We had the opportunity to interview Dr. Risimati Khosa about the forthcoming title Logistics Management: A Southern African Overview. The book provides perspectives on challenges faced within the logistics industry in South Africa and offers valuable lessons to businesses.


Could you provide an overview of the book and its primary focus on logistics management and value creation within the South African context?

The book provides a progressive development from basic to more complex levels of understanding, breaking down the concept of logistics with a focus on the Southern Africa region. It is targeted at learners, scholars, and African practitioners with solutions to African challenges about logistics.  Furthermore, the book uses organisations and examples from Africa to give perspective to the operations of where our client base is at which makes the understanding of the logistics concepts relatable. This directly speaks to the dialogue about the Africanisation of content that is occurring currently in Africa. The book also incorporates discussions around the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which has affected logistics management severely due to lockdown rules and regulations which affected the movement of goods in our supply chain globally. 

To address contemporary logistics issues, this book includes 16 chapters divided into three sections. The first section, chapters 1–3, focuses on logistics management; the second section, chapters 4–12, focuses on logistics activities; and the third section, chapters 13–16, focuses on logistics considerations. To further the reader’s understanding, the authors of this book are all experts in the various fields of supply chain management (where logistics falls), from an industry and academic spectrum.

Logistics plays a critical role in business success. How does the book emphasise the relationship between logistics management and value creation for companies?

With the core discussion on the key logistics components covered in chapters 1-12, all these chapters make references to real-life examples and the content provides theoretical solutions that different companies in the SADC region can explore. For example, in Chapter 10, we provide sustainable solutions that companies can employ within their procurement departments, using practical examples of repercussions, like the public boycotting a company. We also provide potential organisations with advice on how to penetrate the African and/or SADC market, considering the ’Ubuntu” effect. 

In the context of South Africa, what are some unique challenges that businesses encounter in the field of logistics, and how does the book address these challenges?

There are numerous logistics challenges that businesses face, however, we have noted the following and have ensured that our book addresses them.

• Real-time inventory management. Chapters 7 and 8 address problems relating to inventory management and provide practical solutions that organisations can explore to fulfil this goal.

• Processing massive amounts of information and fulfilling today’s customers that favour e-commerce. Chapter 6 has introduced systems that organisations can employ to be explored guided by ITS.

• Dealing with informed customers, that prefer to buy online and expect high service levels. Today’s customers also want to deal with a business that values integrity and ethics amongst others. This is dealt with in chapters 6, 12, and 15 with a focus on investing and fulfilling sustainability in SCM functions to ensure that a business does not infringe on its customers. Otherwise, today’s customers are not afraid to shun a business, this book has well-known quoted examples in that regard and how organisations can address those.

• High transportation costs around the globe. Chapter 10 addresses this, highlighting the different transportation modes that can be explored to reduce costs and guidance on owning or outsourcing of that function within an organisation.

Can you share specific examples from the book that illustrate how effective logistics management contributes to enhancing value for businesses operating in South Africa?

South Africa (SA) is known worldwide for its abundance of natural resources and minerals like gold and vegetation. As a result, these products are in demand, especially by countries which utilise these resources as inputs in manufacturing various goods. 

Success in a logistic business relates to increased efficiencies, lower costs, higher production rates, better inventory control, smarter use of warehouse space, and increased customer and supplier satisfaction or experience. 

In our book, these are addressed by chapters 2 (Value created in logistics), 7 (Inventory Management), 8 (Warehouse Management), 9 (Packaging), and 12 (Customer Service).

South Africa is also seen as the gateway for other African countries within the continent. The geographical location and better infrastructure development have opened SA as the central logistics hub. Consequently, the logistics management processes that South Africa adopts need to be in line with being a partner with other Southern African and African states.

What inspired you to write this book, specifically for the South African environment, and what gaps did you aim to fill in the existing literature?

