This eighth edition of
Contemporary Logistics reflects a global landscape vastly different from when the previous edition appeared in 1999. Today's organizations operate in an environment that is influenced by the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, threats of war and possible nuclear war, a worldwide economic slowdown, and the ethical meltdowns of multinational companies such as Ahold, Enron and WorldCom. While these and other events have resulted in increased challenges for logistics managers, the logistics discipline still remains fun, exciting, and dynamic, and these characteristics are reflected in our revision.
The reader will find additions, deletions, and modifications of content that reflect reviewer comments, student comments, and the authors' workplace, consulting, and research experiences. One of the most prominent changes in the eighth edition involves a greater discussion of supply chains and supply-chain management. These modifications reflect the growing importance of supply chains in recent years, as well as recognition that logistics is a major component of the supply-chain process. To this end, Chapter 1 has a new title, "Logistics and the Supply Chain," and Chapter 2, "The Supply-Chain Concept," has been substantially revised. Moreover, a new chapter, "Supply Management" (Chapter 11), has been added to reflect upstream supply-chain considerations.
The new edition is also characterized by expanded discussions of information technology. For example, Chapter 3, "Logistics and Information Technology," is new to this edition and reflects information's critical role in contemporary logistics management. Moreover, this edilion contains numerousexamples of the Internet's growing influence on logistics and supplychain management, including order management, transportation, and customer service.
We have changed about 20 percent of the end-of-chapter cases in this edition, with a particular focus on increasing their international flavor, as can be seen in Case 8-1, "Aero Marine Logistics." Some figures and tables are also new to this edition. One feature that we continue to provide is cartoons, which highlight the humorous aspects of logistics.
The current edition of Contemporary Logistics has been prepared by two coauthors, Paul Murphy and Don Wood. We gratefully acknowledge the substantial contributions that both James C. Johnson and Daniel L. Wardlow made to earlier editions.
It is with profound sadness that the work and passion of Don Wood are acknowledged. Don passed away unexpectedly and late in the production process fox the eighth edition. He loved both the logistics discipline and the teaching profession, and each edition of Contemporary Logistics has represented his contributions—and his legacy—to both constituencies. Don was a husband, a father, and a grandfather; he was an educator, a scholar, and a friend. He was a kind and thoughtful person who possessed a terrific sense of humor. Don, we'll miss you.
