Is a security-oriented culture, with respect to the supply chain, just good business? Explain.
In any business model, the alignment of the supply chain towards security orientation is good business practice. For a business to remain profitable and sustainable, it is imperative that the supply chain within the firm possess the capability to remain optimally operational even when the security situation is not convenient such as the event of a terrorist attack. On the other hand, orienting the supply chain in an organization towards the maintenance of security and sustainability even in insecure environments may act as an assurance to the consumers regarding the dedication and reliability of a company. A security-oriented culture is instrumental to business because it allows a corporation to deal adequately with any implications that arise as a result of emerging threats to national security. In many instances, the government’s reactions to a national security threat affect many areas of industry and the economy. This includes the transport system that is essential to the sustainability of a supply chain for any business. As such, it is essential for a corporation to align the supply chain with strategies to ensure sustainability even in uncertain security situations.
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What are the benefits of viewing security issues beyond the individual firm?
A break in the supply chain of any business as a result of inappropriate focus on emerging security issues is detrimental to the sustainability of any enterprise. A corporate culture entrenched in maintaining the security of the supply chain is immensely beneficial to any business. In many cases, the security orientation of the supply chain in a business follows the anti-terrorism strategies laid out by the government of the country. Government responses to security threats may cause delays in deliveries because in many cases, they involve delayed flights and closed transport routes. A firm whose corporate culture is oriented towards security can manage its operations even in the event of delays and breaks in the supply chain as a result of impending terrorist attacks (Speier, Whipple, Closs, & Voss, 2011) .
Why is RFID technology viewed by many to be an important tool in securing a supply chain?
To many, RFID is a critical tool to ensure security of the supply chain because it eliminates the requirement for product positioning through the use of bar-code scanning technology. RFID enables a corporation to conduct inspections and manage the handling of materials automatically. This increases the warehousing and logistics benefits for the organization because of the reduced time spent in handling and assessing products as well as the reduction of human errors due to minimalized human handling of materials and products. In addition to this, RFID gives a firm the capacity to confirm and trace all the products and their places in the supply chain. Coupled with other innovations such as the Global Positioning System, RFID can give information regarding the manufacture and expiry dates of a product as well as a concise description of the item.
Which of the 10 security competencies discussed in the Closs, Speier, Whipple, and Voss article are likely to be the most challenging to implement? Why?
Process management is the most challenging competency strategy to implement among the ten given by Closs, Speier, Whipple and Voss. This is because process management as a security competency strategy involves a thorough analysis of the entire firm to determine the vulnerable points in the entire system where a threat to the security of the firm is impending (Closs, Speier, Whipple, & Voss, 2008) . Process management also entails numerous simulations and tests within all departments of the business, making it a capital intensive venture. The requirement to assess all the processes involved in production from arrival of raw materials to the release of finished products into inventory also contributes to the complexity in implementing process management as a security competency strategy.
References
Closs, D. J., Speier, C., Whipple, J. M., & Voss, M. D. (2008, September). A Framework for Protecting your Supply Chain. Logistics Management, 47 (9), 45-48.
Speier, C., Whipple, J. M., Closs, D. J., & Voss, M. D. (2011, November). Global supply chain design considerations: Mitigating product safety and security risks. Journal of Operations Management, 29 (7-8), 721-736. doi:10.1016/j.jom.2011.06.003
