Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of cloud computing (CC) on supply chain management (SCM).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual and based on a literature review and conceptual analysis.

Findings

Today, digital technology is the primary enabler of supply chain (SC) competitiveness. CC capabilities support competitive SC challenges through structural flexibility and responsiveness. An Internet platform based on CC and a digital ecosystem can serve as “information cross-docking” between SC stakeholders. In this way, the SC model is transformed from a traditional, linear model to a platform model with the simultaneous cooperation of all partners. Platform-based SCs will be a milestone in the evolution of SCM – here conceptualised as Supply Chain 3.0.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, SCs managed holistically in cyberspace are rare in practice, and therefore empirical evidence on how digital technologies impact SC competitiveness is required in future research.

Practical implications

This research generates insights that can help managers understand and develop the next generation of SCM with the use of CC, a modern and commonly available Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tool.

Originality/value

The paper presents a conceptual basis of how CC enables structural flexibility of SCs through easy, real-time resource and capacity reconfiguration. CC not only reduces cost and increases flexibility but also offers an effective solution for disruptive new business models with the potential to revolutionise current SCM thinking.

中文翻译：

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下一代供应链管理：云计算的影响

 目的

本文的目的是研究云计算（CC）对供应链管理（SCM）的影响。

设计/方法论/途径

本文是概念性的，基于文献综述和概念分析。

 发现

如今，数字技术是供应链 (SC) 竞争力的主要推动力。 CC 能力通过结构灵活性和响应能力支持竞争性 SC 挑战。基于CC和数字生态系统的互联网平台可以作为SC利益相关者之间的“信息交叉对接”。这样，SC模式就从传统的线性模式转变为所有合作伙伴同时协作的平台模式。基于平台的供应链将成为供应链管理发展的里程碑——这里概念化为供应链3.0。

研究局限性/影响

目前，在网络空间中进行整体管理的供应链在实践中很少见，因此未来的研究需要关于数字技术如何影响供应链竞争力的实证证据。

 实际影响

这项研究产生的见解可以帮助管理人员利用 CC（一种现代且常用的信息和通信技术 (ICT) 工具）了解和开发下一代 SCM。

 原创性/价值

本文提出了 CC 如何通过简单、实时的资源和容量重新配置来实现 SC 结构灵活性的概念基础。 CC 不仅降低了成本并提高了灵活性，而且还为颠覆性的新业务模式提供了有效的解决方案，有可能彻底改变当前的 SCM 思维。