Introduction

This book series of ‘Research for Development’ was conceived by Springer and the Politecnico di Milano to “promote complex texts that are the outcome of wide-ranging and highly sophisticated research projects, defined by multi- disciplinary content and targeting development.” This book focuses on supply chain management, its conceptual development, the contemporary challenges faced by academics and practitioners in the field and the implications for the future of research in the field. The narrative developed is formed from synthesising international research in manufacturing and service, public, private and third sector settings. Eight principles of supply chain management are developed from this synthesis.