Supply Chain Management Some corporations are recognizing the
need to exert some control earlier in the product life cycle to
ensure more environmentally friendly products. Supply Chain
Management only works when Original Equipment Manufacturers
(OEM) have direct communication with their suppliers. The
increasing use of contract labor in many countries and the
complicated supply chain for some products, such as high tech
electronics, makes control of the supply chain difficult — but
not impossible. Many companies and retailers have their
suppliers fill in questionnaires or agree to certain standards.
Often these standards are predicated by consumer concerns. For
instance, when consumers asked if B&Q, a major do-it-yourself
housewares and sporting goods chain in Britain, used wood from
the Amazon or from clear-cut forests, the company realized that
“didn't know” really means “didn't care,” and set out to correct
this lack of information. Now, B&Q holds their suppliers
accountable to ensuring that all of its wo