1. Forms of Legal Protection
1.1. Contract Law
1.1.1. The relationship between companies and suppliers is purely contractual. A minimal amount of governmental regulations apply (mostly the controls on credit arrangements)
2. Defined
2.1. A supply chain encompasses all activities associated with the flow and transformation of goods from the raw materials stage, through to the end user, as well as the associated information flows. Material and information flow both up and down the supply chain.
2.1.1. Trends in a supply chain management system
2.1.1.1. Electronic Commerce
2.1.1.1.1. Changes in information technology will allow firms to track product data in real-time, allowing them to accurately make adjustments in production scheduling and materials management
2.1.1.2. Response Time
2.1.1.2.1. Withe these changes information technology firms are demanding quicker response times from suppliers in regards to adjusting to changes in demand, external events, etc.
2.1.1.3. Relationship Management
2.1.1.3.1. More than ever, companies are placing emphasis on creating healthy relationships with their supplier in order to create value for all groups in the long run.
3. Classification
3.1. Internal vs External Materials Management
3.1.1. Internal
3.1.1.1. The different processes used in managing the materials once they are in the control of the company
3.1.2. External
3.1.2.1. All of the processes that are not under the company's control - stuff that is done ''under the company's roof''.
3.2. All of the materials resources that need to be procured prior to making a
4. Increased Importance Today of Materials Management
4.1. Demands in areas of product and service cost, quality, delivery, technology, and cycle time brought about by increased global competition
4.1.1. Sub task
4.1.2. Sub task
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4.2. The emergence of new forms of inter-organisational relationships
4.2.1. Sub task
4.2.2. Sub task
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4.3. Goal of supply chain management - to gain strategic advantage through relationships with suppliers, intermediates and clients
5. Interests
5.1. Prompt Payment
5.1.1. Sub task
5.1.2. Sub task
5.1.3. Sub task