Although these perspectives on defining supply chain management are helpful, a careful examination
of them indicates the literature is actually trying to define two concepts with one term, i.e.,
supply chain management. The idea of viewing the coordination of a supply chain from an overall
system perspective, with each of the tactical activities of distribution flows seen within a broader strategic
context (what has been called SCM as a management philosophy) is more accurately called a
Supply Chain Orientation. The actual implementation of this orientation, across various companies
in the supply chain, is more appropriately called Supply Chain Management.