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Toward a unified theory of logistics

John T. Mentzer (Department of Marketing, Logistics and Transportation, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA)
Soonhong Min (Division of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA)
L. Michelle Bobbitt (Department of Marketing, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, USA)

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

ISSN: 0960-0035

Article publication date: 1 September 2004

9293

Abstract

Despite the growing importance of logistics in corporate strategy and the global economy, the logistics literature reveals little effort to build a unified theory of logistics (i.e. a theory of the role of logistics in the firm). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to move toward a unified theory of logistics within the contexts of the strategic role and capabilities of logistics. Considering the importance of logistics in today's corporate strategy, various theories of the firm are adapted to explain the reasons for logistics activities within the firm. The proposed theory should serve as a conceptual reference point for future theory development and empirical research in logistics.

Keywords

Citation

Mentzer, J.T., Min, S. and Michelle Bobbitt, L. (2004), "Toward a unified theory of logistics", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 34 No. 8, pp. 606-627. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030410557758

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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