THE ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF A JOINT SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION

In this paper we discuss the economic evaluation of a supply chain innovation. We look at a situation in which a single manufacturer and a single distributor consider relocating assets and reengineering processes, in order to reduce total assets and total costs in the supply chain. The selling price between the manufacturer and distributor needs to be adjusted to reflect the new costs and asset levels. We investigate the price adjustment needed to maintain the ROA (Return on Assets) of both companies and to yield a nonnegative NPV (Net Present Value) for both companies. We identify conditions under which ROA and NPV yield the same results, such as the absence of implementation costs. We also demonstrate that the minimum price required by the manufacturer may lie above the maximum price acceptable for the distributor. Then the price range is empty and companies will not be able to find a price adjustment that results in a nonnegative NPV and nondecreasing ROAs for both companies.