ProfessorWolfgang Stölzle is the managing director of the Institute for Supply Chain Management at the University of St. Gallen. In an interview with the Executive School, he discusses future trends in logistics and challenges related to the coronavirus crisis.
Logistics, says Stölzle, has always distinguished itself by its focus on cross-functional process chains. "It has always been remarkably complex and has therefore become an academic discipline."
In recent times, digitalization has become increasingly prevalent. " actual, However, we cannot digitalize
important topics are also Globalization and sustainability, with the CO2 fingerprint and the necessary – at the same time a question of efficiency.
Photo: UNISG 
Will the coronavirus crisis result in a setback for global supply chains? Stölzle: "It 's not the virus that's spreading on the pallet, but rather the policies that are closing ports and airports. (...) Tariffs, Brexit, and the realignment of Chinese policy are also complicating matters."
A renewed regionalization would be possible. Part of the value creation could be relocated back to Europe. Stölzle: "But then we would also have to accept a significantly higher price level for goods." That is probably not desirable at present.
Watch the full interview here
