Logistics evolution: a comparison of military and commercial logistics thought

Purpose - This paper aims to look at the relative position of thought leadership between the areas of military and civilian logisticians.Design methodology approach - The paper provides a theoretical framework in an exploratory study using the literature to evaluate the constraints on the military side of logistics thought.Findings - The discussion identifies challenges that may preclude military logistics thought from becoming the leaders for the foreseeable future.Originality value - The paper provides an examination of the changing role between military and civilian logistics that has not been carefully examined since just after the Gulf War in 1991.