Preface to the Second Edition

Logistics has advanced from the warehousing and transportation to boardrooms of the successful leading companies across the world. Logistic capabilities supplement the supply chain operation. It plays an important role in both organizational strategy and organizational environment. The leading global retail giants, Wal-Mart and Levi Strauss focus on their distinctive logistic capabilities to maintain their competitive advantage. The efficiency and effectiveness of inventory movement across the supply chain depends on the capability of logistics management. Logistics plays a key role in customer service strategy of the organization. With the emergence of e-commerce, logistics operations have become more challenging than ever, because the competition is just a click away. Due to the increasing importance of business logistics, it becomes necessary for the students of business management to understand logistics, its basic framework and practical utility.

The first edition was well accepted and had a very good response from the students. It gives me great pleasure to present the second edition of this book. The salient features of this edition are mentioned below.

1. The book is organized in four parts:

   Part I: Conceptual Framework in Logistics

   Part II: Logistics Mix

   Part III: Strategic Approach in Managing Logistics

   Part IV: Logistics Control

   Each part ends with three caselets covering the underlying concepts discussed in the respective parts.

2. Three new chapters have been added. These are:

   Chapter 21: Logistics Costing

   Chapter 22: Quantitative Techniques in Logistics

   Chapter 23: Logistics Organization

3. Internet Exercises have been added to each chapter for students to undertake self-assessment exercises.
4. Keeping in mind the need for students to understand the commonly used logistics terminologies and obtaining the latest information and knowledge on the advancement in the subject of logistic management, three annexures have been added. These are:

   Annexure A: Glossary

   Annexure B: Logistics Information Sources (journals, magazines, websites) and a list of Indian 3PLs

   Annexure C: Multiple Choice Quizzes

5. Instructor Resources include
   • Power Point Presentations (chapter wise)
   • Inventory Game
   • Logistics Exercises
   • Logistics problems and solutions

I would appreciate your suggestions, comments and feedback to continue improving this book. You may reach me at [email protected]