LOGISTICS IN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES (original) (raw)
Logistics Effectiveness Through Systems Thinking
International Journal of System Dynamics Applications, 2020
Various emerging concepts influence logistics management as scholars are developing the body of knowledge. So also, the progress and the multidisciplinary aspect of knowledge that has been influencing logistics management has changed the way scholars and researchers think about logistics as an arena of application. This, in turn, influences the logistics practices. There has been an incredible shift in organizations towards an inter-disciplinary approach where all functions of an organization interact towards the achievement of organizational objectives. This shift, therefore, calls for logistics to adapt to the emerging concepts in order to contribute meaningfully to the overall goals of the organizations. Hence, adopting a grounded theory approach with in-depth literature review this article endeavors to discuss the application of systems thinking the approach to logistics management.
The International Journal of Logistics Management, 2023
As a young researcher-admittedly a long time ago-I was struggling with capturing the connections of the many published articles on logistics management. Apparently, many articles dealt with the same topics, yet they were not the same. There seemed to be different viewpoints on what was a scientific contribution and what kinds of methods were allowed. Why did everyone not agree with these questions? Without an understanding of the different research traditions, it was difficult to compare results, validate them and create a meaningful discussion of the various contributions. Within the Nordic research community, which consists of economists, engineers and management researchers, there were several answers to these questions. In this community, I learnt about systems from engineers. Then, it became clear that there are various philosophies of science that do not have the same understanding of what a theory is and what appropriate methods are. I was searching the philosophy of science literature for a systems perspective and the research implications of such a perspective. To my surprise, I did not find it here, but luckily, I came across a book about methodologies in business research where the systems approach was one of three approaches. I also learnt that, depending on the methodology, the term theory has a different meaning depending on the philosophy of science it originates from. That made a lot of sense to me. Understanding this better, I published my research on this topic in "Schools in Logistics Research" in 2004 (Gammelgaard, 2004). This rather old article is still my daily research guide. Since my early days as a researcher, a lot has been written about systems and systems theories in operations, logistics and supply chain management (SCM) so that one might think that there is not much more to say about the topic. However, it seems like systems theories of different kinds are still flourishing in the literature, each providing its own recommendations on how to understand modern supply chain and logistics management. It also seems that the new challenges of resilience and sustainability in supply chains have made systems thinking modern again. Below, I highlight some developments in systems approaches and/or theories recently seen in the field. Society's challenges regarding the COVID pandemic and climate change have called for a deeper understanding of the resilience and circularity of supply chains. The old-fashioned tool of value stream mapping has been rediscovered in an attempt to create an overview of supply chains that have grown ever more complex. For example, Choi et al. (2020) suggested that companies should map their supply chains to assess where problems might occur so that responses to disruptions such as COVID-19, can be made in due time. With over 20 years of efficient, global supply chains where only relations to first-tier suppliers were considered relevant, this seems like a very good idea. In line with this argument, Fabbe-Costes et al. (2020) proposed the usage of supply chain maps as so-called boundary objects. As systems that need to integrate flows of materials and information, supply chains have many boundaries to span. Mapping the supply chain increases communication between the entities of a supply chain so that coordination and integration are improved.
Systems Theory as the Foundation for Understanding Systems
Systems Engineering, 2013
As currently used, systems theory is lacking a universally agreed upon definition. The purpose of this paper is to offer a resolution by articulating a formal definition of systems theory. This definition is presented as a unified group of specific propositions which are brought together by way of an axiom set to form a system construct: systems theory. This construct affords systems practitioners and theoreticians with a prescriptive set of axioms by which a system must operate; conversely, any set of entities identified as a system may be characterized by this set of axioms. Given its multidisciplinary theoretical foundation and discipline-agnostic framework, systems theory, as it is presented here, is posited as a general approach to understanding system behavior.
The Application of Systems Thinking and Systems Theory to Systems Engineering
The application of systems thinking and systems theory to the design and management of systems and their life cycles can provide a valuable "lens" through which the systems engineer may view systems, their surrounding environment, and the contextual frameworks within which systems exist. This paper is organized to show the evolution and current organization and principal elements of systems engineering text books, the valuable concepts of systems theory and systems thinking as related to systems engineering, and the framework for the inclusion of systems concepts, fundamentals, and methodologies in the basic texts on systems engineering.
Systems theory applied a case study
Successfully changing the role of an Environment, Health and Safety department (EHS) in an existing, growing and profitable oil and gas organisation requires consideration of the environment, the industry, the local culture, the organisation and the people within it. The complex interplay of various systems within an organisation and external to it, have to be understood in order to create lasting and effective solutions to challenges. This is especially borne out in the case of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), where the evolution of its EHS department has only ever been partially successful and has repeatedly undergone reorganisation since its inception. In examining ENOC's EHS department and the interplay between the different systems and subsystems, systems theory and primarily one of Gareth Morgan's metaphors for organisations -'organisation as an organism', have been used, making it simpler to view the various facets of running a successful EHS department and managing its many influencing factors effectively.
Systems Engineering Fundamentals
Operation is the user function and includes activities necessary to satisfy defined operational objectives and tasks in peacetime and wartime environments. Support includes the activities necessary to provide operations support, maintenance, logistics, and material management. Disposal includes the activities necessary to ensure that the disposal of decommissioned, destroyed, or irreparable system components meets all applicable regulations and directives. Training includes the activities necessary to achieve and maintain the knowledge and skill levels necessary to efficiently and effectively perform operations and support functions. Verification includes the activities necessary to evaluate progress and effectiveness of evolving system products and processes, and to measure specification compliance. Systems Engineering Considerations Systems engineering is a standardized, disciplined management process for development of system solutions that provides a constant approach to system development in an environment of change and uncertainty. It also provides for simultaneous product and process development, as well as a common basis for communication. Systems engineering ensures that the correct technical tasks get done during development through planning, tracking, and coordinating. Responsibilities of systems engineers include: • Development of a total system design solution that balances cost, schedule, performance, and risk, • Development and tracking of technical information needed for decision making, • Verification that technical solutions satisfy customer requirements, Milestones • Process entry at Milestones A, B, or C (or within phases) • Program outyear funding when it makes sense, but no later than Milestone B