Because of the fierce competition enhanced by new technology, globalization and the increasing market pressures for faster delivery, lower prices, and higher quality (Taster, cheaper, and smaller') business enterprises recognized that, in order to meet customer needs, it is not sufficient to reach excellence mainly within their own operations. Many companies are discovering that an effective and efficient supply chain management is a major force in gaining competitive advantage. This means collaborative relationships, and networking with their upstream suppliers and downstream customers and outsourcing their activities whenever possible. It reflects the importance of integration in an enterprise both internally and externally. This paper identifiessome of the important factors affecting this integration and concludes with highlighting some venues for further exploring this dynamic relationship.
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