Logistics Difference Goals Military Business Logistics Term

Logistics difference goals military business logistics term management, operations, design administration.

Military and Business Logistics

The difference between the goals of military and business logistics in terms of management, operations, design and administration

The planning, conceptualization and administration of military and business logistics are similar in many respects but there are marked difference in terms of their aims, orientations and objectives. Many management centered business processes and logistical methods have in fact been adapted from the military. However, the aims and goals in business are very different in certain cardinal ways to those of a military establishment. The following discussion will outline the main aspects of both military as well as business logistics as they pertain to management planning and processes. The central factors in each context will then be compared and contrasted to establish the main differences in terms of management, operations, design and administration.

Definitions

A business definition of logistics is as follows:

Logistics is defined as a business planning framework for the management of material, service, information and capital flows. It includes the increasingly complex information, communication and control systems required in today's business environment.

( logistics)

The above can be compared to a general definition of military logistics.:

The science of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of forces.... those aspects of military operations that deal with the design and development, acquisition, storage, movement, distribution, maintenance, evacuation and disposition of material; movement, evacuation, and hospitalization of personnel; acquisition of construction, maintenance, operation and disposition of facilities; and acquisition of furnishing of services.

(What is logistics?)

There are obvious points of similarity between these two definitions. For example, both are concerned with the management and processing of materials and services. One could continue with an exposition of those often slight similarities and differences; however the real differences and the central focus of this paper are the goals and objectives of these two areas of logistics. This will be discussed in detail in the following sections.

The Goals of Military Logistics

The terms logistic is derived from the Greek "logistikos," which means "skilled in calculating" ( Molana, 2009). It was first used in terms of the organization of military activity and in relation to "… an organized military administrative science" (Molana, 2009). However, in terms of logistical administration 'logistics' goes back to Roman and Byzantium times and to the functioning of a military official with the title 'Logista' ( Molana, 2009).

The administrative and procedural aims of military logistics are therefore aimed at the smooth running and operation of the military. A very important component of this is the planning and maintenance of supply chains and support in times of war. This means that a central goal of any military campaign is to achieve military or strategic success and this success is heavily dependent on the necessary supply of food, water, ammunition and other materials and supplies that are essential to facilitate any successful military action. In other words, military strategy and judgment are based on a professional knowledge and expertise in logistics. As one expert states; "In major military conflicts, logistics matters are often crucial in deciding the overall outcome of wars" ( Defence logistics and role of society towards the Armed Forces and war fighting) .

An example of logistics and supply in war can be seen in the fact that the sinking of cargo ships that were transporting supplies to the Allies during the Second World War was seen as a crucial factor that could determine the outcome of the war -- hence the intense energy and effort that was put into ensuring that logistical supply ships reached their intended destination. As one pundit notes: "The failure of the German Navy to sink enough cargo in the Second Battle of the Atlantic allowed Britain to stay in the war" (Molana, 2009).

The Goals of Business Logistics

It is important to note that the similarly between logistics in these different environments is evidenced by the fact that many logistical techniques used in the corporate and business world were derived from military logistics (Molana, 2009). The period of corporate expansion and globalization in the latter part of the last century highlighted the importance of logistics in all aspects of business. As one study on this subject notes; "The 1990s was a decade of great change and also a period during which the importance of logistics and supply chain management reached the board rooms of major corporations worldwide"(Chapter Summaries). This emphasis on logistics was motivated by a number of important developments in the business world, which included aspects such as the empowerment of the consumer, a "…shift in economic power toward the end of the supply chain; deregulation of key industries; globalization; and technology" (Chapter Summaries).

An important component of modern business is supply chain management. This necessitates the integration of a number of aspects which includes the product or material, information and financial planning. In business logistical management also takes into account aspects such as the planning and integration of inventory, cost, information, customer service, and collaboration relationships (Chapter Summaries).

An important aspect of business logistics is that it "...adds place and time value to products and enhances the form and possession value added by manufacturing and marketing" (Chapter Summaries).

Comparisons and Differences

From the above discussion it becomes clear that the most obvious and fundamental difference between the goals and objectives of business and military lies in their different contexts and environment. In other words, while many for the principles and procedures of logistics may be shared between these two areas, their goals are not essentially the same. Military logistical planning and administrative procedure cannot afford any lack of integration or cohesion as the result would be a loss of human life and defeat and not merely a decline in profitability. This leads to as number of basic differences between logistic supply chain planning and administration in the military and business.