The world of logistics has considerably changed in the last years. There has been a steady evolution due to globalization, modern information technology, and es- cially increasing ecological awareness. Many firms have meanwhile implemented large Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems - sometimes already developed to global logistic networks. This book reflects major trends of the recent decade in SCM and, additionally, presents ideas and visions for logistic networks of the 21st century from a strictly scientific point of view. Though the book deals with quite a lot of different perspectives on the same pr- lem, namely how to efficiently and effectively establish elements of a supply chain, it stresses one essential figure of SCM: closing the loop of a supply chain by integrating waste materials into logistic management decisions. Reverse log- tics has gained central importance caused by sustainable developments in society and legislation in the past. The book is based on the premise that economic and political decision makers can no longer afford to ignore the ecological issues of logistics. Many excellent researchers from several fields of logistics have contributed to this book. Most of them have been involved in the major developments of SCM me- ods and concepts during recent years. Therefore, we are very glad and grateful to have them gathered here together in this volume.
