The Role of Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain Management - Insights from an MBA Perspective

The surge in eCommerce and mCommerce has elevated the importance of MBA logistics and supply chain management for businesses. Key stakeholders in the manufacturing supply chain, including manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, shippers, and distributors, play vital roles culminating in the delivery of products to customers. As technological advancements and evolving customer expectations take centre stage, the integration of supply chain management becomes imperative. The digitisation of business processes is no longer merely a value-add proposition but a necessity for manufacturing companies aiming to build substantial customer bases. Consequently, there's a growing need to establish a seamless digital environment that integrates operations across diverse entities in the supply chain.

The adoption of logistics and supply chain management best practices and technology emerges as a strategic move to deliver significant value to businesses. This integration includes benefits such as cost optimisation, revenue growth, and a reduction in time to value. MBA programmes are integrating technology into logistics and supply chain management courses to stay abreast of industry trends and equip students with essential skills for contemporary business success. As businesses grapple with increasingly complex supply chain management (SCM), technology provides tools for real-time tracking, visibility, and data-driven decision-making. Let us understand the role of technology in logistics and supply chain management from the perspective of an MBA curriculum:

Enhanced Production Control

Utilising technology in logistics and supply chain management enhances visibility and responsibility. For optimal efficiency in the overall production process, a manufacturing company must possess clear insights into the current status of in-production items, anticipate potential issues or delays, and align production schedules accordingly. The exposure to technology in the curriculum allows students to explore the critical role of technology in the field of logistics and supply chain. Students learn to align production schedules, foresee potential challenges, and optimise the overall production process.

Optimised Inventory Management

Maintaining the right inventory levels poses a challenge for manufacturers. Excessive inventory carries the risk of waste and increased working capital, while insufficient inventory may lead to production stoppages and potential business losses due to stockouts. MBA programmes include specialised courses in inventory management, addressing the challenges faced by manufacturers in maintaining optimal inventory levels. The incorporation of analytics in these courses enables students to achieve financial goals by effectively managing inventory and sales orders.

Streamlined Order Tracking and Delivery

Technology solutions play a vital role in expediting delivery, keeping customers informed about delivery schedules, and enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. The MBA curriculum incorporates courses on leveraging technology for effective order tracking and delivery. Students explore how technology solutions contribute to timely delivery, customer satisfaction, and increased customer retention. The focus is on designing processes that empower customers to track their orders, enhancing their sense of control while saving manufacturers time and resources.

Enhanced Information Access

When different segments of the supply chain or internal departments fail to exchange information consistently, it results in inaccuracies, flawed executions, and delayed responses. MBA programmes integrate information systems courses with a focus on supply chain technology. Students develop their skills to gather and disseminate information across the supply chain, enhancing visibility into consumer behaviours, demands, and disruptions. Students also get exposed to mobile technology advancements, enabling quick access to inventory status, warehouse activity, and product movement.

Augmented Insight

Insight forms the foundation for informed decision-making, and supply chain technology simplifies data evaluation and insights. The curriculum includes courses dedicated to strategic insight and decision-making within the supply chain context. Students explore how supply chain technology facilitates easier evaluation of data, gaining insights into customer demand, transportation restrictions, and supplier lead times. The curriculum covers topics related to decision support features, allowing students to make informed decisions through real-time simulations and scenario analysis.

Increased Agility

MBA students are introduced to the concept of business agility and its significance in responding to market changes, customer demands, and unforeseen disruptions. Students learn the importance of supply chain technology to enhance organisational agility, enabling faster problem resolution and the generation of new business prospects. Students gain a robust understanding of the obstacles within processes, systems, or organisations that can hinder agility, necessitating a holistic view of events across the entire supply chain. Furthermore, real-world case studies are often integrated into the curriculum to illustrate the negative consequences of operational silos.

Elevated customer loyalty

In the era of omnichannel consumers, supply chain technology plays a crucial role in enhancing customer happiness and loyalty. Technology in logistics and supply chain management helps meet customer expectations for product availability and ensures timely and complete shipments. The visibility, accuracy, and agility provided by technology contribute to improved consumer experiences and loyalty. MBA students learn how accurate and real-time information, made possible through technology, allows companies to be agile in responding to dynamic consumer needs. This agility is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty in a market where preferences can change rapidly.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the symbiotic relationship between technological innovation and logistics and supply chain management has become a linchpin for contemporary business success. From manufacturers to distributors, each stakeholder in the supply chain plays an indispensable role, converging efforts to deliver products seamlessly to customers. As the business landscape continues to evolve with technological advancements, the integration of supply chain management has transcended from being a strategic choice to a fundamental necessity. Within the MBA curriculum, the role of technology is evident across various dimensions, from enhanced production control and optimised inventory management to streamlined order tracking and delivery. MBA students are not only prepared to comprehend the dynamic interplay between technology and consumer needs but are also equipped to leverage this understanding for enhanced customer satisfaction. As the market continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the integration of technology into logistics and supply chain management courses stands as a testament to forward-thinking education. This exposure will help prepare future business leaders to navigate and excel in an increasingly digitised and competitive business landscape.