What exactly is logistics?

Many people think of logistics as simply moving stuff. The appearance of the word on the sides of trucks certainly gives this impression. In practice logistics is a complex mix of freight transport, storage, handling, inventory management and all the IT required to co-ordinate these activities. It is a function that we all take for granted but without which our economy, indeed whole way of life, would collapse. It is a major industry in its own right, accounting for 12% of global GDP, and a major polluter releasing around 10-11% of global CO₂ emissions. To get a sense of just how important logistics is, have a look at this video. 

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PhD Workshop in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Between the 9 and 13 September 2024, Kuehne Logistics University jointly ran a doctoral workshop with Stellenbosch University, South Africa.  Like the previous one in April 2023, this workshop was held in Stellenbosch and funded by the Kühne Foundation’s LEARN Logistics Education Program. Once again I joined the team of professors delivering the workshop.  Over five days we examined research developments in supply chain aspects of resilience, AI, environmental sustainability and human resource management.  Our group of  seven professors was supplemented by nine guest speakers from industry and academia who gave presentations, joined panel discussions and interacted with the excellent group of doctoral students who joined the workshop from Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, Germany, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK.  The students also gave presentations summarising their PhD projects which cover a broad cross-section of supply chain topics and methodologies. There was also a detailed discussion of research dissemination issues and a field trip to one of South Africa’s main apple storage, packing and distribution hubs, operated by Two-a-Day pty.