A Framework for Evaluating International Physical Distribution Strategies

Recently, a few major US firms such as General Motors and Dow Corning have begun to plan international physical distribution strategy on an integrated basis. However, many firms still plan international physical distribution strategy on a more fractionalised basis using several independent functional department and/or country plans. This is reflective of the polycentric orientation that has predominated in international marketing strategy. These non‐integrative approaches to strategy planning can result in ineffective and inefficient international physical distribution for several reasons.