ABSTRACT
A supply chain includes all transformation processes, the upstream suppliers, and the downstream distribution channels reaching the end customers, which include distributors and retailers. This applies to all kind of industries, including the automobile, aerospace, chemical, electronics, and food industries. In the past couple of decades, because of significant developments in the areas of procurement, transportation, manufacturing, warehousing, and information systems, many companies in many industries have been significantly expanding their supply chain globally. Since many of these industries are operating on a global scale, many global issues are becoming a part of the global supply chain management. These issues may be categorized as follows:
1. Total quality management in the global supply chain 2. Respect of human resources and human rights in the
global supply chain 3. Supplier relations in the global supply chain
4. Customer relations in the global supply chain 5. Logistic and distribution management in the global supply
chain 6. An electronically operated global supply chain manage-
ment information system
Since many supply chains are currently operating globally, procuring raw materials and components, quality management throughout the supply chain is becoming more and more critical. Supply chain quality management encompasses all quality management activities associated with the flow and transformation of goods, from the raw material stage to the end user (finished product) stage, along with the flow of all information related to quality. Materials as well as information flow both up and down the supply chain. The operating environment of a supply chain includes customer demands and expectations related to product quality and the delivery schedule. Product quality in a supply chain can be ensured through total quality management, while the delivery schedule can be ensured using demand forecasting, demand management, production planning, and master scheduling.
