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1 – 10 of 894Gabriella Gatenholm, Árni Halldórsson and Jenny Bäckstrand
The purpose of this paper is to identify requirements and tradeoffs on logistics services for enhanced circularity of materials and resources.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify requirements and tradeoffs on logistics services for enhanced circularity of materials and resources.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on multiple case study design and abductive reasoning, the study investigates 13 different product categories. The data were analyzed based on theoretical, a priori codes from the literature review. Inductive, emerging codes were added to the coding scheme during the analysis.
Findings
Requirements of logistics services to support slowing of resource flows are categorized with respect to initiator, location of the service, single or multiple actors, and transportation of parts, products and people. Moreover, the study identifies new logistics tradeoffs: material and people, knowledge and people, and information and knowledge. Transportation of product, people and parts can be reduced by increasing local knowledge and improve information sharing.
Research limitations/implications
This review contributes to the understanding of the relationship between logistics services and enhancement of circularity by highlighting requirements on logistics services in the aftermarket supply chain that support slowing of resource flows. To enhance circularity, logistics services must extend the traditional material information flow with the flow of people and knowledge, respectively.
Practical implications
The categorization provides practitioners and researchers with an overview of requirements and tradeoffs on logistics services to enhance circularity of a particular circular cycle. The implications will provide an opportunity to address environmental impact of transportation and improve the utilization of scarce materials.
Social implications
Variety of tradeoffs in logistics services can enhance slowing and hence circularity of scarce materials.
Originality/value
First, the authors illustrate how traditional tradeoffs in logistics such as flow of materials, resources and people need to be addressed to enhance circularity through slowing. Second, the authors identify two new tradeoffs in logistics services: knowledge flow and degree of customer involvement.
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Herwig Mittermayer and Carlos Rodríguez‐Monroy
The purpose of this paper is to present a simulation‐based evaluation method for the comparison of different organizational forms and software support levels in the field of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a simulation‐based evaluation method for the comparison of different organizational forms and software support levels in the field of supply chain management (SCM).
Design/methodology/approach
Apart from widely known logistic performance indicators, the discrete event simulation model considers explicitly coordination cost as stemming from iterative administration procedures.
Findings
The method is applied to an exemplary supply chain configuration considering various parameter settings. Curiously, additional coordination cost does not always result in improved logistic performance. Influence factor variations lead to different organizational recommendations. The results confirm the high importance of (up to now) disregarded dimensions when evaluating SCM concepts and IT tools.
Research limitations/implications
The model is based on simplified product and network structures. Future research shall include more complex, real world configurations.
Practical implications
The developed method is designed for the identification of improvement potential when SCM software is employed. Coordination schemes based only on ERP systems are valid alternatives in industrial practice because significant investment IT can be avoided. Therefore, the evaluation of these coordination procedures, in particular the cost due to iterations, is of high managerial interest and the method provides a comprehensive tool for strategic IT decision making.
Originality/value
Reviewed literature is mostly focused on the benefits of SCM software implementations. However, ERP system based supply chain coordination is still widespread industrial practice but associated coordination cost has not been addressed by researchers.
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Gunnar Stefánsson, Heidi Dreyer, Gyöngyi Kovács, Henrik Pålsson and Jan Stentoft
This study discusses the influence of logistical immediacy on logistics service providers' (LSPs’) business. Specifically, its role in the face of the emerging business scenario…
Abstract
Purpose
This study discusses the influence of logistical immediacy on logistics service providers' (LSPs’) business. Specifically, its role in the face of the emerging business scenario (e-commerce, disruptive technologies, and new models of logistical services) is examined.
Design/methodology/approach
As logistical immediacy is a nascent topic, this study utilizes a systematic literature review focusing on academic articles from the last five years related to logistical outsourcing to understand the changes imposed by logistical immediacy on LSPs.
