Strategic decisions for autonomous logistics systems

Abstract

Logistics management is currently facing major challenges. The integration of the value chain and the growing importance of spatially and organisationally distributed production networks strongly increase the need for logistical coordination. Growing customer orientation requires product customization and increased responsiveness in order delivery, thereby raising flexibility and reactivity requirements within the whole supply chain. These developments contribute to the increase in structural and dynamic complexity of logistics systems, thus complicating central planning and control of logistics processes. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.