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Growth of the tourism sector and the relative importance of the last mile have been studied in independent literature, but theorists formally linking the two phenomena are limited. This paper aims to develop a theoretical framework for the understanding of the relationships between the last mile concept and the growth of the tourism sector.

Using 16 Caribbean countries’ tourism destinations, the study designs the last mile response to tourists’ demand based on the following categories: homogenous high-end tourists; homogenous low-end tourists; non-homogenous high-end tourists; non-homogenous low-end tourists; homogenous and non-homogenous high-end tourists; and homogenous and non-homogeneous low-end tourists. Destination networks were ranked relative to each other in terms of six different performance dimensions. A ranking of 1 indicates the best performance along a given dimension and the relative performance worsens, as the ranking gets higher.

First, it is the case that the Caribbean has a tourism environment with three types of destinations differentiated by their last mile standard levels (high standard LML, low standard LML and a combination of high and low standard LML). Second, tourists can choose from destinations that have high, low and combination of high and low last mile standard levels. Third, the relative number of tourists and relative profit of destination will depend on the last mile level. Fourth, while empirical evidence of the integration strategies for market differentiation is scarce, this paper points to the effect of cooperation on marketing destinations or integration strategies for marketing destinations.

The grouping of countries into high standard LML, low standard LML and a combination of high and low standard LML represents an advance on the traditional grouping based on proximity, colonial affiliation, language and cultural association. Identifying destination networks that are best suited for a variety of tourists, investors and marketers is of great value to regional tourism planners.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of the dynamic vehicle routing problem for last mile distribution during disaster response. The authors explore a model that involves limited heterogeneous vehicles, multiple trips, locations with different accessibilities, uncertain demands, and anticipating new locations that are expected to build responsive last mile distribution systems.

The modified simulated annealing algorithm with variable neighborhood search for local search is used to solve the last mile distribution model based on the criterion of total travel time. A dynamic simulator that accommodates new requests from demand nodes and a sample average estimator was added to the framework to deal with the stochastic and dynamicity of the problem.

This study illustrates some practical complexities in last mile distribution during disaster response and shows the benefits of flexible vehicle routing by considering stochastic and dynamic situations.

This study only focuses day-to-day distribution on road/land transportation for distribution, and additional transportation modes need to be considered further.

The proposed model offers operational insights for government disaster agencies by highlighting the dynamic model concept for supporting relief distribution decisions. The result suggests that different characteristics and complexities of affected areas might require different distribution strategies.

This study modifies the concept of the truck and trailer routing problem to model locations with different accessibilities while anticipating the information gap for demand size and locations. The results show the importance of flexible distribution systems during a disaster for minimizing the disaster risks.

The purpose of this paper is to measure and map the potential transportation network impedance to last-mile delivery (LMD) using spatial measures representing attributes of road network and planning controls.

The transport network impedance is estimated as the potential hindrance to LMD as imposed by the characteristics of the built and regulatory environment. A matrix of key transport and planning measures are generated and overlaid in geographical information systems to compute and visualise the levels of transportation network impedance to LMD using a composite indexing method.

The mapped outputs reveal significant spatial variation in transportation network impedance to LMD across different part of the study area. Significant differences were detected along the road segments that connect key industrial hubs or activity centres especially along tram routes and freight corridors, connecting the Port of Melbourne and logistic hub with the airport and the Western Ring Road.

The use of static measures of transport and urban planning restricts the robustness of the impedance index, which can be enhanced through better integration of dynamic and real-time movements of business-to-business LMD of goods. Spatial approach is valuable for broader urban planning at a metropolitan or council level; however, its use is somewhat limited in assisting the daily operational planning and logistics decision making in terms of dynamic routing and vehicle scheduling.

The built and regulatory environment contributes to the severity of LMD problem in urban areas. The use of land use controls as instruments to increase city compactness in strategic nodes/hubs is more likely to deter the movement of urban freight. The mapped outputs would help urban planners and logisticians in mitigating the potential delay in last-mile deliveries through devising localised strategies such as dedicated freight corridors or time-bound deliveries in congested areas of road network.

This is the first study that measured the potential transport network impedance to LMD and improved understanding of the complex interactions between urban planning measures and LMD. Micro-scale mapping of transportation network impedance at the street level adds an innovative urban planning dimension to research in the growing field of city logistics.

The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the extant research on last-mile logistics (LML) models and consider LML’s diverse roots in city logistics, home delivery and business-to-consumer distribution, and more recent developments within the e-commerce digital supply chain context. The review offers a structured approach to what is currently a disparate and fractured field in logistics.

The systematic literature review examines the interface between e-commerce and LML. Following a protocol-driven methodology, combined with a “snowballing” technique, a total of 47 articles form the basis of the review.

The literature analysis conceptualises the relationship between a broad set of contingency variables and operational characteristics of LML configuration (push-centric, pull-centric, and hybrid system) via a set of structural variables, which are captured in the form of a design framework. The authors propose four future research areas reflecting likely digital supply chain evolutions.

