This article is an experiment carried out in a Brazilian higher education institution. It focusses on the participants’ perceptions and assumptions concerning multiculturalism before and after the exposure to a multicultural seminar, held during an international logistics module. It deals with the theoretical approach to logistics and multiculturalism, and its relevance in the contemporary world. It discusses the data gathered. It argues that a multicultural approach should be developed in organisations, pointing out that the handling of cultural differences seems to be one of the most relevant factors in the success or in the failure of companies in a globalised setting. It also contends that the university is a privileged arena for the development of this approach. Points are raised for a multicultural approach to logistics and management education.

This paper aims to discuss ways for fostering innovation management and innovation in management education sensitive to cultural diversity. It explores strands in the literature concerning cross‐cultural awareness and undertakes a case study, carried out in a multicultural organisation, aimed at pinpointing challenges faced by managers working in such environments. Argues that logistics could help understanding, sensitising and taking into account cultural diversity in management education. Also claims that cultural plurality is an asset, rather than a constraint. The article concludes by suggesting possible ways ahead in the development of culturally sensitive managers in an increasingly globalised but also highly multicultural world.

Facility layout is a classical industrial/production engineering problem. Good layout will help any company to improve its business performance. Presents a general overview of the facility layout problem and includes information about approaches to the solution of the problem. Discusses the role of the computer; and the contribution of facility layout to an organization’s competitive advantage. Describes experiences of organizations with facility layout.

Pro fes sor Canen is in the De part ment of Pro duc tion En gi neer ing at COPPE/Fed eral Uni ver sity of Rio de Ja neiro. He is a former Vis it ing Pro fessor in the De part ment of Man age ment Stud ies at the Uni ver sity of Glas gow. He has been Presi dent of the Bra zil ian Op era tional Re search So ci ety. He has wide ex pe ri ence of work ing in in dus trial or gani sa tions, as well as be ing a con sult ant.Dr Canen is a Sen ior Lec turer in the Fac ulty of Edu ca tion at the Fed eral Univer sity of Rio de Ja neiro. She has been a Vis it ing Re searcher in the De partment of Edu ca tion at the Catho lic Uni ver sity of Rio de Ja neiro, PUC-Rio.