Finding information about supply chain management isn't a big deal these days. And although finding information about how to function within or around any supply chain is a little more difficult, it's a whole lot better than it used to be.
But finding the right supply chain info at the time you need it is still a daunting task. I mean, every business by its own nature brings unique requirements to a supply chain party. Add to that regional/global, industry, technical and specific customer requirements, and answers become more complex and hard to find.
There are universities that have taken the initiative to develop supply chain programs and networks in conjunction with government and industry. These resources can help greatly with establishing processes and efficiencies for your business, and redefining its place in supply chains.
- The MIT Global SCALE Network - You may have heard of MIT's Center for Transportation and Logistics - it's one of the most prestigious think tanks for supply chain in the world. MIT's recently established SCALE (Supply Chain and Logistics Excellence) Network is part of the CTL and it intends to connect companies, academia and governments from around the world to "pool their expertise and collaborate on projects that will create supply chain and logistics innovations with global applications." The network currently has partnerships in the U.S., Europe and South America. They are in the process of launching partners in Asia and Africa. Think of the network as "crowdsourcing" for the supply chain.
- Georgia Tech's Supply Chain and Logistics Institute - The SCLI has been around for over 60 years. It has developed an impressive global network of industry and academic partners serving several supply chain verticals - overall strategies, manufacturing logistics, warehousing & distribution, and more.
These institutions offer strong resources for small and medium sized manufacturing businesses that are either firmly entrenched within a supply chain or are on a high growth rate and motivated to break into others.
Having taken Jonathan Byrnes course on supply chain at MIT. Here is more info about him http://jlbyrnes.com/pmwiki.php
I can say that managing supply chains is more of an art than a science. This is because it usually comes down to the implementation and not that the brilliant idea that optimizes a process by 5%. Implementing a successfully supply chain in a complex organization is all about people skills, social capital and negotiating and obtaining buy-ins form various part of an organization.