Logistics Practitioners Research Articles

Competitive Advantage Development Model with Logistics Competence

Uniqueness in the field of logistics was chosen as the basis for excellence in higher education at Institute of Economics Science Cendekia Karya Utama in Indonesia, because it is considered that logistics capabilities are the basis for building competitive advantages for its alumni. However, this program has never been studied for the effectiveness of its implementation and also for its follow-up development model. Based on the Resource Based View theory, this research aims to determine the effectiveness of the logistics competency program and build a competitive development model at Institute Economic Science Cendekia Karya Utama Semarang. Through qualitative methods involving informants from the Indonesian Logistics Training Institute, lecturers, logistics practitioners and graduate who work in logistics companies, it was found that to increase broader competitive advantage there needs to be strengthening in several aspects, namely the need to add digital logistics curriculum content (ex: warehouse management system, transportation management system and strengthening foreign languages (English, Mandarin). A logistics-based competitive advantage development model can be developed by synergizing and collaborating between universities and alumni, the business and industrial logistics, practitioners and training institutions according to their respective roles -each of which is discussed in this study. This study contributes to the expansion of the resource based view theory and the development of graduate quality and unique logistics competencies as a basis for building excellence from Institute Economic Science Cendekia Karya Utama Semarang, Indonesia

A Reference Architecture for Reverse Logistics in the High-Tech Industry

With the pressing need to shift towards sustainable sociotechnical systems, high-tech equipment manufacturers are facing an increasing demand for accountability in reverse logistics. Implementation of reverse logistics introduces complexities, particularly in handling the unpredictability of product returns, coordination of the network, and communication among different stakeholders along the reverse chain. To navigate these complexities and facilitate decision-making, the objective of this paper is to design a reference architecture tailored to the high-tech manufacturing sector. The proposed reference architecture encompasses a variety of reverse logistics activities, ranging from installed base management to recovery processes, to achieve supply chain circularity, and couples these witha data-driven decision-making processes to enhance efficiency and reliability throughout the reverse chain. The reference architecture is instantiated in the context of a real company case published in the literature and evaluated by domain experts and practitioners in the target industry. Evaluation results from questionnaire analysis indicate very positive responses towards our proposed solution in terms of completeness, flexibility, integration, simplicity, understandability, and usability. Overall, the reference architecture supports reverse logistics practitioners in integrated decision-making, ranging from organisational to operational levels.

Tackling the crowdsourced shared-trip delivery problem at scale with a novel decomposition heuristic

This paper presents a set-partitioning formulation and a novel decomposition heuristic (D-H) solution algorithm to solve large-scale instances of the urban crowdsourced shared-trip delivery (CSD) problem. The CSD problem involves dedicated vehicles (DVs) and shared personal vehicles (SPVs) fulfilling delivery orders, wherein the SPVs have their own trip origins and destinations. The D-H begins by assigning as many package delivery orders (PDOs) to SPVs as possible, where the D-H enumerates the set of routes each SPV can feasibly traverse and then solves a PDO-SPV-route assignment problem. For PDO-DV assignment and DV routing, the D-H solves a multi-vehicle routing problem with time-window, tour duration, and capacity constraints using an insertion heuristic. Finally, the D-H seeks potential solution improvements by switching PDOs between SPV and DV routes through a simulated annealing (SA)-inspired procedure. The D-H outperforms a commercial solver in terms of computational efficiency while obtaining near-optimal solutions for small problem instances. The SA-inspired switching procedure outperforms a large neighborhood search algorithm regarding run time, and the two are comparable regarding solution quality. Finally, the paper uses the D-H to analyze the impact of several relevant factors on city-scale CSD system performance, namely the number of participating SPVs and the maximum willingness to detour of SPVs. Consistent with the existing literature, we find that CSD can substantially reduce delivery costs. However, we find that CSD can increase vehicle miles traveled. Our findings provide meaningful insights for logistics practitioners, while the algorithms illustrate promise for large real-world systems.

