THE POWER OF POSTPONEMENT.

Abstract

SUBTITLE: POSTPONEMENT -- THE TECHNIQUE OF DELAYING FINAL PRODUCT CONFIGURATION UNTIL THE ACTUAL ORDER IS IN -- ENABLES A COMPANY TO RESPOND MORE QUICKLY TO MARKET DEMAND WHILE LOWERING INVENTORY COSTS. YET DESPITE THESE POWERFUL BENEFITS, RELATIVELY FEW HAVE PURSUED THIS STRATEGY. A NEW SURVEY OF SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTITIONERS EXAMINES THE REASONS BEHIND THE HESITANCY AND CONFIRMS THAT, FOR MANY COMPANIES, THE TIME IS RIGHT TO EMBRACE POSTPONEMENT.