Celebrating IJPDLM's 50th anniversary: a reflection on its contributions and future directions

Abstract

Purpose

This article celebrates the 50th anniversary of IJPDLM, reflects on the contribution of IJPDLM to the field of logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) and discusses future directions for the journal.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive analysis of manuscripts received and accepted by IJPDLM during 2015–2019 is used to provide an overview of the journal. Content analysis of selected articles is used to highlight important contributions of the journal. Changes made since 2020 are highlighted to inform future directions of IJPDLM. Invited articles are discussed and used to clarify future directions.

Findings

IJPDLM has made tremendous progress in informing and shaping the field of LSCM. Key issues addressed include sustainability and reverse logistics, omni-channel, e-commerce, retail logistics, risk, resilience, volatility, and complexity and digital technology innovation. The journal has expanded the use of methods beyond the typical qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the use of design science, experiment, conjoint analysis, qualitative comparative analysis, narrative analysis. The invited articles provide (1) a historical reflection of the purpose of the journal when it was launched, (2) new guidance on how to develop theories using literature review and grounded theories and (3) understanding of startups and supply chain ecosystems.

Practical implications

Some exemplar articles are highlighted to explain how IJPDLM informs LSCM managers, companies and policy makers.

Originality/value

This article explains the recent development and sets future directions for the LSCM field.

Citation

Wong, C.Y. (2021), "Celebrating IJPDLM's 50th anniversary: a reflection on its contributions and future directions", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 51 No. 10, pp. 1049-1064. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-10-2021-0427