Sotilasjohtaminen osa sotatieteitä – logistiikka osana sotilasjohtamista

Kirjoittajat

• Vesa Autere
• Aki-Mauri Huhtinen Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu

Avainsanat:

logistiikka, SCM, logistiikkastrategia, ulkoistaminen, logistiikan tutkimus

Abstrakti

In this article we intend to explain some of the basic concepts of logistics as part of the challenges of the Finnish defence system. The central issue in Vesa Autere’s Military Science dissertation in leadership is the necessity of understanding logistics thinking from the point of view of the actors in the Defence Forces’ logistics system. When comparing logistics with other older and more advanced disciplines, logistics does not have such long traditions in developing theory and empirical research. The roots of logistics are in theories borrowed from other fields of science and, like Military Science, it is interdisciplinary. It can be said that the research of logistics is mainly a cross-section of business economics, marketing and leadership. The points of view can also be functional, technical or natural scientific. Logistics is often defined as a part or subspecies of leadership. This is logical since the organisation and coordination of logistics specifically require leadership. Since the 1990’s Supply Chain Management, SCM, has started to establish itself above the concept of logistics. It concentrates on the management of material, money and logistics and it emphasizes the above mentioned chain that links the customer, the supplier and the manufacturer and the organisations connected to them. In Finnish universities SCM has established its position above the concept of logistics and, for example, in the English materials the logistics degree programmes are often referred to with the SCM term. The universities wish to present the study module being more comprehensive than just the basic studies in logistics. In 2004, the organisation known as Council of Logistics Management (CLM) changed its name to Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). At the same time the concept of logistics was redefined, now to being a part of SCM. In the Finnish Defence Forces logistics strategy, logistics is seen as a part of military science the implementation of which secures the Defence Forces’ materiel readiness, the personnel’s physical and mental abilities and also contributes to insuring the functions vital to society in all conditions in Finland and globally. The term logistics that has long been used in warfare, has during the last fifty years also become a term used in business and economics. Logistics, supply chain management and strategic logistics leadership have, with this development been introduced also in business and the public sector such as in the defence administration. The logistics strategy is the most significant individual factor the success of which influences the success of modern customer oriented business. The Defence Forces logistics system and the logistics operating model have been developed to suit the new 2008 command system of the Finnish Defence Forces. Logistics as a concept is due to be introduced in the Defence Forces in 2013. As a concept, supply chain management has been in use in business and in the United States military for years. The logistics strategy is needed to show the goals, tasks and the direction of development in Defence Forces logistics. The strategy creates a common vision of the Defence Forces’ logistics system and its development when raising readiness. The logistics strategy does not become a strategy until information on its content has been shared and distributed widely enough. Like in the business world, even in the Defence Forces the logistics must be a part of the Defence Forces’ strategic planning, command and control. The full text is in Finnish. Artikkeli on suomenkielinen.