This book emphasizes three key messages:
Value: While the traditional approaches to supply chain management have favoured cost minimalization, the authors believe that SCM is a value enabler with strategic decisions in supply chain design leading to value creation and tactical decisions in supply chain coordination leading to value capture.
Alignment: While trust-based collaborative practices are the ultimate goal, adequate economic incentives should be designed to ensure the much needed alignment.
Sustainability: Supply chain design should be viewed as a dynamic process rather than a set of activities held together by low transaction costs.