| Summary: | The focus of this research is companies' outbound distribution network design in supply chain management. Within the present competitive market, it is a fundamental importance for companies to achieve high level business performance with an effective supply chain. Outbound distribution network design as an important part in supply chain management, to a large extent decides whether companies can fulfill customers' requirement or not. Therefore, such a study is important for manufacturers and retailers to be prominent in the intensive competition and gain customer loyalty, and then achieve competitive advantages and become order winner. The research approach adopted in this dissertation is qualitative research with documentary analysis, because the topic is more literature study based. Cases from different kinds of industries have been selected to be investigated, especially in their distribution systems. The findings from this research provide evidence that there is no single solution for distribution network design, and different industry may come out with different logistics systems. Even within the same industry sector, distribution strategies can be diverse due to changeable business environment, customers' demand and companies' capability.
Keywords: Supply chain management, Fisher's supply chain model, outbound distribution network, logistics system, retail, fashion, fresh food, FMCG, consumer electronics, automotive, spare parts.
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