Title: Flexible management of logistics in response to turbulent oil prices: case of a European paint producer

Authors: Hosein Piranfar, Andre Segbert

Addresses: East London Business School, Docklands Campus, 4–6 University Way, London, E16 2RD, UK. ' Controlling, J.W. Ostendorf GmbH and Co. KG, Rottkamp 2, 48653 Coesfeld, Germany

Abstract: How can flexible logistics improve performance in a turbulent world when volatile customer demand and rising oil prices require responsive operations? This paper seeks an answer for this question in the field of control management in J.W. Ostendorf, a European paint company. Until recently logistics had been largely farmed out and paid for as required. It had no or little role in business policy. The new business environment, however, requires that all organisational sectors flow in concert with the corporate objectives. A flexible logistics guided by an independent budgeting based on real costs expectations is offered as a solution. Major changes in information systems is assumed to contribute substantially to this effort.

Keywords: business environment; flexibility; flexible management; logistics; oil prices; operations management; performance; strategic management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2006.010925

International Journal of Business Environment, 2006 Vol.1 No.3, pp.280 - 300

Published online: 18 Sep 2006 *

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