Competing on Logistics: A Maturity Assessment Tool for the Hungarian Defence Forces

Keywords: civil-military logistics, maturity-assessment, defence logistics, Hungarian Defence Forces, Martin Merger

Abstract

The article advances three claims. First, military organizations do not simply import civilian logistics; rather, they adapt civilian practices, partnerships, technologies, and analytical tools to military requirements. Second, this literature provides a sufficiently strong basis for a tailored maturity assessment tool that could support logistics development in the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF). Third, the utility of such tools depends not only on high-level decisions, but also on the organizational routines, skills, and coordination mechanisms that translate strategy into practice. The paper therefore uses the notion of a “Martini Merger” as a warning against endorsing ambitious integration schemes without addressing operational differences and the ‘soft factors’ that ultimately determine execution.

Author Biography

Gyula Vastag, Ludovika University of Public Service

professzor emeritus

References

AbdelAziz, N.M., Mohamed, D., Soliman, H. 2025. A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework for Evaluating Emerging Digital Technologies in Supply Chain Optimization.

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems, (87): 379–433. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15691241

Antai, I., Hellberg, R., Skoglund, P. 2024. Logistics growth in the armed forces: development of a theoretical framework and research propositions. Defence Studies, 24 (1): 84–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/14702436.2023.2249441

Baglio, M., Creazza, A., Dallari, F. 2025. ‘Logistics 4.0’ technologies in the 3PL industry: a maturity model.

Production Planning and Control, 36 (12): 1696–1712. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2024.2405717

Beanum, R. L. 2006. Performance-Based Logistics and Contractor Support Methods.

AUTOTESTCON Proceedings.

https://doi.org/10.1109/AUTEST.2006.283684

Birbasov, N., Wang, P., Bi, B., Mavris, D. N. 2025. A Modeling and Simulation Environment for the Quantitative Assessment of Operational and Technological Improvements in Military Logistics. AIAA SciTech Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-0708

Davids, C., Beeres, R., van Fenema, P.C. 2013. Operational defence sourcing: Organizing military logistics in Afghanistan. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 43 (2): 116–133. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-11-2011-0198

Dsouza, C. 2025. Strengthening Defence Logistics with Blockchain: Army Service Corps Supply Chain Management Modernization. SSITCON 2025. https://doi.org/10.1109/SSITCON66133.2025.11342226

Dymyt, M., Wincewicz-Bosy, M. 2023. Civil-military cooperation in the field of additive manufacturing technologies in military logistics. Systemy Logistyczne Wojsk, 59 (2): 5–20. https://doi.org/10.37055/slw/186391

Ekström, T., Hilletofth, P., Skoglund, P. 2020. Differentiation strategies for defence supply chain design. Journal of Defence Analytics and Logistics, 4 (2): 183–202. https://doi.org/10.1108/JDAL-06-2020-0011

Ekström, T., Skoglund, P. 2026. Introduction to the Special Collection on Military Logistics:

The Transformation from Peace Support Operations to Territorial Defence.

Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies, 9 (1): 19–28. https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.538

El Asri, A., Ibn El Farouk, I. I., Majidi, F.Z., Sajid, Z. 2025. Supply Chain Maturity Assessment Tool for Logistics Service Providers Based on the Development of SCMAT. LogForum, 21 (2): 223–237. https://doi.org/10.17270/J.LOG.001197

Facchini, F., Olesków-Sz³apka, J., Ranieri, L., Urbinati, A. (2020): A maturity model for logistics 4.0: An empirical analysis and a roadmap for future research. Sustainability, 12 (1): 86–97.

Ferraro, S., De Carlo, F., Cantini, A., Leoni, L. 2023. Assessing Green Logistics Processes: Proposal of a Three-Dimensional Maturity Model. In: Summer School Francesco Turco. 1–7. ITA.

Ferraro, S., Leoni, L., Cantini, A., De Carlo, F. 2023. Trends and Recommendations for Enhancing Maturity Models in Supply Chain Management and Logistics. Applied Sciences, 13 (17): 9724. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179724

Ferraro, S., Leoni, L., Cantini, A., De Carlo, F. 2026. The green logistics maturity model for evaluating sustainable logistics practices. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.147671

Filippi, M., D’Ambrogio, A., Lisi, M. 2015. A service systems engineering framework with application to performance based logistics. IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1109/SysEng.2015.7302775

Gallimore, J. J., Maki, A., Faas, P., Matthews, E. 2005. A need for human-in-the-loop simulation testbed for logistic maintenance decision support research. Summer Computer Simulation Conference.

Grala, D., Ja³owiec, T. 2024. Dilemmas of measuring the effectiveness of logistics personnel training in the military higher education system. Systemy Logistyczne Wojsk, 60 (1): 149–164. https://doi.org/10.37055/slw/193855

Hamidi, S. M. M., Hoseini, S. F., Gholami, H., Kananizadeh-Bahmani, M. 2024. A three-stage digital maturity model to assess readiness for blockchain implementation in the maritime logistics industry. Journal of Industrial Information Integration, Vol. 41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jii.2024.100643

Ja³owiec, T., Paliszkiewicz, J. 2025. Military experience of using artificial intelligence as a benchmark to drive innovation and productivity in the logistics area of contemporary organizations.