Russian Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Challenges and Relevant Solutions

Relevance of the research. The article considers a forced paradigm shift and systemic restructuring of Russian logistics due to the introduction of sanctions barriers and partial trade blockade, which, in addition to restricting Russian exports and imports, threatens digital technological transformations in supply chain management and occurs against the backdrop of tightening international environmental requirements for business activities, including logistics.The purpose of the research is to review changes taking place in Russian logistics and to analyze corresponding solutions for supply chain management.Design, methods, information base. The methodological framework of the research consists of fundamentals of logistics and supply chain management, elements of economic systems digital development concept and basic principles of ecological economics. The main research methods are collecting information from secondary sources, practicing experts in-depth interviewing, specialists surveying, computer content and PESTEL analysis. The methodological basis is formed by the basics of logistics and supply chain management, elements of the concept of digital development of economic systems and basic principles of ecological economy. The information base of the research consisted of interview transcripts, survey results, bibliographic documents, and Internet text files.Findings. As a result of the work, external challenges and influencing factors are identified, internal processes, drivers and trends characteristic of Russian logistics and supply chain management today are identified and described. Relevant decisions made by Russian logisticians in the current period are systematized and evaluated. The flexibility and sustainability of supply chains was confirmed, as well as the high adaptability of Russian logistics to radical transformation of business environment and operating conditions.Originality/value of the research. The study showed that despite the deglobalization of Russian logistics, it remains possible to manage any cargo delivery to Russia from anywhere in the world. The material may be useful both to Russian logistics practitioners and to persons studying or teaching the discipline “Logistics”.

Efficiency measurement and inefficiency analysis of low-carbon logistics in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, China

Under the dual-carbon goals, enhancing the green development level of logistics industry and realizing its low-carbon transformation are important issues that need to be solved urgently. Amidst the continuous escalation in the total energy consumption of the national logistics industry, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region has exhibited a favorable descending trajectory in this respect. It is necessary to investigate the underlying reasons. Based on the panel data from 2012 to 2021, the DEA and Malmquist index are employed to analyze the low-carbon logistics efficiency of the BTH region from both static and dynamic perspectives. Furthermore, the inefficiency analysis is conducted to identify the deficiencies of low-carbon logistics industry in this region. Results show that (1) from the static perspective, the development of low-carbon logistics industry in the BTH region is relatively unbalanced. Compared to Tianjin and Hebei, Beijing's low-carbon logistics efficiency is significantly lower, becoming the focal area for attention; (2) from the dynamic perspective, technological progress is the main reason for the fluctuation of total factor productivity in the BTH region and a constraining factor for further improvements; (3) from the results of inefficiency analysis, the forthcoming emphasis on low-carbon logistics in Beijing should be on optimizing the number of logistics practitioners, transportation efficiency, and energy efficiency. Economic output and energy efficiency are relatively vulnerable aspects in Tianjin and Hebei, respectively, warranting due consideration. The research results of this paper have important practical implications for better developing low-carbon logistics in the BTH region and leveraging its leading role nationwide.

An exploration of operational excellence methodologies implementation in the logistics sectors: a global study

PurposeThe aim of this study reported in this paper was to explore the application of operational excellence methodologies in a global context.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative interview approach was used to understand the current state, benefits, challenges, success factors, tools and techniques of operational excellence methodology implementation with relevance to logistics companies worldwide. About 16 interviews were undertaken with practitioners working in leading companies and with leading academics in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Australia.FindingsThe findings show that operational excellence methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Agile can apply in logistics firms to improve operations and productivity and save costs. Top management support and involvement play an important role in the success of operational excellence projects in the logistics service.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings will be of interest to top and middle managers and logistics practitioners, with a dual aim of improving logistics performance and saving costs.Originality/valueThe present study has been one of the first global study attempts to explore the implementation of operational excellence methodologies in the logistics sectors.

Evaluation of benefits due to adoption of enablers of unimodal road to intermodal railroad freight transportation

The adverse environmental consequences arising from road-based logistics operations have prompted stakeholders, including transport service providers, logistics managers, and shippers, to initiate a modal shift from unimodal road to intermodal railroad (IRR) freight transportation. However, the adoption pace of IRR in developing nations is slow. Modal shift enablers (MSEs) facilitate IRR adoption, while modal shift benefits (MSBs) signify favorable performance outcomes from MSEs' application. The main objective of this study is to rank the MSBs resulting from the adoption of MSEs in IRR freight transportation. This study proposes an integrated multi-criteria decision-making framework utilizing the spherical fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (SF-AHP) to evaluate MSEs' weights and the spherical fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (SF-TOPSIS) to rank the MSBs. The case study performed in the Indian logistics sector reveals that ‘government policies and legislation enablers’, ‘infrastructural enablers’ and ‘strategic and management enablers’ are the most significant MSEs, whereas reduction in vehicular pollution and related negative externalities as well as reduction of the freight transport costs including storage and handling charges are most crucial MSBs realized due to adoption of MSEs. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to assess the stability of the ranking. The results help decision-makers in implementing MSEs for MSBs and develop effective IRR adoption strategies. This study also promotes sustainable freight transportation and provides logistics practitioners, researchers, and policymakers with a precise, systematic, and practical decision-support tool.

