logistics has essentially the same meaning as which of the following terms

supply chain
trasportation
physical distribution
inventory management

logistics has essentially the same meaning as supply chain and physical distribution.

Logistics essentially has the same meaning as "supply chain."

To determine which term has essentially the same meaning as 'logistics,' let's explain each of the given terms and see if any of them closely align with logistics.

1. Supply Chain:
The supply chain refers to the entire network involved in the production, distribution, and delivery of goods and services to the end customer. It encompasses various activities, including sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and inventory management.

2. Transportation:
Transportation specifically refers to the movement of goods or people from one location to another. It involves selecting the appropriate mode of transportation (such as trucks, ships, planes, or trains) and managing the logistics of the transportation process.

3. Physical Distribution:
Physical distribution focuses on the activities involved in delivering finished goods to customers. It encompasses tasks such as order processing, warehousing, packaging, and transportation to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of goods to the end customer.

4. Inventory Management:
Inventory management refers to the process of controlling and tracking a company's inventory of goods. It involves managing stock levels, monitoring demand, forecasting, and ensuring optimal stock availability to meet customer demand while minimizing costs.

From the explanations above, the term that has the most similar meaning to 'logistics' is 'supply chain.' While all the given terms are related to logistics, supply chain encompasses the broadest scope, incorporating transportation, physical distribution, and inventory management as integral components of the overall process.