Global service supply chains: An empirical study of current practices and challenges of a cruise line corporation

Abstract This research paper examines solutions to the complexity of global cruise ship supply chain management through a field study of a large Florida-based global cruise company's practices in re-supplying ships globally. This field study focuses on the key characteristics of a cruise ship supply chain and the best practices in managing that global service supply chain. The methodology used for this study is a 24-month field study equally divided between time on cruise ships and time at the head office, complemented by 19 formal semi-structured interviews of directors and managers within the supply chain management department of the cruise company. The findings of this study have implications for the management of complex global service supply chains in such settings as humanitarian/emergency supply chains, and resort/tourism supply chains.

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