Findings
The impact of transformations arising from an increasingly digital virtual world (DVW) on LSPs is contextualized. A theoretical view of the factors affecting LSPs' shift towards more immediate operations is presented, and how logistical immediacy impacts LSPs is discussed. Finally, a research agenda is presented as the study's main contribution.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the timeframe chosen, the restriction to a single database (Scopus), the specific search terms used related to LSPs, and limiting the search parameters to operations management, some relevant work may have been overlooked.
Practical implications
The article help LSPs' and contracting companies' managers to understand the influence of the immediacy expected in logistics operations. Possible logistics services trends and how they may impact companies are discussed.
Originality/value
This is one of the first articles in the area of operations and supply chains that addresses the issue of logistical immediacy and its impact on LSPs.
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This empirical research investigates the effect of productstandardisation on logistics in a cross‐section of United Statesmanufacturers. Relying on contingency theory, the effect…
Abstract
This empirical research investigates the effect of product standardisation on logistics in a cross‐section of United States manufacturers. Relying on contingency theory, the effect of product standardisation on the structure of logistics within the organisation, logistical strategy and logistical system flexibility are examined. In comparison to manufacturers that standardise output, those which customise output were found to consolidate fewer logistics activities centrally within a single department, to be less formalised, to update their logistics strategic plan more frequently and to display greater logistical flexibility.
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Raed AlHusain and Reza Khorramshahgol
The purpose of this paper is twofold. Initially, a multi-objective binary integer programming model is proposed for designing an appropriate supply chain that takes into…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold. Initially, a multi-objective binary integer programming model is proposed for designing an appropriate supply chain that takes into consideration both responsiveness and efficiency. Then, a responsiveness-cost efficient frontier is generated for the supply chain design that can help organizations find the right balance between responsiveness and efficiency, and hence achieve a strategic fit between organizational strategy and supply chain capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed SC design model used both cross-functional and logistical SC drivers to build a binary integer programming model. To this end, various alternative solutions that correspond to different SC design portfolios were generated and a responsiveness-cost efficient frontier was constructed.
Findings
Various alternative solutions that correspond to different SC designs were generated and a responsiveness-cost efficient frontier was constructed to help the decision makers to design SC portfolios to achieve a strategic fit between organizational strategy and SC capabilities.
Practical implications
The proposed methodology enables the decision makers to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative judgements in SC design. The methodology is easy to use and it can be readily implemented by a software.
Originality/value
The proposed methodology allows for subjective value judgements of the decision makers to be considered in SC design and the efficiency-responsiveness frontier generated by the methodology provides a trade-off to be used when choosing between speed and cost efficiency in SC design.
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James A. Larson, Tun‐Hsiang Yu, Burton C. English, Daniel F. Mooney and Chenguang Wang
The US Department of Energy has a goal to make ethanol from biomass cost competitive with petroleum by 2012. Feedstock procurement is expected to represent a significant portion…
Abstract
Purpose
The US Department of Energy has a goal to make ethanol from biomass cost competitive with petroleum by 2012. Feedstock procurement is expected to represent a significant portion of the operating costs for a refinery that produces ethanol from biomass such as switchgrass. Thus, cost‐effective feedstock logistics will be a key factor for the future development of a capital intensive cellulosic ethanol industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the cost of various logistic methods of switchgrass production, harvesting, storing, and transportation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applied enterprise budgeting and geographical information system (GIS) software to analyze the costs of three logistic methods of acquiring switchgrass feedstock for a 25 million gallon per year refinery. Procurement methods included traditional large round and rectangular bale harvest and storage systems and satellite preprocessing facilities using field‐chopped material. The analysis evaluated tradeoffs in operating costs, dry matter losses during storage, and investment requirements among the three systems.
Findings
Results suggest that the preprocessing system outperformed the conventional bale harvest methods in the delivered costs of switchgrass.
Practical implications
The cost savings in harvest, transportation, and dry matter losses for the preprocessing system offset their extensive capital costs and generated cost advantages over the conventional methods.
