Optimizing integrated supply planning in logistics: Bridging gaps for enhanced operational efficiency and strategic decision-making

School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

^* Bruno Emwanu: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 14 January 2026

Abstract

In today’s volatile and interconnected markets, the ability to effectively integrate procurement, production, inventory, and distribution planning has become a defining capability of resilient supply chains. This study examines how organizations can optimize Integrated Supply Planning (ISP) through advanced technologies and cross-functional collaboration to enhance efficiency, responsiveness, and strategic agility. Using a qualitative multi-case study design, five organizations of medium to large size were analysed alongside semi-structured interviews with supply chain professionals across the FMCG, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Findings reveal that successful ISP requires more than technological adoption; it demands organizational alignment, leadership commitment, and a data-driven culture. Companies integrating AI-enabled forecasting and ERP systems achieved superior synchronization and decision-making visibility, whereas firms constrained by legacy systems faced operational silos and forecasting inaccuracies. The study contributes a conceptual optimisation framework highlighting digital integration, collaboration, and continuous improvement as key enablers of supply chain excellence. Overall, the research confirms that ISP is both a technological and human process, requiring dynamic coordination across organizational functions to sustain competitive advantage and resilience in uncertain environments.