Impact of postponement on transport: an environmental perspective
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 1 December 2005
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of postponement in the context of environmentally sound management.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examined the environmental issues for a postponement strategy, with transport as a mediating factor. It also investigated the impact of related practices (e.g. just in time, e‐commerce, vendor managed inventory and factory gate pricing) on transport.
Findings
This paper discussed ways of developing a postponement strategy which could benefit the economy, and which are not limited to taking into consideration the trade‐off between inventory and transport costs. Some thoughts were also presented on possible ways of mitigating the effects of the increase in transport on traffic congestion and pollution levels.
Practical implications
The results of the research contribute to better designing the postponement strategy by placing more emphasis on environmental compatibility while conforming to the end market demand.
Originality/value
The paper emphasises the importance of environmental issues in a postponement strategy. It calls for a need to further understand the trade‐offs between optimal supply chain efficiency and its environmental impact.
Keywords
Citation
Yang, B., Yang, Y. and Wijngaard, J. (2005), "Impact of postponement on transport: an environmental perspective", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 192-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/09574090510634502
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited