MEASUREMENT OF SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY – SELECTED ISSUES FOR RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The increase in the share of maritime container traffic in the global structure of transport had caused dynamic development and strengthening of the market position of shipping companies, shipping alliances enhanced this effect. Container sea transport has become an integral part of global supply chains, in which the dominant position have been reserved for shipping companies. Crucial factor for the proper functioning of the supply chain is efficiency, which is also very extensive concept. This paper provides explanation and division of this idea on time efficiency, cost efficiency and spatial efficiency. The literature review has been made concerning various levels of efficiency and measuring of global supply chain efficiency in context of maritime container transportation. Due to strong position of shipping companies, supply chains need to adapt and reconfigure in the way of advancing competitive advantages in other fields than maritime transportation. Also based on the literature review an attempt is to made to determine the most suitable strategy for supply chain. Finally, the limitation of this paper and future research directions are presented.

Key words: container transport, supply chain management, measurement of efficiency, supply chain efficiency