Logistic Process Research Articles

Anatomy of Non-tariff Barriers in India–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement: An Empirical Investigation

This article attempts to answer one crucial research question: why the utilization of India–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) route for trade is very poor by the Indian exporters (13%) as compared to their Sri Lankan counterpart (65%) even after one decade of its implementation? The available studies have blamed the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) which are hamstringing the growth of trade between these partners development of international trade. However, these have considered NTBs as subset of non-tariff measures (NTMs) which are quite narrow sense of finding the hidden barriers within the International trade process. Therefore, this article has analysed in detail the logistic process involved in international trade between India and Sri Lanka to understand various NTBs sheltered within this logistic process. Further, the article has identified issues which are not directly beyond the logistic process which are affecting the international trade between these two countries. JEL: F0, F1

INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION OF THE AGRARIAN MARKET IN THE GLOBALIZED ENVIRONMENT

The main results of the research, which consist in determining the essence and features of the infrastructure provision of the agrarian market in the globalized environment, are formed. The priority of approaches in the development of logistics activities in the context of guaranteeing food security of regions and countries of the world is determined. The essence of the logistic process, strengthening the influence of the global market on the quality of agrarian products, is determined. The influence of the infrastructure provision of the agrarian market on the competitive positions of commodity producers is generalized, advantages and disadvantages in development are determined. The essence of informational logistics, its influence on the development of infrastructure provision of agricultural products market, satisfaction of consumers’ needs is investigated. The urgency of the introduction of e-commerce, which allows commodity producers to combine marketing activities with optimization of advertising costs, to ensure the efficiency and convenience of carrying out operations for the sale of agricultural products, its transportation, manage all logistics processes. It is proved that improvement of the infrastructure provision of the agrarian market of the world countries that adapts to the global market should be based on the dissemination of information opportunities, and the interaction of all participants in the process of selling agricultural products on an e-commerce basis, i.e. on cooperation of the network of producers, banking institutions, Internet providers, supermarket chains, processing enterprises, including export-oriented agricultural products, as well as regional representatives of state authorities. The combination of actions and systematical implementation of the logistical approach will reduce the level of information, production, business risks, as well as significantly increase the export opportunities of producers of agrarian products, especially in the context of the urgency of the issue of ensuring food security of the world, its regions and countries. It is stipulated that in the global market the solution of a problem should have a wide range of actions that should be directed at the ordering of economic, social and environmental interests of the world society. It is proved that improvement of the infrastructure provision of the agrarian market should be a matter of food safety and availability, considering the need to level out obvious and hidden hunger, and not only the spread of innovative technologies of production and the receipt of super-profits.

Mathematical approaches for improving the efficiency of railway transport

Abstract Current business trends push transport companies to improve the efficiency of their entrepreneurial activities, what is closely related to costs reduction and revenues increase. Many transport companies achieve it empirically, but some mathematical algorithms, mainly from operational research, can be used to improve the efficiency of railway transport by finding the optimal solution of specific problems. The paper is focused on using of selected methods from applied mathematics in railway transport. These methods are used mainly for improving the operational efficiency of the transport company, what tends to decrease overall operating costs. Major impact is done by efficient use of railway vehicles and train staff. It can be achieved by optimization as a flow network problem or assignment problem, what is further described in the paper. Mathematical approaches can also positively influence the whole logistic process.

New material point method contact algorithms for improved accuracy, large-deformation problems, and proper null-space filtering

The material point method (MPM) is increasingly being used in multimaterial contact problems. Despite MPM’s advantages for such problems, some aspects of current contact methods are prone to instabilities. The main causes of instabilities are errors in the methods used to calculate normal vector and material separation. This paper presents new methods for these tasks by applying logistic regression to material point clouds contributing to each contact node. The new logistic regression process determines the most probable plane between two materials and finds their separation. The separation calculation explicitly accounts for particle deformation for increased accuracy in large deformation problems. Another improvement to multimaterial MPM is to do contact mechanics corrections twice each time step — first after initial velocity extrapolation to the grid and second after updating grid momenta. Two corrections are needed to find the correct acceleration when updating particle velocities and to extend methods that filter null-space noise to account for contact mechanics. Several examples validate the new methods and demonstrate their advantages over prior methods.

