Abstract

In order to achieve a fully integrated manufacturing supply chain and to maximize its effectiveness and efficiency, the manufacturing supply chain needs to be assessed for its performance. My thesis has two main objectives: 1. To develop a new methodology for the performance measurement of manufacturing supply chain. 2. To evaluate manufacturing supply chain performance and carry out a comparative analysis of existing supply chains.

To accomplish the first objective a simple, generic and comprehensive tool for measuring the performance of supply chains was developed. The tool was validated by several interviews from various industries.

In order to achieve the second objective the proposed tool was used as a basis for a questionnaire, and a survey of the manufacturing supply chains across various countries and industries was conducted. The results show that even though performance measurement in the whole supply chain is considered as critical by many respondents, some supply chains have not implemented any performance measurement system. A four-factor index for the assessment of the supply chain performance was developed and used. The results suggest that the supply chains which use performance measurement systems are perceived as better performing than those which do not use any performance measurement systems. Also, the weighted performance scores for the national supply chains were higher than the scores for the international ones. Finally, supply chains with strategic alliance showed better performance than those which do not have strategic alliance.