This book is designed to address the need for a text that considers the specifics of supply chains and logistics in the Asia–Pacific region, covering issues that are not included in books written for North American or European regions.

Our approach has been to provide a framework in which to understand the scope of supply chains and logistics, and a foundation that informs the reader of the principles behind a topic. It is designed so that the reader can understand where individual elements fit into the larger picture and grasp the scope of supply chains and logistics as they apply to specific business models and economies.

The book’s main theme, reinforced and revisited throughout, is that supply chains and logistics ensure the availability of products and services for the customers of an enterprise. A second theme is that organisations have multiple supply chains, both internal and external. In reality these are a complex network of independent, and possibly interdependent, product and service suppliers and customers. The result of this need for availability-and for working within the supply network processes-is a heightened requirement for planning and scheduling, while recognising the importance of managing risk.

The book’s four parts consider different themes and the four chapters within each part are linked. Each chapter serves as an introduction to the topic and can be selected as required. The Key terms in each chapter help readers build their own electronic information pack on the topic, based on the framework provided.

A Framework for Supply Chains is designed for readers from a variety of backgrounds: students new to the logistics discipline; those with experience working in just one aspect of supply chains who need to understand the broader concepts; and those who have worked and studied in other disciplines and have been promoted or transferred into a logistics role. It is also of value to those working in disciplines that interact with logistics and who need to understand why supply chains are important to the business.

We view supply chains and logistics as a critical part of a business but our experience has shown that many companies have yet to understand and embrace this criticality-it is far more than trucks and boxes! The exciting aspect of studying and working within supply chains is that the theory and real-world experience inform each other-this is not a discipline that stands still, in any sense.

We invite feedback on your experiences from reading and using this book. Please send your views and suggestions to us at authors@learnaboutlogistics.com

Roger Oakden
Katia Leonaite