Macro-logistics trends : indications for a more sustainable economy
Date
2013-07
Authors
Havenga, Jan H.
Simpson, Zane P.
De Bod, Anneke
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS OpenJournals
Abstract
The North American and South African logistics cost calculation-time series are the two
longest-running statistical series available worldwide. These calculations indicate that
transportation’s contribution to logistics costs is rising, as the key cost driver (oil price) is
increasing exponentially. This is exacerbated by volatile oil prices and the inclusion of
externality charges to reduce the logistics environmental footprint. Therefore, it is necessary
to consider a new paradigm where material logistics requirements are reduced through
localisation and consumption reduction. This, in turn, implies the consideration of new
indicators for the future measurement of logistics costs. Because this article asks questions
about the suitability of GDP as the primary (and often only) measurement of economic output,
new measurements are required. If this position changes, the comparison of logistics costs
with GDP alone will become questionable.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.jtscm.co.za/index.php/jtscm/article/view/108
Keywords
Business logistics -- Costs, Business logistics -- United States -- Costs
Citation
Havenga, J.H., Simpson, Z.P. & De Bod, A. 2013. Macrologistics trends: Indications for a more sustainable economy. Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management, 7(1), Art. #108, doi. org/10.4102/jtscm.v7i1.108.