| dc.description.abstract | Businesses that compete on the global stage in international markets have extensive
and complex supply networks. They rely on these networks to reach customers around
the globe. These supply networks must be flexible and quality. Flexible means they will
be able to quickly respond to the needs of the customers and Quality means consistency
throughout the entire network to deliver a product that meets the specification and needs
of the end customers.
This research looks at the international spirits industry, and the largest companies in the
industry who have extensive networks across the globe. The research aims to assess
the practices used by these companies in their supply strategy. Further, the research
looks to identify the importance of flexibility in large networks and highlight the need for
quality and collaboration to quickly meet the needs of customers in international
markets.
The results highlight that the industry views flexibility as business critical to not only
satisfying customers but also a factor that allows them to gain an advantage in the
marketplace. They are achieving flexibility through a number of practices. Mainly, they
are focusing on developing Quality through integrating with partners and developing
robust relationships through developing trust, communication and collaborating.
Collaboration requires businesses to work together to align goals and objectives that
make relationships robust and allow the needs of the customers to be better met. | en |
