Packaging has a major impact on supply chain performance, as it affects all logistics activities in supply chains. Effective and efficient packaging can significantly improve the performance of companies by generating value and reducing costs and the negative environmental impacts in supply chains. Packaging Logistics uses a systems approach to examine all the essential roles of packaging in supply chains, from the purchasing of raw materials to the production and sale of finished products, as well as transport and distribution. It examines the strategic role of packaging and its operational importance, explains the theoretical basis, presents useful methodologies, tools and concepts, and provides decision support for packaging innovation. It provides several examples of the total environmental impacts of packaging: on logistics and transport efficiency, on product waste and from the packaging material. Packaging Logistics covers essential topics such as one-way and reusable packaging, industrial and consumer packaging, ICT, end-of-life, environment, innovation, e-commerce, and future trends and challenges. This research-based and practical book takes the reader through every stage of packaging and relates it to supply chain and logistics, illustrated by many case studies.

Modern logistics comprises operative logistics, analytical logistics and management of performance networks. Central task of operative logistics is the efficient supply of required goods at the right place in the right order at the right time. Tasks of analytical logistics are to design optimal supply networks and logistic systems, to develop strategies for planning, scheduling and operation and to organize efficient order and performance processes. Logistic management has to plan, implement and operate performance networks and to schedule the orders, resources and inventories. This reference-book offers a unique survey of modern logistics. It contains methods, rules and tools for the solution of a broad variety of problems. The algorithms and formulas can be used for the computer-based planning of logistic systems and for the dynamic scheduling of orders and resources in supply networks. The analytically derived rules and strategies enable considerable improvements of performance, quality and costs. Their practical application is demonstrated by several examples from industry, trade and logistic service providers. An extensive index makes the book a dictionary of modern logistics. The book is written for managers, planners and consultants, for economists and engineers, for theorists and practitioners, for scientists, students and others who are interested in logistics and performance networks.

This book presents the proceedings of the XXII International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, International IIE Conference 2016, and International AIM Conference 2016. This joint conference is a result of an agreement between ADINGOR (Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Ingeniería de Organización), ABEPRO (Associação Brasileira de Engenharia de Produção), AIM (European Academy for Industrial Management) and the IIE (Institute of Industrial Engineers), and took place at TECNUN-School of Engineering (San Sebastián, Spain) from July 13th to 15th, 2016. The book includes the latest research advances and cutting-edge analyses of real case studies in Industrial Engineering and Operations Management from diverse international contexts, while also identifying concrete business applications for the latest findings and innovations in operations management and the decisions sciences.

Cost is considered a crucial factor in much decision-making in private and public organisations. Therefore, the ability to calculate total estimated costs for different alternatives is important. However, such total cost analysis is a challenging task. Providing students with the knowledge and skills needed for total cost analysis is therefore relevant in several disciplines within higher education. Within logistics management, total cost analysis is for decades by several scholars regarded as a ‘cornerstone’, a fundamental part of the discipline. However, except for describing the basic steps and presumptions, the literature does not give much support concerning how to conduct such analyses, or which the difficulties associated with total cost analysis are. This blank space in literature is not limited to the logistics discipline, it stretches throughout many disciplines. Neither does literature cover how to teach to support students’ learning of total cost analysis. Hence, to address the lack of research, the purpose of this thesis was formulated as follows: To contribute to the understanding of conducting, learning, and teaching total cost analysis. Three research questions were shaped to address each part of the purpose: conducting, learning and teaching. RQ1 What challenges are connected to the process of conducting total cost analysis? RQ2 What thresholds are there for learning how to conduct total cost analysis? RQ3 How can total cost learning be supported by suitable educational methods? The research questions are connected to each other in the sense that the challenges of conducting total cost analysis (RQ1) indicate within which areas total cost learning is difficult, and thereby where thresholds are to be investigated (RQ2). Further, knowledge about the learning thresholds is needed to discuss suitable educational activities (RQ3). The research was conducted by a combination of literature reviews and multiple case studies at four Higher Education Institutions, where both teachers and students were approached. The findings for RQ1 were developed in an abductive procedure walking back and forth between literature and cases. A twelve-step process for total cost analysis was defined, and specific challenges associated for each of these steps. Regarding learning thresholds (RQ2), perceived difficulties with learning total cost analysis were identified in the case studies. These difficulties were then analysed against threshold characteristics available in literature. This resulted in the identification of four total cost learning thresholds. Literature on constructivist-based teaching was used to suggest teaching methods to support learning (RQ3). These types of activities proved to match the ones most appreciated by teachers and students in the studied cases. The twelve-step process provides a more structured and holistic view of total cost analysis than previously available in the logistics literature. The description of challenges with conducting total cost analysis is novel, not only within logistics, but also generally, why this is a major contribution from this research. Aspects regarding teaching and learning connected to logistics, and to total cost analysis, are very sparsely addressed in literature, which makes the findings concerning learning thresholds and teaching methods valuable. The findings are believed to be useful for different stakeholders. First and foremost, teachers can use the findings for designing programs, courses, and course modules which cover the important aspects of total cost analysis with help from educational activities supporting the students’ learning. Second, for organisations where total cost analyses are conducted, the suggested process with its steps and associated challenges can be used to achieve better total cost analyses, and in turn more substantiated decisions. In the longer perspective, better education on total cost analysis at Higher Education Institutions will further strengthen the total cost competence in organisations, thereby improving the total cost-related decision making. Total cost analysis is not unique for the logistics discipline. Although focus in the study has been on Higher Education Institutions providing logistics courses, the findings are to a high extent believed to be relevant also for other disciplines dealing with total cost analysis.