Improving Automotive Component Supplier Service through Physical Distribution Activities to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)

Purpose/objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether physical distribution activities can significantly improve customer service for automotive component suppliers to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the Eastern Cape. Design/methodology/approach: By means of non-probability sampling, namely convenience sampling, 50 automotive component suppliers in the Eastern Cape were visited. Each business firm received four questionnaires to be completed by logistics practitioners. Altogether, 126 usable questionnaires were returned. The data were collected by means of a survey using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Findings/results: The results indicated that physical distribution activities, such as transportation management and order processing, were significant predictors of customer service. Practical implications: The results have managerial implications where the logistics department should continuously update its transportation and order processing systems to keep abreast of the best practices within the automotive industry. The results could be used by managers to highlight the benefits of improved customer service, focusing on a firm’s transportation and order processing activities. Originality/value: Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that automotive component suppliers in the Eastern Cape employ transportation management and order processing (activities of physical distribution) to improve customer service. It is also recommended that the automotive component suppliers regularly benchmark their logistics practices against world-class business firms, as the results may have a positive effect on the way transportation and order processing activities are managed and executed if customer service is to be improved.

Awareness of green logistics technology, certification, and standards by logistics practitioners at Chinese e-commerce company, Jing Dong

This study examined the awareness of the environmental and sustainability impacts of green logistics technologies, standards, and certifications by logistics practitioners at the Chinese e-commerce company, Jing Dong. 309 surveys based on questionnaires were gathered using stratified snowball sampling. They were then encoded and examined through descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and regression techniques. The outcomes indicated that roughly 33 % of the organization's logistics professionals understand the beneficial effects of logistics operations on the environment, and an equivalent proportion comprehended the significance of sustainable development. Additionally, the classifications of logistics operations and years of industry expertise significantly have influenced various aspects of green logistics technology, standards, and certification. The research also has indicated that the acceptance of green logistics technology is contingent on the backgrounds and classifications of the company's logistics experts. This suggests that Jing Dong should strengthen the implementation of relevant logistics policies and raise awareness among logistics practitioners regarding green logistics technology, standards, and certification.

Logistics collaboration in vehicle manufacturing: case studies with a triadic perspective

ABSTRACT This paper discusses logistics collaboration applied to a vehicle-manufacturing setting. We reach out to a larger segment of the supply chain by employing a novel unit of analysis, a logistics triad. The triad encompasses an Original Equipment Manufacturer, a Third-Party Logistics Service Provider, and first-tier suppliers. We use the framework known as Collaborative Transportation Management (CTM) to study collaborative transportation activities, focusing on the important relationship between logistics collaboration and logistics performance. Using a qualitative research orientation and a multi-case research strategy, we interviewed logistics practitioners in three countries to identify the enablers of CTM, the salient collaborative practices, and the performance outcomes. The study uncovers the extent to which CTM contributes to the operational and relational performance of the logistics triad. We provide empirical evidence of an ad hoc implementation of this notion. We propose avenues of intervention to preserve logistics collaboration and to enhance logistics performance.

A hybrid framework for fleet management with quality concerns: a case for the food industry

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to propose a framework for fleet management and make suitable distribution solution choices in the food industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study reviews the literature to examine food distribution criteria. These criteria are used in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) assessment and combined with discrete events simulation in a structured framework, which is validated through an empirical study.FindingsThe empirical case results demonstrate that both the AHP and discrete events simulation converge toward the same solution in most cases.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on distribution management and develops a framework that can both guide future research and aid logistics practitioners in analysing distribution decision-making systems in dynamic environments.

The Environmental Stability of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 on the Surfaces of Widely Used Transport Packaging Materials.

