Innovation Management in Logistics as an Important Determinant of a Company's Competitiveness[Riadenie inovácií logistických činností ako významný determinant konkurencieschopnosti podniku]

Innovation management in logistics as a systematic controlled process for continuous increase in the quality of individual parts and global logistics involves tools for gaining and retaining a unique competitive advantage. The business environment achieves innovation by concentrating on planning strategies, marketing, production and quality of the environment, logistics, company management and human resources. The main objective of the article is to offer a theoretical view combined with practical aspects of management of innovation processes as the crucial determinant for gaining competitive advantages for the company, region, state and the European Union as well. The authors outline the importance of innovation of logistics activities in a company, especially in connection with the economic crisis. They identify the current trends in corporate logistics. Implementing innovation management in logistics leads to increased quality of a company's logistics operations with a secondary impact on the performance of the respective sector and national economy.