The emerging paradigm of the logistics chain

Summary:

With this documentary research, we sought to understand the concept of the logistics chain or the Supply Chain, under the epistemic perspective of the new emerging paradigm of the 21st century. Which considers scientific knowledge as a whole and not under the segmental approach presented by Descartes. In the same way, it is analyzed how the progress of science and knowledge move from one paradigm to another; and the way this happens in management and organizations; making way for what is now called managerial scientific knowledge.

Abstract:

With this documentary investigation, it was looked for to understand the concept of the logistical chain or the Supply Chain, under the epistemic perspective of the new emergent paradigm of the XXI century. Which contemplates to the scientific knowledge as an everything and I don't lower the focus segmenter presented for you Discard. Of equal it forms, it is analyzed as the progresses of the science and the knowledge they move of a paradigm to other; and the way like this same it happens in the management and the organizations; opening step to the today called managerial scientific knowledge.

Introduction

To meet the challenge of the beginning of the 21st century, managers are discovering and applying as an alternative the emerging paradigm of competition between networks, where the successful integration and administration of key business processes will depend on each and every one of the members of the Supply Chain or Supply Chain, and the individual success of the company is subject to the design and results of this chain.

The leading companies of the future will be those that are capable of succeeding in the design of their Supply Chain, with a clear focus on the Client, and based on the education and training of personnel. Similarly, organizations will depend on the extensive use of information technology, which must cover all their areas and processes.

Likewise, it does not lose validity for the success of the organizations of the 21st century, the optimization of costs, the use of standards and the application of the concept of Flowgistics, which implies the elimination of inventories and the minimization of the handling time of loads.. Each and every one of these things cannot be left adrift and therefore, are immersed in the conception and management of the Supply Chain.

For the reasons stated, managers are working to interpret and determine how to manage the network of processes or Supply Chain of their companies and thus be able to achieve the maximum potential of their Supply Chain Management.

All this reality is no longer far from the day-to-day business, on the contrary, every day organizations get closer to the new concept of organizational cybernetics, which offers an unconventional approach, which allows to build an organizational mental scheme in terms of processes and complex environments, supported on the bases of information, communication and control, married to the Supply Chain.

1. Definition of logistics chain

To start this article, the first thing is to define what the authors talk about the logistics chain. According to Opertti, J. (2006) ¨ is the location of resources in the right place and at the agreed time. ¨ Similarly, the same author points out that etymologically the word logistics comes from the Greek ¨logistikos¨, which means know how to calculate.

For Monterroso, E. (2000) ¨ logistics is related to the administration of the flow of goods and services, from the acquisition of raw materials and supplies at their point of origin, to the delivery of the finished product at the point of consumption. ¨ In the same order of idea, the author points out that all those activities that involve the movement of raw materials, materials and other supplies; as well as all those tasks that offer adequate support for the transformation of these elements into finished products, such as purchasing, warehousing, inventory management and supplies, are part of the logistics process.

Now, according to Acevedo, J. and Gómez, M. (2000: 6), the modern concept of logistics describes it as: ¨ the action of the labor group aimed at guaranteeing the design and management activities of material, informative and financial, from its sources of origin to its final destinations, which must be executed in a rational and coordinated manner with the aim of providing the customer with products and services in the quantity, quality, terms and place demanded, with high competitiveness and guaranteeing the preservation of the environment.

For its part, the AFNOR standard (X50-600)., Officially defines logistics as ¨ a function whose purpose is to satisfy the expressed or latent needs of customers, at the best economic conditions for the company and for a level of determined service. ¨ According to Gambino, A. (2006), ¨ logistics is understood to be the set of knowledge, actions and means destined to anticipate and provide the necessary resources that make it possible to carry out a main activity in time, form and at the most opportune cost., in a framework of productivity and quality ".

Finally, Ramos, P. (2006), defines logistics as: ¨ the process of strategically managing the movement and storage of raw materials, parts and finished products, from suppliers, through the company, to the end user. ¨

2. The nature of paradigms and the managerial logistics paradigm

Another fundamental concept, in order to understand the approach used in this article, focuses on the analysis of the term «paradigm»; extremely famous word these days, but that managers can be wrong to appreciate the power of the concept, if it is not extremely clear.