A Logistic Process Immaturity Model Proposal

Abstract Aims To develop an immaturity model for the assessment of logistic processes that can assess the practices that describe the level of criticality, which maturity models do not evaluate, of these processes. Originality Application of the little-known variation of maturity models and immaturity models in business logistic processes. Research method The research is conducted from a literature review primarily with terms such as immaturity models and process immaturity. As literature is poor, it is supported by the maturity models developed by various authors in multiple domains. Main findings As a result, an immaturity model is obtained for the assessment of the main logistic processes of manufacturing companies. Likewise, the evaluation and the experiences collected from its application in a company of a case study are obtained. Implications for theory and practice The studies about immaturity of processes are few. The model is designed for manufacturing companies whose logistics management differs from service companies.

Genetics and the Gynecologic Patient.

Background: The field of hereditary cancer syndromes and genetic testing for patients and families is a rapidly evolving discipline, with an emphasis on cancer prevention.Methods: We review the literature regarding the most common genetic syndromes associated with gynecologic malignancies and discuss the management of these conditions. We also examine the logistic process surrounding cancer genetic testing and identify some perceived barriers.Results: Five genetic syndromes are known to be associated with gynecologic malignancies: hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch, Cowden, Peutz-Jeghers, and Li-Fraumeni. Each is associated with varying risks of breast, ovarian, and uterine malignancies. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines regarding the management of these syndromes are focused primarily on reducing the risk of developing gynecologic malignancies. However, great complexity is involved with genetic testing for patients and their families, and barriers exist for the widespread use and implementation of such testing.Conclusion: Genetic testing is fundamental to primary cancer prevention and to oncologic care. Physicians, payers, and institutions must work collaboratively to maximize genetic testing with the goals of primary cancer prevention and treatment.

LOGISTICS OPTIMIZATION IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF PAKISTAN

Road construction all over the world especially in the developing countries is considered to be one of the most important projects for a country. As important as they might be it becomes more important to execute them with utmost care as to optimize the logistics and minimizing the waste to optimize the cost and ultimately planning in such a way to maximize the productivity of the construction team which depends mainly upon different aspects relating to materials access to the workers on site, cost of them, choice of materials etc. Logistics optimization is one of the major factors for successful delivery of road construction projects. Logistics comprises the flow of information and material, optimization can be achieved through effective planning in terms of material planning, material delivery, material management and material handling. This research paper is aimed at studying the importance of material in logistic process of road construction projects in Pakistan. The study may be applicable to any developing or developed country as the logistics optimization for road construction remains same. A case study approach is taken to study two major road construction firms operating in Pakistan, the data is collected through observation and semi structured interviews of project managers, directors and on site managers. The in depth analysis presented with critical aspects of material management, as per MATRACON Pvt ltd and Marksons Pakistan. A comparative analysis provided us with a lot of components which are important for logistics optimization out of which this research focuses on the most important factor which is Material optimization in Logistics. Keywords: Logistics optimization, Road construction, Material management, Material planning.

Doskonalenie procesu produkcji I logistyki w badanym przedsiębiorsktwie

Doskonalenie procesu produkcji I logistyki w badanym przedsiębiorsktwie

A Conditional Density Estimation Partition Model Using Logistic Gaussian Processes.

Conditional density estimation (density regression) estimates the distribution of a response variable y conditional on covariates x. Utilizing a partition model framework, a conditional density estimation method is proposed using logistic Gaussian processes. The partition is created using a Voronoi tessellation and is learned from the data using a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is made possible through a Laplace approximation on the latent variables of the logistic Gaussian process model. This approximation marginalizes the parameters in each partition element, allowing an efficient search of the posterior distribution of the tessellation. The method has desirable consistency properties. In simulation and applications, the model successfully estimates the partition structure and conditional distribution of y.

Effect of an Electronic Health Record Transition on the Provision of Recommended Well Child Services in Pediatric Primary Care Practices.