The book idea came from the fact that no logistics book explores the SADC region. SADC was chosen seeing that we are from there and most of us are academics in the region. The existing books were sort of limiting when explaining certain concepts to our undergraduate students and thus we thought let us develop a book that will bridge that gap. In addition, the fact that most of us studied in the era of international books, and understanding some of the concepts was a bit of a challenge and so we wanted to address that.

The logistics landscape is constantly evolving. What insights does the book provide to changes in technology, regulations, and global market trends for businesses to remain relevant?

Mainly it is the adoption of technology, which we see in Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15. Chapters 6 and 15, encourage the adoption of sustainability which is one of the concepts that is on everyone’s lips these days and that is one way of progressing with technology, because technology will be adopted in the way you procure, source raw materials, relate to suppliers and other SCM partners and how you will management your transportation processes.

Businesses often struggle with balancing cost-efficiency and sustainability in logistics operations. How does the book guide readers in achieving this balance, particularly in the context of South Africa's economic challenges?

This is covered in chapters, 6, 10, and 15, employing sustainable strategies within your organisations when you buy and transport. We have examples like procuring locally and doing business within the SADC region improving the economy within the continent (fluffing both economic and social sustainability). Our book also covers reverse logistics, which is an important element of the SCM nowadays, and serves as a core element in ensuring sustainability with most businesses and governments employing strategies that will protect our already depleted ozone layer.

What key takeaways and practical insights can readers gain from the book, and how can these insights positively impact their businesses or fields of work?

The main one is that the book relates to the SADC region and thus it is relatable, with examples that we have experienced, like listeriosis, the boycotting of Clicks, and H & M – people and businesses can learn what not to do in their business or what to do to prevent such from taking place. End-users of the book will have an insight into one of the supply chain elements which are logistics, and it plays a huge role in the success of any organisation because we need raw materials to make finished products and there must be a mode of transportation which forms part of logistics. 

Collaborations and partnerships are vital in logistics. How does your book explore the role of collaboration between various stakeholders in the South African logistics ecosystem?

This was addressed in Chapter 15, exploring sustainability within the SCM as a whole, and within all the SCM functions. It is vital to build supplier relationships in logistics because collaborations with suppliers lessen the risk of insufficient supply of goods or services; hence maintaining good relations is critical.

Publishing a comprehensive book is a significant endeavour. Could you share some of the most rewarding aspects of the writing process and the knowledge-sharing journey?

Mainly it is to contribute to the body of knowledge in the logistics space and provide material that is relatable to the layman within the SADC region.  And of course, being a part of the larger reputable SCM community of authors is an immeasurable feeling, we would not trade it for anything in the world, seeing that this is our first logistics project. 

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are considering writing about logistics management and value creation, particularly in a specific regional context like South Africa?

Find a gap. For instance, to explore the logistics within the public sector in detail, seeing that the public sector is marred with serious SCM challenges, and most of our undergraduates are not equipped to deal with such an environment. Also, we would suggest conducting research related to real South African logistics challenges such as at FMCG’s from inbound logistics process to outbound, since it’s a fast-paced environment and challenges must be dealt with timeously. The end goal is to ensure supply to the end-user. 

Beyond the academic sphere, how do you envision the book being utilised by businesses, industry professionals, and policymakers to drive positive change in the logistics sector?

We think it can be used as a guide to deal with SCM processes and challenges from a higher level since the book provides more of an advisory note. In addition, the book can be used as a practical guide in real-life situations in a work environment which will offer support in terms of logistics challenges or situations faced by the company. It can offer support and resolutions that will take the company to greater heights.

Looking ahead, do you have plans for further publications or updates to the existing book to keep up with the evolving landscape of logistics and value creation in South Africa?

Of course, we are pumped up and looking forward to the success of this one and to more similar endeavours. we are already in talks as co-editors about our next project. Technology is ever-evolving, and we as authors need to keep abreast of changes in the environment and implement changes to be up to speed with the latest technology to increase efficiency and maximise profits which in the end is the goal of organisations.

Logistics Management: A Southern African Overview will be available from 15 November 2023. If you are attending the SAIMS 2023 conference, please visit Jayde Butler at our exhibition table for more information about the publication.