Understanding the role of visibility and its impact in the Supply Chain: The case of GSK Vaccines

Details

Supervisors

Blome, Constantin

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Modern supply chains are operating in an environment of high uncertainty and business risk. Besides, the high interconnection of firms and hence supply chains results in dependencies and a contagion effect, exposing firms to events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. GSK Vaccines was no exception to that as they experienced soaring distribution costs. Moreover, they lost control of it, and were unable to understand precisely what they paid for. This paper will look at the reason why these excesses occurred, and how to mitigate such situations in the future through the research question: “How can GSK mitigate their loss of control of their distribution spend for future black swan event, better management, stronger business decision, a more robust SC, resilient SC?”. To answer this research question, we will go through a thorough review of the past and current invoicing process, the context, environment, and motion behind. A reflection with what the literature says upon those subjects. To eventually come up with recommendations and the visibility index tool.