Contemporary Logistics

CHAPTER 1: LOGISTICS AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN 1. Did it surprise you that logistics can be such an important component in a country’s economic system? Why or why not? 2. Distinguish between possession, form, time, and place utility. 3. How does logistics contribute to time and place utility? 4. How can a particular logistics system be effective but not efficient? 5. Explain the significance of the fact that the purpose of logistics is to meet customer requirements. 6. Explain how an understanding of logistics management could be relevant to your favorite charitable organization. 7. Discuss three reasons for why logistics has become more important since 1980. 8. Which reason for the increased importance of logistics do you believe is most important? Why? 9. What are some practical implications of the idea that one logistics system does not fit all companies? 10. Distinguish between inbound logistics, materials management, and physical distribution. 11. What is the systems approach to problem solving? How is this concept applicable to logistics management? 12. Explain what is meant by the total cost approach to logistics. 13. Define what is meant by a cost trade-off. Do you believe that this concept is workable? Why or why not? 14. What are several areas in which finance and logistics might interface? 15. Briefly discuss each of the four basic aspects of the marketing mix and how each interfaces with the logistics function. In your opinion, which component of the marketing mix represents the most important interface with logistics? Why? 16. Why do marketers tend to prefer FOB destination pricing rather than FOB origin pricing? 17. What are several ways in which logistics and production might interface? 18. Briefly discuss the ownership, negotiations, financing, promotion, and logistics channel. 19. Discuss five activities that might be part of a company’s logistics department. 20. Logistics managers must be both generalists and specialists. Why is this true? Does this...