LOGISTICS MEGATRENDS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON SUPPLY CHAINS

Abstract

Term 'megatrend' is being defined in logistics as a significant transformation in functioning of logistics business entities, reorganisation of their general activities and operations on competitive market. It is a new phenomenon which has not only local but also global range and has a potential to play a major role in the future societies, including logistics activities. The most important megatrends are: transformations in logistics models (placement of business centres in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe), growing influence of modern, innovative and intelligent technologies, increasing concern about natural environment (necessity of sustainable development in building business strategies), changes inside corporations, significant demographic changes (an ageing population concerning in particular heavily industrialized countries), global competition (e-trade and e-purchasing development, mobile services expansion) and various cultural transformations. All of them directly influence functioning of supply chains which become more multidimensional and complex but still adapted to changing business environment.

 The aim of the paper is to indicate the changes in supply chains which occurred as a result of logistics megatrends. The objective is to be achieved through comparing own surveys data, carried out in 2012 and 2017. The studies were conducted on a group of 120 people - managers in manufacturing companies responsible for supply chains.

Key words: megatrends, supply chain, intelligence