Logistics Capacities Research Articles

Dynamics of development of industrial parks in Russia

The globalization of market conditions leads to the development of positions that influence the modification of the national economy. There is a change in business models, a rearrangement of the system of international division of labor. One of the modern business models is the investment and construction of industrial parks, industrial clusters that integrate on their territory the production and logistics capacities necessary for the optimal production and distribution of certain goods. The development of these models in the country, in addition to optimizing production and logistics processes, also makes it possible to influence the economy of the region in which the park is located, both from an economic and demographic point of view, providing jobs. The study describes the current state of development of industrial parks as one of the main sectors of industrial production.

Quick commerce and the evolving business models of the food retail industry - Investigating the quick commerce supply chain and the urban impacts of dark stores

The transition to food e-commerce is made possible by the implementation of new technologies, by the arrival of new players, and by the development of new logistics capacities (dark stores and micro-hubs). The quick commerce sector marks an additional step in the development of instant deliveries, which now applies to the entire food and online shopping market. This research analyzes the organization of the quick commerce supply chain (organization based on logistics micro-hubs (dark stores), partnerships with large-scale distributors, third-party logistics operators, organization of the last mile) and also highlights the highly transport-intensive nature (in terms of vehicle movements and delivery flows) of dark stores.

Examination of the Fire Resistance of Construction Materials from Beams in Chemical Warehouses Dealing with Flammable Dangerous Substances

The recent expansion of logistics capacities entails the installation of chemical warehouses, which operations increase the occurrence of compartment fires involving flammable dangerous substances. The aim of this research was to compare and analyze the fire behavior of beams made of different structural materials but with the same load capacity. It is assumed that wooden beams, which are less commonly used in industrial facilities, may have a similar or even better load-bearing capacity in case of a fire than the generally used steel beams. The authors—based on the relevant EU standards—performed load capacity calculations of three beams prepared from different materials under the influence of fire and analyzed the changes in the material properties. Then, they examined the possibility of reinforcing the beams with carbon fiber lamellae and proposed additional fire protection requirements. The test results not only proved the different degrees of fire resistance of various building materials in the event of a fire and after their reinforcement but also suggested the application of special technical, prevention and response measures for the safe storage of dangerous substances. The study outputs enable warehouse designers, operators and safety experts to ensure a higher fire safety level for chemical warehouses.

Renewable energy and industrial development in pioneering and lagging regions: the offshore wind industry in southern Denmark and Normandy

Abstract The increasing deployment of renewable energy (RE) hinges on the development and upscaling of manufacturing and logistics capacities, offering industrial development opportunities for regions and countries. In this paper, we analyse how contextual factors pertaining to pre-existing regional assets and multi-scalar institutional environments influence RE-related industrial development at the regional scale. To this avail, we purposefully selected two contrasting regional case studies of offshore wind energy-related industry developments in Southern Denmark (a pioneering region) and Normandy (France, a latecomer region) and discuss developments until 2020. Our qualitative analysis is informed by theoretical and empirical insights from the economic geography and sustainability transitions research fields. The identified contrasting regional path creation processes reflect substantial differences in context conditions, providing insights into how regions can capture value in the ongoing energy transitions.

Impact of pandemic on supply chain development

This article reveals the main aspects of the logistics situation development in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, it highlights the main elements of the logistics companies functioning ensuring a competitive position in the market. The priority role of statistical data collection in logistics and verification of its development monitoring with high growth and expanded coverage of forecast indicators without taking into account the pandemic statistics is emphasized. At the same time, the main aspects of supply chain recovery, taking into account the pandemic, were identified and highlighted in such interrelations as identified signs, stocks, realistic consumption by efficient users, optimization of production and computing capacities, identification and use of logistics capacities, cash management and net working capital.

