Traditional / Open Loop / Forward Supply Chain


This concept discusses elements and features of the traditional supply chain and provides other tools and resources for professionals willing to further explore the structure.

Technique Overview

Traditional / Open Loop / Forward Supply Chain Definition

Traditional (also known as open loop or forward) supply chain is a "system whose constituent parts include material suppliers, production facilities, distribution services and customers linked together by the feed forward flow of materials and feedback flow of information" (Stevens, 1989). It is characterised by a supply chain in which there is no flow back from the customer is referred to as an ‘open loop supply chain’ (Debo et al., 2002).

Traditional / Open Loop / Forward Supply Chain Description *

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Business Evidence

Strengths, weaknesses and examples of Traditional / Open Loop / Forward Supply Chain *

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Business Application

Implementation, success factors and measures of Traditional / Open Loop / Forward Supply Chain *

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Professional Tools

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Further Reading

Traditional / Open Loop / Forward Supply Chain web and print resources *

Traditional / Open Loop / Forward Supply Chain references (4 of up to 20) *

  • Andel, T. (1997) Reverse Logistics: A Second Chance to Profit. Transportation and Distribution, Vol. 38(7), pp. 61-65.
  • Asgekar, V. (1998) RSS Manages Growth with SCOR. Automatic I.D. News, September, p. 58.
  • Beamon, B. (1998) Supply Chain Design and Analysis: Models and Methods. International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 55(3), pp. 281-294.
  • CFO (2003) CFOs and the Supply Chain: A Report Prepared by CFO Research Services in cooperation with UPS Consulting, CFO Publishing Corporation. [Online] Available at: www.ups-scs.com/solutions/documents/research_CFO.pdf [Accessed: 20 February 2012].

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