According to Edgar Morin (1982), a paradigm can be defined, as a principle of fundamental distinctions, relations and oppositions between some matrix notions that generate and control thought, that is, the constitution of theories and the production of the discourses of the members of a determined scientific community. Therefore, behind each paradigm hides an epistemic matrix.

This epistemic matrix is the existential and experiential background; the source that originates and governs the general way of knowing, characteristic of a certain historical-cultural period and also located within a specific geography, and, in its essence, consists of the own and peculiar way, that a human group has, of assign meanings to things and events, that is, in their capacity and way of symbolizing reality.

In accordance with the above, the notion of "paradigm" and "paradigm shift" are the keys to administrative change. For his part, Kuhn, T. (1962), defined paradigm as; "The universally recognized way of scientific execution that by time provides models of problems and solutions for the professional community". Although Kuhn applied this concept basically to the development of science, the concept is also valid to apply to organizations and administration.

For managers, the paradigm consists of organizational realities (such as values, traditional practical beliefs, methods, instruments, among others, ‚) that members of a social group construct to integrate the thoughts and actions of its members.

Kuhn, T. (1962), argued that science does not progress through the accumulation of pieces, where knowledge and techniques provide the foundations for subsequent elaborations; rather, it progresses through a constellation of observations, facts, laws, theories, and methods that may all be compatible.

Now, recent scientific "truths" are not always permanent contributions. For example, Aristotelian dynamics or logistic chemistry are incompatible with current scientific views. Either way, the old visions are unscientific, simply because they have been discarded. Nor do they reflect human idiosyncrasy any more than the visions of today. Today's minks are simply more valid or "true" observations.

Just as in the progress of science, the changes go from one paradigm to another; the same is true of management and organizations. Quoting James Womack in his book The Machine that Changed the World, he alludes to the changes that organizations have experienced, going from manufacturing production to mass production, and then a more recent change from mass production to light production. Other changes also lived according to Reich, R (2005), the assembly line of Henry Ford and the studies of times and movements of Frederick Taylor and Frank Galbraith, but none of them have lost their validity and significance in time, they are all part of the great accumulation of knowledge in production for organizations.

Similarly, managers who advocate mass production and those who advocate light production as Toyota does think and act differently, their different practices, beliefs, values, and assumptions define their different paradigms. But this does not lose the validity and importance of each one of them, but they contribute towards that emerging conception of conceiving the world not as parcels of knowledge, as Descartes showed, but as the sum of many approaches, points of view and opinions, to reach better solutions.

21st century organizations must work under this new approach if they want to be successful. The idea is to accept the paradigm changes and in fact seek and sponsor those changes, but without losing the essence or underestimating those knowledge that have allowed the mobilization of paradigms.

The bases of the logistics chain in organizations are rooted in this paradigm shift approach; This is affirmed because logistics as a business activity is not new, on the contrary, its origins date back from ancient times, but at first it was only known as distribution. Its beginnings go back to military activity, where this tool was developed to supply troops with the necessary supplies to face long hours and camps in war. In the business field, it was introduced for about four decades and it has been in this sector where it has found its greatest field of development.

Currently the issue of logistics is treated with such importance that organizations have created a specific area for its operation and management. Over time, it has constantly evolved, to become one of the main tools or fundamental organizational area, so that a company can be considered as world class.

Logistics, from a managerial point of view, is a necessary strategy to comprehensively manage the supply chain, in order to achieve the optimal balance between the needs of customers and the available resources of companies.

The performance of the logistics chain must be measured through the service offered to the end customer; that is why López, C. (2005) talks about logistics management as the main component of the organizational value chain, since the product moves in it, it also ensures the optimization and maintenance of resources to guarantee this mobilization, and it intertwines the resources of the chain, through shared information systems among all the participants in it, facilitating knowledge of inventory levels, processing times, product rotation, among others.

According to López, C. (2005) all companies do logistics, the difference between successful and unsuccessful is that the former know that they are doing it and take it as an indispensable tool to become more competitive, while the the latter have not become aware of it.

