Introduction and Motivation Essay

The following chapter provides the foundation for this thesis. It begins with a scope illumination including a definition of the Supply stove 2020 research initiative, and this thesis mental attitude within that overall project. Additionally, this chapter discusses the motivation and methodology behind this paper as well as provides an outline for future chapters.The Supply Chain 2020 come across is a multi-year project initiated by the Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL) at the mamma Institute of Technology (MIT). The major research goal for the Supply Chain 2020 Project is to identify the components that will constitute gauzy supply durance in the year 2020. In identifying the strategies, processes, and metrics that will comprise excellent supply trains, Supply Chain 2020 hopes to assist companies in multiple industries in developing strategies to remain competitive in the future. The academic year 2004-2005 is stagecoach I of the Supply Chain 2020 Project. The sco pe of the initiative for Phase I is to identify and research excellent supply chains in the aerospace, apparel, automotive, communications, computer, consumer products, distribution, pharmaceutical, resources, and sell industries.Specifically, the scope of this thesis is the retail industry. We will focus on the strategies, run models, network designs, and supply chain processes that constitute an excellent supply chain in the retail industry. In looking at the components listed above, the existing take up practices will be analyzed with respect to how they support and promote the communication channel strategy of the specific companies being analyzed.