By its very definition, a supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in the flow of global shipments from supplier to customer.
In many aspects, the supply chain is the engine that drives our economy — it is a vital service, fundamental to nearly every sector of the marketplace.
Therefore, it isn’t difficult to comprehend why many corporations within the supply chain community have a growing interest in developing a social obligation to the local and national communities they serve.
“Logistics activities that demonstrate a deep-rooted commitment to the community are highly effective corporate initiatives that enhance relationships among employees, customers, vendors, partners and carriers,” says Vaughn Moore, vice president of sales and marketing for AIT Worldwide Logistics, Inc. “The practice of corporate philanthropy has become an important factor in sustaining a successful and responsible logistics business.”
Smart Business spoke with Moore about how the logistics industry has become guided by a collective social conscience.
How has community involvement been embraced by the supply chain community in recent years?
The logical and most obvious form for logistics providers to give back has involved providing the resources, warehouses, transportation solutions and other assets necessary to implement disaster relief operations that, at their core, are all about supply chains. The industry has been a leader at the forefront of using what it has and does every day in order to distribute goods and materials where they are needed most.
Two events in recent years have served as a wakeup call for the industry — Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. In the wake of those dire circumstances and horrific tragedies, transportation providers were called on to coordinate relief operations to civil society.
In addition to providing aid, they were also challenged to move beyond the tangible business aspect of transporting goods. As you might imagine, these two historical events prompted the industry to rally together, recognize the power of humanity and embrace the altruistic side of the supply chain.
Logistics businesses were inspired to find additional ways to connect with local and global communities in order to contribute to the greater good.
