Ensuring the consistency of competitive strategy and logistic performance management

Abstract

Manufacturing companies often merely attain reduced levels of logistic performance due to inconsistencies between their logistic objectives, logistic performance targets and logistic performance management actions. Qualitative influence models represent the inter-dependencies between these factors on two levels: firstly between logistic objectives, secondly between logistic performance measures and logistic planning and control parameters. Expert knowledge gained from modelling the dynamic behaviour of logistic systems facilitates the interpretation and evaluation of the qualitative influence models. On this basis, consistent logistic objectives can be defined and objective-oriented planning and control actions can be identified. The modelling insights are integrated into a logistic performance diagnosis procedure and tool that improve logisticians' understanding of the consequences of their management decisions and enhance the closed-loop management of logistic performance. © 2007 International Federation for Information Processing.