Logistics impact on business management and firm competitiveness – 15 years of experience

Logistics plays a very significant role in contemporary management. The aim of the article is to present the results of the research regarding the impact of logistics on business management and the overall firm competitiveness. The research started in 2009 and was conducted in the Chair of Logistics and Strategic Management at University of Opole, Poland, EU. The most important research findings show that logistics concept, logistics capacities (i.e. logistics resources, logistics capabilities, logistics competences) and logistics strategies have significant impact on business management and the overall firm competitiveness. The most distinctive characteristic of firm competitiveness is its competitive advantage. The pillars of the firm competitive advantage creation as well as the overall firm competitiveness building and strengthening are the market outcomes as well as economic outcomes achieved by the firm. Thanks to these outcomes firms are able to reach the desired financial performance and market position compared to the competitors. The research results were presented based on two projects named: (1) Logistics Determinants of Business Management, carried out in the Chair of Logistics and Strategic Management in years 2009-2011, and (2) Logistics Competences Affecting Business Competitive Advantage Creation, carried out in this chair in years 2012-2014. Several detailed issues, in particular the impact of logistics resources as well as logistics capabilities on business management as well as the overall firm competitiveness, have been the topic of the further, in-depth research carried out in the abovementioned chair in the next years.