10-year study explores supply chain optimisation

A joint 10-year research study has revealed how supply chain integration is a critical strategy for businesses today. The Project Noah study is a joint venture of GS1 Australia and the University of Melbourne’s Department of Management and Marketing.

Two reports have come out of the project: ‘To Integrate or Not to Integrate? A Ten Year Study of Australian Businesses’ and ‘When it Comes to the Crunch - A Study of Australian Businesses’.

The objective of the research was to gain a deeper understanding of the issues that affect the adoption and use of supply chain technology standards in Australia.

Peter Chambers, GS1 Australia’s general manager, operational initiatives, said, “This research focused on organisational capabilities, implications of business culture and technology attributes to understand the driving force behind the implementation of supply chain technologies.”

Key findings of the research clearly show the adoption of a number of GS1 standards-based technologies can lead to more integrated and efficient supply chains.

“Technologies such as barcodes, e-messaging, radio frequency identification (RFID) and data synchronisation can significantly improve transactions between supply chain industry partners,” added Chambers.

The study also revealed that reduced transport costs and greater efficiencies are benefits Australian businesses can realise with the successful implementation of standards using open communication channels, collaboration and focus on innovation and data quality.

Project Noah consisted of several subprojects with the production of two major reports that detail the key findings including a 10-year review with focus on supply chain integration.

“Since 2010, Project Noah has been teasing out the factors that inhibit the adoption of supply chain technologies and understanding these factors ensures we can remove blockages to improve efficiency in industry sectors,” said Professor Damien Power from the Marketing Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics, at the University of Melbourne.

Launched at GS1 Australia’s Supply Chain Week 2013 on Friday 13 September, these reports have insightful value for both industry and academia with information about the challenges and opportunities of using e-commerce for supply chain optimisation, GS1 says.