Integration of Marketing and Logistics: A Way to Competitive Advantage in South Africa

Logistics and marketing are both corporate functions that are critical for the competitive position of an organisation. Traditionally, logistics has been seen as a passive tool supporting marketing, while more recent research publications have stressed the strategic importance of logistics. Here the focus is on: showing the impact logistics has on competitive advantage; identifying the key interfaces between logistics and marketing; stressing the need of integrating the two functions to avoid permanent friction between them; and providing an approach to developing an integrated logistics/marketing strategy.