To circumvent subjective selection of articles for inclusion, all papers were assessed independently by two researchers and counterchecked with two independent logistics experts. Resulting classifications inform the development of future LML models.

The design framework of this study provides practitioners insights on key contingency and structural variables and their interrelationships, as well as viable configuration options within given boundary conditions. The reformulated knowledge allows these prescriptive models to inform practitioners in their design of last-mile distribution.

Improved LML performance would have positive societal impacts in terms of service and resource efficiency.

This paper provides the first comprehensive review on LML models in the modern e-commerce context. It synthesises knowledge of LML models and provides insights on current trends and future research directions.

Pricing the shipping surcharge is a major strategic decision for online retailers, and free shipping promotions are becoming more common among online retailers. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of last mile pricing strategies on customer attraction and retention in the hypercompetitive online retailing industry. Specifically, this paper investigates the effect of partitioning the shipping surcharge on consumer logistics service quality (LSQ) perceptions and, in turn, purchase behavior.

Employing signaling theory and expectation–disconfirmation theory, hypotheses are derived for two specific points in an online purchase scenario: prepurchase and following a logistics disruption. The hypotheses are tested using a scenario-based experiment with manipulations for the level of shipping surcharge partitioning and the presence of a logistics disruption.

The results suggest that partitioned shipping surcharges influence prepurchase expectations of LSQ satisfaction and amplify the negative effects of logistics disruptions. This, in turn, drives the purchase and repurchase intentions.

The findings inform online retailers of the perceptual and behavioral effects of last mile pricing strategies. Specifically, this research demonstrates how and under what conditioning partitioning the shipping surcharge can influence the attraction and retention of online customers.

This study integrates pricing and LSQ research to assess the black box of consumer purchase behavior. This is one of the first studies to empirically contrast the effects of last mile pricing strategies on consumer expectations and perceptions of LSQ.

The purpose of this paper is to identify in what way logistics service providers are involved in the logistics operations of omnichannel retailers. Given the importance of logistics in omnichannel retail and the complexities that it brings forth, it is unclear if the current tendency towards logistics outsourcing continues, and how logistics service providers should adapt to remain relevant in the omnichannel retail environment.

The research draws on both desk and field research. The authors analysed the scientific information available on omnichannel retail logistics and conducted semi-structured expert interviews with food and non-food retailers that adopt an omnichannel model.

The research demonstrates distinct differences between food and non-food retailers. While food retailers are inclined to organise fulfilment and last mile activities in-house, non-food retailers partner closely with logistics service providers. Nonetheless, the store network of non-food retailers is attracting a growing part of logistics activities, which retailers are building themselves. To sustain their relevance in the omnichannel environment and strengthen their position for the future, the authors created a competency recommendation framework for logistics service providers, in which service differentiation is proposed as a viable direction for growth.

The research is based on insights from retailers based in the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium) and requires further and wider testing in other contexts and geographical areas.

The findings have strategic importance for retailers that are developing an omnichannel retail model and logistics service providers that (aim to) serve clients and operate activities within the retail sector.

The research provides a holistic view of logistics in omnichannel retail by identifying insourcing and outsourcing mechanisms and developing competency recommendations to fulfilment, internal transport and last mile transport in omnichannel retail.

Ashutosh Sinha is managing VIMPL as rural distribution business involving Villgro stores and village level entrepreneurs (VLE). After spending two years in evolving the business model which provides sustainable products to improve rural livelihood, he has recently started selling FMCG products through VIMPL network. As he decides to expand the business, he has to make choices about strategic path of horizontal expansion versus vertical expansion. The expansion decision is also linked with choosing the right type of VLEs. The case provides detailed description of VLE operations and examines the challenges in building last mile delivery models using entrepreneurs.

Freight network planning and the application of distribution innovations are popular fields of research on sustainable urban logistics. However, considerable research on freight network design lacks a comprehensive consideration of the application of distribution innovations. This observation implies that sustainable urban freight research appears highly fragmented in topics of network design and distribution innovations. From the perspective of long-term planning, this situation possibly serves as a barrier to further promotion of sustainability. The objective of this paper is to analyze existing research gaps of literature to further promote the sustainability of urban logistics systems from a future perspective.

This paper employs a systematic literature review (SLR) method, which covers 164 papers and research works published in 2013–2018. The article corpus involved the innovative schemes of freight network design and the emerging delivery concepts in cities. Based on an analysis of articles' relevance, the most significant research contributions on both city logistics network design and exploitation of distribution innovations are detected.

This paper has found four research gaps in aspects of network design and distribution innovations. To respond to these gaps, we propose the research framework of sustainable and flexible future urban freight planning (SFFUFP) based on trends of city development, while discussing further research direction on urban freight planning.

The authors have found four research gaps in aspects of both urban freight network design and distribution innovations in which scholars could be encouraged to contribute. The research framework of SFFUFP can further promote sustainable urban logistics from a view of future management.