Great Northern War and Church reform of Peter the Great

The article presents historical research on the Church reform of Peter I, considering the Great Northern War (1700–1721) as one of the crucial transformational factors in church-state relations in Russia. The article introduces descriptive books of patriarchal estates in 17 counties of Russia. They were created during the audit of Church and monastic property in line with the decree of January 31, 1701. It considers features of the form and content of these documents and previously known descriptions of bishops' houses and monasteries, which were carried out according to the mandated memorials of the Monastic Order in 1701-1705. The article claims that the secularization of the patriarch's landholdings, in contrast to other church holdings, was complete and final already at the beginning of the 18th century. In this regard, there is an obvious need to reject historical parallels between the events of the early 18th century and the "monastic secularization" of 1764.Comparing the Alexei Kurbatov’s proposals to Peter I in a letter dated October 25, 1700, with the content of the personal decrees of January 24 and 31, 1701 on the restoration of the Monastic Order allows us to hypothesize that the defeat at Narva and preparation for the meeting with the Elector Augustus II that would result in the signing of the Biržai pact, significantly adjusted the plans of the Church reform. The novelty of the January decrees that presumably started the reform (in the then-common European sense of the concept) was the inclusion of the patriarch's estates in the list of the Church's possessions subject to the control of the state in the future.I conclude that the secularization of church-monastic possessions and property that followed at the beginning of the Great Northern War not only contradicted the centuries-old historical practice but was at that time organizationally overwhelming for the state, which was able to solve the problem of managing the escheat patriarchal lands but did not yet have the appropriate staffing and logistics capacities for control over all possessions of the Church.

Small business owners’ Fintech credit in crises: Theory and evidence from farmers under the COVID-19

This paper examines the COVID-19 impact on Chinese farmers’ peer-to-peer (P2P) borrowings using transaction-level data. Our difference-in-differences estimation results suggest that farmers from the most pandemic-affected region, Hubei province, substantially reduced their P2P loans by 13% compared to other areas. The decline in P2P loans is mainly driven by the demand shrinkage, as we find a significantly lower equilibrium interest rate. Besides, we evaluate the lockdown policy, showing that provinces with larger logistics capacities exhibit more considerable credit declines. Overall, our study suggests that Fintech lending functions as an alternative financing channel during the pandemic, though the demand shrinkage dominates the supply.

Logistics Capacity Balancing Platforms in the Sharing Economy: When Will Simple Rules Be Optimal?

The logistics industry faces high risk as demands for logistics services are stochastic. Facing the market demand volatility, individual logistics service providers (called &#x201C;agents&#x201D;) who are individual decision makers have their own preferences with respect to their profit targets. It is commonly observed that some agents are more risk taking (and hence they set very ambitious profit targets) whereas some are more risk averse. This creates a situation in which some agents over-reserve logistics capacities but some under-reserve. In the sharing economy, the logistics capacities can be balanced out and shared via platforms. In this article, we analytically build newsvendor problem-based optimization models to explore the value of a capacity-balancing-platform, in the presence of multiple agents. We propose two capacity-balancing mechanisms (called Rules 1 and 2) for the platform: 1) Rule 1 is an <i>equal balancing rule</i> in which all the capacities of agents will be collected and evenly distributed to all agents and 2) Rule 2 is a <i>surplus balancing rule</i> in which all capacities of agents will be collected and classified, and balancing is done with respect to surplus in capacity reservation. We then compare Rule 1 and Rule 2 with the original system when the platform is absent (Rule 0). We analytically prove that Rule 2 always outperforms Rule 0 with respect to the total systems expected profit. For the homogeneous case, Rule 1 is the optimal allocation rule and outperforms (with respect to the total systems expected profit) the more complex rule, i.e., Rule 2, which interestingly shows that &#x201C;simplicity is better.&#x201D; To generate more insights and to check the robustness of findings, we extend the analyses to cover more cases.

Sustainability of outbound logistics in small businesses in Serbia

A significant percentage of entrepreneurs, micro and small companies in Serbia do not have adequate outbound logistics capacities in order to register significant growth in business. The needs of everyday business and the demand for certain products and services is a reflection of the quality of products, and very often it is not realized in full potential, due to poorly dimensioned aspects of logistics function, or due to insufficient operational capacity of the company itself. The key problems of small companies from Serbia, which are trying to internationalize their products or services, lies in the fact that Serbia (as a country) generally has very poor outbound logistics and transport efficient solutions and capacities. In addition, transport costs and supply chain length have critical impact on the ability of a small company to meet demand outside the local market. The complexity of the problem is affected equally by internal capacities of micro and small companies, but also by weak external support for specialized outbound logistics services (transport, transshipment, etc.). These problems will be analyzed on a sample of small Serbian companies that deal with different fruit cultures processing, and are trying to conquer new markets. The result of the conducted research serves in an attempt of narrowing the problem to specific sectors of the industry, which are affected by inadequate logistics capacities. Future research could contain concrete measures to improve the delivery process and internationalization of goods for companies outside large systems (corporations), by defining concrete proposals to improve outbound logistics management capacities in Serbia.

