Peter J. Rimmer AM FASSA, Emeritus Professor, ANU College of Asia & the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra and Booi Hon Kam, Professor, School of Business IT and Logistics, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Digital technology has changed the way we work, socialize, shop, play and learn. This book offers a stimulating exploration of how digitization has begun transforming the prevailing global logistics system into a self-service and sharing economy, and ultimately provides a vision of the monumental changes likely to overflow into the business landscape.
Consumer Logistics thoughtfully assesses the challenges posed to businesses as the Internet of Things, 3D printing and other yet-to-come technologies start to connect humans and physical objects in forms that will further transform lifestyles. Through a review of the evolutionary journey of logistics management, this book argues that the fourth wave of global logistics is fast giving way to the fifth wave of consumer logistics, which will see consumers adapt to the seamless offline-online purchasing experience brought by Omnichannel Retailing. By considering how logistics and digital technologies will interact to redefine consumer logistics, Peter J. Rimmer and Booi Hon Kam argue that this outcome is likely to reflect the character of the sixth great logistics wave: personal logistics.
Thought-provoking, and contemporary in topic, this book will be of great value to business people interested in future trends, logistics professionals and operators, as well as academics and students worldwide working on logistics, supply chains and digital transformations.
‘Consumer Logistics: Surfing the Digital Wave provides thought provoking insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by omnichannel approaches and Industry 4.0 which are currently revolutionising supply chains. The book utilises both practitioner and academic insights into how the “digital wave” is impacting logistics and creating value for organisations and consumers. This book should be a starting point for organisations reflecting on logistics and supply chain strategy, I found it raised many questions and ideas that supply chain professionals will need to consider in the coming years. The digital wave is a tough wave to surf and is constantly shifting, this book provides a useful starting point for those about to get wet!’
– Richard Wilding OBE, Cranfield School of Management, UK
‘Cost reduction has driven previous waves of logistics innovation – from distribution management, to collaborative practices across firms, to the creation of global supply chain networks – but Rimmer and Kam argue that consumer demands will drive new logistics innovations. Localization, flexible production, and consumer choice are in, while supplier-focused, global supply chains are out. Companies that adapt their logistics processes to the new reality will survive and prosper; those that do not will meet their demise.’
– Martin Dresner, University of Maryland, College Park, US
