IV. Foreword
Dr. Poluha presents himself with the complex task of examining the most commonly known reference model for the Supply Chains of organizations, namely the SCOR model (Supply Chains Operations Reference Model) by the Supply-Chain Council (SCC), within the framework of an empirical examination of its value for Supply Chain analyses in and for the purpose of practical applications.
In recent years, the SCOR model has achieved ever-growing importance, most importantly in the North American field of business, but also increasingly in Asia and Europe. The origins and aims of the model are just as comprehensively discussed as its strengths and weaknesses. In addition to this, impressive examples of application from business practices are also represented. It is surprising that hardly any scientific studies are available with reference to the model and its application. In actual fact, its reference to realization and its efficiency are simply taken to be a given quantity.
Dr. Poluha’s work wishes to accomplish an exploratory contribution to the scientific examination of the model. For this purpose, roughly 80 empirically gained sets of data from companies in Europe, North America and Asia are evaluated and interpreted by means of statistics. The analysis is performed by means of special performance indicators, which form a basis for the structure of the model, and are discussed in detail.
During the statistical evaluation, the method of procedure orientates itself upon a sequence, which is logically produced and incorporates statistically-descriptive descriptions, inferencial-statistical evaluations, interpretative attempts at the explanation of non-confirmed results, as well as comprehensive thoughts upon an aggregated level. In addition to this, an attempt is made to submit the model to examination by means of a procedure for structural analysis.