An Integrated Decision Support System for Global Logistics

As the globalization of business activities broadens and diversifies logistics operations, many logistics managers have found themselves challenged by extreme complexities and uncertainties. Consequently, planning and control of multinational firms (MNFs) have become onerous due to the multiplicity of international decision environments. Perhaps the most effective way of coping with such challenges is to utilize an integrated decision support system (IDSS) linking world‐wide communication and distribution networks among the parent company, its foreign business partners and third‐party logisticians. In response to such a need, provides important guidelines for the design and development of an integrated DSS that helps the multinational firm centrally to control and co‐ordinate international transfers.