Page 10 - Case Study Annual 2015
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of current and potential changes in global market threat, perhaps indicating the influence Asian countries
structures and transformational technologies. are having on infrastructure development projects,
especially in East Africa.
Supply chain disconnect
The low ranking of ‘3D/4D printing and copying’ as
When viewing change in the supply chain, 36% of an opportunity and also as a low ranking threat suggests
respondents said there is a controlled and deliberate that the implications of this technology have not been
process to managing change in their supply chains, fully appreciated from a supply chain and logistics
whilst the remaining 64% said their companies either perspective.
react or change when required to respond to market
needs (or see little or no development potential of their Medical advances – and their impact on lifespans –
supply chains). have massive repercussions for disposable income and
costs of caring for an unemployed, ageing population.
These responses suggest that the supply chain and In addition, the associated products and services that
overall strategic leadership functions of organisations older generations will purchase will open up new
are somewhat disconnected, and reflects a lower opportunities as well as spur changes to current practices
level of strategic importance to the supply chain and activities. For example, companies in Japan are
function. Respondents rated customer demands, needs forecasting the sales of adult diapers to overtake the
and expectations as the strongest response for driving sales of baby diapers!
the need for change in the supply chain, supporting the
concept of customer centricity. Leadership is critical
Facing the megatrends Since the first supplychainforesight report,
Barloworld Logistics has recognised that supply
The survey also sought to understand respondents’ chains are a key element and integral part of
views on the expected impact that the key emerging commercial, industrial and national strategies – and
megatrends would have on their supply chains, ultimately, economic wellbeing. It remains the sole
businesses and industries. They included technology aim of the reports to help countries, companies
innovation, the rise of African and Asian economies, and individuals to determine the best strategies and
device connectivity and Big Data, ecommerce and tactics to adapt to and respond effectively to changing
robotics. Arguably the most important finding was that market dynamics.
all the megatrends are viewed as opportunities … and
less so as threats. “Taking its cue from one of the core findings of this
year’s survey, the report emphasises the extent to which
The breakdown of respondents by position and by strong and visionary leadership will be key to managing
industry show they identified the biggest perceived threat the changing landscape,” concludes Stubbs. “We hope
to be the ‘rise of Asian economies’, particularly for large that this finding will inspire and motivate SA’s business
and medium companies. From an industry perspective, decision-makers to take the necessary steps that will
the construction and engineering companies rated allow them to build a successful and sustainable future
the Asian economies megatrend as a high perceived for all.” •
8 the logistics news case study annual 2015
