Training For Transport And Physical Distribution

Physical Distribution is a distinct but integral part of business logistics, involving all those activities relating to the physical movement of goods from the factory to the consumer. Recently, the concept has been expanded to supply chain management which enables better customer relationship with smooth supply of goods. This introductory text is focused on the essential concepts, tools and strategies that comprise Distribution Management. It emphasizes the idea that distribution management is an effective marketing strategy and a potent competitive tool. Defining the concept of physical distribution in the initial chapter, the book then describes in detail the objectives, functions and components of all the activity centres of physical distribution in the Indian context, from a systems approach. An exclusive chapter is devoted to transportation functions, highlighting the features of interstate movement of goods and the legal procedures related to them. Sufficient coverage is also given to related topics such as distribution control, performance evaluation and organization of physical distribution, besides the 'trade-off' concept. The book, with its wide coverage of topics, should prove to be of immense value to undergraduate students in Business Administration and Business Management.

This title was first published in 2002. In the last few decades, relationships within the transport and logistics industry have become more complex due to the rising importance of information and communication technology, the growth of just-in-time delivery and increasing globalization. Such changes call for new forms of training, both managerial and vocational, for the continued development of the industry. This detailed and enterprising volume focuses on the transnational integrated training FIT Project (Formazione Integrata Transnazionale) set up within the European Programme ADAPT, which brought together academics and professionals to boost transport and logistics in Southern Italy. The project highlights cultural, motivational and training differences among the companies studied and suggests proper strategies for human resource development. Through an original methodology, it advocates an innovative and modular training programme to meet the needs of expertise and flexibility within the sector. The results can be used by the industry in general as best practice operative guidelines.