Information technology has changed the patterns of coordination among the different linkages of supply-chains. Coordination can be understood as the ability to transfer information, incentives and controls throughout the sequential stages which integrate the set of activities indispensable to serve the market (FARINA & ZYLBERSZTAJN, 1994). The sum of these stages is currently known as Supply-Chains. This paper discusses cases of adopting a specific information technology, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), as an integration tool between the food industry and retailers. It was found that the adoption process is too recent to measure significative quantitative results, but it is possible to observe changes in the frequency of stockouts, level of stocks and increased sales as a consequence of greater merchandise availability. Qualitative changes can be seen such as the alterations of the traditional salesmen function, the greater interaction among technical areas with shared learning of the new uses of this technology and the role of trust between business partners.
supply chain; information technology; EDI
