Integrated supply chain management and B2B e-commerce practices in Australia – a retailer’s perspective in implementing the EAN system

Abstract

The efficient management of the supply chain has become a major issue for retailers, driven by the need to be responsive and cost effective in the context of changing business rules and facilitated by a dynamic technological environment. Mass merchants have been actively promoting the use of standard numbering, bar codes and EDI across their supplier base to facilitate these practices and are beginning to venture into the ‘brave new world’ of internet trading. This paper focuses on the position of the mass merchant in the retail supply chain. As the result of a case study conducted in a major Australian retail conglomerate, it is apparent that there are both challenges and opportunities for ..