On the other hand, as López, C. (2005) points out again for some ten years now, the business logistics function has been gaining strength, as the markets have become more demanding, in addition, the appearance of new technologies of Information has resulted in lower transaction times and costs, forcing companies to take logistics management more seriously if they want to remain competitive, creating differences between organizations that know they do logistics and those that don't.

The organizations of the 21st century must contemplate in their essence the knowledge that logistics does, changing its initial paradigm, it should only as merchandise distribution, and they must incorporate advanced technology in storage, stock management, route design, processing and preparation. of orders, to be able to reach the best place in the market and increase profitability. Based on this approach and in accordance with modern management approaches, logistics services should not only include the traditional elements of transportation, warehousing and distribution, but should cover all aspects of the business value chain or Supply Chain.

In this sense, companies that work under the new paradigm of the logistics concept, must know the possibilities of each of their suppliers and anticipate the requirements of their clients, to give an adequate solution to each of them, without supersaturating the warehouses, nor exceed in costs of unnecessary transfers and storage.

3. Paradigmatic trends of the XXI century

According to Martínez, M. (2001), the science model that originated after the Renaissance has served as the basis for the scientific and technological advancement of subsequent centuries. However, the same author points out, the explosion of knowledge, disciplines, specialties and approaches that has occurred in the twentieth century and early twenty-first, in addition to epistemological reflection, have found this traditional model of science, not only insufficient, but, above all, inhibitor of what could be a true progress, both particular and integrated, of the different areas of knowledge.

Over the last three decades, according to Martínez, M. (2001), the necessary and sufficient conditions have been given so that every serious and deep-thinking researcher can climb on the shoulders of dozens of eminent thinkers, and from that perspective, to discern the great coincidences of ideas and marked converging lines of a new way of thinking, of a new way of looking at things, of a new scientific rationality and, in short, of a new science, which presents notable differences with the traditional, classic, logical-positivist way of thinking.

The end of mainstream science is coming, says Prigogine, I. (1994); that is, of deterministic, linear and homogeneous science, and we are witnessing the emergence of an awareness of discontinuity, nonlinearity, difference and the need for dialogue. Not only is there a crisis of the foundations of scientific knowledge, but also a philosophical one, and, in general, a crisis of the foundations of thought.

The problem that is being experienced lies in the fact that the classical conceptual apparatus –which was thought rigorous, due to its objectivity, determinism, formal logic and verification– is proving to be short, insufficient and inadequate to symbolize or model new realities, especially those that have arisen throughout this century that begins and ends of the XX. Well, both in the subatomic world of physics, as in the life sciences, in the social and managerial sciences, to represent them properly, concepts very different from the current ones and much more interrelated, capable of giving global explanations, are needed. and unified.

Human beings are taking up the beginnings of knowledge, they are turning their faces again to art, science, and philosophy. That segmentation that was made of knowledge, under Descartes's theory, has remained insufficient to respond to knowledge and the way of knowing; for this reason the integration of knowledge has been entered and the primary essences of things are being retaken.

Under this approach, managerial science and organizations have been opening paths, and a valid approach for this documentary research is the way to visualize the business logistics chain, evaluated from an unsegmented perspective, according to the old epistemic paradigms, but in a way Complete and integrated, which includes the link of the organization itself with its suppliers and customers. Furthermore, it is interesting to go back to the concepts of the emerging paradigm and also ask whether it is science or art?

4. Definition of art and science

In light of the new epistemological paradigmatic approaches, it is important to elucidate between the concepts of science and art. The first thing is to ask yourself: What is science? According to Bueno G, (1995), for the common denominator of people this question sounds like rhetoric, because it is understood that the answer is well known: science is what men of science do, which allows us to scientifically know reality, as it is, and control the spacecraft that go to the Moon or Jupiter, or the genetic code and, very soon, to determine remedies against cancer or AIDS. In any case, the townspeople would say, if you want a more precise answer, go ask the scientists themselves.

But it turns out that scientists don't always respond the same way. Some say that science is a systematization of observed or experienced facts; others that the sciences are simply useful models to be thrown over real things, like nets thrown over the sea, in order to catch as many fish as possible.

What is science? It is a genuinely philosophical question, says Bueno G, (1995), whose answer will definitely vary depending on the focus of who is asked.

