SUSTAINABILITY IN LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Awareness of sustainability issues is growing among businesses, customers, communities, and legislators. As a result, sustainability has become increasingly important for many companies in recent years, forcing changes to logistics and operations. New policies, new business models, technologies, and investments have been the result. This essay looks at the changes that have occurred in logistics and operations management as a result. It covers two themes: the issue of climate change and carbon footprint and the need for businesses to respond by making changes to their logistics and operations management policies to adapt and survive the changes brought by this selected issue. It also discusses the process of adaptation as companies alter their strategies in response to sustainability concerns. The areas so covered are sustainable warehousing, reverse logistics, and green product design. The cost of adaptation and the potential impact for companies that fail to adapt their supply chain strategies in the face of sustainability concerns are highlighted. Also, highlighted is how legislation and management practices can help to limit the environmental impact of logistics operations.