Development of supply chain strategies for a Virtual Supply Chain Organisation (VISCO) [Entwicklung von supply chain strategien für eine Virtuelle Supply Chain Organisation (VISCO)]

Although supply chain management has been discussed in both science and business for a long time a unified definition does not exist. That causes that the realization of supply chain management in business is very differential. A good approach to realize integrated supply chain management is to build a strategic supply chain network with a high degree of integration. With help of a strategic and operative coordination of all activities and an intense collaboration it is possible to create a special organisation within the supply chain-the "Virtual Supply Chain Organization (VISCO)". Building and using a VISCO for supply chain management leads to more effectiveness and efficiency concerning the cooperation of companies. With a VISCO it is possible to get more power to compete successful in business and gain more profitability. Therefore special supply chain strategies have to be planned and coordinated with the members of the VISCO. © Springer-Verlag 2006.