After last year's significant advancements, firms showed little progress toward overall supply chain goals, according to the fourth annual Global Survey of Supply Chain Progress from Computer Sciences Corporation and Supply Chain Management Review. The survey, completed by supply chain professionals in 21 industries, indicated gains primarily in specific areas such as strategic sourcing and inventory planning, and largely outside the US.

Consultant News reported that there are specific reasons for lack of progress including a lower level of alignment between respondents' supply chain strategy and their business strategy, lack of executive visibility and accountability, and the inability to collaborate and share best practices across the extended enterprise. Forty-three percent of respondents (down from 49 percent in 2005) said supply chain strategy is aligned with corporate strategy. And, 43 percent (down from 56 percent in 2005) reported their strategies were reviewed formally every year.