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Supply Chain Management

A supply chain is the network of organizations—be they military, government, or private sector—involved in creating and delivering a product or service to a customer or consumer. RAND research on the management of supply chains has focused on both the efficiency and the security of civilian and military supply chains, with reports covering freight modernization, rail capacity and security, fuel taxes, and container inspection at ports.

Report

Right-Sizing Marine Corps Intermediate Supply Units: A Staffing Model and Proposed Process Improvements

The authors present a methodology to determine optimal personnel capacity for Marine Corps intermediate-level supply accounts and other measures to help these accounts work more effectively and efficiently to meet supported units' needs.

Oct 14, 2019
Commentary

Examining the Weak Spots in Tech's Supply Chain Armor

When an attack on the supply chain occurs, manufacturers and purchasers should be better positioned to respond and recover. Even the simplest devices can rely on parts from multiple suppliers, which may have their own suppliers and so on. But every supplier, no matter how small, represents a potential weak link in the chain.

Oct 16, 2018
Report

Naval Operational Supply System: Analysis of Alternatives

The Department of the Navy asked the RAND Corporation to assist with the Analysis of Alternatives for modernization of its future operational supply, food service, and retail operations capability, the Naval Operational Supply System.

Oct 11, 2018
Report

How to Protect the Joint Blood Supply Chain

Ensuring that blood remains available and safe for the Joint military community requires sophisticated logistical support and a dependable supply chain. Some future operating environments could present challenges to the blood supply chain. What can be done to make it more resilient?

Sep 24, 2018
Report

Enhancing Air Force Materiel Command Support to the Warfighter

This analysis recommends ways the Air Force Materiel Command and its centers, specifically the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC) and the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC), can adapt and improve support to the warfighter.

Jun 7, 2018
Report

Increasing Cost-Effective Readiness for the U.S. Air Force by Reducing Supply Chain Variance: Technical Analysis of Flying Hour Program Variance

Seeking to reduce the $4 billion that it spends annually on spare parts, the Air Force asked RAND researchers to identify the causes and gauge the effects of flying hour variance (the difference between predicted and actual numbers of flying hours).

Apr 10, 2018
Q&A

Justice for Florida Farmworkers: Q&A with Susan Marquis

In her new book, Susan Marquis takes readers inside the fight in Florida tomato fields. She traces the history and victories of a grassroots group of farmworkers and community leaders who wrested better wages and working conditions from major tomato growers and their corporate buyers.

Dec 15, 2017
Testimony

Taking Action Against U.S. Import Dependence

When a country that controls its materials production dominates the supply chain for a critical material—as China does with tungsten—it's harder for American manufacturers to compete. But the United States can take steps to help mitigate this issue.

Dec 12, 2017
Commentary

Campaign for Fair Food Makes a Real Difference

The Fair Food Program protects farmworkers while providing corporations with transparency in their supply chains and tremendous brand protection. It has been widely recognized for improving agricultural working conditions and for changing the culture of America's farm fields.

Aug 25, 2017
Report

Army Stock Positioning: How Can Distribution Performance Be Improved?

This report analyzes how the U.S. Army can improve its distribution of heavy secondary items that account for a small proportion of the overall number of items the Army must ship to users but comprise a large proportion of the weight it ships.

Aug 14, 2017
Report

3D Printing: Downstream Production Transforming the Supply Chain

This Perspective describes potential uses of 3D printing in a military context to help the U.S. Department of Defense understand future impacts on the supply chain and the structural and policy changes that might be required to support these efforts.

Aug 11, 2017
Dissertation

Let There Be Light: Green Industrial Policy and Energy Access in India

Explores the competitiveness of India's domestic manufacturing across the supply chain; barriers and enablers to developing a domestic industry; and the cost of industrial policy support.

Feb 27, 2017
Report

Developing a Capacity Assessment Framework for Marine Logistics Groups

This report provides a capacity assessment framework to assist each of the Marine Logistics Groups, or any size unit, in determining the ability of logistics units to meet current and projected tasks.

Feb 20, 2017
Report

Identifying Efficiencies in the Supply Chain for Training Ammunition: Methods, Models, and Recommendations

Examines the U.S. Army's training ammunition supply chain to determine where efficiencies could be realized while maintaining or improving service levels.

Oct 13, 2016
Testimony

Critical Materials, U.S. Import Dependence, and Recommended Actions: Addendum

Document submitted on May 26, 2015 as an addendum to testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 12, 2015.

May 27, 2015
Testimony

Critical Materials and U.S. Import Dependence

The United States is vulnerable to export restrictions that limit access to raw materials that are critical to manufacturing. This can hinder the competitiveness of U.S. manufactures and create pressure to move manufacturing out of the country. But there are ways to address the potential for supply disruptions of critical materials.

May 12, 2015
Report

Measuring and Managing Army Supply Chain Risk: A Quantitative Approach by Item Number and Commercial Entity Code

Provides background on supply chain risk management, strategic sourcing, and management of the supplier relationship. Presents a methodology to estimate Army supply chain risk and identifies factors that increase risk.

May 7, 2015
Report

Identifying and Managing Acquisition and Sustainment Supply Chain Risks

Examines supply chain risk management, including evolving commercial and Air Force practices, and recommends modifications to Air Force practices.

Mar 4, 2015
Journal Article

A Fruitful Application of Static Marginal Analysis

This paper describes the application of the technique of simple "marginal analysis" to an Air Force problem and suggests that a similar application may be useful in many industrial situations.

Feb 20, 2015
Dissertation

Critical Rare Earths, National Security, and U.S.-China Interactions: A Portfolio Approach to Dysprosium Policy Design

Examines how the U.S. can pursue a portfolio of policies to reduce American vulnerability to the supply disruption of one critical heavy rare earth, dysprosium.

Jan 19, 2015

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