Impact of Logistics Capacity on Economic Sustainability of SMEs

In this research paper, various impacts on economic sustainability of small and medium-sized companies are analyzed. This research determined a research gap, by defining a statistically significant difference in business performance between SMEs (small and medium sized businesses) with their own logistics capacities and those which decided to outsource capacities. Impacts of key business factors were measured by quantitative research by using linear regression, on a sample of 340 SMEs from Serbia. These factors are related to market aspects, SME position within a supply chain, but also to internal aspects of the company itself. Empirical research findings suggested that ownership of logistics capacity can have an impact on economic sustainability of SMEs, measured through solvency and profitability. Future research regarding this topic can be diversified through efforts of internationalization of SMEs, or through comparison with large companies in terms of impacts on economic sustainability.

Multiobjective Optimization for Multiperiod Reverse Logistics Network Design

In recent years, the ever-rising return streams for repair service have forced the electronics manufacturers to expand their reverse logistics capacities. However, most existing papers on the reverse logistics network design neglected the time sensitivity of the return flows. Moreover, most of these investigations were primarily concerned with the single objective problems of either minimizing the total cost or maximizing the profit. In this paper, we propose a biobjective mixed-integer linear programming model for the multiperiod design problem of a reverse logistics network for repair service. A multiperiod setting is taken into account to make the reverse logistics network flexible to accommodate the gradual changes in the capacity of the facilities and the network configuration. To solve the NP-hard problem with biobjective, we develop a hybrid evolutionary algorithm that combines nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) with a local search method. We compare the hybrid evolutionary algorithm with NSGA-II and ϵ-constraint method using numerical examples. The comparison results indicate that the hybrid evolutionary algorithm outperforms the NSGA-II in most cases. The ϵ-constraint method performs best for the small instances, but it cannot solve large instances within reasonable time. Finally, an extensive parametric analysis is conducted and several managerial insights are derived.

РОЛЬ СУЧАСНИХ ЛОГІСТИЧНИХ СИСТЕМ В АКТИВІЗАЦІЇ ЗОВНІШНЬОЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В НОВИХ КРАЇНАХ-ЧЛЕНАХ ЄС

In this paper reveals the essence and content of macrologistical European regional structure, which today is one of the most important factors in further intensification of foreign trade activities in terms integrotsionnyh processes that occur in the European Union.In addition, the authors proved that for optimization of logistics capacities at the macro level is the most appropriate method for determining the location of the logistics center on the basis of indicators of the attractiveness of the region to the proposed system factors. Methods of selecting the location of the logistics center was introduced in the stepwise algorithm. The algorithm used in the method of statistical analysis of the "pattern", the matrix of pairwise comparisons, analytic hierarchy process. With the help of the algorithm choice of the location of the logistics center will be scientifically based, which will allow to attract investments and create an efficient transport and logistics system.

Reverse logistics network for municipal solid waste management: The inclusion of waste pickers as a Brazilian legal requirement

This study proposes a reverse logistics network involved in the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) to solve the challenge of economically managing these wastes considering the recent legal requirements of the Brazilian Waste Management Policy. The feasibility of the allocation of MSW material recovery facilities (MRF) as intermediate points between the generators of these wastes and the options for reuse and disposal was evaluated, as well as the participation of associations and cooperatives of waste pickers. This network was mathematically modelled and validated through a scenario analysis of the municipality of São Mateus, which makes the location model more complete and applicable in practice. The mathematical model allows the determination of the number of facilities required for the reverse logistics network, their location, capacities, and product flows between these facilities. The fixed costs of installation and operation of the proposed MRF were balanced with the reduction of transport costs, allowing the inclusion of waste pickers to the reverse logistics network. The main contribution of this study lies in the proposition of a reverse logistics network for MSW simultaneously involving legal, environmental, economic and social criteria, which is a very complex goal. This study can guide practices in other countries that have realities similar to those in Brazil of accelerated urbanisation without adequate planning for solid waste management, added to the strong presence of waste pickers that, through the characteristic of social vulnerability, must be included in the system. In addition to the theoretical contribution to the reverse logistics network problem, this study aids in decision-making for public managers who have limited technical and administrative capacities for the management of solid wastes.

