Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Supply chains are the integrated and co-ordinated flows of goods from source to destination, as well as the information and money flows associated with it. Supply chain management aims at maximising the value contribution to the customer while simultaneously optimising infrastructural and operational costs of the supply chains. Logistics and supply chain management are closely related concepts which have been integrated and developed as a proven business strategy to meet the increasing demands for quality, delivery and speed. Supply chain management consists of firms collaborating to leverage strategic positioning and to improve operating efficiency. In contrast, logistics is the activity required to move and position inventory throughout a supply chain. As such, logistics is a subset of supply chain management and occurs within the broader framework of a supply chain. Logistics and supply chain management are necessary cornerstones of competitive strategy, increased market share and shareholder value for most organisations in the 21st century. Managing supply chains beyond company boundaries is increasingly generating competitive advantage in many industries. Co-ordinating the production systems of suppliers and customers is the key to meeting todays evolving customer demands-demands which focus not just on product quality but also on speed, delivery reliability and service level. This book is written as comprehensively as possible and organised into 21 chapters dealing with major aspects of logistics management as well as supply chain management. Students who are planning to pursue a career in business will benefit form a clear understanding of the field of logistics and supply chain management because the present era is the era of 'supply chain competition'. The salient features of this book are : - Learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter which provide students with an overall perspective of the chapter material. - Exhibits and box illustrations which add value to the reading material presented. - Snapshots of logistics and supply chain management at annexure I. - Short cases at annexures II which expose students to practical real life situations. - Review questions at the end of each chapter which allow students to recollect what the Contents : 1. Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain Management 2. Demand Management and Customer Service 3. Customer Service Dimensions 4. Logistics Planning and Strategy 5. Logistics System Design and Administration 6. Integrated Logistics Activities 7. Measuring Logistics Costs and Performance 8. Strategic Integrated Logistics Management 9. Benchmarking the Supply Chain 10. Designing the Supply Chain Network 11. Supply Chain Planning and Implementation 12. Order Processing and Information Systems 13. Supply Chain Planning and Strategies 14. Organisation and Control in a Supply Chain 15. Purchasing and Supply Chain Decisions 16. Co-ordination and Information Technology in a Supply Chain 17. Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management 18. Supply Chain Performance Measurement 19. Supply Chain Performance 20. Current Issues in Supply Chain Management 21. Supply Chain Challenges for the Future Annexure I : Snapshots of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Annexure II : Case Studies Reference ... Read more Read less