The increased transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) has raised questions regarding the environmental stability of these viruses. Although a prolonged survival time has been reported for SARS-CoV-2, how long new variants can persist on contaminated surfaces and how environmental factors affect the persistence time are not fully characterized. The present study provides a comprehensive assessment of the stability of Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.5, which are currently circulating strains, on the surfaces of widely used transport packaging materials. By monitoring viable virus detection over a 7-day period under different environmental conditions, it was found that the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants depended heavily on the surface type, temperature, and virus concentration. In addition, virus nucleic acid exhibited high stability on the material surface independent of whether viable virus was detected. These findings provide useful information for logistics practitioners and the general public to appropriately deal with transport items under different conditions to minimize the risk of epidemic transmission. IMPORTANCE This study shows the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 on surfaces of widely used transport packaging materials. The findings demonstrate that the environmental stability of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants varies based on material type. The viability of SARS-CoV-2 on material surfaces depends heavily on temperature and viral titer. Low temperatures and high viral titers promote virus survival. Moreover, in contrast to virus viability, virus nucleic acid exhibits high stability on the surfaces of widely used materials, making the detection of virus nucleic acid unsuitable for evaluating the risk of epidemic transmission.

Bridging the gap: Building environmental, social and governance capabilities in small and medium logistics companies

Nowadays, the popularity of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance measurement has dramatically increased, particularly to listed companies, for supporting various investment decisions. Companies with high ESG scores imply that their ongoing business development is recognised to be economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. From the current ESG measurement practice, the measurement frameworks are built on rating schemes, such as KLD and ASSET4, so as to derive the ESG scores for listed companies. However, such existing measurement frameworks are difficult to be implemented in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with unstructured and non-standardised business data, especially in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) practice. In addition, it is inevitable for listed companies to work with SMEs, for example logistics service providers, but they need a systematic framework to source the responsible SMEs to maintain the ESG performance. To address the above industrial pain-points, this study proposes an ESG development prioritisation and performance measurement framework (ESG-DPPMF) by means of the Bayesian best-worst method enabling the group decision-making capability to prioritise the ESG development areas and formulate the performance measurement scheme. Through consolidating the opinions from logistics practitioners, it is found that fair labour practice, reverse logistics and human right in supply chains are the most essential areas to further enhance ESG capabilities in the logistics industry. In addition, the viability of the ESG performance measurement has been validated, and thus the sustainable and human-centric logistics practice can be developed to achieve business sustainability.

E-grocery logistics: exploring the gap between research and practice

PurposeThis paper investigates the logistics management in the e-grocery sector. It contrasts the key issues faced by practitioners and the topics addressed in the academic literature, to identify potential misalignments between research and practice and propose avenues for future efforts.Design/methodology/approachThis work adopts a twofold methodological approach. From an academic perspective, a systematic literature review (SLR) is performed to define the topics addressed so far by scholars when analysing e-grocery logistics. From a managerial perspective, a Delphi study is accomplished to identify the most significant issues faced by logistics practitioners in the e-grocery context and the associated significance.FindingsThe study develops a conceptual framework, identifying and mapping the 9 main logistics challenges for e-grocery along 4 clusters, in the light of a logistics-related revision of the SCOR model: distribution network design (area to be served, infrastructures), order fulfilment process (picking, order storage, consolidation, delivery), logistics-related choices from other domains (product range, stock-out management) and automation. These elements are discussed along three dimensions: criticalities, basic and advanced/automation-based solutions. Finally, the main gaps are identified – in terms of both under-investigated topics (order storage and stock-out management) and investigated topics needing further research (picking and automation) – and research questions and hypotheses are outlined.Originality/valueThis paper provides a threefold contribution, revolving around the developed framework. First, it investigates the state of the art about e-grocery logistics, classifying the addressed themes. Second, it explores the main issues e-grocery introduces for logistics practitioners. Third, it contrasts the two outcomes, identifying the misalignment between research and practice, and accordingly, proposing research directions.

Sustainability of E Commerce Business through Logistic System in the COVID 19 Pandemic

This study aims to find out how the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on e-commerce businesses, especially on changes to the logistics system for e-commerce businesses in Indonesia, and to find out strategies to overcome these problems. This study used a qualitative method with observations, interviews, and FGDs. The research subjects are e-commerce business people, logistics practitioners, and staff of shipping service companies. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact not only on the Indonesian economy as a whole but also on the e-commerce business. The industrial, trade, and transportation & warehousing sectors experienced negative growth. E-commerce business players made various changes in the e-commerce business logistics system to adapt and survive the situation in the new normal era. Before the covid-19 pandemic, e-commerce business players had suppliers with different numbers depending on the needs of each business. The challenges and obstacles faced by the e-commerce logistics system in the new normal era were changes in consumer buying behavior and logistics inefficiency. E-commerce business people are advised to conduct regular market research to find out changes in consumer behavior patterns, consumer characteristics in the new normal era, and of course their preferences for products.

