Improving the management technique of logistics planning in the supply chain

The BCG Matrix was introduced almost 50 years ago, and is today considered one of the most iconic strategic planning techniques. Using management fashion theory as a theoretical lens, this paper examines the historical rise, fall and persistence of the BCG Matrix. The analysis highlights the role played by fashion-setting actors (e.g., consultants, business schools and business media) in the rise of the BCG Matrix. However, over time, portfolio planning models such as the BCG Matrix were attacked and discredited by a host of different actors, and gradually fell out of favor. Even though the BCG Matrix has fallen from grace, it is still alive and has left an imprint on management education and practice. Despite being largely discredited in academic circles, many practitioners still view it as an important corporate portfolio planning technique.

This study aims to investigate the impact of social distancing policies on SMEs in Indonesia. It used a quantitative method with a survey design. Respondents were all SMEs in Indonesia that are affected by social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It involved a total of 587 SME samples selected randomly. The data were collected through observations, questionnaires, and literature studies. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS software to determine the mean value. The result showed that social distancing policies affect SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is indicated by the decreasing income and demand for SMEs products, and even some have no income (mean values of 2.40) due to the social distancing policies. Besides, the policy’s impact is also shown in the increasing cost of raw materials and production costs due to supply chain problems (mean values of 4.79). The policy’s impact raises anxiety for SMEs to survive so that business actors change their plans by utilizing information technology (mean values of 4.81). This change is a strategy to survive due to the impact of the applied policies. Although social distancing policies affect SMEs’ survival during the pandemic, research findings show that SMEs in Indonesia did not terminate employment (mean values of 4.37) due to the presence of economic stimulus policies that helped SMEs survive and grow during the COVID-19 pandemic.

JSC “Russian Railways” is one of the world’s largest companies in the railway market. It ensures the safety and accessibility of transport in Russia, reduces the transport load on its economy. JSC “Russian Railways” is a company founded by the Russian Federation. In the conditions of the global financial crisis and limited budget resources, the search for ways to reduce the costs of its operation comes to the forefront. In the supply, there is a significant potential for increasing the efficiency of any company’s activity by saving on purchases in the case of choosing a key supplier that meets all customer’s criteria. In turn, the growing relevance in modern conditions is acquired by strategically supplier-oriented management in the process of meeting the needs and requirements of companies. In this regard, the article substantiates the need for strategically supplier-oriented management of commodity and material values in supply chains, systematizes supplier management strategies. The experience of procurement and selection of suppliers of goods, works and services for the needs of JSC “Russian Railways” was studied, a methodology was proposed for ranking criteria for the selection of products and suppliers in order of the decreasing significance value, allowing to expand the method of rating the existing and potential sources of supply.