About the Book
The Little Handbook of Logistics Haikus introduces readers to the principles of logistics management, innovatively presented through 60 haikus. Bridging the brevity of Japanese poetry and the complexity of supply chain management, the book synthesizes essential concepts with an artistic twist. The topics span the foundational pillars of supply chain and operations management, inventory management, warehousing, network design, and transportation to current trends such as last-mile delivery and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on logistics.
Structured to offer both theoretical and practical insights, the book presents each subject through haikus, followed by discussions that unpack the underlying ideas and applications. The concise poetic form aids in comprehension, making the learning process both efficient and memorable. While exploring operations management, students examine system-level thinking and the economic implications of logistical decisions on an overarching supply chain strategy.
The Little Handbook of Logistics Haikus is an ideal supplementary text for courses in logistics, transportation management, and supply chain management. Its unique approach makes it an excellent resource for students and instructors seeking a refreshing perspective on logistics principles and a creative pedagogical tool to enrich classroom discussions. The book also serves as a gentle introduction for members of the public wanting to learn about logistics in a more accessible format.
“Professor Lim has created an outstanding resource for students and professors studying Operations, Supply Chain, and Logistics Management. Students will find it a valuable introduction to key concepts and definitions, which they will likely revisit as they prepare for interviews or take on new job responsibilities. Professors can use this book as a supplement to their existing textbooks and other materials. The haikus are simple and direct, but open-ended enough to generate differing interpretations and therefore class discussion. The prose for each topic is brief, clear, and very helpful. This is a unique, exceptionally creative book that I highly recommend for undergraduate and even MBA students.”
— David F. Pyke, Ph.D., Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management
Former Dean, Knauss School of Business, University of San Diego
Former Professor of Operations and Associate Dean, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College
“The Little Handbook of Logistics Haikus was thoroughly enjoyable and informative. As a logistics professional, everything is written clearly and concisely. Professor Lim does a fantastic job of making every topic easy to understand for the most seasoned professionals or for someone just starting out in their career.”
— Solomon Zakinov, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, ShipX
“This is a fun book to read with important lessons to remember. The creative use of haikus provides a unique and engaging way to explore complex logistics concepts. It’s an accessible and refreshing resource for both students and professionals in the field.”
— Maria R. Ibanez, Associate Professor of Operations, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
“I highly recommend The Little Handbook of Logistics Haikus for its innovative approach in marrying logistics principles with artistic expression. This handbook provides practicing managers with a unique method to engage deeply with complex logistics concepts through the succinct and reflective medium of haikus, complemented by illustrations and insightful descriptions. It serves not only as a tool for immediate understanding but also as a catalyst for continuous learning and innovative thinking, thanks to carefully selected further readings. This book is an invaluable companion for managers striving for operational excellence, encouraging a blend of efficiency, innovation, and strategic insight in today’s fast-paced world of logistics and supply chain management.”
— Jagjit Singh Srai, Ph.D., Director of Research, Head of the Centre for International Manufacturing, Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge
Foreword
The Little Handbook of Logistics Haikus is the first of its kind. It is a textbook covering the fundamental principles of logistics management, presented in a traditional Japanese poetic form: the haiku. The simplicity of poetic arrangement, the beauty of illustrations, and the economy of words despite its comprehensive coverage are all attractive points that one immediately sees when picking up this book.
To appreciate a book, one starts by appreciating the author. Stanley Lim, as an academic researcher, exemplifies intellectual rigor, practical relevance, and communicative precision. He has engaged in a plethora of research projects that draw upon the concepts covered in this book. Through his research, Stanley encounters and helps to overcome the operational challenges faced by companies in a wide range of industries. As an academic collaborator, I have the fortune of accompanying him on this fascinating research journey. In our interactions, I particularly appreciate the crisp and clear manner by which he shares his ideas. I am impressed, but not surprised, that Stanley wrote this logistics textbook using merely seventeen syllables of the haiku to present each of the core ideas in the textbook.
In my opinion, the way a reader can get the most out of this book is to view each of the central haikus as an individualized summary of the related concept. Not just a summary (as in most textbooks), but an individualized summary. The individualization comes from the reader’s connection with the haiku. This connection is personal and could relate to stories, anecdotes, case studies that resonate most with the reader. Each reader interacts with the concept in a different way, subjectively weighing the strengths and weaknesses of the managerial approach in the haiku. In this way, the same haiku can have multiple meanings and multiple lessons. It is the reader’s job to seek their own way.
It is my pleasure to introduce this little gem to the readers.
— Xuanming Su, Murrel J. Ades Professor, Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
stanley-lim.com 