Global Sourcing and Supply Management

Three major changes have occurred in global sourcing over the last few years. These include the fact that more companies seek a global supply source base, increasing the number and variety of sourcing countries, and increasing the availability of products.

Companies are increasingly looking at alternative supply sources (Globalization) because of factors such as the education of workers in other countries, the size and liberalization of markets, and the size of domestic and import markets. China's accession to the World Trade Organization led to market liberalization that has resulted in commitments to lower high tariffs. Low-wage labor is plentiful. China's hourly manufacturing wage averages 60 cents per hour, with a workforce of 941 million.