Logistic Concepts

Boekcode: HGV

General

Both in literature and in practice concepts are often being misinterpreted or misused. As far as logistics are concerned new concepts are introduced almost overnight. In practice a “container concept” encompasses a concept of which the actual meaning or purpose can change according to circumstances or specific context. Further elaboration is needed in order to develop a true usable and applicable logistics concept. Two approaches are identified when reviewing various concepts. A first approach considers a “bottom-up” process if concepts are already being used in day-to-day practices but without labeling or branding. An example of such a bottom-up concept can be found when special charging or discharging workflows are trademarked later on. A second method first comes up with a theoretical concept that is put in to practice later on. If successful these concepts become accepted within the logistics community. This “top-down” approach is observed when logistics companies try to decrease costs; they first start off with a set of measures and end up with an overall strategy. It has to be stressed that most concepts implicitly assume that actors and companies show rational behavior; strategies are predictable within certain limits as a consequence. In practice this assumptions do not fully correspond to reality. For day-to-day applications a concept might be viable if actions are carried out with common sense in mind.

Advanced

In practice research and knowhow are often intertwined. It is therefore not always clear where a certain concept originated from. When innovation is a key goal both theoretical and hands-on experience has to be combined and tested. If this is put in to practice by a prolonged policy a true world class position in the field of logistics region can be gained.