Why supply chains matter

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), at the University of Warwick, has launched a national research study to highlight the crucial role supply chains play within the British economy.

As pressure mounts for the UK to hit its already downgraded 2015 GDP growth forecasts, the importance of maximising Britain's industrial output has once again come into focus, with supply chains forming a fundamental part of this process.

The online study, which is being led by WMG Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy, Janet Godsell, has been designed to uncover our knowledge and understanding of what a supply chain is, and how we as individuals are an integral part of supply chains up and down the country.

"With the launch of this study, we hope to put supply chains firmly on the corporate and political agenda by informing the future development of supply chain strategy and policy," Prof Godsell explained: "As part of this we are also keen to highlight the importance of working within a supply chain, encouraging the next generation of school leavers to consider this as a viable and attractive career prospect."

The project combines the principles of crowdsourcing, social networking and storytelling in order to generate research data and increase public engagement and understanding as more people take part. The research team hope that participants will spread their 'chain reaction' stories to help achieve its target of 1,000 respondents by the end of July.