature Review......................................................................................................................8
2.1 Concept of the supply chain management.................................................................................8
2.2 Application of SCOR model in supply chain management.......................................................9
2.3 Factors affecting supply chain management............................................................................10
2.4 Impact of the supply chain management on the business performance of the organization. . .11
2.4.1 Management of Customer relationship.............................................................................11
2.4.2 Competitive advantage.....................................................................................................11
2.4.3 Fulfillment of the order and return management..............................................................12
2.4.4 Development of the product and commercialization........................................................12
2.4.5 Improvement of the organizational performance.............................................................13
2.4.6 Challenges regarding the supply chain management........................................................13
3.0 Research Methodology............................................................................................................13

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3.2 Research Approach..................................................................................................................14
3.3 Research Design......................................................................................................................14
3.4 Method of the data collection..................................................................................................15
3.5 Method of Sampling................................................................................................................15
3.6 Sample Size.............................................................................................................................16
3.7 Reliability, validity and accessibility issues............................................................................16
3.8 Ethical consideration...............................................................................................................16
3.9 Time Table...............................................................................................................................17
4.0 Expected Outcomes.................................................................................................................17
References......................................................................................................................................20

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1.0 Introduction
Supply chain management is a process through which the raw materials are transferred
from suppliers to the manufacturer and the finished materials is reached to the wholesaler and
finally to the consumers (Wang et al. 2016). Supply chain management includes integration and
the coordination of such business flow both inside and outside of the company (Gilling and
Ulmer 2016). The main purpose of the supply chain management is to reduce the volume of the
inventory in order to make the product available to the con summers when it will be needed. This
present study will deal with the impact of supply chain management on the business performance
of Woolworths. However, in this study importance of the supply chain management will be
discussed. Apart from this, the research rationale will be addressed in this study.
1.1 Background of the Study
Supply chain management refers to the flow of service or goods from inside to outside of
the business. Movement, storage, and procession of the goods within the inventory are the major
components of the supply chain management. Woolworths has been taken in this study as it is
reviewed as the best retailers besides the Tesco and Wal-Mart for the implementation of the
effective supply chain. In the year 2005 Woolworths has got 12th position and in 2006 13th
position for its better supply chain management (Wahyuni 2012). Woolworths focuses on the
direct supply chain management and tends to reduce the cost and to take own control over the
supply chain management.
Different channels that are involved in the supply chain management are important for a
business. In the context of Woolworths, they use trade stone service for their supply chain

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management. Approx 6000, suppliers are connected to Woolworths. Different studies reveal that
supply chain management is beneficial for the corporate organization to improve their service. In
order to obtain the competitive advantages, it is important to manage the linkages that occur
between their different activities in value chain analysis. By evaluating the case study of
Woolworths, advantages of the supply chain management will be revealed through gaining the
competitive advantages. In the recent year, the business market is more competitive. As a result,
the retailers in worldwide strive to get sustainable advantages in the global market. However,
supply chain management of Woolworths has been growing rapidly that lead them to get the
competitive advantages. There is a close relationship between the supplier, organization and the
consumers (Tatoglu et al. 2016).
1.2 Research Aim
This research study aims to identify the impact of the supply chain management on the
business performance in the context of Woolworths.
1.3 Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of the supply chain management
 To identify the factors influencing supply chain management in business
 To critically evaluate the effect of the supply chain management on the business
performance of Woolworths Ltd
 To suggest the way to improve the supply chain management in context of Woolworths
1.4 Research questions
 What are the significances of the supply chain management in the business performance?

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 What are the potential factors of the supply chain management?
 What are the major impacts of the supply chain management in the context of
Woolworths?
 What are the recommendations to improve the supply chain management to enhance the
business of Woolworths?
1.5 Research Purpose
The majo purpose of this current study is to highlight on the importance of the supply
chain management to enhance the performance of a business. However, supply chain
management is the core area of the business as based on which the success of the entire business
depends (Mangan and Lalwani 2016). This study will make an analysis over the Woolworths to
identify the issues of the supply chain management and the importance to gain competitive
advantages. The ways through which Woolworths utilizes its supply chain management to gain
competitive advantages will be addressed in this study.
1.6 Research Rationale
Woolworths is the only one organization that got position on the top 25 list for its supply
chain management. However, despite such strong supply chain management Woolworths has
faced issues in their supply chain management. Woolworths invested more in the Australian
super market and developed high volume inventory despite the slower growth in the fashion
retailing (Businesslive.co.za 2017)). This is a big issue for this organization however, large
inventory often affects the business is these are not sold due to the proper time. In the context of
the fashion market, huge inventory leads the business towards the loss (Wang et al. 2016).
However, in the recent years, inventory management is a big issue for the food as well as the

