Abstract

The author presents the results of the research in five parts, which are interconnected. After the introduction, in part two, entitled A Framework for Logistics Outsourcing Decisions, theoretical characteristics of outsourcing are presented. Part three, Core Competences and Outsourcing, describes the logistics competences. Part 4, Transport and Logistics Outsourcing in Europe, discusses the trends in logistics development and outsourcing. The paper will assist managers responsible for the development of logistics strategies. The paper offers a unique buyer-supplier partnership framework by proposing that the logistics outsourcing will increase the competitive advantage of manufacturing firms. Rezultate istraživanja autor je predstavio u pet međusobno povezanih dijelova. Nakon Uvoda, u drugom dijelu s naslovom Okvir za odluke u logističkom „outsourcingu“ predstavljene su teorijske značajke o „outsourcingu“. Logističke kompetencije i „outsourcing“ je naslov trećega dijela. U četvrtome dijelu, koji ima naslov Transportni i logistički „outsourcing“ u Europi, prikazani su trendovi razvoja logistike i „outsourcinga“. Ova znanstvena rasprava daje okvir za uspostavljanje jedinstvenog partnerstva između dobavljača i kupaca sa sugestijom, da logistički „outsourcing“ povećava kompetitivne prednosti industrijskih poduzeća. Rasprava će pomoći menadžerima u razvijanju logističkih strategija i koristiti istraživačima u istraživanju fenomena logističkog menadžmenta.

Abstract

"jats:p" The main goal of our research is to analyze and display causes of a bullwhip effect formation within a supply chain, as well as to provide the appropriate solutions to limit the occurrence of the bullwhip effect by using the proper information flow and partners’ cooperation within the supply chain. The bullwhip effect is one of the most important issues in the supply chain management and it is present in many companies. It preserves a character of invisibility because there are lots of causes for its formation and they are usually difficult to discern. The bullwhip effect is a phenomenon of an increase in the order variability within a supply chain. The higher we are within the supply chain, the higher is the order variability. The company encountered with the whip effect can successfully reduce its impact by improving the information flow, as well as improving partners’ cooperation within the supply chain. In this way the company can limit its negative repercussions and increase the profit. The article focuses on the overview of the bullwhip effect within a distribution chain, from its causes to suggestions and measures how to ease its negative repercussions on the organisation. Part of the causes could be found in the market demand variability and in the lack of communication about the actual marked demand within the supply chain. The rest of the causes are related to obstacles that emerge among different partners within the supply chain (role of culture). A qualitative analysis is applied on the basis of the selected cognitions from the supply chain management. The quantitative analysis is based on the theoretical research of the effective flow of information among the participants and its contribution to the reduction of the bullwhip impact. The article discusses two research questions: 1) The correct information flow within the supply chain and the improvement of the communication among partners can lead to the bullwhip effect reduction, and 2) A reduction of the bullwhip influence can lead to the increase of cooperation among partners. The results of the analysis can be used for further research. Document type: Article

Abstract

In the age of global expansion of business operations and contemporary way of life the material and information flows in and between different companies are growing rapidly they are thus becoming more and more difficult to manage. Had business functions in companies been dealt with separately until now (purchase, production, finances, sale, etc.), today the emphasis is placed on their integration due to their interdependence. By studying supply chains inside and between business partners, companies can gain competitive advantage and become more adjustable, taking the increasingly changing market circumstances into account. This enables them to meet consumers' demands and expectations requisitely holistically. Taking all the crucial activities into account, the logistics management plays a key role in the companies facing the challenges of the new millennium. Based on the numerous megatrends, which influence each and every business entity, this article aims to explain the increasing strategic importance of logistics management. The latter may not be dealt with one-sidedly as a cost moreover, the key aspects such as competitiveness as well as long-term existence of a company must also be considered. Innovation and systemic thinking in it and about it are needed. Doba globalne ekspanzije poslovanja in sodobnega načina življenja povzroča hitro in vedno težje obvladljivo rast blagovnih in informacijskih tokov v podjetjih in med njimi. Če smo nekdaj obravnavali poslovne funkcije v podjetju (nabavo, proizvodnjo, finance, prodajo …) ločeno, se danes stroka vse bolj posveča njihovemu povezovanju zaradi soodvisnosti. Proučevanje oskrbnih verig v podjetju in med poslovnimi partnerji daje podjetju možnosti, da postane bolj konkurenčno in bolj prilagodljivo, glede na vedno hitrejše spreminjanje tržnih razmer. To pomeni čimbolj celovito zadovoljevanje odjemalčevih zahtev oz. pričakovanj. Pri spletu teh aktivnosti ima ključno vlogo menedžment logistike kot odgovor in strategija podjetij, pripravljenih na izzive 21. stoletja. V članku smo želeli pokazati, kako se na številne t.i. megatrende8, ki vedno bolj vplivajo na poslovanje slehernega gospodarskega subjekta, povečuje strateški pomen menedžmenta logistike. Slednje ne smemo enostransko obravnavati kot strošek, ampak celoviteje, tj. kot ključni vir konkurenčnosti in dolgoročnega obstoja podjetja. Pospeševati moramo inoviranje in sistemsko razmišljanje o in v njej.