This book gathers a selection of the best papers presented at the joint international conference ICIEOM-CIO-IIE 2015, offering recent research on industrial engineering, management and operations from an international and interdisciplinary perspective. It includes contributions from different fields, such as operations research, modeling and simulation, production and service management and logistics, information systems and quality, and as such is of interest to both researchers and practitioners. Reflecting the interconnected nature of today’s production systems, characterized by intense flows of goods, information and individuals between companies and nations, it is a valuable resource for anyone wanting an in-depth understanding of the field to guide managerial practice in order to take full advantage of existing opportunities.

Operations Management is an area of business concerned with managing the process that converts inputs into outputs, in the form of goods and/or services. Increasingly complex environments together with the recent economic swings and substantially squeezed industrial margins put extra pressure on companies, and decision makers are pushed to increase operations efficiency and effectiveness. This book presents the contributions of a selected group of researchers, reporting new ideas, original results and practical experiences as well as systematizing some fundamental topics in Operations Management. Although it represents only a small sample of the research activity on Operations Management, people from diverse backgrounds, academia, industry and research as well as engineering students can take advantage of this volume.

The logistics developed by multinational companies consist of many mechanisms and processes. Understanding how they workas well as how different frameworks can result in an efficient system of logistics managementis no easy task. Robert Chira, a faculty member at Dimitrie Cantemir University in Bucharest, Romania, explains how logistics work in this textbook geared for students and businesspeople. Taking a step-by-step approach, he introduces readers to logistics, explains the importance of logistics in a business environment, and delves into integrated logistics. He also explores how globalization is affecting logistics management, how logistics can provide companies with a competitive advantage, how to implement the latest competitive strategies offered by financial institutions, and why customer service must be a key part of any strategy. Moreover, he provides examples of how companies in Romania have leveraged logistics management in different sectors to achieve lasting success. Unlike other textbooks on logistics, this one goes beyond theory to provide ways to improve logistics in order to accomplish performance objectives. Build a business built to last, and outperform competitors with the lessons in International Logistics Management.

Speed to market, reducing costs, and accelerating leadtimes are vital for survival in today's competitiveenvironment. Inventory is no longer considered an asset,and strategies are needed to operate with minimalinventories. Lean Six Sigma Logistics provides thevehicle to solidify strategic position, win overcustomers, and achieve ......

Efficient design management solutions for today's new challenges Design Management: Process and Information Issues is a collection of papers presented at the 13th International Conference on Engineering Design in Glasgow, Scotland. One of four volumes, this book highlights the newest developments in design management and the solutions that facilitate innovation. Focused on common challenges within the design process, these papers provide insight gleaned from current and ongoing work to help design and engineering teams meet the increasing demands of the modern product development environment.

Packaging design is a powerful vehicle for making our lives friendlier, our planet greener and our businesses richer. It is an essential link between the producer and the customer, where it contributes to the positioning and presentation of a product; and on many occasions, the use of the product after purchase. What is missing is a compass that can guide practitioners in the right direction. This is particularly so in the field of packaging where the routes you take may contradict rather than contribute to sustainable development. Managing Packaging Design for Sustainable Development: A Compass for Strategic Directions emphasizes the need to rethink packaging system design, by presenting a strategic packaging design tool; a compass. The compass encourages you to go off-road, to develop and innovate, and to remake the packaging design solution that previously was best practice. Theory and practical applications are balanced by outlining the most crucial tenets of packaging design for sustainability and by illustrating wide range of real-life cases that will inspire and challenge the mindsets of those who apply the compass in packaging design related projects. This is a must-have book for designers, engineers, logisticians, marketers, supply chain professionals and other managers who seek guidance on sustainable solutions through packaging design.