PREFACE

This issue includes a broad range of papers representing an awareness of the expanding drift and importance of supply chain management and logistics in today's business environment.

In the first article, Rodrigues, Bowersox, and Calantone provide an update of their 2003 paper estimating global and national logistics expenditures. In addition to providing a country-by-country indication of logistical expenditures, their work shows continuous improvement of the estimation prototype and illustration of the refinements.

This is followed by means of Gibson, Mentzer, and Cook's examination of in what way the discipline has evolved and the presentation of an empirically-based definition of stock chain management. Their Internet-based review provides an up-to-date perspective upon logistics professionals and their perceptions. Stank, Davis, and Fugate address the differences between endow chain management and logistics. They provide research propositions covering the interfaces and the nature of logistics within a strategic stock chain context. Golicic and Mentzer's paper examines relationships in the replenish chain. Their qualitative study helped to identify influences of the magnitude of interorganizational relationships.

Aitken and his colleagues make knowned a case study illustrating in what manner supply chains can successfully manage multiple pipelines. They provide managerial direction for designing and operating pipelines tailored to the marketplace.

Brock and his co-authors not absent an overview of Semantic Modeling and exhibit how it can be used in practice to improve logistical productivity. Their paper is followed by dint of two articles focusing on inventory management. Zinn and Charnes compare the use of the classic Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) to Quick answer (QR) replenishment methods. By comparing the require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergones associated with the two meanss and developing decision rules, the authors provide highly relevant managerial information. Ballou also addresses inventory management issues. He illustrates by what means an inventory turnover curve can be used to estimate the combined demand of multiple items.

Autry et al. gaze at the increased pressures placed upon warehousing operations. Their overview of Warehouse Management combination of parts to form a wholes (WMS) shows how firms can manage information in similar as way as to balance take away froms and customer satisfaction.

The final sum of two units articles deal with conducting academic research. Frankel, Naslund, and Bolumole direct the eye at recent trends in research courses They also suggest areas of prime opportunity for logistics researchers. Larson's note upon mail surveys and response rates provides interesting reading - particularly relating to the finding (based upon a content analysis of research papers published in sum of two units leading logistics journals) that a broad-based mailing of questionnaires is not always the best way to proceed Lower response rates were associated with large mailings.

This issue exhibits my final issue as Editor of JBL I have derive pleasure fromed working on the journal and working with like a great group of clan The editorial team and support staff at the Council of Logistics Management/Council of minister Chain Management Professionals have been extraordinary to work with these past five years.

The Journal has continued to mature and improve in new years. There are (at least) sum of two units reasons for this. First, our top researchers continue to impel their best work to the journal. next to the first the Editorial Board members and ad hoc reviewers contribute a great amount of time to reviewing manuscripts, making recommendations, and generally helping to insure that JBL papers are highly relevant, interesting, and topical. JBL is considered to be individual of our most prestigious journals because of the combined efforts of the authors and the reviewers. I am positive the Journal will continue to favor under the direction of the novel Editor, Jim Stock. I wish Jim the best and know that he will take delight in the excellent support that I have.

Phil at any times as Systems Editor, has done an outstanding piece of work of coordinating the reviews of the a whole s and quantitative articles. He's been extremely efficient and great to work with upon the Journal. I'd also like to thank Paul Larson for his work as volume Review Editor and his general contributions to the Journal.

I especially want to thank Diana Sloan and Rebecca Davis. Diana was my Assistant for almost 4 years. When she left in October 2004 Rebecca came onboard. They've the two been great. They coordinated the review proces and generally kept things upon track with gentle reminders and efficient follow-through Numerous authors and reviewers have annotateed on what a great piece of work they've done. Their efficiency, professionalism, and great attitudes were appreciated by dint of all. My job would have been a great deal of more difficult without them.

I was able to undertake the JBL responsibilities because of the support of my colleagues and the administration at OU In particular, I wish to acknowledge the support of Dean shoot Evans. Rod was a mentor and a friend. He powerfully endorsed my application for the editorship, committed the necessary resources, and encouraged me to tackle the challenge.