The value chain is increasingly being broken down into smaller individual links, thereby making supply chain management (SCM) more and more important. However, when implementing SCM initiatives, many companies continue to find themselves beyond their limits. One reason for this is an inadequate organizational structure.

Volker Heidtmann examines which organizational structures are necessary to successfully manage supply chains, from both a theoretical and practical perspective. After explaining SCM approaches and organizational theory, he discusses SCM organizational structures within the context of a comprehensive theoretical framework.

Using this as a basis, the author develops a catalog of various organizational designs. Based on an interview study of the German automotive industry, Heidtmann then examines the practical importance of these designs and derives specific actions for setting up SCM organizational structures.