Earlier studies of culmination tend to put operations first and logistics second, as an underlying factor to the culminating point. This case study aims to revert this relationship and focuses solely on the causes for logistical culmination.
Utilizing Kress theory of responsiveness, factors directly linked to a culmination within thelogistical organisation are studied to improve the understanding of logistical culmination. The cases studied are operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and operation Iraqi Freedom. These cases are interesting due to the fact that one case closes the logistical gap and manages to provide a responsive logistical chain, while the other in spite of completed preparations, reaches logistical culmination.
The study finds that an under-responsive chain can more strongly be linked to logistical culmination. Factors such as insufficient resources, miscommunication, decision-making and infrastructure play a vital role in forming as well as avoiding a logistical culmination.