Now what is art? According to the online digital encyclopedia wikipedia, the term art comes from the Latin term ars. In antiquity art was considered as the skill and ability in the production of something. It was not until the end of the 15th century, during the Italian Renaissance, that the distinction was made for the first time between the artisan and the artist (crafts and fine arts and, equivalently, between artisan (producer of multiple works), and artist (producer of works On this basis, and considering the new emerging paradigm of the 21st century, the question to ask is:

5. Is the logistics supply chain a science or an art?

Logistics, both in its application and in its study, as previously expressed, has transcended the purely military scope that it had in its origins; therefore, it seems neither necessary nor convenient, to make it more universal, to restrict it exclusively to the military forces. This makes it advisable that the definition associated with the art of that of War be revised to incorporate it into this new reality.

Another aspect worth considering, given the nature of this article, is the aspect of considering whether it is science or art, or both inclusive. If we understand science, even if we do not have a single formal definition, what the SOPENA Encyclopaedic Illustrated Dictionary (1978) states, which is the true knowledge of things by their principles and causes; and in turn, according to SOPENA (1978), we understand by art the virtue, disposition and ability to do something; We should conclude that logistics is both science and art, and apparently, in general, this is how it is understood and applied by specialists in the area.

On the other hand, when talking about the logistics chain, one cannot forget to incorporate the new trends of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, derived from currently prevailing technological, sociological and economic influences. For this reason, a definition of the logistics chain, understood as a brief and clear explanation of its nature, by the enunciation of its main attributes, must be concise and therefore not descriptive, and hopefully universal, so that it considers all aspects known and addressed in a forward-looking sense, encompassing science and art.

As stated by the Council of Logistic Management, cited in Blanchard, B. (1992), it is convenient to make clear that when proposing a new definition of logistics, it is not intended to indicate that the current definitions and those stated above are incorrect, but only recognize the fact that they were formulated since approximately 1961, the first of them and that forty years is a long enough time in the development of any science that claims rigor, being evident that there are today some elements that in due course were not duly considered. Furthermore, it must be coupled under the new paradigmatic schemes.

Under this approach Salgado, J (1992), citing Eccles, H., briefly defines logistics as the art and science of managing the process of determining needs, obtaining them, distributing them and maintaining them (in an iterative and permanent way) during the entire life cycle of the equipment or systems to be operated, to contribute to the achievement of specific objectives.

Based on the previous approach, Salgado, J (1992) points out, scientific discussions have arisen and are still taking place on whether logistics is a science or an art. The arguments that are used are based on two conflicting and apparently irreconcilable positions, to the point of being perceived as a dilemma, due to the difficulty of reconciling these two positions.

A current of thought considers them an informal science, in comparison with the degree of formalization reached by other social sciences. He locates his object of study in the medium where it unfolds; and indicates that it uses a set of systematic, rational and verifiable knowledge, referring to the observed reality.

Another current of thought considers this discipline oriented to dynamically relate the organization with customers, through policies and practices that increase the effectiveness of planning and distribution of products and services. It locates its application in the identification of the needs of the organization, focused mainly on commercial opportunities, obtaining as a result the survival and economic prosperity of the company; based on knowledge, methods and techniques from other sciences, such as economics and statistics. Relying on the continuous and rapid change of the environment where its market operates.

This instability does not allow the accumulation of knowledge of facts and events of a phenomenon for its subsequent use, considering that the needs of organizations vary over time. This variability forces the use of art, to resort to the ability and experience to make decisions about the marketing action to follow, or even to change the action for one that is considered more effective.

Presented the most representative arguments, on whether the logistics chain is a science or an art, and far from pretending to definitively elucidate what it is, a perception is now shown that, without exhausting the topic, seeks to find a time for reflection around the two positions found.

If science is considered as a body of systematic, accumulated and accepted knowledge with reference to the understanding of general truths, related to a phenomenon; and art as the virtue of applying experience, ability, dexterity and creativity to do or do something, the logistics chain has characteristics that make it difficult to fit it into one of these branches, totally excluding the other, given that it has characteristics of both.

Although it is true that the conception of the logistics chain does not remain constant over time and also varies from organization to organization, so its theories are changing, this character of provisional truth is a characteristic of scientific knowledge in general. Scientific truth is perfectible, it is transformed into new findings or it is replaced by a new truth, as a consequence and effect of investigations with the use of more advanced and refined methods and techniques.

