The Challenge of Change: Logistics in the New Europe

Europe today represents one of the world's fastest developing market‐places for both goods and services. Rapid changes in the business, political and regulatory environments are placing considerable stress on companies in Europe, whether national or international in their orientation. For many companies, these events are coincidental with the process of evolving into global businesses, which adds another degree of complexity to the logistics management challenge in Europe. In recognition of these major developments, the Council of Logistics Management (CLM) commissioned a comprehensive study of European logistics, which was undertaken jointly by Andersen Consulting and the Cranfield School of Management's Centre for Logistics and Transportation during the course of 1992. This article identifies the key logistics issues that arise from the challenge of the new Europe and suggests how management can successfully respond to the challenge of change.