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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

G.M. Giaglis, I. Minis, A. Tatarakis and V. Zeimpekis

Vehicle routing (VR) is critical in successful logistics execution. The emergence of technologies and information systems allowing for seamless mobile and wireless connectivity…

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Abstract

Vehicle routing (VR) is critical in successful logistics execution. The emergence of technologies and information systems allowing for seamless mobile and wireless connectivity between delivery vehicles and distribution facilities is paving the way for innovative approaches to real‐time VR and distribution management. This paper investigates avenues for building upon recent trends in VR‐related research towards an integrated approach to real‐time distribution management. A review of the advances to‐date in both fields, i.e. the relevant research in the VR problem and the advances in mobile technologies, forms the basis of this investigation. Further to setting requirements, we propose a system architecture for urban distribution and real‐time event‐driven vehicle management.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 34 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2011

Alessandro Perego, Sara Perotti and Riccardo Mangiaracina

The purpose of this paper is to classify research on information and communication technology (ICT) for logistics and freight transportation on the basis of the main themes and…

11168

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to classify research on information and communication technology (ICT) for logistics and freight transportation on the basis of the main themes and methods and proposes directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The review is based on 44 papers published from 1994 to 2009 in international peer‐reviewed journals. The academic papers are analysed and classified according to the research methodology adopted and the themes addressed.

Findings

While there are many contributions taking the “public transportation” perspective (i.e. the viewpoint of public stakeholders), papers focussing on the “private transportation” perspective (i.e. the viewpoint of the private companies offering logistics and transportation services) are fewer and relatively more recent. Additionally, even though in recent years researchers have also started to examine the decision‐making process of ICT adoption, many themes are under‐represented in literature, such as the subject of integration among different application types, empirical research on ICT adoption and the role of technology providers in the adoption process. As far as the methodology is concerned, the review revealed that many of the papers examined are either conceptual papers or empirical studies (i.e. mostly based on surveys, or else on case studies or interviews), while simulation and modelling are rarely present.

Research limitations/implications

While efforts were made to be all‐inclusive, significant research efforts may have been inadvertently omitted. However, the authors believe that this review is an accurate representation of the body of research on ICT for logistics and transportation companies published during the specified timeframe, and feel that confidence may be placed on the resulting assessments.

Originality/value

The paper offers a guide for the review of previous research on this topic and identifies the most important issues that need to be addressed in future research.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

Vasileios Zeimpekis and George M. Giaglis

The paper examines the circumstances of success in telematic use and strategic effects resulting from the implementation and use of such technologies from SMEs in the Greek Market.

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper examines the circumstances of success in telematic use and strategic effects resulting from the implementation and use of such technologies from SMEs in the Greek Market.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a three‐phased triangulated research methodology; that is literature review, interviews from 15 logistics directors and a questionnaire survey of 73 logistics SMEs in Greece.

Findings

The basic finding that has been derived from both phases 2 and 3 (survey and interviews) is that although the penetration of telematics is still low in Greece, logistics operators understand the importance of mobile services and they already know which they plan to their customers.

Research limitations/implications

An inherent limitation of this survey is the fact that it address, like all surveys, the requirements of its respondents only, without taking into account.

Originality/value

This paper explores customer perceptions and requirements for the implementation of mobile real‐time support services for city logistics. The requirements, elicited by the results of the survey, are used to propose a systemic representation of a real‐time vehicle management mechanism for urban transportation.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2009

Gino Marchet, Alessandro Perego and Sara Perotti

Companies in the freight transportation industry can currently make use of an increasing number of applications based on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve…

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Abstract

Purpose

Companies in the freight transportation industry can currently make use of an increasing number of applications based on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve the performance of their processes. Although these applications have become more widely used in recent years, there is still little research focussing on the actual adoption rate. The present study aims to fill this gap and provide a broad empirical analysis of the use of ICT‐based applications in the freight transportation industry in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis uses multiple‐case studies. It is based on semi‐structured interviews with the management of leading Italian companies involved in transportation processes.