It is enough to explore the evolution that science has had to observe that the meaning of scientific thought has varied over time, as a product of the scientific canons established at different times, such as the replacement of Ptolemy's theory by that of Copernicus, about the referred to the planetary movement.

Other scientific knowledge, which has been universally accepted by the scientific community, in solving problems, is no longer valid. The organization of work as a result of scientific action has focused on task analysis for almost a hundred years. However, the conception of organizing work around the basic business processes and the teams that execute them is a recently-acquired knowledge that tends to displace a truth that seemed immutable.

In summary, the maxim: "knowledge is power", or even more "information is power", sums up the presence of the art of Logistics, the effectiveness of its development and implementation depends on the art of applying substantive or general knowledge, adequate, necessary and timely.

Although art is practical and as such requires practice to perfect it, the isolated practice of knowledge is also unfeasible, because it offers partial solutions. In the same way, the application of knowledge alone, without the discipline of practice, also tends to result in sterile efforts. Knowing how to choose what, how, when and where to apply knowledge, qualifies whoever exercises it, and this makes logistics precisely a successful science, because it is up to you to know each of these things, but also, the one that stands out in the applying the logistics chain will obtain greater profit in the market and profitability, the latter being a work worthy of an artist, since it creates a unique work that guarantees the success of the organization.

Conclusions

With the development of this documentary research it was obtained that:

For managers, paradigms consist of organizational realities that the members of a group construct, to integrate the thoughts and actions of its members.

The science model that originated after the Renaissance served as the basis for the scientific and technological advancement of subsequent centuries. However, the explosion of knowledge, disciplines, specialties and approaches that have occurred in the twentieth and early twenty-first century, in addition to epistemological reflection, have found this traditional model of science, not only Insufficient, but impossible to respond to the new realities and thought of men, generating the need to change our paradigm, giving way to what is nowadays called an emerging paradigm.

Within the emerging conception of the paradigm of scientific knowledge, human beings have retaken their origins, and have begun to think again about philosophy, science and art, unified, to answer the new questions of knowledge. Under this approach, theories have emerged that defend and others that differ from understanding and seeing the logistics chain as science and art.

Management science has a great opportunity to develop its knowledge, under this new emerging paradigmatic approach, since it is not necessary today, to demonstrate an organizational fact that is ultimately a human fact under a scientific method, since the behavior of organizations, like that of human beings, cannot be tested by a scientific method as in the natural sciences, but it does not stop being science and its results considered as successful even though they cannot generate the same results a thousand times under the same approach or mode of application.

The logistics chain or supply chain has great potential for growth and development within which to make scientific and managerial knowledge. In addition, its study and application within organizations has become increasingly important, due to the positive impact it generates on customers and profitability, its correct application and cognitive certainty within companies and in knowledge managers who do logistics..

Finally the time has come for the social sciences and within it for managerial science, to demonstrate the value and contribution of their knowledge, and the formation of new paradigms that support their existence and permanence over time.

Bibliographic references

Articles

Monterroso, E. (2000). The Logistics Process and the Management of the Supply Chain.

Martinez, M. (2001). Need for a new epistemic paradigm. In AA. VV. Social Sciences: End of the Century Reflections. Trópikos Publishing Fund, Commission for Postgraduate Studies, FACES, Central University of Venezuela.

Works without author

Afnor standards. France.

Online digital encyclopedia wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ética

On-line jobs

Gambino, A. (2006). Today's Logistics. Available in:

López, C. (2005). Logistics Management: Indispensable Tool for Competitiveness. Available at:

Opertti, J. (2006). Introduction to Logistics Management. Available in:

Ramos, P. (2006). Logistics definition. Available in:

Others

Well, G. (1995) What is science? The response of the categorical closure theory. Science and Philosophy. Pentalfa Ediciones, Oviedo

Council of Logistic Management. Quoted in Blanchard, Benjamín S. “Logistics Engineering and Management». New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, p. 3.1992

Eccles, Henry E. Quoted in Salgado Alba, Jesus: "General and Naval Logistics operational", Madrid new graphics sa 1992.