Globalisation of manufacturing and commerce is changing the rules of the game regarding the management of the supply chain. Transportation companies as well as many government organisations world-wide are increasingly expanding their role in order to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity of extended logistics services. The most advanced logistics service providers are going over global partnership with their key customers. However, carriers are also confronted with a series of difficulties and pitfalls while developing their international logistics strategies.
Carefully aligning the academic and practical elements of the subject, this talk offers an analysis of alternative development policies for transnational service providers. By focusing on real cases of innovative solutions, we stress the current tendency for a combined increasing commitment towards globalisation on the one hand, and general logistics expertise on the other hand. The structure of the industry before 1995 is compared with the situation while entering year 2000. This analysis is supplemented with guidance and ideas to business executives and researchers regarding the questions of building and managing the transnational service providers.
Finally, the seminar is providing a platform for an open discussion about the impact of the global management of the supply chain, and the development of mega-carriers offering advanced logistics services world-wide, on companies from Singapore and Asia-Pacific and, possibly, about the role of governments in this changing environment.

Professor Herv�� Mathe is currently the Head of Logistics, Production and Services at ESSEC Graduate School of Management in Paris, France. He has also taught manufacturing and technology management at the University of Lausanne and at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland for the last eight years. Ten years ago, Dr Mathe was appointed by Harvard Business School as Visiting Professor in operating strategy. Since then he has served as visiting professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Cranfield University School of Management, and the SDA Bocconi in Milano, Italy.
Professor Mathe has authored or co-authored seven books and numerous articles on logistics, service and international management. As a consultant, academic and researcher, he has worked with many types of private and public organisations in the areas of corporate strategy, logistics and manufacturing audit, supply chain process reengineering, restructuring of international distribution networks, and global development of service companies.
At ESSES, he designed and managed the master��s program in logistics management and engineering. Later he was appointed the Associate Dean in charge of postgraduate education. He has also chaired the management department at the University of Lausanne for two years.