The main objective of this book is to develop an understanding of the following key areas and their interrelationships:
• The strategic role of a supply chain
• The key strategic drivers of supply chain performance
• Analytic methodologies for supply chain analysis
The  first objective of this book is for the reader to learn the strategic importance of good supply chain design, planning, and operation for every firm. The reader will be able to understand how good supply chain management can be a competitive advantage, whereas weaknesses in the supply chain can hurt the performance of a firm. Authors use many examples to illustrate this idea and develop a framework for supply chain strategy. Within the strategic framework, they identify facilities, inventory, transportation, information, sourcing, and pricing as the key drivers of supply chain performance.  Second goal of the book is to convey how these drivers may be used on conceptual and practical levels during supply chain design, planning, and operation to improve performance.