SUMMARY
Opsomming: Hierdie artikel beskryf die oorsprong van die woord logistiek, stip die ontwikkeling daarvan uit en verklaar die hedendaagse betekenis daarvan. Die ontwikkelingsgang van die begrip word aangedui vanaf die oorsprong daarvan in Grieks, met inagneming van die opeenvolgende opname daarvan in Laat-Latyn, Frans en Nederlands, tot by die huidige gebruik daarvan in Afrikaans. Die vestiging van die Franse logistique as milit?re konsep gedurende die Napoleontiese oorlo?, en die uitbreiding daarvan tot 'n bedryfsbegrip ná afloop van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog word verduidelik. Die ontwikkelingsgang sedertdien van die betekenis van die konsep in bedryfsverband word bespreek. Eietydse omskrywings van logistiek, betreffende die gebruik daarvan in die bedryfslewe en in die omgangstaal, word verskaf. Vervolgens bied die artikel 'n eietydse definisie van logistiek in bedryfsverband. Ten slotte word aangetoon hoe doeltreffende bedryfslogistiek waarde toevoeg.Sleutelwoorde: BEDRYFSLOGISTIEK, BESITNUT, BESTUUR, DIENS, DOELMATIGHEID,DOELTREFFENDHEID, GOEDERE, GRONDSTOF, INLIGTING, KLIËNTEDIENS, KLIËNTETEVREDENHEID,LOGISTIEK, MILITÊRE LOGISTIEK, NUT, PLEKNUT, PRODUK, TYDNUT,VORMNUT, WAARDEAbstract: Logistics: Its Origin, Conceptual Evolution and Meaning in Contemporary Usage. This article traces the origin of the word logistics, outlines its conceptual evolution, and explains its meaning in contemporary usage. The contextual development of the concept is traced from its origin in Greek, along with its successive adoption in Late Latin, French and Dutch, up to its contemporary usage in Afrikaans. The establishment of the French logistique as military concept during the Napoleonic wars, and its later extension to commercial usage subsequent to the Second World War are described. The development since then of the meaning of the concept in a commercial context is detailed. Contemporary descriptions of logistics relating to its meaning in a commercial sense and in common parlance are discussed. Thereafter the article offers a contemporary definition of logistics in a commercial context. Finally it is indicated how effective business logistics adds value.Keywords: BUSINESS LOGISTICS, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, CUSTOMER SERVICE, EFFECTIVENESS, EFFICIENCY, FORM UTILITY, GOODS, INFORMATION, LOGISTICS, MANAGEMENT, MILITARY LOGISTICS, PLACE UTILITY, POSSESSION UTILITY, PRODUCT, RESOURCE, SERVICE, TIME UTILITY, UTILITY, VALUE