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Sustainable Logistics Management in the 21st Century Requires Wholeness Systems Thinking

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  • David Holman

    (Department of Logistics and Quality Management, ŠKODA AUTO University, Na Karmeli 1457, Mladá Boleslav 293 01, Czech Republic)

  • Pavel Wicher

    (Department of Logistics and Quality Management, ŠKODA AUTO University, Na Karmeli 1457, Mladá Boleslav 293 01, Czech Republic)

  • Radim Lenort

    (Department of Logistics and Quality Management, ŠKODA AUTO University, Na Karmeli 1457, Mladá Boleslav 293 01, Czech Republic)

  • Venuše Dolejšová

    (Manufactus GmbH, Theresienstrasse 8, 82319 Starnberg, Germany)

  • David Staš

    (Department of Logistics and Quality Management, ŠKODA AUTO University, Na Karmeli 1457, Mladá Boleslav 293 01, Czech Republic)

  • Ioana Giurgiu

    (Department of Logistics and Quality Management, ŠKODA AUTO University, Na Karmeli 1457, Mladá Boleslav 293 01, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The 21st century is characterised by the unprecedented speed and scope of changes, creating a new external environment, where the logistics systems are managed. The latest development in logistics management is influenced by sustainability, which complements the economic dimension with environmental and social dimensions. The fundamental principle of logistics management is systems thinking (ST). Until now, the reductionism ST (RST), focusing on the maximal economic performance of a logistics system’s parts and interactions has been applied. However, the RST approach does not sufficiently consider the implication of the external environment to the economic performance. The article’s aim is the introduction of the new wholeness ST (WST) approach and confirmation of its fundamental role in deriving of the performance of the selected logistics system’s parts and interactions from the external environment. WST’s role was demonstrated in a case study, comparing the WST and RST approach in management of particular automotive logistics’ system. The WST approach in the management of the whole selected logistics system assures a considerable reduction in the consumption of resources. Based on the comparative case study’s results, the conceptual framework for the application of the WST approach in all sustainable dimensions is proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • David Holman & Pavel Wicher & Radim Lenort & Venuše Dolejšová & David Staš & Ioana Giurgiu, 2018. "Sustainable Logistics Management in the 21st Century Requires Wholeness Systems Thinking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:12:p:4392-:d:185236
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esfahbodi, Ali & Zhang, Yufeng & Watson, Glyn, 2016. "Sustainable supply chain management in emerging economies: Trade-offs between environmental and cost performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 181(PB), pages 350-366.
    2. Joëlle Morana & Jesus Gonzalez-Feliu, 2014. "A sustainable urban logistics dashboard from the perspective of a group of logistics managers," Post-Print halshs-01053885, HAL.
    3. Jesus Gonzalez-Feliu & Joëlle Morana, 2014. "Assessing urban logistics pooling sustainability via a hierarchic dashboard from a group decision perspective," Working Papers halshs-01053887, HAL.
    4. David Wittstruck & Frank Teuteberg, 2012. "Understanding the Success Factors of Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Empirical Evidence from the Electrics and Electronics Industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), pages 141-158, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bing Qing Tan & Fangfang Wang & Jia Liu & Kai Kang & Federica Costa, 2020. "A Blockchain-Based Framework for Green Logistics in Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, June.
    2. David Holman & Eva Švejdarová, 2023. "The 21st-Century Empowering Wholeness Adaptive (EWA) Educational Model Transforming Learning Capacity and Human Capital through Wholeness Systems Thinking towards a Sustainable Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-35, January.

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