Findings

The study provides an insight into the current adoption of ICT applications among companies involved in freight transportation activities in Italy. The results point out the most used functions in each application area and the level of integration across these application areas.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of companies examined in this study was selected by expert assessment, and is biased towards companies willing to provide data and share results. However, the findings provide some interesting results on how and where investments in ICT can be suitable for companies in the logistics and transportation industry.

Originality/value

The paper fulfils an identified need for in‐depth case studies focussing on the adoption level and the implementation process of ICT applications in transportation, and it is of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field of logistics and transportation management.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 39 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 November 2014

George Ninikas, Theodore Athanasopoulos, Vasileios Zeimpekis and Ioannis Minis

The purpose of this paper is to present the design and evaluation of an integrated system that supports planners and dispatchers to deliver enhanced courier operations. In…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the design and evaluation of an integrated system that supports planners and dispatchers to deliver enhanced courier operations. In addition to regular deliveries and pickups, these operations include: first, mass deliveries to be served over a horizon of multiple days; and second, real-time dynamic requests (DRs) to be served within the same service period.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the aforementioned challenges, the authors developed an architecture that enhances a typical fleet management system by integrating purpose designed methods. Specifically, the authors plan mass deliveries taking into account typical routes of everyday operations. For planning DRs in real time, the authors propose an efficient insertion heuristic.

Findings

The results from testing the proposed optimization algorithms for planning mass deliveries and real-time DRs are encouraging, since the proposed algorithms outperform current practices. Testing in a practical courier environment, indicated that the enhanced planning system may improve significantly operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed optimization algorithm for the dynamic aspect of this problem comprises a heuristic approach that reaches suboptimal solutions of high quality. The development of fast optimal algorithms for solving these very interesting and practical problems is a promising area for further research.

Practical implications

The proposed integrated system addresses significant problems of hybrid courier operations in an integrated, balanced manner. The tests showed that the allocation of flexible orders within a three-day time horizon improved the cost per flexible order by 7.4 percent, while computerized routing improved the cost of initial (static) routing by 14 percent. Furthermore, the proposed method for managing DRs reduced the excess cost per served request by over 40 percent. Overall, the proposed integrated system improved the total routing costs by 16.5 percent on average compared to current practices.

Originality/value

Both the planning problems and the related solution heuristics address original aspects of practical courier operations. Furthermore, the system integration and the proposed systematic planning contribute to the originality of the work.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2020

Muhammad Shafiq and Kullapa Soratana

purpose of this study is to present a Lean Readiness Assessment Model (LRAM) for assessing the readiness of Humanitarian Organizations (HO) for adopting Lean Management (LM…

Abstract

Purpose

purpose of this study is to present a Lean Readiness Assessment Model (LRAM) for assessing the readiness of Humanitarian Organizations (HO) for adopting Lean Management (LM) (Johanson et al.) practices. Literature reveals that implementation of LM itself is a cost and most organizations have failed to adopt LM techniques due to a non-readiness status and a non-supportive organizational culture. This situation indicates that the assessment of organizations' readiness before implementation of lean techniques is necessary.

Design/methodology/approach

This was an empirical quantitative study. Based on a synthesis of the literature, a conceptual model was developed by identifying seven critical success factors (CSFs). The CSFs were validated by HO professionals via a questionnaire-based survey. The data from the responses were analysed by applying partial least square structured equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using the SmartPLS3 software.

Findings

A proven LRAM was constructed that consists of CSFs (independent and mediating variables), which have reflected positive coefficients and significant t >1.96 and p < 0.05 values. The CSFs that are significant include process management, planning and control management, customer relationship management, human resource management, communication and coordination management and a positive organizational culture. The CSFs of supplier relationship and top management and leadership had insignificant t and p values and were dropped from the final LRAM.

