Logistics competencies of polish companies as a factor of development of virtual supply chains

Problems of virtual organizations have not been well elaborated yet. There are many different concepts in that area. The concept of virtual organization can be formulated on the basis of its characteristic features. Generally, the following features have been indicated: temporary character, focusing on customers, geographical dispersion, intensive use of computer technologies, network organization and use of core competencies of the members. An example of virtual organization could be found in, so called, virtual supply chain, which demonstrates high degree of flexibility and is capable of easy adjustment to dynamic markets. Advanced logistics competencies of companies functioning in that supply chain and their ability to integrate closely with suppliers and customers become the basis of virtual supply chains operations. This paper presents the results of research in the group of Polish companies. As the result of the research more specific picture of the abilities of companies for their operation in virtual (extra-flexible) supply chains has been presented. From the point of view of the use of alternative tools for logistics management, logistics providers seem to be the group of firms being the most opened for cooperation. It results directly from the profile of their market operations. Finally, a conclusion might be drawn that a growth of flexibility of virtual supply chains demands more profound specialization of companies constituting links of those chains.