Joint operational decision-making in collaborative transportation networks: the role of IT
Abstract
Purpose
This paper addresses horizontal supply chain collaboration among autonomous freight carriers in the less-than-truckload industry. The main purpose of the paper is to identify and explain the challenges with joint operational decision-making in this context and investigate the precise role of information technology (IT) therein.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical evidence is gathered by means of exploratory and explanatory case research, with multiple cases at the planning departments of European freight carriers operating in collaborative transportation networks.
Findings
Collaborating carriers face fundamental challenges in joint operational planning and control of collaborative transportation, despite the broad availability of state-of-the-art IT. These operational supply chain challenges can be explained by technological differences of the available IT applications, which hinder integration.
Research limitations/implications
Any expectations with regard to state-of-the-art XML or EDI-based IT integration for improved joint operational decision-making in collaborative transportation networks should be considered with care. In particular, the authors' research findings may encourage practitioners to consider new planning and control procedures and develop dedicated IT applications for collaborating freight carriers.
Originality/value
The paper highlights the importance of horizontal supply chain collaboration for small and medium-sized freight carriers in the less-than-truckload industry and conceptualises how collaborative transportation networks are organised. Furthermore, an IT typology is introduced to explain the challenges with joint operational decision-making.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is supported by the European Commission through the 7th FP project ADVANCE (www.advancelogistics.eu) under grant number 257398. Received 22 August 2013 Revised 15 October 2013 22 October 2013 Accepted 24 October 2013
Citation
Buijs, P. and (“Hans”) Wortmann, J.C. (2014), "Joint operational decision-making in collaborative transportation networks: the role of IT", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 200-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-08-2013-0298
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited