Abstract:

Supply Chain Management (SCM) can be seen as an entire network, based on the assumption that basically both suppliers and customers are part of this process (Poluha, 2016, 27-29). They all interact with each other in a way that is characterised by values, materials and information. Companies will be successful in the market if the cooperation with their partners works better than the processes of their competitors (Chopra/Meindl, 2016, 22).     

However, intact information systems within supply chain processes are often threatened by spatial, cultural and temporal distance (Poluha, 2016, 1-3). This often leads to so-called information asymmetries caused by natural barriers: global distance, a foreign language and different time zones bear risks that lead to transparency, documentation and, above all, information gaps. Furthermore, rational disturbing influences such as subjective perception and representation can be challenging for the SCM-process.