We sought to determine the effect of transitioning between electronic health record (EHR) systems on the quality of preventive care in a large pediatric primary care network. To study this, we performed a retrospective chart analysis of 42 primary care practices from the Pediatric Physicians' Organization at Children's who transitioned EHRs. We reviewed 24 random encounters per week distributed evenly across 6 age categories before, during, and after a transition period. We reviewed encounter documentation for age-appropriate well child services, per American Academy of Pediatrics/Bright Futures guidelines. Logistic regression and statistical process control analysis were used. In the pretransition period, 84.5% of all recommended elements were documented versus 86.4% posttransition (P = .04). Documentation of age-appropriate anticipatory guidance showed significant positive change (69.0% to 80.2%, P = .005), but it was the only subdomain with a statistically significant increase. These increases suggest that EHR transitions have the opportunity to affect the delivery of preventive care.

Sentimental Analysis and Detection of Rumours for Social Media Data using Logistic Regression

Over the last decade ,the Internet has become an ubiquitous and enormous suffuse medium of the user generated content and self-opinionated knowledge. Users currently have the facility to specify their views, opinions and ideas publically. Victimizing social media platform is a place where people can express their mindsets and feelings in a well associated manner and hence is productive and economical . These ever-growing subjective knowledge are doubtless, an especially made for supply of data of any reasonably method process. The Sentiment Analysis aims at distinctive self-opinionated knowledge during an Internet and classifying them in line with their polarity whether or not they contain positive ,negative or neutralizing references. Sentiment Analysis could be a drawback of text based mostly analysis however there are difficulties which are needed to be pondered upon that would create a tough parameter as compared to ancient text based analysis. It depicts the state where it has a desire of trial to figure out these issues and it's spread out many chances for further analysis for handling negative sentences, hidden emotions , slangs and sentence sarcasm. The project also proposes additional features compared to other previous model projects by enabling the detection of rumor , identifying and analyzing whether message given via user belongs to rumor category or not using Logistic Regression process in Machine Learning domain.

A COST-SENSITIVE LOGISTIC REGRESSION CREDIT SCORING MODEL BASED ON MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION APPROACH

Credit scoring is an important process for peer-to-peer (P2P) lending companies as it determines whether loan applicants are likely to default. The aim of most credit scoring models is to minimize the classification error rate, which implies that all classification errors bear the same cost; however, in reality, there is a significant cost-sensitive problem in credit scoring methods. Therefore, in this paper, a new cost-sensitive logistic regression credit scoring model based on a multi-objective optimization approach is proposed that has two objectives in the cost-sensitive logistic regression process. The cost-sensitive logistic regression parameters are solved using a multiple objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm. In the empirical analysis, the proposed model was applied to the credit scoring of a Chinese famous P2P company, from which it was found that compared with other common credit scoring models, the proposed model was able to effectively reduce type II error rates and total classification error costs, and improve the AUC, the F1 values (reconciliation average of Recall and Precision), and the G-means. The proposed model was compared with other multi-objective optimization algorithms to further demonstrate that MOPSO is the best approach for cost-sensitive logistic regression credit scoring models.

LEAN TOOLS APPLIED IN TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SERVICES

Purpose: This article is focused on the premise that applying Lean tools in transport and logistic services can contribute to reduce the costs, stocks, lead time and simultaneously contributing to major financial achievements. The objective is to create a model that allows the analysis and deployment of a Lean project in Logistic and Transport services. 
 Methodology: Facing the lack of information about the deployment and the results of the Lean tools in Logistic and transport services in Portugal we used as case study one example of a Portuguese company that deployed Lean tools on their services and it will show that the tools and Lean principles can be used to improve quality and efficiency by using the company existing resources, reducing causalities in the service provided and in all logistic process.
 Findings: Lean tools provide efficiency in the services, allowing the increasing of the existing capacity in the company, provide a continuous improvement process. Even with low investments sustaining Lean projects can produce large improvement in efficiency of the processes and in the company profits.
 Research Limitation: The data available about the subject in Portugal was the major limitation to the study.

Social and Networking Effects on the Online Diffusion of Opinion on a UK Government Petition - A Phase Transition?

