The enterprise-focused framework of supply chain, which an overwhelming majority of books on supply chain management (SCM) have adopted, falls short in explaining recent developments in the real world, especially the so-called Wal-Mart model, in which a 'factory' is a virtual logistics network of multiple international manufacturing firms. The book fills the gap and examines supply chain and transport logistics.
The book also includes the development of a unified methodological framework which underpins all the characteristics of the interrelationship between supply chain management and logistics. It covers many aspects of the important and innovative developments well. The book offers a unique coverage of integrated logistics of navigation, aviation and transportation.
The book not only answers the urgent need for a book on supply chain management and transport logistics but also highlights the central role of supply chain logistics in the emerging fields of sustainable (green), humanitarian and maritime supply chains and the importantance of studying supply chain management together with transport logistics. It also explains the difference between supply chain logistics and manufacturing logistics. It is a useful reference for those in the industry as well as for those taking related courses.
Biography
John J. Liu has more than twenty years of extensive teaching, research and consultancy experience in risk and decision analysis of logistics, supply chain and maritime services. He has very distinctive experiences in leading and designing executive development programs for senior executives and professionals. His publications are frequently found in refereed journals such as OR and Management Science, receiving different teaching and research awards. He has served on the Engineering Panel of Research Grant Council, HKSAR (2005-2011). He serves on Advisory Board for Journal of Maritime Policy and Management (2008-2010), and on Human Resource Taskforce of Maritime Industry Council, HKSAR (2006-2010).
‘Supply Chain Management and Transport Logistics provides the reader with a unique blend of quantitative rigor, case analysis, practical examples, and ancient Chinese wisdom from Sun Zi’s The Art of War, to explain modern supply chain practices. Particularly strong chapters are written on inventory theory and forecasting which will be very useful to practitioners as well as to students. Moreover, Liu provides an economics perspective to the analysis of logistics costs that offers the reader useful background information on the determination of optimal lot sizes, production quantities, inventory levels, and other key decision variables. Finally, the latter section of the book has interesting expository chapters on port economics, the shipping industry, air transport economics, logistics information systems, and environmental issues in the supply chain. These standalone chapters help to round out a very interesting and useful supply chain text.’ — Martin Dresner, Professor of Logistics and Transportation, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, USA
‘Logistics and supply chain management is a hot topic for both academicians and practitioners. For this area, many scholars prefer quantitative research while practitioners like stories. This book has combined the philosophies, ideas, models, tools, and procedures and the book provides a holistic view on supply chain management and transport logistics. This book adopts the winning-before-doing methodology from Sun Zi’s "The Art of War" as a guide to supply chain management and logistics practices and to win in the competition. The book will be helpful for companies to leverage different resources in supply chains and logistics networks to gain competitive advantages.’ —Baofeng Huo, Professor at Department of Management, School of Management and Director of Institute of Supply Chain Management, Zhejiang University, China
