Evolution of the Value Chain Concept

The new business models that are appearing are variations on the generic value chain and underlying each of these new approaches are two facilitating processes. Magretta (2002) argued that this chain has two parts; one includes all the activities associated with making something: designing it, purchasing raw materials, manufacturing and so on the other includes all the activities associated with selling something: finding and reaching customers, transacting a sale, distributing the product or delivering the service. The value chain is firmly based in the disciplines of logistics management i.e., the management of flows of information, information, and transactions. This e-book of the International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management contains five articles that are comments on current issues within this rapidly expanding area.