Supply chain management in the Swedish wood products industry – a need analysis

This paper examines the potential of supply chain management (SCM) to address challenges associated with Swedish wood-based supply chains (SCs). Information drawn from a review of literature concerning SCM in the wood products industry is compared and contrasted with data obtained from a case study of an integrated sawmill SC in Northern Sweden, focusing on interviewed participants’ perceived needs and benefits of integrating SC operations. Key components of SCM for the wood products industry are suggested for categorizing the literature and results from the case study. Previous SCM studies have largely focused on solving planning problems by operational analysis, and/or SC strategies, while several important aspects including risk management, integrated performance indicators, power relations, leadership and culture have received relatively little attention. The interviews highlight needs to enhance SC actors’ coordination and communication, as well as for more systematic study of the potential for enhancing efficiency and profit margins in SCs of Swedish wood products.