An order allocation model in multi-period logistics service supply chain based on cumulative prospect theory and capacity matching constraint

By considering a two-echelon supply chain that consists of a logistics service integrator (LSI) and several functional logistics service provider (FLSP), this study builds a comprehensive subjective utility (CSU) function of FLSP in multi-period based on cumulative prospect theory and establishes an order allocation model in multi-period logistics service supply chain. This model considers three goals: to minimise the cost of LSI, to maximise the satisfaction of the FLSP and to maximise the capacity matching degree among different logistics capacities. This study uses an improved technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution to obtain the optimal solution. A numerical example is given by software MATLAB 7.8. The effects of the behavioural parameters of FLSPs on order allocation are also discussed. When the LSI allocates orders, the FLSP, who has larger ratio of loss to gain range by the sensitivity decreasing rate, should be selected to obtain a large value of CSU. No obvious rule is found for the influence of the loss aversion coefficient of FLSPs on the CSU of FLSPs in a multi-period.

An Order Allocation Model based on the Competitive and Rational Pre-Estimate Behavior in Logistics Service Supply Chain

In the actual order allocation process of Logistics Service Supply Chain (LSSC), Functional Logistics Service Providers (FLSPs) are strategic: they will pre-estimate the order allocation results to decide whether or not to participate in order allocation. Considering a two-echelon Logistics Service Supply Chain (LSSC) consisting of one Logistics Service Integrator (LSI) and several competitive FLSPs, we establish an order allocation optimization model of LSSC based on the pre-estimate and competitive behavior of FLSPs. The model considers three objectives: to minimize the cost of LSI, to maximize the order satisfaction of FLSPs and to match the different logistics capacities of FLSPs as much as possible. Numerical analysis is performed to discuss the effects of the competition among FLSPs on the order allocation results. The results show that with the rational expectations equilibrium, competitions among FLSPs help improve the comprehensive performance of LSSC.

An order allocation model in a two-echelon logistics service supply chain based on the rational expectations equilibrium

In previous studies on the order allocation of the supply chain, suppliers involved in the order allocation are expected to accept orders passively. The strategic behaviours of functional logistics service providers (FLSPs), especially pre-estimate behaviour, have an important influence on the results of order allocation. First, this paper focuses on the pre-estimate behaviour and utility function of FLSPs, and attempts to determine the critical condition for FLSP participation in order allocation. Second, based on the rational expectations equilibrium (REE) between FLSPs and logistics services integrator (LSI), an order allocation optimisation model for LSI is proposed. Satisfying the constraints of FLSP participation in order allocation, the model considers three objectives, namely, minimising the cost of LSI, maximising the order satisfaction of FLSPs, and matching the different logistics capacities of FLSPs as much as possible. Numerical analysis is performed. The effects of order uncertainty, the expected discount coefficient, and the business reputation of FLSP on order allocation are discussed. The findings indicate that order allocation results taking the REE into consideration are better than those when the REE is not considered, implying that the LSI’s introduction of the rational pre-estimate behaviour of FLSPs into order allocation will improve the comprehensive performance of LSSC, as well as the order allocation process of the LSI. FLSPs should rationally put forward the expected discount coefficient according to their weights of quantity satisfaction and price satisfaction, thereby maximising the satisfaction of FLSPs. In addition, LSI should select the FLSP with better business reputation to maximise the comprehensive performance of the logistics service supply chain. Finally, this paper uses Tianjin Baoyun Logistics Company as an example to illustrate the application of model conclusions.

Innovation and Competitive Advantage: Model and Implementation for Global Logistics

This paper examines the impact of external factors on global logistics firms. A research model is presented for implementation in order to maintain competitive advantage. The model identifies key dimensions of drivers of logistics innovation. Process of innovation and the outcomes are also discussed accordingly. This paper employs e-research and a survey of literature as research methodology. Key constructs are defined by their essential characteristics. Proposition development articulates the relationships between key constructs. Managerial implications and solutions are discussed in order to respond to the concern of manager of improving their logistics capacities and performance of firms properly.

Becoming an "Interesting" Customer: Procurement Strategies for Buyers without Leverage

ABSTRACT This paper shares case study results from three succesful manufacturers who have implemented advanced procurement practices as part of their competitive strategy. None of these manufacturers has enough size or power to force suppliers to share leading edge technology, reserve production capacity, or guarantee component availability. But each of these three firms--one industrial, one high tech and one bulk producer--has found a way to access the supplier capabilities needed for the improvements customers continue to demand. The paper describes the strategic supplier-co-operation programmes these companies use to become interesting customers and so improve product, manufacturing and logistics capacities.