Impact of sustainable supply chain management on market performance: Study on Marks & Spencer

RESEARCH
PROPOSAL

Table of Contents
Title..............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
Literature review..........................................................................................................................1
Aim and objective........................................................................................................................5
Research questions.......................................................................................................................6
Research methodology.................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

Title
The Impact of sustainable supply chain management on market performance: Study on
Marks & Spencer.
Introduction
Supply chain management is regarded as the oversight of information, material and
overall finance which moves from supplier to manufacturer of enterprise. It takes into
consideration proper coordination along with integration of flow both within and among the
companies. The main reason behind carrying out this study is to know the overall impact of
sustainable supply chain management practices on market performance of company where
Marks and Spencer has been chosen as one of the organization which operates in retail sector and
well known in the market for range of products it offers to its target market (Christopher, Peck
and Towill, 2006). One of the main objective of effective supply chain management system is to
reduce inventory and it directly assist in efficient utilization of key resources of the firm. In the
modern era every organization has adopted the process of managing supply chain so that overall
productivity of the business can be enhanced easily. In short it allows business to carry out the
production process in more effective manner and has positive impact on brand image also.
Supply chain of any organization takes into consideration key intermediaries which are
supplier, manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, consumer etc. All these play significant role in the
supply chain of enterprise. Further, ultimate objective of every business is to deliver products to
its target market in short period of time so that customers may not have to wait for longer period
of time. Therefore, adoption of supply chain management has become must for every business
and through this business can easily deal with the range of challenges present in the business
environment (Green Jr, McGaughey and Casey, 2006). Moreover, competition level in every
market is rising at faster pace due to which corrective actions are taken by every enterprise so
that commodity offered can reach to customer in short period of time. Supply chain management
relies on three main goals which are to reduce inventory, to enhance the speed of supplying
products and increasing the level of revenue by meeting customers demand in most efficient
manner. Through this technique it is possible for business to easily meet with the changing need
and requirement of target market in the modern era.
Literature review
Impact of supply chain management on organizational productivity
1

As per view of Hervani, Helms and Sarkis (2005) supply chain management is regarded
as one of the effective way for business in order to perform better in the competitive market. It
allows business to respond towards the changing need and requirement of target market in
efficient manner. Further, it is the one of the main objective of every business to perform
efficiently in the market where ample of opportunities are present and this can be accomplished
if higher efforts are applied by management in providing range of products to target market on
time and in appropriate manner (Hervani, Helms and Sarkis, 2005). In short technique of
managing supply chain has positive impact on the productivity of business and it becomes easy
for business to gain competitive advantage which is regarded as one of the main objective of
business behind carrying out operations in the market. Further, it supports in maximizing value
linked with target market and assist in accomplishment of desired aim along with objectives.
However Kumar and et. al. (2006) argued that management of every business has started to take
initiative for effective management of supply chain and in short it has boosted performance of
company in the market. Main motive behind adoption of this concept is to deliver proper
products to target market as per their expectation level and this enhances overall satisfaction
level of customers which is must for every business in the modern era.
Apart from this, when customers are offered products on time and as per their
requirement and it leads to rise in level of brand loyalty where business can easily survive in the
competitive market for longer period of time (Lambert, 2008). Sector like retail is getting
competitive day by day due to which every business has started to search for new ways through
which it is possible to enhance productivity of the business in the market. In short competition is
not present in between the company but it is among supply chain of business. Companies who
are capable enough of managing supply chain are able to deliver products to their target market
on time and this has supported in enhancing their satisfaction level. As per view of Li and et. al.
(2006) it is regarded as the key to build sustainable competitive advantage and has enhanced
internal capability of the business to deliver products to customers on time and as per their actual
requirement (Li and et. al., 2006).
Benefits of managing supply chain to companies
According to Lin and et. al. (2005) supply chain management provides large number of
benefits to business. Securing access to the main raw materials, supplies and component is
regarded as one of the main advantage of supply chain management as through this businesses
2