Responding to the need to identify best business practices, 9 institutions in Europe are carrying out the research objectives of the BestLog project (http://www.bestlog.org). Partners in this venture include: Technische Universität Berlin (Germany), European Logistics Association (Belgium), Mettle Consulting (France), Instituto Tecnologico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logistica (Spain), University of Oxford (United Kingdom), University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), Reliant s.r.o. (Czech Republic), and the Department of Logistics at the Warsaw School of Economics (Poland). BestLog is a European Union research project based on the context of DG TREN transport policy. Its objectives are: to improve supply chain management practices, to enhance the quality of education in supply chain management, to reduce disparities within Europe, to establish standards, to support growth and job creation, and to achieve better coherence between EU policy and business decisions. The main task of the project is to create a platform for the exchange, dissemination, and promotion of best practices.
Cases illustrating the best solutions in logistics and supply chain management are the subject of discussion during international meetings organized by the BestLog Consortium. The next workshop, “Actions for Policy Makers and the Industry,” will take place on October 21, 2008, in Berlin. The registration form is available on the website: http://www.bestlog.org/index.php?id=20&tx_mininews_pi1[showUid]=31&cHash=766998a22b). This is the third time this year that the project partners are inviting participants to a workshop where best practices in logistics and supply chain management will be presented. The meeting will also enable the exchange of knowledge and experience among managers on an international forum.
On December 3, 2008, an international conference will be held in Prague, summarizing the results of the BestLog Consortium’s research work to date. Detailed information is available on the website: http://www.bestlog.org/index.php?id=20&tx_mininews_pi1[showUid]=32&cHash=c3d84e3704). The research results will be presented both by experts directly involved in the venture and by managers from companies with which the BestLog Consortium has established cooperation.
Comparing best business practices would not be possible without measuring their effects. A special survey questionnaire is used to identify the most frequently used methods for measuring the results of best practices in logistics and supply chain management (the form is available on the website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=o6O7n6zP2dqBy8r4Z_2fTKNw_3d_3d). The survey results are helpful in defining metrics that illustrate the effects of these practices. The questions are aimed at managers who wish to provide information regarding the measurement methods used. The information obtained is treated as confidential. No respondent is identified based on the submitted data.
The BestLog project research team invites cooperation from enterprises that possess best business practices and wish to promote them on an international forum.