[Logprofs] IJPDLM Call for Papers: Managerially relevant logistics models

[Lucy Sootheran]

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

First annual special issue on managerially relevant logistics models

Editor: Chad W. Autry

Analytical modeling research in logistics and supply chain management is published in a wide array of forums, but has often been criticized by both academics and practising managers as "detached from reality'', often due to researchers' tendency to provide highly rigorous findings within a framework of overly restrictive assumptions that are not robust to violation, rendering the research practically valueless. In other words, though many published models are technically "correct'', they are often deemed unusable by practitioners due to their exclusion of many plausible real-world scenarios or conditions, lack of descriptive validation, and/or guidance for implementation within meaningful managerial contexts. The logistics and supply chain management literature would benefit greatly from the addition of models that are both rigorously derived and relevant to business practice, especially in the areas of materials handling, transportation, inventory management and replenishment, warehousing, network design, and procurement. Such models would contribute to theory because theory explains and predicts phenomena. Models that are irrelevant do not contribute to theory.

IJPDLM therefore issues this first annual call for papers that provide answers to reality-based analytical problems in logistics and supply chain management. In particular, we encourage research that, first, defines and reflects on logistics/supply chain problems of significant managerial interest and, second, addresses the critical issues via rigorous analytical techniques that are validated and applied within one or more managerially relevant contexts. The contributions can be incremental improvements to existing models. Though the nature of logistics and supply chain management as fields of interest would seem to indicate that such models would necessarily adopt a macro-level perspective, there is also room for carefully designed individual level analyses. Papers selected for publication within either tradition will be carefully judged for analytical thoroughness and ties to current theory, as well as applicability. With respect to external utility, minimum expectations will be the validation of the model within an appropriate human or simulated context, and a thoroughly descriptive managerial implications section that guides the implementation of the model within one or more realistic scenarios. A wide range of modeling perspectives and techniques is welcomed; questions related to appropriateness should be directed to the special issue editor.

Given the interest for research as described above within the practitioner and academic communities, it is expected that this special issue will become an annual feature of the IJPDLM knowledge portfolio for the foreseeable future. Future submission deadlines are expected to be set during early February in subsequent years.

View the full call for papers online at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/call_for_papers.htm?id=2757 for author guidelines and details of how to submit your paper.

Submission deadline
Full paper submissions due: 1 April 2011

Editor
Chad W. Autry,
IJPDLM Systems Editor,
E-mail: autry at utk.edu<mailto:autry at utk.edu>


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