Peter J. Rimmer – författare

Consumer Logistics thoughtfully assesses the challenges posed to businesses as the Internet of Things, 3D printing and other yet-to-come technologies start to connect humans and physical objects in forms that will further transform lifestyles. Through a review of the evolutionary journey of logistics management, this book argues that the fourth wave of global logistics is fast giving way to the fifth wave of consumer logistics, which will see consumers adapt to the seamless offline-online purchasing experience brought by Omnichannel Retailing. By considering how logistics and digital technologies will interact to redefine consumer logistics, Peter J. Rimmer and Booi Hon Kam argue that this outcome is likely to reflect the character of the sixth great logistics wave: personal logistics.

Thought-provoking, and contemporary in topic, this book will be of great value to business people interested in future trends, logistics professionals and operators, as well as academics and students worldwide working on logistics, supply chains and digital transformations.

Analyses of major international logistical projects, from the Great Stone Industrial Park of Belarus, through the ports of Gwadar, Piraeus, Darwin and Sabetta to the Nicaragua Canal, illustrate the global impact of China''s geologistical developments and how key logistics skills are exported through the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This book distils China''s global logistics developments into three basic models - the transcontinental, the reverse and the classic - to reflect upon the effects of the first five years of the Belt and Road Initiative. Laced with detailed empirical studies and an array of illustrative maps, Rimmer assesses the domestic impact of the Initiative thus far and offers an astute appraisal of the imperial connotations of Beijing''s global logistical project.

This enlightening book provides crucial insights for academics and researchers in political science, transport studies and economics investigating China''s recent policy initiatives, particularly those who examine the impact of geologistics. Policymakers and commentators will also benefit from the author''s unique empirical insight into global logistics development.

Digging deeper into the theoretical underpinnings of Industry 4.0, chapters explore consumerism, consumption on demand, consumer connectivity, omnichannel retailing and social commerce to develop a general theory of supply chain operations. The book examines how logistics and supply chain operations have evolved as a discipline and practice through the combined lens of accommodating technological advancement and supporting consumption. Looking to the future of global industry, it concludes by anticipating further technological advancement and contemplates the vision, possibilities, realities and challenges of where logistics and supply chain operations will go beyond automation, robotics and artificial intelligence to meet evolving consumer demand.

Giving meaning to the coalescence of the physical supply chain and digital commerce, it will prove invaluable to students and scholars of both economics and organizational and technology studies. It also offers significant insights for decision-makers working at all levels of supply chain and operations management, revealing digital transformations at both the firm (micro) and industry and country (macro) levels.