Impact Analysis Of Covid-19 Pandemic On E-Commerce In Indonesia Business And Recovery Strategies In The Era Of New Normal

The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on E-commerce business in Indonesia and recovery strategies in the era of new normal. This study uses qualitative method. Collecting data using observations, interviews and focus group discussion with research subjects including E-commerce business actors, logistics practitioners and employees in shipping services companies. The result showed that the covid-19 pandemic had an impact on E-commerce businesses. There was decline in income for 85,83% of E-commerce business actors. The decline in smoothness distribution occurred in almost all province in Indonesia.

CiteSpace-Based Bibliometric Review of Pickup and Delivery Problem from 1995 to 2021

In this paper, we adopt the bibliometric analysis software CiteSpace to analyze the research status quo and evolution trend of pickup and delivery problem (PDP), an important real-world issue occurring in logistics and transportation. We obtain 819 documents with the topic of PDP that were published in the Web of Science core collection during the period 1995–2021, and acquire their basic situation of posting trend and category distribution. Next, we employ CiteSpace to draw scientific knowledge maps and perform the corresponding visualization analysis, which mainly include the following aspects: (a) collaboration analysis of author, country, and institution; (b) co-citation analysis of author, journal, and reference; (c) citation burst detection of keyword; (d) co-citation clustering analysis of reference. The results show that PDP research has gradually become interdisciplinary and highly comprehensive, and the evolution trend of hot topics also reflects that the research directions involve multiple academic disciplines and professional areas ranging from algorithm design to logistics management. The changing knowledge components reveal the fact that the development of PDP research is highly related to the diversity and uncertainty of realistic logistics industry contexts. Study in this paper provides comprehensive understandings of PDP research for scholars and logistics practitioners, inspiring its further investigation.

Empirical evidence on human learning and work characteristics in the transition to automated order picking

AbstractAlthough technological innovation has enabled a new wave of warehouse automation, human involvement remains necessary for most order picking operations in grocery retailing. This has spawned new forms of interaction between humans, machines, and intelligent software, that is, cyber‐sociotechnical systems. However, scant empirical field‐based research has been conducted on how this transition impacts human learning and the perception of work characteristics. Considering that humans are an essential element of these systems, it is fundamentally important to quantify the impact of these transformations when aspiring to improve performance, quality, and workers' well‐being as primary outcomes of order picking systems. This study utilized a mixed‐methods design, developing and applying parametric and non‐parametric approaches to operationalize learning progress, and semi‐structured interviews were conducted to examine perceived work characteristics. The findings indicate that the perception–cognition–motor–action cycle for learning by doing tasks can be accelerated through real‐time feedback provided by the order picking system. Furthermore, perceived work autonomy and feedback from the picking system are constant or perceived as greater when human decisions are accepted. The results have valuable implications for logistics practitioners, emphasizing the need for human‐centered work system design.

Big Data Analysis of e-Commerce Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors of Agricultural Products in China

At present, the e-commerce industry of agricultural products plays a pivotal role in promoting income growth and helping rural revitalization. This paper collected relevant data in the recent 8 years (2012 to 2019) and used the DEA model and Tobit model to analyze the correlation degree between the efficiency and various influencing factors in China. DEA analysis results show that, in recent years, three efficiencies are quite different: the comprehensive efficiency and scale efficiency show an upward trend, while the pure technical efficiency remains at a high level. Tobit model results show that the number of urban Internet users, rural Internet users, logistics practitioners, the development of national economy are negatively correlated with e-commerce efficiency; the length of traffic construction has no significant correlation; the level of agricultural mechanization has a significant positive correlation. Hence, the paper puts forward four suggestions.

4D BIM for Construction Logistics Management

This study presents an investigation into the extent to which emerging building information modelling (BIM) can be applied to construction logistics management (CLM). Given the specialist nature of the domains, the study employed an in-depth qualitative interview, whereby six experts were interrogated about their experiences of BIM for CLM. The study found the main applications of BIM on CLM to be the creation of three-dimensional (3D) site layout plans and four-dimensional (4D) coordination of site processes and common user plant, updating the 4D logistics plan as the project progressed and collaboration in BIM-based logistics coordination. Furthermore, there was a consensus amongst interviewees on improvement in site safety, comprehension of logistics information, efficiency on site, and effectiveness of layout planning as the main benefits. Lastly, the lack of training with implications on understanding was one of the main barriers to applying BIM to CLM. The findings from this study have the potential to stimulate the uptake of BIM by construction logistics practitioners. By so doing, the performance construction project delivery can be improved, and waste can be minimised or eliminated.