Issues in Information Systems, 26 (4): 221–232. https://doi.org/10.48009/4_iis_2025_119

Korsten, G., Aysolmaz, B., Özkan, B., Turetken, O. 2024. A Capability Maturity Model for Developing and Improving Advanced Data Analytics Capabilities.

Pacific Asia Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 16 (4). https://doi.org/10.17705/1pais.16401

Kumar, S., Chia, A. 2012. Commercial logistics vs. military logistics: A conceptual analysis.

In: Cases on Supply Chain and Distribution Management. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-0065-2.ch014

Lippert, K. 2007. US DoD strives to keep ahead of the game. Jane’s Defence Weekly.

Machado, N.T., Rodríguez, C. M. T. 2025. Measurement Model of Logistics 5.0 Maturity:

An Integrative Review and Framework Proposal Based on Literature.

Journal of Engineering and Technology for Industrial Applications, vol. 11 (51). https://doi.org/10.5935/jetia.v11i51.1410

Merkurjevs, Y., Merkurjeva, G., Guasch, A., Piera, M. A. 2009. Simulation-based case studies in logistics:

Education and applied research. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-187-4

Mirihagalla, P. 2022. Evaluation, Development, and Application of Organizational Capability Maturity Models. PhD dissertation, Széchenyi István University.

Mirihagalla, P., Vastag, G. 2022. Maturity Models – Taking Stock and Moving Forward. Hungarian Statistical Review, 5 (1), 3–28. https://doi.org/10.35618/hsr2022.01.en003

Navas, D. 2001. DoD logistics: New rules of engagement. ID Systems.

Parlier, G. 2004. Enabling a transforming army at war: Analysis to improve logistics network efficiency and effectiveness. Winter Simulation Conference.

Pedersen, O., Jahre, M., Norrman, A. 2025. A Balancing Act: Towards a Conceptual Framework for the Governance of Buyer-Supplier Relationships in Defence Supply Chains. Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies, https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.449

Plevnik, M., Rupnik, B. 2026. Developing DEFCHAIN: A Dynamic Framework for Cybersecurity Risk Assessment in Military Supply Chains. Systems, 14 (2): 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14020132

Rahadian, D., Kusrini, E., Qurtubi, Q., Maghfiroh, M. F. N. 2024. Analysis of Company’s Logistics Performance by Using Maturity Model Approach: A Case Study at a Company in Indonesia.

ICL 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICL62932.2024.10788589

Reddy, A.V., Schlichting, G. S., Murphy, D.M., French, M. M. 2024. Contested Logistics Operations Using Digital Support. AIAA SciTech Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-0481

Sinko, S., Mrugalska, B., Gajšek, B. 2026. Readiness of Students and Employees in Logistics to Implement Digitalization, Sustainability, and Industry 4.0 in Practice.

In: Sustainable Innovations and Performance of Organizations in the Age of Digitalization. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003611905-17

Stanley-Lockman, Z. 2020. Revisiting the revolution in military logistics: Technological enablers twenty years on. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40920-0_5

Tatham, P., Rietjens, S. B. 2016. Integrated disaster relief logistics: A stepping stone towards viable civil-military networks? Disasters.

https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12131

Tubis, A.A., Kolinski, A., Poturaj, H. 2024. Digital Maturity of Logistics Processes Assessed in the Areas of Technological Support for Performance Measurement, Employees, and Process Management. Applied Sciences, 14 (17): 7893. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177893

Tubis, A.A., Werbiñska-Wojciechowska, S. 2021. Risk management maturity model for logistic processes. Sustainability, 13 (2): 659. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020659

Uraipan, N., Praneetpolgrang, P., Manisri, T. 2021. Application of a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to select the level of a cyber resilient capability maturity model in digital supply chain systems.

ECTI Transactions on Computer and Information Technology.

https://doi.org/10.37936/ecti-cit.2021152.240631

Vastag, G., and D. C. Whybark 1991. Manufacturing practices: differences that matter. International Journal of Production Economics, 23(1–3), 251–259.

Vasiliauskas, A., Ivanauskas, S., Ciziuniene, K. 2024. Challenges of Ensuring Reverse Logistics in a Military Organization Using Outsourced Services. Sustainability, 16 (11): 4569. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114569

Wang, F., Yu, D. 2012. Research on contingency logistics under military-civil integration. ICLEM 2012.

Wringe, T.M., Kliewer, J., Zarnekow, R. 2025. Aligning Digital Supply Chain and Twin Maturity Models for Transforming Logistics Networks. IFAC-PapersOnLine, 59 (10): 921–926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.09.156

Xu, J., Zhang, S. 2020. An evaluation study of the capabilities of civilian manufacturing enterprises entering the military products market under the background of China’s civil-military integration strategy. Grey Systems: Theory and Application. https://doi.org/10.1108/GS-10-2019-0047

Yang, X., Zhang, H. 2025. China’s Civil-Military Integration and Regional Defence Innovation:

A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on National Industrial Zone Policy.

Defence and Peace Economics.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10242694.2025.2462616

Zoubek, M., Šimon, M. 2021. A framework for a logistics 4.0 maturity model with a specification for internal logistics. MM Science Journal, 2021 March 4261–4274. https://doi.org/10.17973/MMSJ.2021_03_2020073

Published
2026-09-01