The UK online Government petition ‘Revoke Article 50’ was both the largest and fastest growing petition ever registered, peak growth achieved 60,000 signatures per hour with the total number reaching 6,087,845. The pattern of signatures followed a sinusoidal curve, consistent with the logistic process and simple epidemic diffusion models such as S:I (susceptible, infected). This suggests that the growth rate of signatures is proportional to the frequency of contacts between actors as opposed to a direct transmission from a single source. I argue that this is also consistent with the “two step flow” (Lazarsfeld & Katz) theory of message diffusion. The assumption behind the logistics process and the S:I model is that of a well mixed homogenous population. Networks like Twitter and Facebook are: homophilic, small-world, long-tailed, exhibit one or more “large components”, and so on. As an alternative I consider threshold models. In particular the work of Watts. The two step flow theory is controversial. Watts,questions whether or not influentials are really influential. He develops simulations to sustain this. These however are centred on random (E_R) networks, and the arguments do not work so well in the context of scale free networks (A_R), where hyper-influentials do exist as the root of the largest trees in s-f distributions. Empirically hyper-influentials did play a role in disseminating Revoke Art 50 retweets. There is psychological evidence of thresholds (personality) in both voting and in following particular websites and that these traits occur in geographical clusters Clusters of vote Remain voters and Revoke Art 50 endorsers are compared. A 1000 vertex scale free network was simulated and diffusion processes with high and low density, central and marginal original tweeters (i.e., either inside or outside a giant connected component, high and low threshold barriers. The objective being to simulate whether Watt’s transition point (“cascade conditions”) would in fact trigger a global cascade as did indeed happen empirically. This did, offer support for Watt’s conjecture but in the context of scale free rather than random networks. A threshold process of this kind could be operating on social networks and that the phase change and subsequent global cascade were the result of the endorsement of “hyper-influentials” who in effect engineered a transition to a high density, low threshold giant hub. I also argue for a qualified revival of the “two step” flow model with hyper-influentials.

Asset Replacement Generalizations: Jumps, Stopping Time and a Paradox

Unexpected events are introduced to the asset replacement algorithm, and modeled by a Poisson process for all cash-flows. Resale price result is expected to decrease randomly with jumps. A risk-neutral stopping time, evaluating the probability of a gain from the first minimum in the valuation sequence in comparison to a longer cycle, is illustrated with a stochastic logistic process. The solution to this option reveals a Paradox – the probabilities for a longer cycle and the risk-free rate are mutually exclusive.

A new model for assessing the impact of the urban intelligent transportation system, farmers’ knowledge and business processes on the success of green supply chain management system for urban distribution of agricultural products

Today, in urban planning, the role of an efficient Supply Chain Management (SCM) system is very important. Also, Green SCN (GSCM) because of its inherent capabilities such as faster delivery of goods and services, reduced latency, increased quality, value-added for customers to supply clean products and improve the organization's economic performance becomes very popular. Recently, GSCM has become one of the most important approaches in supply chain. Supply chain and urban managers through the logistic process try to get benefit from GSCM and improve their environmental performance as a valuable resource. The results of these measures save and eliminate excess energy and reduce operational points that are consistent with the green supply chain. The green supply chain also helps to distribute crops using urban ITS. This research presents a model for assessing the impact of urban ITS, farmers' knowledge and business processes on the success of GSCM systems for urban distribution of an agricultural product. The structural equation modeling method is employed to assess the causal model and to verify its validity and reliability. Also, the evaluation of the consistency and validity of the model is done through a structural equation model. The model and data based on the questionnaire are analyzed using Smart PLS 3.0. The collected results have shown that all the considered factors, urban intelligent transportation system, farmers' knowledge, and business processes play an important role in the success of GSCM for urban distribution of the agricultural product.

A spatio-semantic approach to reasoning about agricultural processes

Digitization of agricultural processes is advancing fast as telemetry data from the involved machines becomes more and more available. Current approaches commonly have a machine-centric view that does not account for machine-machine or machine-environment relations. In this paper we demonstrate how to model such relations in the generic semantic mapping framework SEMAP. We describe how SEMAP’s core ontology is extended to represent knowledge about the involved machines and facilities in a typical agricultural domain. In the framework we combine different information layers – semantically annotated spatial data, semantic background knowledge and incoming sensor data – to derive qualitative spatial facts and continuously track them to generate process states and events about the ongoing logistic process of a harvesting campaign, which adds to an increased process understanding.

