A review of inventory management research in major logistics journals: Themes and future directions

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of inventory management articles published in major logistics outlets, identify themes from the literature and provide future direction for inventory management research to be published in logistics journals.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles published in major logistics articles, beginning in 1976, which contribute to the inventory management literature are reviewed and cataloged. The articles are segmented based on major themes extracted from the literature as well as key assumptions made by the particular inventory management model.

Findings

Two major themes are found to emerge from logistics research focused on inventory management. First, logistics researchers have focused considerable attention on integrating traditional logistics decisions, such as transportation and warehousing, with inventory management decisions, using traditional inventory control models. Second, logistics researchers have more recently focused on examining inventory management through collaborative models.

Originality/value

This paper catalogs the inventory management articles published in the major logistics journals, facilitates the awareness and appreciation of such work, and stands to guide future inventory management research by highlighting gaps and unexplored topics in the extant literature.

Citation

Williams, B.D. and Tokar, T. (2008), "A review of inventory management research in major logistics journals: Themes and future directions", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 212-232. https://doi.org/10.1108/09574090810895960