Correct diagnosis, debatable treatment

At the WROLOG 2003 conference in Wrocław (dedicated to the memory of Professor Zbigniew Korzeń), Professor Stanisław Oziemski presented an important and interesting paper titled “Logistique, logistike – materials management, logistics”. It was published in the supplement to the journal “Systems” vol. 8, no. 1/2003. Since I could only attend the second day of the conference due to professional duties, I did not have the opportunity to listen to the Professor’s presentation or take part in the discussion. Fortunately, the Professor decided to publish an interview titled “Logistics should have its own philosophy…” in issue 1/2004 of “Logistyka”. The most important theses of the Wrocław paper were repeated there. I treat this interview as an invitation to a broader discussion. Below, I allow myself to present my view on the problems raised in both publications.

The main theme of both publications (though more strongly emphasized in the published Wrocław paper) is the Professor’s concern about the direction of logistics development in Poland. I also share the Professor’s concern. I notice, to put it mildly, conceptual and terminological “confusion” in domestic publications in this field. I believe there is a lack of textbooks that would clearly and accessibly explain to students the basic concepts and ideas for modern logistics (even the “Just-in-Time” concept so often mentioned by the Professor). I think that in the area of logistics management, too much attention is paid to management and too little to logistics in domestic publications. To the “sins” of logistics conferences organized in Poland, mentioned by the Professor in the interview, I add what I observe myself – the dominance of commercial presentations promoting specific solutions or companies. I am even more worried by the fact that this is not (or so it seems to me) exclusively a feature of domestic conferences. Logistics conferences around the world currently look similar.

For a poorly informed reader, the Professor’s publications may give the impression that there is a specific “Polish path” of logistics development.