Originality/value

This is a unique and rare study in its nature which developed LRAM for HO sector. The contribution of this model is to improve the efficiency and sustainability (economic and social aspects) of an HO under scarce resource conditions.

Article
Publication date: 3 September 2020

Nishadi Egodage, Fathima Nishara Abdeen and Pournima Sridarran

The incidence of disability is increasing globally over the past decades. Despite the increased proportion of disabled individuals, established fire emergency evacuation…

Abstract

Purpose

The incidence of disability is increasing globally over the past decades. Despite the increased proportion of disabled individuals, established fire emergency evacuation procedures for disabled in high-rise buildings are lacking attention. Hence, this paper aims to focus on investigating fire emergency evacuation procedures for differently-abled people in high-rise buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the gap, the case study strategy under the qualitative research approach was deployed by focussing 10 high-rise buildings. Data collected through semi-structured interviews and document reviews were analysed using content analysis.

Findings

The study findings revealed that even though a fire disaster is a major area to be considered, there is a noticeable gap in legal requirements related to differently-abled fire evacuation in Sri Lanka compared to the global context. Moreover, it was identified that importance given to differently enabled fire evacuations procedures varied based on the type of high-rise facilities in which hospitals and hotels provided more importance compared to office buildings, apartments and shopping complexes. Further, the study has highlighted the main gaps in the evacuation procedures and improvements required. Lack of imposed regulations for disabled evacuation was identified as a major barrier hindering the development of effective fire evacuation procedures for disabled, which creates a cascading effect. Further, the consideration given to legal, organisational, individual and technological factors would assist in straightening the identified issues.

Originality/value

This research provides a clear insight into the necessity of focussing at disabled individuals when developing fire emergency procedures. Most importantly, this study had exposed the current gaps in fire emergency evacuation procedures for the disabled community. Understanding these gaps is of high value for industry practitioners to ensure disabled safety during a fire emergency.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. 18 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Case study
Publication date: 4 November 2019

Sadia Samar Ali, Supriya Deka, Zulfiqar Ahmad, Salma Ahmed, Mansingh Jaswal and Hemaid Alsulami

Padmanabhan A. 2017 “Civilian drones and India’s regulatory response”. Moushami P. Joshi and Jennifer E. Trock (2016) “India Moving Forward with Unmanned Aircraft Systems…

Abstract

Supplementary materials

Padmanabhan A. 2017 “Civilian drones and India’s regulatory response”. Moushami P. Joshi and Jennifer E. Trock (2016) “India Moving Forward with Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations for Civil and Commercial Use” www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6d596577-7a4a-4ecc-916e-83c4d37cc90c. www.indrones.com/2017/04/27/drone-industry-india/.Zeimpekis, Vasileios; Ichoua, Soumia; and Minis, Ioannis (2013), Humanitarian and Relief Logistics. Research Issues, Case Studies and Future Trends;Operations Research/Computer Sciences Interfaces Series. Springer Publications, www.springer.com/in/book/9781461470069.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are to illustrate the concept and features of cost-effective and responsive supply chain, to explain the concept of hub and spoke and milk run methods used for delivery, to identify financial, operational and technological risks, to elaborate the importance of social dimension (behavioral dimension) in any technological change in an organization and to understand the concept of management of change in organizations.

Case overview/synopsis

The case deals with a typical challenge of periodical delivery systems, in this case specifically of The Topical, an Indian periodical. The service manager of the company, Sara Jindal, recognized a problem with customer retention. She explored the causes and found that The Topical, a 20-year-old company, was losing its popularity due to the untimely delivery of the magazines. To solve the problem Jindal, tried to gain an understanding of the operational processes and realized that there was no issue in the warehouse regarding inventory control, management or order pickup. However, she found that the magazines were parceled through book post and that there was no tracking policy in the company for the deliveries. Therefore, it was not possible to know whether the magazines got delivered on time. The matter was taken seriously and as a solution, the possibility of integrating drones into the delivery system came up.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and Logistics