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fashion retailers in the supply chain management as large inventory is associated with the
wastage of products and makes the product out of date. This hampers the sales of the
organization as seen in the case of Woolworths.
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Concept of the supply chain management
The basic concept of the supply chain management is based on the notion of the
management of value chain. However, the value chain is a major component of the supply chain
management. Various activities involved in the value chain management in order to develop the
product value (Zhou et al. 2016). The entire process includes the supply of the raw materials to
development of the finished products. However, supply chain not only focuses on the internal
scope of the firm but also the external competition. The management of the relationships with the
suppliers, wholesalers and the consumer define the way through which the supply chain can be
managed. Technology plays an important role in the supply chain management to improve the
communication between the stakeholders (Gilling and Ulmer 2016).
The value chain is associated with the competitive advantages. It is important for the
business organization to manage the supply chain properly otherwise, they may fail to deliver the
products to the consumer (Burgess et al. 2016). On the other hand, a business needs the effective
flow of the goods from its origin point by managing the supply chain properly. In the case of
fresh food supply chain, the retailers should detect the current demand and the potential issues in
their supply chain management.

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2.2 Application of SCOR model in supply chain management
SCOR or supply chain operation reference model is one of the important models, to
improve the supply chain process in any business. In order to improve the communication
between the stakeholders in the supply chain management, this model has been using rapidly by
many organizations. Supply council has developed this model by accumulating the reviews of 70
world's leading manufacturers. This model is considered as the most promising model to make
the strategic decision in supply chain management. This framework includes five areas like the
source, make, plan, deliver and return of the goods, as these are the major elements of the supply
chain (Dey and Sinha 2016). Plan makes a balance between the requirements and the present
resources in a supply chain management. Source focuses the areas from which the raw materials
are accumulated. Make or manufacturing includes, transportation, product life cycle and
packaging of the products. Deliver includes the export and the import of the finished products.
Return allows the companies to handle the product that is rejected by the customers after its
delivery.
SCOR model enables the organization to understand the way through which they can
manage their supply chain in a proper way (Aitken et al. 2016). On the other hand, the retailers
get an idea about the advanced supply chain management. By the application of this model, the
organization can utilize the five elements of this model to bring improvement in their supply
chain management. This model is beneficial for the organizations that use this model to identify
the issues regarding the supply chain management. A complete average of the capital investment
can be created by this model. Therefore, development a road map of supply chain management
and alignment of the business activities are another benefits of such model in business during
their supply chain management.

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2.3 Factors affecting supply chain management
Several factors are associated with the supply chain management in a business one of the
most important factors is the design and type of product. However, the supply chain
management varies based on the product type. As for example, solid products need the supply
chain management that is different from the supply chain management of liquid products (Kamal
et al. 2017). In the case of food retailers, the hygiene is the valuable element of the supply chain
management. Product decision is another factor of the supply chain management. Type of the
plant of product development and the manufacturing schedule are the major components of
product decision. Inventory control is the major factor of the supply chain management in an
organization (Luthra et al. 2016). Three types of elements are present in the inventory control
include raw materials, semi-finished product, and the finished product. Proper management of
the inventory is vital for any business as it identifies the production cost. Appropriate
management of the inventory allows the organizations to minimize the effect of excess or lower
inventory in their business.
Distribution strategy influences the supply chain process in a business. However,
distribution strategy builds a connection between the warehouse managers and the suppliers
(Tatoglu et al. 2016). The aim of the distribution strategy is to improve the supply chain
management. A proper distribution strategy leads the products towards the customer directly.
Integration of the supply chain management integrates the information that is available in the
system. Integration process integrates the suppliers, inventories and the manager within a single
system. This is a vital factor of the supply chain management in a business to enhance the
operation of the supply chain management.

