In many ways, Supply Chain Management is the backbone of the economy. It’s the process of overseeing the production of goods and services as they evolve from an idea and raw materials into a finished, marketable product. The transport and storage of materials, the storage of finished products until they sell, and the collection of sales data also play a significant role in supply chain management. Innovative companies rely on well-managed supply chains to significantly reduce operating costs and inform their marketing efforts to drive more sales. 

Many factors are involved in effective supply chain management, so principles have been implemented to guide professionals seeking to streamline the process. One research paper titled Journeys, Not Destinations: Theorizing a Process View of Supply Chain Integrity borrows research by Thomas Maak, who conceptualized the 7 Cs of corporate integrity. The paper translates Maak’s corporate research into a supply chain context. Keep reading to learn how you can provide value in the logistics industry using these seven principles and attain your career goals.  

The Basic Components of Supply Chain Management

Before you learn about the principles of supply chain integrity, it’s essential to understand the basic components of supply chain management systems. When you can master the following five elements after studying Logistics Operations Online, you will be a valuable asset to any logistics team.

• Planning: Planning in a supply chain management system involves managing all resources required to meet the customer demand of a company and setting up metrics that measure progress. 

• Sourcing: This involves choosing suppliers that meet the needs of a company. Cost, efficiency, and ethics are a few factors to consider. 

• Manufacturing: This component of supply chain management involves coordinating activities for accepting raw materials, producing the product, quality assurance testing, and packaging. 

• Delivery and Logistics: This involves receiving orders, coordinating invoices, receiving payments, and scheduling deliveries. 

• Returning: Have systems in place to return unwanted or excess products. 

The 7 Cs of Supply Chain Integrity for Those Taking Logistics Courses

Applying the 7 Cs of supply chain integrity to the five components discussed above can save companies plenty of time, money, and effort, making your team a sought-after solution for businesses and their customers. Keep the following principles in mind after completing your logistics courses.

1. Commitment: Stay committed to meeting relevant customer needs, addressing challenges, and exercising social responsibility related to the environment and ethical trade.

2. Content: Specify ethical and responsible behaviour guiding principles within your logistics team and supply chain partners.

3. Coherence: Stick to the guiding principles of your logistics team and readily invest in efforts that support them – even through financial challenges.

4. Context: Seek partners with similar values and become bound to common ethical standards. 

5. Conduct: Have specific systems in place to carry out guiding principles. These should be both preventive and corrective. 

6. Consistency: Keep promises to companies and make provisions to achieve expected outcomes. 

7. Continuity: Reflect your enduring dedication to ethical and responsible practices through efforts that require steady progress over several years. 

Get the Skills You Need to Apply the Principles of Logistics Best Practices

Our online Supply Chain and Logistics Operations Program provides students the skills they need to succeed in the industry. Learn industry software and computer applications, communications, purchasing and contracting, order management, operations planning, and warehousing. 

The delivery method affords students flexibility thanks to our asynchronous structure while adequately preparing them to earn their Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) certification. Courses were designed with Quality Matters best practices for online learning. They include engaging online activities and video conferences with instructors that ensure a thorough understanding of course content. Start your dream career with us, and remember the 7 Cs of supply chain integrity along the way! 

Are you ready to earn your Logistics Diploma? 

Contact NATS to learn how to get started!

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