This is the first part of a double e-book on “3PL, 4PL and Reverse Logistics”, and focuses upon the evolving practice, academic theory and concepts related to the use of the external organizations for outsourcing logistics functions. It presents a framework to manage supply chain effectively and efficiently, bringing together original contributions that provide theoretical insights, empirical observations and case studies into the rapidly growing complex and uncertain business environment. This first part of the e-book features papers on a range of issues and includes authors from countries as diverse as Denmark, Taiwan and India.