Logistics support for JIT implementation

It is generally believed that to maximize the full potential of ‘just-in-time’ (JIT), it must be fully integrated, system-wide. To achieve such integration, a common understanding of and appreciation for JIT is needed within various functional areas. Therefore, manufacturers and logistics executives were surveyed to determine their attitudes and understanding about JIT. The primary objective was to identify how different or similar their opinions were regarding JIT adoption and implementation. The manufacturer respondents indicated a much broader view of JIT as a management philosophy whose goal is to eliminate waste throughout an organization. In contrast, the logistics respondents were more likely to view JIT as largely an inventory reduction policy. In general, there appears to be an opportunity for logistics managers to more fully utilize aspects of JIT to achieve overall performance improvements.