Strategic adoption of logistics and supply chain management

Abstract

This paper develops a thorough understanding of the adoption of logistics and supply chain management in practice, particularly at a strategic level, through an investigation of a taxonomy of the relationship between logistics and supply chain management (SCM). Based on a comprehensive literature review three specific research questions are proposed. The empirical work addresses these questions and comprised three phases: focussed interviews, a questionnaire survey and focus groups. The findings provide a usage profile of the taxonomy and indicate a divergence between the understanding and adoption of logistics and SCM principles and concepts at a strategic level in firms. The findings also identify critical success factors and inhibitors to success in addressing this divergence. The insights generated using the authors’ methodologically pluralist research design could be built upon to include case studies, grounded theory and action research. Replicating the research in other geographical areas would facilitate international comparisons. The findings allow practitioners to compare their perspectives on the relationship between logistics and SCM with those of their peers. The critical success factors and inhibitors to success provide a rational basis for realising the strategic potential of logistics and SCM in practice. New insights are generated into practitioner perspectives vis-à-vis logistics versus supply chain management. A fresh understanding of those factors which drive and hinder the adoption of strategic SCM is also developed and presented.