Emerging supply chain management trends and their impact on spatial organization of logistical networks

Although the development of supply chain management trends has been the subject of substantial research, little attention has been devoted to examining the impact of the emerging supply chain management (SCM) trends on the spatial organization of the supply and distribution system. Specifically, the literature lacks an integrated methodological framework for examining the impact of emerging SCM trends on decision making relative to the spatial organization of logistical networks. This analysis has three purposes - (a) develop a conceptual framework for analyzing how decisions are made on the spatial organization of logistical networks, (b) test the proposed framework via case studies, and (c) develop a preliminary set of guidelines on the essential elements in making strategic logistical network design decisions. An interesting finding in implementing the proposed methodological framework, which was further supported by the limited empirical research, is that decision-making requirements vary substantially among the industrial and service sectors. This variance reflects differences in objectives and the extent of integration and collaboration of business entities along the respective supply chains.