Digital technlogies in supply chain management of the fashion industry

The prospect of use of digital technologies in supply chain management companies of the fashion industry has been considered. It has been revealed, that digital technologies are actively applied at various stages of logistic process in the companies of this industry. Classification of such digital technologies has been carried out and the most perspective directions for use in the companies of fashion industry have been highlighted, among which it is possible to call: 3D printing technology, technology of virtual fitting room, clever mirrors technology and others. It has been substantiated, that use and implementation of the information-communicative technologies, is one of the most perspective directions of development of digitalization in supply chain management and logistics.

Conceptual aspects of management of the distribution of medical supplies from the position of military pharmaceutical logistics

One of the main directions of logistic support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is medical support which is aimed at life safeguard and health of military personnel, well-timed and efficient provision of medical care in the event of injuries, injuries and diseases, fast renewal of combat power and ability to work in different conditions of its handling and at different period of time. The readiness of medical service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the medical support of the troops depends on the well-timed organization of medical supplies and the refilling of medical supplies full and complete. The qualitative and efficient allocation of medical equipment and medical supplies is a determining factor in this process.
 The aim of the work – reasoning of the irregularity of distribution logistics in the unified logistic system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the study of the main aspects of management of the distribution of medical supplies from the position of military pharmaceutical logistics.
 To get the purpose of the research, the analysis of domestic scientific sources and the current normative and legal base of Ukraine have been carried out. Research methods are: information search, comparison, systemization, semantic analysis, synthesis and modeling.
 In the conditions of logistic support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other components of the security and defense forces of Ukraine, the logistic function of the distribution of logistical equipment, inventory, military equipment and services (food, bath and laundry services, etc.) should ensure the activity of troops (forces) in peacetime and war time. It is the guarantee of the ability to ensure the defense of the state and appropriate response to military threats to the national security of Ukraine, efficiently using available potential and resources. Distribution logistics from the position of military pharmaceutical logistics is the management of all functional subsystems of the medical supplies and health services of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in order to optimize the distribution of the material flow (purchased medical supplies) from the supplier to the final consumer (according to the applications of the Military Medical Clinical Centers of the Regions).
 Same, distributive logistics in the structure of a unified logistic support system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine does not carry a commercial component, and its functions consist in planning, organization of distribution, control and regulation of the logistic process of distribution of material and technical means (including medical equipment and supplies), inventory, military equipment, services (catering, bath and laundry service, etc.). According to the authors, the term «marketing logistics» is not possible to use as a single system of logistic support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and in its subsystems. To sum it up, it was suggested to use the term «distributive logistics». On the basis of theoretical generalization of the data of scientific literature and normative legal acts, the main aspects of management of the distribution of medical equipment and supplies from the standpoint of military pharmaceutical logistics are studied. The functions of distributive logistics are defined, the model of the current logistic chain of distribution of medical equipment and supplies in the medical service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is constructed. It is noted that in order to ensure the qualitative and efficient distribution of medical equipment and supplies, a regulatory and legal framework which regulates the division of powers between institutions and units of medical supplies and defines the responsibility for their implementation in the current conditions of the reformation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Anatomy of Non-Tariff Barriers in India-Lanka Free Trade Agreement

This paper attempts to answer one crucial research question, why the utilization of India Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) route for trade is very poor by the India exporters (13%) as compared to their Sri Lankan Counterpart (65%) even after one decade of its implementation? The available studies have blamed the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) which are hamstringing growth of trade between these partners development of international trade. However, these have considered NTBs as sub set of non-tariff measures (NTMs) which are quite narrow sense of finding the hidden barriers within the International trade process. Therefore, this paper has analyzed in detail the logistic process involved in international trade between India and Sri Lanka to understand various NTBs sheltered within this logistic process. Further, the paper has identified issues which are not directly beyond the logistic process which are affecting the international trade between these two countries.