Social implications
The traditional round bale system has a higher overall investment cost, may not be the most cost‐effective way to procure switchgrass feedstock for a refinery, and may limit farmer participation in the feedstock value chain.
Originality/value
GIS methods combined with enterprise budgeting can be useful tools for evaluating investment in feedstock supply chain infrastructure.
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Danilo Hisano Barbosa and Marcel Andreotti Musetti
The purpose of this paper is to analyze how performance measurement systems (PMSs) can be used to support the key elements of the logistics change process.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze how performance measurement systems (PMSs) can be used to support the key elements of the logistics change process.
Design/methodology/approach
The research analytical framework is based upon the review of the mainstream literature on PMS and its use in the organizational change process. Two case studies in high logistical performing companies from the manufacturing sector were undertaken to describe how the use of PMS supports their logistics change process.
Findings
The results from both case studies showed that the use of PMS can support all elements of the logistics change process, which is triggered by the monitoring and analysis of the current situation, its management and finally the compilation and interpretation of performance results. This last stage is responsible for reviewing performance measures and providing feedback for further change and improvement initiatives.
Originality/value
This paper presents the first empirical analysis of the role played by the use of PMS in the logistics change process in high logistical performing companies. Furthermore, it is the first research to investigate logistics performance measurement from the perspective of logistics excellence and change management models to propose a guide to measure performance and lead change process in this area.
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Rohit Bhatnagar and Chee‐Chong Teo
The purpose of this paper is to describe the issues, tradeoffs, and models relating to two important sets of problems that arise in supply chain management – complexities in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the issues, tradeoffs, and models relating to two important sets of problems that arise in supply chain management – complexities in extended supply chains and network coordination in globally dispersed supply chains. This paper highlights the role of logistics in enhancing the competitiveness of firms that operate a global supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used in this paper encompasses conceptual research and detailed literature review of key issues.
Findings
This review indicates that the key challenges faced by supply chain managers due to extended supply chains are non‐stationary demand, variability propagation, and inventory imbalances. For network coordination managers must determine the role of facilities in a global network, identify the optimal location and capacity of facilities as well as role of consolidation hubs. For the above challenges, the tradeoffs in terms of four key drivers of supply chain performance – transportation, inventory, information, and facilities and relate these to key measures of supply chain performance are described. Important directions for future research are also identified.
Research limitations/implications
Test cases are needed to validate and refine the framework presented. Developing case studies that gather appropriate data to test out the models described would be important.
Practical implications
Companies with a global supply chain as well as third party logistics companies will find the framework presented in this paper very useful.
Originality/value
A new integrated framework that incorporates key decision issues like complexities of extended supply chains and network coordination into the firm's decision making has been presented. This has not been reported in previous research.
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Regan Lam, Suzan Burton and Hing‐Po Lo
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a method for estimating the tradeoffs that banking customers make between different attributes of a service, thus allowing businesses…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a method for estimating the tradeoffs that banking customers make between different attributes of a service, thus allowing businesses to estimate the likely impact on customer loyalty of changes in different attributes of a service.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected using a mail survey that was sent to small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) decision makers in Hong Kong. The data were then analyzed using a choice modeling approach in the form of ordinal logistic regression.
Findings
Both affective components, such as relational bonds, and cognitive components, such as perceived service quality, are shown to influence customers' switching behavior. The specific tradeoffs that customers make between these attributes are also estimated.
Research limitations/implications
This study is the first to quantify the effect of different variables on SME customer loyalty in a largely disloyal services sector. The study also demonstrates and quantifies the tradeoffs that customers make between various cognitive and affective attributes.
Practical implications
The tradeoff analysis shows how improvement in one attribute can have an impact that is equivalent to a change in another attribute. This provides additional strategic options for financial services marketers to cost‐effectively achieve a higher level of loyalty.
Originality/value
The study is the first to show how choice modeling can be used to calculate the tradeoffs that customers make in their purchase decisions, thereby providing financial services marketers with an effective way to estimate the impact of alternative strategies on customer loyalty.
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