We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Should the CIO "own" the supply chain?
Forward Thinking

Should the CIO "own" the supply chain?

December 1, 2008
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

Chief information officer (CIO) J. Chris Scalet sees more of his fellow executives doing what he does these days: managing supply chains. Speaking at AMR Research's Business Technology Conference in November, Scalet, executive vice president of global services and CIO for pharmaceutical maker Merck & Co., said that he knows at least 25 CIOs of major companies who have taken on expanded roles in process management in their companies. For many, this means "owning" supply chain management and procurement as well as back-office functions such as human resources. "This is a huge shift from five years ago," said Scalet. "CIOs are being asked not just to participate in business strategy but to drive it, own it. They are being asked to champion change and drive innovation. In some cases, CIO stands for 'chief innovation officer.' "

Scalet, for example, is responsible not only for information technology at Merck but also for the company's Lean Six Sigma program and shared services, which includes procurement.

Why would the head of information technology be responsible for the flow of goods and services from supplier to customer? A key reason is that many more CIOs are assuming the role of "business architect," Scalet observed. In his view, CIOs understand the concept of business architecture in general, and technical, information, and process architecture in particular. In many cases, CIOs are working to integrate those three types of structure to create new business models, he added.

Additionally, CIOs—especially those who have helped their companies manage the major reorganizations that come with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation—are being asked to sponsor, champion, and be responsible for change initiatives.

In a question-and-answer period following the presentation, Tony Friscia, president and chief executive officer of AMR Research, acknowledged that his firm is also seeing more CIOs in charge of supply chains. But that is by no means a universal approach to organization. Friscia also has seen many companies where the new position of chief supply chain officer is responsible for information technology.

While the debate over who should "own" whom may still be unresolved, one thing is clear: Information management and supply chain management have become inextricably intertwined.

    • Related Articles

      Supply chain management the Disney way

      Attention, supply chain professionals: The world's problems cannot be solved without your help

      Nike, Amazon, and IBM place the customer at the center of the supply chain

    Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

    More women join trucking industry as technicians

    GE Appliances unveils $450 million upgrade to manufacturing plant in KY

    Freight technology provider Loadsmart acquires computer vision platform provider

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Wabash opens trailer manufacturing facility in Indiana

    • Six defining challenges of omnichannel fulfillment

    • Postal advocacy group says “excessive” July 9 stamp price hike will hurt consumers

    • California bill would require large corporations to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions

    • Panorays extends risk management throughout the digital supply chain

    Featured Video

    8757b894 244c 4429 b5d8 e6df7b479d82

    Penalties for Wood Packaging Material Violations

    Viewer Contributed
    Our Services Include: Customs Broker Denver Freight Forwarder Denver Global Logistics Denver Cargo Insurance Denver Customs Bond Denver Customs Clearance Denver Customs Duty Denver Isf Filing Denver More details: Phone : 281-445-9779 Email: info@gallaghertransport.com Website: gallaghertransport.com

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • Five questions to ask before electrifying your indoor forklift fleet

    • Operator assist system myths busted

    • Three layers of forklift safety: Promoting operating best practices

    • The Complete Guide to Automated Packaging

    View More

    Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

    Get Your Subscription
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • E-NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing