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Supply chains and logistics essay
Supply chains and logistics essay
Supply chains and logistics essay
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What is Logistics and Supply Chain Management ? How does this industry operate ?
By Diksha Vishen , UPES, BBA LM
Abstract
The brainwave of Logistics and Supply Chain Management came into existence decades ago and now has evolved as an elaborated organization alongwith application of variegated operations. This paper mentions the essence of Logistics and Supply Chain Management in a broader and centralizing way. Here , we will also talk about how Supply Chain incorporates Logistics and how does this industry works together as a whole.
What is Logistics ?
The vocable ‘Logistics’ is believed to have come in the late 19th century from French ‘logistique’. Baron de Jomini , a French General , was the first man to use the term ‘Logistics’.
According
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In order to become more adaptable , they outsource the control of raw materials and distribution tunnels ; thereby leading to better work flow and cost efficiency. More organizations involved in supply chain leads to better customer service and formation of supply chain management.
Historical Developments
Six major steps led to evolution of Supply Chain Management :-
Creation Era
The expression Supply Chain Management was initially instituted by Keith Oliver. The idea of ‘Supply Chain’ in administration was of great significance , in the mid 20th century , particulary with the formation of assembly line.
Integration Era
This period of Supply Chain Management studies was highlighted with the adavancement of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) framework in the 1960s and created through the 1990s by the presentation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
Globalization Era
The 3rd development of Supply Chain management advancement , the globalization time , can be portrayed by the consideration given to the worldwide frameworks of provider connections and extension of supply chain past national limits and into different landmasses.
Specialization Era (Phase
Scott and Westbrook (1991) and New and Payne (1995) describe supply chain management as the chain linking each element of the manufacturing and supply process from raw materials through to the end user, encompassing several organizational boundaries.
A supply chain is a system through which organizations deliver their products and services to their customers. The network begins with the basic ingredients to start the chain of supply, which are the suppliers that supply raw materials, ingredients, and so on. From there, it will transfer the supplies to the manufacturer who builds, assembles, converts, or furnishes a product. The chain now needs to get the product to the consumer by transporting the finished product from the manufacturer through a warehouse or distribution center. An example is that Wal-Mart has a nearby distribution center where products are delivered there and then split up to be delivered to a retail Wal-Mart. “Wal-Mart will take responsibility for breaking down larger loads and delivering the product to other Wal-Mart stores” (Ehring 1).
In business terminology, supply chain is the name given to a network of facilities and distribution options that performs the functions of procurement of materials, their transformation into intermediate and finished products, and then later the distribution of these finished products to customers. Although it may seem that supply chains are only important to manufacturing industries, they exist in service industries also. The actual level of its complexity may, however, vary greatly from industry to industry and firm to firm.
Zanjirani F., Rezapour, S. & Kardar, L. (2011) Logistics operations and management concepts and models, 1st ed. London ; Elsevier.
If a company choses to outsource one advantage is flexibility. The company has flexibility to move to cheaper suppliers. If they thing their current supplier isn’t good enough or too expensive, they always have the option of finding a better external supplier. This is one way to take advantage of lower costs. Another
Before we start, we would like to briefly introduce the definitions of Supply Chain and Supply Chain Management (SCM).
Coyle, J., Langley, C., Gibson, B., Novack, R. and Bardi, E. (2008).Supply Chain Management: A Logistics Perspective. 8th ed. Cengage Learning, p.366.
Supply chain management (SCM), as a type of management information system (MIS) is commonly associated with logistics management. Oriade & Cameron (2016) explained that SCM is not exatcly the same as logistics management. The authors clarified that SCM “builds upon the ‘single-plan’ framework of logistics” involving the coordination of business operations and processes from suppliers of goods and services to customers. In the commercial airline industry, this means that SCM includes several elements such as “industry value chain, from upstream suppliers, through sub-assembly manufacturers, final manufacturers, distributors and retailers to the end customers” (Oriade & Cameron, 2016). A specific example is the linkage
Supply chain management has been defined as that process that involves the management of information, materials, and all the finances that are handled within and across the entire supply chain process (Christopher, 2016). The management is usually done through out the entire supply chain management from that moment when the suppliers are involved through all the manufacturing activities, different distribution activities, and the way that the products are served to the final product consumer (Turban, et al., 2002). The process also includes all the activities that different organizations offers to their customers as after sale services for purposes perfecting their services and products towards their highly valued customers (Christopher,
Logistics is the designing and managing of a system in order to control the flow of material throughout a corporation. This is a very important part of an international company because of geographical barriers. Logistics of an international company includes movement of raw materials, coordinating flows into and out of different countries, choices of transportation, cost of the transportation, packaging the product for shipment, storing the product, and managing the entire process. The concept of logistics is fairly new in the business world. The theoretical development was not used until 1966. Since then, many business practices have evolved and logistics currently costs between 10 and 25 percent of the total cost of an international purchase.
‘Supply chain management integrates supply and demand management within and across companies. It encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion, and all logistics management activities. Importantly, it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners, which can be suppliers, intermediaries, thir- party service providers, and customers’. (Web: Council for Supply Chain Management Pr...
Transportation is a key element in the logistic chain. It joins together those components that are considered to be separated. In order for transportation and logistics to work together successfully, there must be good management between them. It plays a major role in connecting it all together. What is logistics? Logistics is the management of freights, warehousing of materials, production and inventory. Logistics and the supply chain work hand in hand. Supply chain management is defined as” a continuously evolving management philosophy that seeks to unify the collective productive competencies and resources of the business functions found both within the enterprise and outside in the firm’s allied business partners located along intersecting supply channels into highly competitive, customer-enriching supply system focused on developing innovative solutions and synchronizing the flow of marketplace products, services, and information to create unique, individualized sources of customer value”( Shehadeh, 2009).
Since logistics advanced from 1950s, as the trend of nationalization and globalization in recent decades, the importance of logistics management has be expanded in the different area of industries. Logistic is a part of the supply chain management which planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from the initial production to final decision of consumption for the purpose of fulfilling the customer requirements in the market. According to Bowersox and Closs, they stated that the principal responsibilities of logistic management includes the design and administration of systems which control the flow of materials, work in process and finished
As an outcome of the thesis, my professional interest on the issue associated with the development of logistics sector has been enhanced. Furthermore, I am planning to keep an eye on the sector to enhance my knowledge which will benefit me and the organization I work for.
In the Second World War logistics also played an integral role. The allied forces’ invasion of Europe was a highly skilled exercise in logistics, However while the Generals and Field Marshals from the earliest times have understood the critical of logistics, strangely it is only in the recent history that business organizations have come to recognize the vital impact that logistics management can play in gaining a competitive advantage (Christopher 1992).