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2.4 Impact of the supply chain management on the business performance of the
organization
Management of the supply chain is an essential part of the business to maximize its
performance, however, the customer relationship and the stakeholder relationship can be built by
managing the supply chain properly.
2.4.1 Management of Customer relationship
Development of a good relationship with customers is a crucial part of the business. The
expected benefit of the business can be achieved if the supply chain management is done
properly and if the essential activities are neglected then profitability is affected (John 2012). It is
a universal concept that a successful business has built a good relationship with their customers.
Through the establishment of an effective supply chain, the brand-centric marketing approach is
transformed into the customer-centric approach. However, the demand of the current market can
be identified by the supply chain management.
Not every consumer contribute equally in a business hence, the supply chain management
detects the loyal customers those need special treatment by a business. This improves the
customer relationship. Supply chain management includes technology that develops effective
communication between the customers and the organization. Customer relationship management
or CRM application involves in the data management that develops the competitive advantages
by evaluating the acquired data to meet the consumer demand (Mohd Yusoff et al. 2016).
2.4.2 Competitive advantage
Competition drives the success or the failure of an organization. Supply chain
management allows an organization to achieve competitive advantages in the global market.

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Based on the nature of managing the supply chain in an organization can develop them unique
from their competitors. Competitive advantages attract the customers towards an organization.
However, the demand of the customers can be met by the establishing a proper supply chain
management (Ross 2016). Supply chain management is associated with the manufacturing of and
delivery of the product. Hence, development of quality product and deliver it quickly allow an
organization to gain competitive advantages.
2.4.3 Fulfillment of the order and return management
Order fulfillment or OF can be done by managing the supply chain properly. The
customer put an order and often the suppliers fail to deliver the products according to the
customer expectation (Quarshie et al. 2016). However, a proper supply chain management
enables the organization to process the order form starting to the delivery of the product within
the scheduled time. In order to handle the customers, the suppliers should handle the order.
Quality information reaches to the firm from the customers by order fulfillment process. In order
fulfillment process, the customers and the suppliers depend on each other. After handling the
order, it is essential for the suppliers to manage the return order. They need to provide proper
goods according to the customer's demand through the supply chain management.
2.4.4 Development of the product and commercialization
Supply chain management sets a structure in order to develop and bring the market
products for the customers and the suppliers (Dahl 2016). Supply chain management influences
the product development and to commercialize the products in the market. It designs the network
and the firms become capable to reduce the delivery cost and to meet the customer needs.

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2.4.5 Improvement of the organizational performance
Organizational performance includes financial performance and the operational
performance (Pishvaee 2017). A proper supply chain management enables the organization to
obtain the financial goal and the market-oriented objectives. Hence, by producing the good
quality product and reducing the cost the companies are able to maximize the performance of
their organization in the global market.
2.4.6 Challenges regarding the supply chain management
Cost control is a big challenge of managing the supply chain. Due to the rising cost of the
fuel transportation cost is high that affect the profitability of the business. On the other hand,
freight cost, increasing the cost of the labor and technology cost hinder the supply chain
management (Gilling and Ulmer 2016). Therefore, the partner relationship management is
another big barrier to the supply chain management in a business. However, often-poor
communication between the partners in the supply chain management affects the entire service.
Apart from these it is crucial to deliver the right product at the right place within a right time that
often neglected. This is a big error of the supply chain management.
3.0 Research Methodology
Research methodology highlights on the problem statement in the study. Based on the
research aim and objectives the appropriate methodology will be selected in this study. A proper
methodology will address the study properly. Every component of the research methodology has
equal significance to conduct a study.
3.1 Research Philosophy

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Selection of the research philosophy will be helpful to address the parameters of the
supply chain management and its impact on the business performance of Woolworths. In this
study positivism, philosophy will be selected to carry out an insight analysis of the selected
topic. The supply chain management can be defined properly under the positivism philosophy.
Positivism philosophy provides a detailed structure for the specific research study based on
which the entire methodology will be forwarded (Silverman 2016).
3.2 Research Approach
Inductive and the deductive approach are the vital two types of research approach. In this
current, study deductive approach will be taken. Inductive approach is associated with the
observation, collection of the data and analysis of the collected data. However, the deductive
approach includes hypothesis, selection of the theories and the data analysis process. Deductive
approach is based on the existing theories and the concept (Wiek and Lang 2016).
3.3 Research Design
Research design is a process that allows the researcher to interpret result through the data
analysis. However, such interpretation is based on the purpose of the study and the objectives.
Descriptive, explanatory and exploratory designs are the main three research designs that are
used in the research study. In this current, study descriptive design will be selected. However, the
descriptive design makes a relation between the objectives and the findings of the study
(Wåhlberg 2017). However, the descriptive design will allow the researcher to shed light on the
present issue during the data collection. The researcher will able to describe the current situation
and a descriptive study is associated with observational studies.

