The stable way of business life many corporate
purchasing departments enjoy has been increasingly
imperiled. Threats of resource depletion and raw
materials scarcity, political turbulence and government
intervention in supply markets, intensified
competition, and accelerating technological change
have ended the days of no surprises. As dozens of
companies have already learned, supply and demand
patterns can be upset virtually overnight.
How can a company guard against disastrous supply
interruptions and cope with the changing economics
and new opportunities brought on by new
technologies? What capabilities will a profitable international
business need to sustain itself in the face
of strong protectionist pressures? Almost every kind
of manufacturer will have to answer these questions.
Some companies have already responded to the growing
pressures. For example: