The Gower Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management

This is the fourth edition of a reference work originally entitled "Handbook of Physical Distribution Management". The change in title reflects the restructuring and revision of this work which now includes 25 new chapters. The book takes a managerial perspective but aims at achieving a balance between currently accepted practice in organizations and new developments which are at the moment only discernable in a handful of companies around the world. As before, this edition is divided in sections, however, special emphasis has been accorded to issues surrounding customer service strategies and requirements, materials management and the treatment of resource optimization. It sets out to provide logistics managers and distribution specialists with a source of reference which not only covers current practice but also forthcoming developments.