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3.4 Method of the data collection
Data collection process is two types that are the primary and secondary data collection
process. In this present, study both secondary primary and data collection methods will be
selected to gather data. In the literature review, section secondary data collection method will be
applied by reviewing the journals and the articles. This research study is based on the impact of
the supply chain management on the business enhancement of Woolworths. Hence, in the
analysis of primary data, qualitative data collection method will be used. Managers of
Woolworths will give the correct information about the significance of the supply chain
management on their business. Primary and secondary data analysis both are crucial to obtain
valid data regarding a topic (Fletcher 2017). However, an interview will be conducted over the
managers of Woolworths to acquire the valid data. Primary data is obtained directly from the
concerned persons, which ensures that this data will be more reliable and valid.
3.5 Method of Sampling
In order to collect the primary data sampling technique is crucial for the research study
(Wåhlberg 2017). This allows the researcher to conduct the interview or survey to get direct
response from the candidates. In this research study interview will be taken as the sampling
technique to get response from the concerned persons. Through a sampling method, the
particular candidates will be selected to gather data. Probability and non-probability are the
major two types of sampling methods that are applied in the research study. The researcher will
use the probability sampling method in this study. The probability sampling method is the
appropriate method for the primary data analysis.

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3.6 Sample Size
Sample size is a vital part of the research methodology. During the primary data
collection method sample size plays a significant role. In this study, the four managers of
Woolworths will be selected as the sample size for conducting the interview. Such managers
will be selected to acquire the qualitative data.
3.7 Reliability, validity and accessibility issues
Reliability issue is the big issue that often occurs while accessing the data (Murshed et al.
2017). However, the will face reliability issue as many journals are not reliable to give authentic
data. On the other hand, some journals will not be valid, as these are not currently published.
Therefore, accessibility issue is another problem of the data collection. Some journals are in paid
version for this reason; the researcher will not be able to collect data from such journals.
3.8 Ethical consideration
Ethical consideration should be undertaken during the data collection process. However,
in order to conduct the interview ethical consideration needs to be followed (Fletcher 2017).
According to the Data Protection Act 1998 no information of the candidates can be disseminated.
Therefore, the data of the participants should be protected. No participants should be asked any
personal questions that may harm their sentiments. Data cannot be manipulated and proper
citation will be needed. The collected data will be used for only the commercial purpose and the
all information will be kept confidential.

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3.9 Time Table
week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 5 week 6 week 7 week 8 week 9 week 10
Milestones
Introduction
Problem statement designing
Establishmnet of the research
objectives
Decvelopment of the
structure
Literature review design
Development of the analysi
Methodology
Development of the research
approach
Identification of sampling tool
and techniques
Desigining the primary
research
Aliging of the primary and
secondary data
Findings and analysis
Application of data
development tool
Representation of data
Data analysis process
Conclusion
Summary of the entire
research
Figure 1: Time Frame of Research
(Source: Researcher)
4.0 Expected Outcomes
The entire study reveals the impact of the supply chain management on the organizational
performance in the context of Woolworths. However, from the above piece of work it can be said
supply chain management is an important part of the business that also defines the success of the
business. On the other hand, there are different elements in the supply chain management
including collection of raw materials, manufacturing and distribution of the finished products. It
can be predicted that inappropriate management of the supply chain will being major issues in

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the global market for an organization (Wahyuni 2012). However, Woolworths will get
competitive advantages through managing the supply chain properly. On the other hand, proper
management of the supply chain will be helpful for the organization to increase their
organizational performance. Supply chain management also involves in the order fulfillment and
the customer relationship management. This proper management of the supply chain will enable
the organization to understand the customer demand.
The study highlights that supply chain management involves the stakeholders within a
business and establishes good communication between the stakeholders (Mohd Yusoff et al.
2016). In the context of Woolworths, their high investment affects their business. Therefore,
large inventory in the fashion retailing is a vital reason of huge loss in their business. This will be
overcome by managing the inventory properly in the context of Woolworths. Arrangement of the
inventory according to the current need of the market will be beneficial for such organization.
However, application of SCOR model will be effective for the business organization to
understand the phases of the supply chain management. Based on this study, it can be expected
that such present study will be crucial for the business industries to improve their supply chain
management in order to achieve the competitive advantages. This study will provide a brief
overview regarding the issues of supply chain management in the context of Woolworths and the
advantages of the supply chain management to maximize the business performance. Apart from
this such current study will serve as the secondary material for the further research based on the
similar topic.

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