Article
Publication date: 23 May 2018

Wei Zhang, Xianghong Hua, Kegen Yu, Weining Qiu, Shoujian Zhang and Xiaoxing He

This paper aims to introduce the weighted squared Euclidean distance between points in signal space, to improve the performance of the Wi-Fi indoor positioning. Nowadays, the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce the weighted squared Euclidean distance between points in signal space, to improve the performance of the Wi-Fi indoor positioning. Nowadays, the received signal strength-based Wi-Fi indoor positioning, a low-cost indoor positioning approach, has attracted a significant attention from both academia and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The local principal gradient direction is introduced and used to define the weighting function and an average algorithm based on k-means algorithm is used to estimate the local principal gradient direction of each access point. Then, correlation distance is used in the new method to find the k nearest calibration points. The weighted squared Euclidean distance between the nearest calibration point and target point is calculated and used to estimate the position of target point.

Findings

Experiments are conducted and the results indicate that the proposed Wi-Fi indoor positioning approach considerably outperforms the weighted k nearest neighbor method. The new method also outperforms support vector regression and extreme learning machine algorithms in the absence of sufficient fingerprints.

Research limitations/implications

Weighted k nearest neighbor approach, support vector regression algorithm and extreme learning machine algorithm are the three classic strategies for location determination using Wi-Fi fingerprinting. However, weighted k nearest neighbor suffers from dramatic performance degradation in the presence of multipath signal attenuation and environmental changes. More fingerprints are required for support vector regression algorithm to ensure the desirable performance; and labeling Wi-Fi fingerprints is labor-intensive. The performance of extreme learning machine algorithm may not be stable.

Practical implications

The new weighted squared Euclidean distance-based Wi-Fi indoor positioning strategy can improve the performance of Wi-Fi indoor positioning system.

Social implications

The received signal strength-based effective Wi-Fi indoor positioning system can substitute for global positioning system that does not work indoors. This effective and low-cost positioning approach would be promising for many indoor-based location services.

Originality/value

A novel Wi-Fi indoor positioning strategy based on the weighted squared Euclidean distance is proposed in this paper to improve the performance of the Wi-Fi indoor positioning, and the local principal gradient direction is introduced and used to define the weighting function.

Article
Publication date: 29 January 2021

James Rayawan, Vinit S. Tipnis and Alfonso J. Pedraza-Martinez

The authors investigate the role of community engagement in the connection between disaster mitigation and disaster preparedness. Using a vulnerability-to-hazard framework built…

Abstract

Purpose

The authors investigate the role of community engagement in the connection between disaster mitigation and disaster preparedness. Using a vulnerability-to-hazard framework built by the European Union, the authors study the case of Aceh province, Indonesia, which was hit hard by Asian tsunami in 2004.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design uses a single case study research. The authors study the case of Aceh province, Indonesia, by comparing improvements in disaster mitigation and disaster preparedness in a period longer than ten years beginning in 2004, right before the Asian tsunami that devastated the province. Aware that the connection between mitigation and preparedness is a broad research topic, the authors focus on the domain of pre-disaster evacuation.

Findings

The authors find that Aceh province has made substantial improvements in healthcare facilities and road quality (mitigation) as well as early alert systems and evacuation plans (preparedness). Socio-economic indicators of the community have improved substantially as well. However, there is a lack of safe sheltering areas as well as poor road signaling maintenance, which threatens the effectiveness of infrastructural improvements. The authors propose that community engagement would connect disaster mitigation and disaster preparedness. The connecting element is community-based maintenance of critical infrastructure such as road signals, which the government could facilitate by leveraging on operational transparency.

Research limitations/implications

The findings open avenues for future research on the actionable engagement of communities in disaster mitigation and disaster preparedness.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to three areas of humanitarian logistics research: disaster management cycle (DMC), pre-disaster evacuations and community engagement in disaster management.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

1 – 10 of 44