The nature of supply chain sophistication: an exploratory study of the transport industry in New Zealand

International trade, and in particular exports, is one of the outputs of the New Zealand transport supply chain. The success with which this supply chain is managed greatly impacts the success of New Zealand´s trade economy. This paper reports part of a study that examined the factors that contribute to information technology deployment in the transport supply chain. Semi-structured interviews were held with senior IS managers from nine different companies associated with a transport supply chain. Analysis of the data resulted in the identification of four factors that contribute to the concept of supply chain sophistication in the transport industry and these are: ease, efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency. The implications of the supply chain sophistication concept for practice and research are also discussed.