This special issue is based on papers presented during the LRN2006 conference that took place in Newcastle University. The actual conference generated almost 100 papers making the selection of the special issue papers a challenging task.
The published papers have some key principles in common. Specifically, many of these papers reflect the theme of the LRN2006 conference that was ‘Sustainable Logistics in an Intermodal Setting’ (e.g. see paper by Diniz and Fabbe-Costes). Another dimension is that these papers are written by academics from across the globe reflecting the growing popularity of the LRN conference over the years (e.g. see papers by McKinnon, Mendes and Nababteh and Tovia). This is not surprising, considering that the LRN2006 conference attracted more than 145 delegates from more than 20 countries. The papers also represent a wide range of logistics (e.g. see paper by Datta, Christopher and Allen) and transport activities (e.g. see paper by Browne, Allen and Attlassy), encompassing a plethora of sectors (e.g. see papers by Found and Rich and Roh, Lalwani and Naim) and research challenges (e.g. see paper by Pyne, Dinwoodie and Roe) and illustrating the multifaceted and diverse role of logistics and supply chain management in modern societies (e.g. see paper by Rogers, Kelly, Rogers and Carter).
These special issue papers have been the outcome of a refereeing process and my gratitude goes to the reviewers for their hard work and for meeting deadlines under a very prompt manner. Overall, this special issue includes nine papers altogether. I would like to note that one of these papers was written by Dr Fernando Tovia entitled ‘An Emergency Logistics Response System for Natural Disasters’, which won the best paper prize at the LRN2006 conference.
Reflecting back on the LRN2006 conference, I have to admit that its organisation has been a demanding but rewarding task where my applied ‘logistics’ skills were put to the test. In addition, the LRN2006 conference would not have been a success without the help of some key individuals, including Professor Kevin Cullinane, Professor John Nelson and Dr Corinne Mulley who have been part of the LRN2006 organising committee. Special thanks go to the three keynote conference speakers, Professor Mohamed Naim, Mr Roger Boughton and Mr Derrick Potter, for their excellent and thought provoking presentations. I am sure that the delegates had the chance to discuss their presentations and other current logistics and supply chain management issues during the conference and to further engage into a fruitful exchange of views. I would like to thank Dr Tony Whiteing, Dr David Grant and Dr David Menachof for successfully running the LRN2006 Doctorate Workshop. My gratitude also goes to the conference session chairpersons for their efficient management of these sessions and their constructive feedback in connection with the paper selection for this special issue.
Last but not least, it has been a great pleasure being the LRN2006 Special Issue Editor. I hope that these papers will be of interest to the logistics community and will provide the basis for further future research. The next LRN conference (2007) will take place in the Logistics Institute of Hull University Business School and I wish all the best to both Professor Chandra Lalwani and Professor John Mangan, the conference hosts. I am sure that the LRN2007 conference will be a great success and we are all looking forward to it.
Dr Michael Bourlakis
LRN2006 Special Issue Editor
Brunel University
Uxbridge, UK