Information and communication aspects of logistics operations and their significance for managerial decision making

Abstract

This paper outlines the problematic of information and communication aspects of logistics operations and their significance for managerial decision making from the systems model point of view. The systems model view supports understanding in a holistic and interdisciplinary way when doing research of complex organizational systems such as supply chains. We analyze the stages in decision making in an organization that is a part of a supply chain using the systems thinking framework's five phases A-B-C-D-E. Our analysis clarifies what factors are influencing decisions in complex supply chains. The second part of the paper looks at decision making from the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom Model point of view outlining the relationship between hard and soft inputs to the decision-making process.Our analysis contributes to a better understanding of the significance of information in managerial decision making in supply chain operations. The third and last part of the paper is a case study the design to research the decision making process in four manufacturing companies in Norway in the light of the A-B-C-D-E and Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom systems models.