International Logistics

International logistics is the

design and management of a
system that controls the forward
and reverse flow of materials,
services, and information into,
through, and out of the international
corporation.

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 International Logistics (cont.)
Through the implementation of international
logistics, the firm can implement cost-saving
programs such as just-in-time (JIT), electronic
data interchange (EDI), and early supplier
involvement (ESI).
The two phases of the movement of materials
include:
materials management, or the timely movement of
materials, parts, and supplies.
physical distribution, or the movement of the firm’s
physical product to its customers.

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 Three Concepts of Business
Logistics
Systems Concept

Total Cost Concept Trade-off Concept

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 Supply-Chain Management
Supply-chain management is the
integration of business processes from
end user through original suppliers, that
provide products, services, and
information that add value for
customers.
Supply-chain management connects a company’s
supply side with its demand side.
It opens up supplier relationships for companies
outside of the buyer’s domestic market.

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 The International Supply Chain
Suppliers Corporation Customers

Domestic/Import Inbound Outbound Domestic/Export

Sourcing Throughflow
Materials Materials Distribution

Order Order
Order Order Processing Placement
Processing Processing

Supplier-Firm Transportation Transportation

Interface
Physical Costumer-Firm
Transportation Transportation Materials Distribution Interface
Management Management
Customer Physical
Service Distribution
Management

Storage Storage Inventory Storage Inventory Inventory

Management Management Management

Forward and Reverse Flow of Information, Products, and Funds

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Transportation Infrastructure
A firm’s logistics platform is determined by a
location’s ease and convenience of market
reach under favorable cost circumstances.
The public sector’s investment priorities,
safety regulations, tax incentives, and
transport policies can have major effects on
the logistics decisions of firms.
The logistics manager must learn about
existing and planned infrastructures abroad
and at home and factor them into the firm’s
strategy.

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Vessels Used in Ocean Shipping

Liner Service

Bulk Service Tramp Service

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 Airfreight
Airfreight is available to and from most
countries, including the developing world.
International airfreight is expected to grow to 190
billion tons in 2005, compared to only 70 billion
tons in 1995.
Forty percent of the world’s manufactured travel
by air.
Items that are high-value or high in density tend
to travel by air.

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Considerations for Selecting a
Mode of Transport

Transit Time Predictability

Cost Non-economic
Factors
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 Export Documentation
A bill of lading is a contract between the exporter
and the carrier indicating that the carrier has
accepted responsibility for the goods and will provide
transportation in return for payment.
A commercial invoice is a bill for the goods stating
basic information about the transaction, including a
description of the merchandise, total cost of the
goods sold, addresses of the shipper and seller, and
delivery and payment terms.
A freight forwarder specializes in handling export
documentation.

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International Inventory Issues
Inventories tie up a major portion of corporate
funds, therefore proper inventory policies
should be a major concern to the international
logistician.
Just-in-time inventory policies minimize the
volume of inventory by making it available
only when needed.
The purpose of establishing inventory systems
are:
to maintain product movement in the delivery
pipeline
to have a cushion to absorb demand fluctuations

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 Three Factors that Decide the
Level of Inventory
Order Cycle Time

Desired Customer Use of Inventories as

Service Levels a Strategic Tool

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 International Packaging Issues
Packaging is instrumental in getting the merchandise
to the destination in a safe, presentable condition.
Because of the added stress of international shipping,
packaging that is adequate for domestic shipping
may be inadequate for international shipping.
Packaging considerations that should be taken into
account are environmental conditions and weight.
One solution to the packaging problem has been the
development of inter-modal containers.
Cost attention must be paid to international
packaging.

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 Storage Facilities
A stationary period is involved when merchandise
becomes inventory stored in warehouses.
The location decision addresses how many
distribution centers to have and where to locate
them.
Storage facilities abroad can differ in availability and
quality.
The logistician should analyze international product
sales and then rank order products according to
warehousing needs.

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 Special Trade Zones
Foreign trade zones are areas
where foreign goods may be held or
processed and then re-exported
without incurring duties.
Trade zones can be useful as
transshipment points to reduce
logistics cost and redesign marketing
approaches.
Governments and firms benefit from
foreign trade zones.

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 Export Processing Zones and
Economic Zones
In export processing zones, special rules apply
that are different in other regions of the country.
These zones usually provide tax-free and duty-free
treatment for production facilities whose output is
destined abroad.
The maquiladoras of Mexico are one example of a
program that permits firms to take advantage of
sharp differentials in labor costs.
Through the creation of special economic zones,
the Chinese government has attracted many foreign
investors bringing in millions of dollars.
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 Centralized Logistics
Management
In international logistics, the existence of a
headquarters staff that retains decision-
making power over logistics is important.
To avoid internal problems, both headquarters
staff and local management should report to
one person.
This individual can contribute an objective
view when inevitable conflicts arise in
international logistics coordination.

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 Decentralized Logistics
Management
When a firm serves many diverse international
markets, total centralization might leave the
firm unresponsive to local adaptation needs.
If each subsidiary is made a profit center in
itself, each one carries the full responsibility
for its performance.
Once products are within a specific market,
increased input from local logistics operations
should be expected and encouraged.

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Outsourcing Logistics Services
The systematic outsourcing of
logistics capabilities is a third option.
By collaborating with transportation
firms, private warehouses, or other
specialists, corporate resources can
be concentrated on the firm’s core
product.
One-stop logistics allows shippers to
buy all the transportation modes and
functional services from a single
carrier.
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 The Supply Chain and the
Internet
Because of the internet, firms are able to
conduct many more global comparisons among
suppliers and select from a wider variety of
choices.
When customers have the ability to access a
company through the internet, the company
must be prepared for 24-hour order-taking and
customer service.
For all countries, but particularly in developing
nations, the issue of universal access to the
internet is crucial.
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 Logistics and Security
After the terrorist attacks of 2001, companies
have to deal with the fact that the pace of
international transactions has slowed down
and that formerly routine steps will now take
longer.
Logistics systems and modern transportation
systems are often the targets of attacks.
The need to institute new safeguards for
international shipments will affect the ability
of firms to efficiently plan their international
shipments.

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Logistics and the Environment
Since environmental laws and regulations
differ across the globe, the firm’s efforts need
to be responsive to a wide variety of
requirements.
Reverse distribution systems are instrumental
in ensuring that the firm not only delivers the
product to the market, but also can retrieve it
from the market for subsequent use,
recycling, or disposal.
Companies need to learn how to
simultaneously achieve environmental and
economic goals.

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