Abstract

In an effort to improve effectiveness, many supply chain organizations are looking toward teamwork and collaboration, both internally and with external partners. They see the potential payoff of employees working together and sharing mutually beneficial information with other internal groups and with supply chain partners. A well-planned collaboration effort must be strategic and it takes work to adopt and sustain. To create a culture of collaboration, supply chain organizations should identify the types of skills needed and clearly communicate to employees that team-focused and collaborative behaviors are a priority. They must also make collaboration part of every day tasks and ensure that collaborative behaviors are shown to be important by leadership. Once collaboration is firmly entrenched in the culture, an organization is well positioned to have successful collaborative relationships with suppliers and other business partners.