In recent decades, there has been an important growth of Latin American cities; therefore, the demand for resources and services has increased for cities to function and meet the needs of their inhabitants. Latin American cities are growing rapidly and this process affects the quality of life of citizens. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the logistics of an area of the city of Lima, Peru; through the analysis of the practices of the last mile distribution, and in this way, contribute with information that can be used for decision-making and for the proposal of public policies that improve the efficiency of logistics operations in the area.

Regarding the methodology applied, first, we identified the district to be analyzed using marketing information from the districts of Lima. Next, the authors collected information using forms following the methodology of the last Mile/Km²-MIT. Finally, the project planning finished in 15 days.

It was found that most of the stores in the area are nanostores that sell diverse products, the community does not have parking lots or loading and unloading areas and the majority of deliveries are made to wholesalers and supermarkets. In addition, a relationship between business density and the traffic congestion was identified and taxis are the most widely used means of distribution of goods. Most of the streets do not have signage, they are mainly one-way and do not have exclusive routes for public transportation.

Due to not having georeference information about the specific stores location and statistics data about its suppliers, the research results may show a primarily scope. Based on the results, the authors are encouraged to do more research using data analytics as in the next steps.

The paper reinforces the importance and challenge of working collaboration between suppliers, owners and local government.

The paper provides opportunities to create new policies, as well as an incentive plan for personal workers, suppliers and ecosolution proposals.

Currently, as per the authors’ knowledge, there is no varied literature that characterizes and analyzes the logistic profile of the districts of Lima city and serves as a basis for the implementation of solutions and public policies.

El objetivo de esta investigación es caracterizar la logística de un área de la ciudad de Lima, Perú; a través del análisis de las prácticas de la distribución de la última milla y, de esta manera, contribuir con información que se puede utilizar para la toma de decisiones y para la propuesta de políticas públicas que mejoren la eficiencia de las operaciones logísticas en el área.

Con respecto a la metodología aplicada, primero, se identificó el distrito a analizar utilizando información de mercadeo de los distritos de Lima; a continuación, se recopiló información utilizando formularios siguiendo la metodología de la última milla/Km²-MIT; finalmente, la planificación del proyecto terminó en 15 días.

Se encontró que la mayoría de los establecimientos son pequeñas tiendas que venden productos diversos, no tienen estacionamientos o áreas de carga y descarga y la mayoría de las entregas se realizan a mayoristas y supermercados. Además, existe una relación entre la densidad comercial y la congestión de tráfico, siendo los taxis los medios de distribución más utilizados. La mayoría de las calles no tienen señalización, son de un solo sentido y no tienen carriles exclusivos para el transporte público. Estos hallazgos son relevantes para la implementación de políticas públicas para la mejora de la infraestructura y eficiencia de las operaciones logísticas.

Actualmente no existe una literatura variada que caracterice y analice el perfil logístico de los distritos de la ciudad de Lima y sirva de base para la implementación de soluciones y políticas públicas.

Palabras clave Planificación, Planeamiento urbano, Distribución, Submegaciudades, Megaciudades, Urbanismo, Recursos

Artículo de investigación

O objetivo desta investigação é caracterizar a logística de uma área da cidade de Lima, Peru; através da análise das práticas de distribuição da última milha e, desta forma, contribuir com informações que possam ser utilizadas na tomada de decisão e pela proposição de políticas públicas que melhorem a eficiência das operações logísticas na área.

Com relação à metodologia aplicada, primeiro, o distrito a ser analisado foi identificado usando informações de marketing dos distritos de Lima; em seguida, as informações foram coletadas por meio de formulários seguindo a metodologia da última milha/Km²-MIT; finalmente, o planejamento do projeto terminou em 15 dias.

Constatou-se que a maioria das lojas comercializa diversos produtos, não possui estacionamentos ou áreas de carga e descarga e sendo a maioria das entregas realizadas para atacadistas e supermercados. Além disso, existe uma relação entre a densidade comercial e o congestionamento de tráfego, sendo os táxis os meios de distribuição mais utilizados. A maioria das ruas não possui sinalização, são de sentido único e não possuem pistas exclusivas para o transporte público. Essas constatações são relevantes para a implementação de políticas públicas para melhorar a infraestrutura e a eficiência das operações logísticas.

Atualmente não existe uma literatura variada que caracterize e analise o perfil logístico dos distritos da cidade de Lima e sirva de base para a implementação de soluções e políticas públicas.

Palavras-chave Planejamento, Planejamento urbano, Distribuição, Sub megacidades, Megacidades, Planejamento urbano, Recursos

Artigo de pesquisa

This article provides a broad overview of telecommunications and network‐related technologies. Topics covered include identification and review of network elements, analog and digital signals, synchronous and asynchronous transmission formats, transmission media and equipment, transmission techniques and characteristics, multiplexing, network types, access technologies, network architectures and topologies, local‐area network technologies and attributes, protocols and protocol issues, gateways, internetworking, local networking alternatives, equipment certification, and various aspects of network management. It is intended to provide the practicing professional in the field of library and information science with a broad, up‐to‐date technical review that might serve to support and facilitate further investigation of current developments in networks and networking. Although the broad range of topics is not treated in depth, numerous references are provided for further investigation.