Over the last six decades, the discipline of business logistics has advanced from the warehouse and transportation dock to the boardroom of leading global enterprises. We have had the opportunity to be actively involved in this evolution through research, education, and advising. Supply Chain Logistics Management encompasses the development and fundamentals of the logistics discipline within a supply chain structure. It also presents our vision of the future of business logistics and supply chain management and their role in enterprise competitiveness.

Although individually and collectively each of the three authors has written extensively on various aspects of logistics, the decision to initially write and subsequently revise Supply Chain Logistics Management represents the synthesis of many years of research, augmenting and, in many ways, supplanting earlier works of the authors published by McGraw Hill. The union of ideas presented in this text provides an integrated supply chain framework for the study of logistics, serves to expand the treatment of supply chain management by placing it fin nly in the context of integrated business strategy, and highlights the increasing importance of logistics in the globally competitive economy.

Logistics includes all the activities required to move product and information to, from, and between members of a supply chain. The supply chain provides the framework for businesses and their suppliers that join to bring goods, services, and information efficiently, effectively, and relevantly to customers. Supply Chain Logistics Management presents the mission, business processes, and strategies needed to achieve integrated logistical management. We hope the text achieves three fundamental objectives: (1) presents a comprehensive description of existing logistical practices in a global economy; (2) describes ways and means to apply logistics principles to achieve competitive advantage; and (3) provides a conceptual approach for integrating logistics as a core competency within enterprise supply chain strategy.

It would be impossible to list all the individuals who have made significant contributions to the contents of this book. Special thanks are due to Robert W. Nason, Chairperson of the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, for maintaining a collegial environment that fosters creativity. We also express our gratitude to Professor Emeritus Donald A. Taylor of Michigan State University, who has been a guiding force throughout our careers. In addition, for their specific suggestions regarding the manuscript, out appreciation goes to Hugh Turner, University of Maryland; Soonhung Min, University of Oklahoma; Ted Stank, University of Tennessee; Robert Novack, Penn State University; David Borst, Concordia University; Charles Peterson, Northern Illinois University; and John Mawhinney, Duquesne University, all of whom provided detailed reviews and offered numerous suggestions for improving the presentation.

We also wanted to acknowledge the staff at McGraw Hill/Irwin for their guidance and efforts on behalf of the book: Brent Gordon, Publisher; Scott Isenberg, Executive Editor; Lee Stone, Editorial Coordinator; James Labeots, Project Manager; Rose Hepburn, Production Supervisor; Artemio Ortiz, Designer; and Victor Chiu, Media Producer. Also assisting us was Beth Baugh, Developmental Editor with Carlisle Publishers Services.

As active members of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, we have been the fortunate recipients of contributions by many council members to the development of this manuscript. In particular, we wish to acknowledge the assistance of George Gecowets, former executive director, Mania McIntyre, current executive director, and the CSCMP staff who maintain an open door to the academic community.

Over the past forty years, the business executives who have attended the annual Michigan State University Logistics Management Executive Development Seminar have been exposed to the basic concepts presented in the text and have given freely of their time and experience. We also acknowledge the long standing support to Michigan State logistics, through the funding of the endowed chairs, provided by John H. McConnell, founder and chairperson of Worthington Industries.

The number of individuals involved in teaching logistics around the world expands daily. To this group in general, and in particular to our colleagues at Michigan State University, whose advice and assistance made it possible to complete and enhance this text, we express our sincere appreciation.

Teachers receive continuous inspiration from students over the years and, in many ways the day of judgment in an academic career comes in the seminar or classroom. We have been fortunate to have the council of many outstanding young scholars who currently are making substantial impact on the academic and business worlds. In particular, we appreciate the input of students who have used this text in manuscript form and made suggestions for improvement. We also acknowledge the contributions of current and former doctoral students, particularly Drs. Judith Whipply and Thomas Goldsby who participated extensively in case development and editorial support. Student Research Assistant John Bowersox provided valuable assistance throughout manuscript preparation and managed the complex process of obtaining publication permissions. Appreciation is extended to Major G Scott Webb, who assististed in updating materials for this edition.

We wish to acknowledge the contributions of Felicia Kramer and Pamela Kingsbury, for manuscript preparation on several earlier versions of this text. Cheryl Lundeen, who prepared many drafts of the manuscript, provided outstanding support for the last three editions. Without Felicia, Pam, and Cheryl, this long published text in its many variations would not be a reality.

With so much able assistance, is it difficult to offer excuses for any shortcomings that might appear. Any faults are solely our responsibility.