ABSTRACT
Supply chain futures are about choices we make as individuals, as teams at work, organizations, governments, consumers and the choices others make too. There are many challenges ahead that must be carefully negotiated. All those challenges need to be managed to create the supply chain future we desire. It is not easy. There is increasing uncertainty, a trend towards protectionist policies in world trade, there are deglobalizing supply chains, notions of friend shoring and resilience replacing lean and just-in-time approaches and we are experiencing more frequent disruptions. Securing critical assets in the new order is of paramount importance such as defence, energy, food and water as well as minerals, rear earth metals and materials required for future innovations and technology as we transition from fossil fuels to green energy. Climate change impacts are pressing and require urgent action. Sustainability is critical to preserving scarce resources as is the circular economy. Ethics and human rights above and beyond legal requirements are needed in supply chains to ensure human rights, fairness and decent working conditions. Technologies such as AI, Machine learning, blockchains and transformations to digital processes is a necessary condition to improve the future of supply chains. Supply chains where data replaces inventory as the key to resilience.
