This monograph considers recent developments in management techniques and proposes their use in physical distribution system planning. The recent developments in physical distribution management are reviewed and the author considers how such techniques as missions analysis and systems thinking...

There are a number of environmental pressures working to develop a pattern for future grocery retailing. Urban congestion is forcing re‐development of city centres to exclude the private car, but at the same time restriction of delivery activities is likely. Combined with this is the pressure...

At a time when “out of stock” is rapidly becoming a way of life there is merit in attempting to assess the cost to the business. This article suggests some of the areas which should be considered.

The product portfolio and product life cycle concepts are not recent in management education. Indeed the product life cycle has been around for some considerable time and the product portfolio concept of a range of products at various stages of their respective life cycles with differential...

The Register of Current Research in the field of Physical Distribution Management has been compiled from the response to a request for such information made to Universities in 23 countries throughout the world. The last register was published in 1972 in this journal.

This Symposium reports on the opportunities available to those who take the initiative to introduce materials management approaches. It examines both the anticipate rates of change and development of the underlying factors as well as the organisational implications they entail. A full...

Management's function is cyclical, consisting of seven elements: