Navy expeditionary logistics
Publication date: 5 March 2018
Abstract
Synopsis
Continuous process improvement has been widely taught in business schools and has yielded real results and success in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. Though there have been many cases developed for use in business schools, few, if any, situate the topic in a military context. Further, expeditionary logistics presents managers with special problems of being removed from their supporting enterprise systems that process, track, and/or control of such logistical elements as purchase orders, inventory, distribution, receivables, and fulfillment. The authors present a case in a military setting that exposes students to the challenges of expeditionary logistics and takes them through the fundamentals of process analysis and process improvement.
Research methodology
The authors used a research methodology of a case study. Data were collected during field visits over the course of multiple interviews. Interviews were conducted with subject matter experts and active professionals serving in US Navy expeditionary logistics roles regarding processes and process performance.
Relevant courses and levels
This case can be applied to senior undergraduate or graduate-level courses in operations management, supply chain management, or logistics.
Theoretical bases
The theoretical bases adopted in this paper are supply chain management, information technology, operations management, and process improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma and Lean.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the helpful comments and feedback on early versions of the case by Bryan Hudgens and Dr Keebom Kang at the Naval Postgraduate School. The authors would also like to thank Suneet Kundra, Lamont Brown, and Charles Donaldson, who are officers in the US Navy, for their contributions in their Master’s thesis at the Naval Postgraduate School upon which the basic facts and information of the case are based.
Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational purposes and is not intended to represent successful or unsuccessful managerial decision making. The author/s may have disguised names, financial and other recognizable information to protect confidentiality.
Citation
Yoho, K. and Apte, U. (2018), "Navy expeditionary logistics", , Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 207-231. https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-04-2017-0031
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited