Logistics and the Supply Chain
Critical to the success of any business is a supply chain capable of serving the end customer more effectively and more efficiently than the competition. Central to this premise is an understanding that in today’s global marketplace it is supply chains that compete, not individual firms. We explore the central role of logistics and the supply chain in gaining competitive advantage in a volatile global market by first defining the key principles of a market-responsive supply chain. Second, we discuss different supply chain strategies to improve the match between supply and demand, before dedicating two sections to the important subjects of logistics outsourcing and global sourcing. But first we begin by defining the supply chain, logistics and supply chain management.