Logistics Process Improvement Research Articles

Innovative Business Model for Realization of Sustainable Supply Chain at the Outsourcing Examination of Logistics Services

The issue of sustainability is becoming more and more important because of the increase in the human population and the extraction of non-renewable natural resources. We can make decisive steps towards sustainability in the fields of logistics services by improvement of logistics processes and/or application of new environment-friendly technologies. These steps are very important for companies because they have a significant effect on competitiveness. Nowadays significant changes are taking place in applied methods and technologies in the fields of logistics services as part of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Most companies are not able to keep pace with these changes in addition to carrying out their main activities by using own resources; consequently, in many cases logistics services are outsourced in the interest of maintaining or increasing competitiveness. The currently applied outsourcing examination process contains numerous shortcomings. We have elaborated a new business model to eliminate these shortcomings, namely the basic concept for an outsourcing investigation system integrated in the electronic marketplace. The paper introduces the current process of logistics service outsourcing examination and the elaborated business model concept.

The influence of quality management systems for improvement of logistics supply in Poland

Research background: ISO 9001 with its requirements gives a company a guidance on the definition of the quality management system architecture, based on the process approach and the indications for its continuous improvement. Despite the general emphasis to the benefits of implementation of ISO 9001 in the literature, there is a still lack of research concerning the actual impact of quality management systems for improving specific logistics processes. The research is focused on the Polish market because there is no research in the subject literature which concerns the impact of the implementation of quality management systems on the improvement of logistic processes in Polish enterprises.
 Purpose of the article: The focus of this publication was to examine the impact of the implementation of the requirements of ISO 9001 for process improvement supply logistics.
 Methods: Empirical studies were carried out in September and October 2014 on a group of 17 companies with implemented and certified quality management systems according to ISO 9001. The research tool was a questionnaire survey sent to management representatives (25 respondents) and workers (140 respondents). The surveys were supplemented with direct interviews with employees of the companies.
 Findings: Based on the survey it can be stated that the quality management systems, accord-ing to ISO 9001, had a fairly large impact on improving procurement processes. This is particularly evident in areas including relationships with suppliers, quality control, workflow and communication, both internal and external. The positive aspects achieved through the implementation of quality management systems due to the fact that the ISO 9001 standard in its commitments puts great emphasis on the organization of the procurement process.

A Study on Application of Folding Forklifts for the Improvement of Military Logistics

군 물류 체계상 최종 말단의 사용부대인 대대급 이하 소부대는 대부분 소규모 물류로 취급물량이 적어 지게차 등의 하역장비를 고정 운영하기에는 부적합하다. 따라서 부대 내의 하역작업은 인력 중심으로 이루어지고 있어서 근골격계 부상의 위험과 전투원의 인력이 낭비되고 있다. 현재 추진 중인 군 병력 감축방안에 따라 향후 화물 상하역을 위한 인력은 더욱 감소될 것으로 보여 장비위주 군수지원 체계 구축의 필요성이 증가되고 있다. 고정적 하역장비를 운영하기 어려운 군 물류 현장상황 및 기계화에 대한 요구를 만족시킬 수 있는 방안으로 차량에 탑재 가능한 접이식 지게차가 대안으로 떠오르고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 소규모 군 물류환경의 현실태 및 문제점을 파악하고, 군의 물량 중 대표적인 2개 종류의 물류 프로세스 상에 접이식 지게차 도입 시 프로세스 개선방안에 대하여 분석을 수행하였다. 이를 통해 군량곡 수송 및 포병 탄약 수송 간에 활용 가능성과 경제적 효과를 확인하였다.In military logistics circumstance, end users are usually small units such as battalions and companies. They have difficulty operating fixed equipment such as forklift because handling volume is usually small. They use human power to load and unload cargo. Thus, there is a chance of getting musculoskeletal injury and waste of manpower. Currently, the Ministry of National Defense is implementing a troop reduction plan. Therefore, there is an increasing need to automate manual logistics works such as loading/unloading for small units using suitable equipment such as folding forklift that can be loaded into a vehicle. In this study, We identified the current situation and problems of military logistics and conducted an analysis on logistics process improvement according to the introduction of folding forklift. The analysis results show the feasibility and the economic effect of the folding forklift.

Logistics process improvement of warehousing and picking in a colombian company textile sector

This research considers the design problem of distribution center and picking in a Colombian textile company. Through a literature review, the methodology for the design of the facility that best adjusts the company for minimize the time picking is set. As from the methodology selected the orders profiles is built, based on the characterization, the problems designing and picking is way comprehensive treated. Different scenarios of distribution center design and picking and routing policies are evaluated, in order to identify the influence of the scenarios and policies at time of picking and utilization factor of resources involved in the process. The results contribute to improvement of process indicators; it is reflected in operating costs and customer service.

Logistics Process Improvement Using Simulation and Stochastic Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding

The paper is concentrated on improvement of a delivery process of parts and components for a vehicle production company based on just-in-time system. The authors have proposed a four-stage solution procedure. In the first stage the logistics process has been analysed and modelled using EPC notation in ARIS Business Architect. The major activities in the process, cause and effect relationships, key resources (personal and technical) and their assignment to the activities have been identified. In the second stage, multicriteria mathematical model has been constructed to evaluate the process performance. In the third stage, the simulation model has been built with an application of simulation tool ARIS Business Simulator, and the computational experiments have been carried out. Next, in the fourth stage the set of variants representing changes in the current logistics process have been created, equivalent changes have been introduced to the simulation model and computational experiments have been carried out. Based on the nondeterministic simulation results, in the next stage the variants have been ranked with an application of stochastic decision aiding method – stochastic ELECTRE III. Finally, the compromise variant of the logistics process improvement has been recommended.

A case study on logistics process improvement through the reconfiguration of network

A case study on logistics process improvement through the reconfiguration of network

Logistics management systems: an approach for the evaluation, integration and improvement of logistics processes

This paper describes the design and application of a management model, the purpose of which is to set up and improve the logistics management systems in companies and organisations. This model can be easily integrated into standardised management systems according to, among others, ISO 9000 Quality Standards, ISO 14000 Environmental Standards or OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Standards. The management model proposed here provides two diagnosis tools: one that seeks to assess the maturity level reached by logistics management systems and one that audits logistics management systems. We also review the results obtained after the integration of the management model into two benchmark firms selected according to the variety of their logistics processes and the different strategies that those firms have developed to manage and operate these processes. The results obtained prove the soundness of both the management model and the diagnosis tools designed to assess the maturity and fulfilment levels of logistics management systems.