Efficient security management practices for supply networks: A case study in companies delivering security critical goods

The paper presents a case study of security management practices, methods and systems used by logistics companies in Northern Europe to prevent or hinder thefts and pilferage. The objective is to assess the efficiency of the practices and discuss the effects of the most significant practices on the security of supply networks at the national and global level. Based on the case study, literature and standard reviews a specific risk assessment model, supply chain security management (SCSM) model, was developed. The research focused on total security management practices. The security management practices of the companies differ according to their position in the chain, their size, type of transported goods and transportation mode. Most of the practices relate to practical security management in everyday operations. Only the forerunning companies have an extensive security management system. The emphasis in many companies is on transport safety while security is managed on the side.The SCSM model presents and evaluates the most significant practices, their applicability and impact to total security management in multi-operator supply chains.