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Centralized selection of standardized modular containers: a multi-criteria method considering freight behavior and shipper segment

Xiang Ji (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)
Bingru Guan (University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)
Guowei Liu (Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China)

Industrial Management & Data Systems

ISSN: 0263-5577

Article publication date: 14 July 2020

Issue publication date: 29 March 2021

285

Abstract

Purpose

Selection of standardized modular containers (SSMC) is counted as one of the most important driving factors that ensure the Physical Internet (PI) to realize the varieties of goals of sustainability simultaneously, thus overcoming the great challenge of modern logistics in nowadays global supply chain. However, previous research studies on SSMC seldom paid attention to freight behavior and shippers’ segment, which are described in several fundamental conceptual works as the most essential factors that should be taken into account when doing SSMC.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper defines two preference matrices to characterize the freight behavior and shippers’ segment, and then integrates these two matrices into a centralized multi-criteria method to determine the optimal SSMC.

Findings

The SSMC derived by the proposed methodology is found to be Pareto-optimal. A managerial implication for shippers to further improve efficiency is summarized as well.

Originality/value

First, the authors characterized the freight behavior and shippers’ segment by two preference matrices and then integrated them into a centralized multi-criteria method. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first SSMC-related paper that takes shippers' behaviors and preferences into consideration when making the selection. The authors’ attempt is expected to fill in the research gap that has existed until now. Second, the SSMC derived by the proposed methodology is found to be Pareto-optimal, ensuring the required sustainability. Finally, the authors summarized a managerial implication for shippers to further improve the efficiency from the aspects of production and design.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The work is financially supported by National Natural Science Funds of China (Nos. 71801206, 71801078), USTC Research Funds of the Double First-Class Initiative (No. YD2040002004), Special Research Assistant Support Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. WK2040160029).

Citation

Ji, X., Guan, B. and Liu, G. (2021), "Centralized selection of standardized modular containers: a multi-criteria method considering freight behavior and shipper segment", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 121 No. 4, pp. 770-784. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-01-2020-0034

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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