The Contributions of Information Systems to the Evolution of the Supply Chain

Abstract

The advancements of this most recent technological revolution, as well as the ones from the past, have worked to evolve the fields in which the technology is implemented. Just-In-Time {JIT), Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) were not just valuable contributions to the traditional supply chain model, they laid the foundation for what was about to come, the e-supply chain. Once again, the Internet and Agent technology changed the model from the e-supply chain to that of a supply network. Due to the advancements in information systems that have occurred, the supply network of today now has the characteristics of being dynamic, nonlinear, and intricate while responding in real time. However, a major limitation to the effectiveness of information systems was identified, resistance to change. We have reached the point at which technology is growing exponentially, and, as a society, we have to decide whether we continue to grow exponentially or succumb to resistance to change and plateau. The future of the supply chain seems to be in the ability to incorporate the changes promoted in information systems by a technological evolution.