Logistics Practitioners Research Articles

Vehicle Scheduling Schemes for Commercial and Emergency Logistics Integration

In modern logistics operations, large-scale logistics companies, besides active participation in profit-seeking commercial business, also play an essential role during an emergency relief process by dispatching urgently-required materials to disaster-affected areas. Therefore, an issue has been widely addressed by logistics practitioners and caught researchers' more attention as to how the logistics companies achieve maximum commercial profit on condition that emergency tasks are effectively and performed satisfactorily. In this paper, two vehicle scheduling models are proposed to solve the problem. One is a prediction-related scheme, which predicts the amounts of disaster-relief materials and commercial business and then accepts the business that will generate maximum profits; the other is a priority-directed scheme, which, firstly groups commercial and emergency business according to priority grades and then schedules both types of business jointly and simultaneously by arriving at the maximum priority in total. Moreover, computer-based simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of these two models by comparing them with two traditional disaster-relief tactics in China. The results testify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed models.

Exploring the link between the humanitarian logistician and training needs

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to evaluate job profiles in humanitarian logistics, and assess current task priorities in light of further training and educational needs. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents findings from a survey among humanitarian logistics practitioners and compares these to other studies in this area. It uses econometric models to evaluate the impact of managerial responsibilities in training needs, usage of time and previous training. Findings – The results show that the skills required in humanitarian logistics seem to follow the T-shaped skills model from Mangan and Christopher when looking at training wanted and time usage. Research limitations/implications – Survey respondents being members of the Humanitarian Logistics Association (HLA) may be more interested in developing the humanitarian logistics profession than other populations. Originality/value – This paper offers an insight in the specific skill requirements of humanitarian logisticians from members of the HLA and allows to understand which type of skills are linked to managerial responsibilities. The paper also establishes a link between logistics skill models and career progressions overall.

Survey of Green Vehicle Routing Problem: Past and future trends

Green Logistics has emerged as the new agenda item in supply chain management. The traditional objective of distribution management has been upgraded to minimizing system-wide costs related to economic and environmental issues. Reflecting the environmental sensitivity of vehicle routing problems (VRP), an extensive literature review of Green Vehicle Routing Problems (GVRP) is presented. We provide a classification of GVRP that categorizes GVRP into Green-VRP, Pollution Routing Problem, VRP in Reverse Logistics, and suggest research gaps between its state and richer models describing the complexity in real-world cases. The purpose is to review the most up-to-date state-of-the-art of GVRP, discuss how the traditional VRP variants can interact with GVRP and offer an insight into the next wave of research into GVRP. It is hoped that OR/MS researchers together with logistics practitioners can be inspired and cooperate to contribute to a sustainable industry.

Vehicle Routing in Multi-Echelon Distribution Systems with Cross-Docking: A Systematic Lexical-Metanarrative Analysis

Multi-echelon distribution systems and more precisely, optimization of LTL routes related to them is one of the most popular subjects in the last 5 years of vehicle routing research. Although a plethora of models, methods and visions is found, it is still difficult to compare them because they use different terminologies and some authors insist on the fact there are a multitude of close but different problems. This paper presents the main concepts of multi-echelon distribution with cross-docks and the notation standards for cost optimization in this field on an attempt of unification, in order to provide a guide to researchers and practitioners. A literature review is first presented, in order to list the main problems and methods that are found in the literature. Then, by a hybrid systematic analysis method combining a lexical and a meta-narrative analysis, the main concepts and standards of multi-echelon based vehicle routing optimization problems are presented. A theoretical model as well as a classification of solving methods, both exact and heuristic, is presented. Finally, research paths are proposed to support both scientists and outbound logistics practitioners.

Driver Management That Drives Carrier Performance

The trucking industry provides the majority of transportation services in the United States. Truck drivers, particularly their driving performance, which influences how customers perceive motor carriers, are integral to the success of their firms. Hence, driver management is a topic of great interest to the trucking industry, logistics practitioners, and logistics researchers. Although the logistics literature does address issues relating to driver management, advice is scarce regarding how motor carriers might manage drivers to improve operational performance and thus the bottom line. Our results shed light on the processes whereby some formal controls directly influence operational performance, whereas others indirectly influence operational performance; that is, in the latter case, the influence of formal controls on operational performance is mediated by certain informal controls. According to our findings, motor carrier firms that employ a combination of formal and informal controls perform better operationally than firms that do not do so. And, thus, those employing such a combination of controls will realize a larger market share.

Robust optimisation model for the cold food chain logistics problem under uncertainty

In the last two decades, food safety has become one of the main concerns in the area of logistics and supply chain management and also in cold chain. Safety is a critically sensitive area in this category as if the required safety conditions are not satisfied during the logistics process, foods will soon deteriorate and probably become unsafe to use by customers. Thus, the problem of cold food safety has encouraged serious attentions among the logistics practitioners. However, because of the complexity in nature of such problems, research so far is limited to the quantitative models with deterministic parameters and the robustness of this nature still remains unanswered. In this paper, a robust optimisation model has been developed aiming to maximise the food safety aspects and thus to minimise the logistics cost of the cold chain system under various uncertainties and customers time windows restrictions. The model has been solved by artificial bee colony intelligence algorithm through MATLAB 8 software. Finally, the results are analysed for possible real world considerations in order to propose some key practical highlights.

Estimating the Impact of ERP Systems on Logistics System

This paper estimates the benefits and challenges of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) on the Logistics system of an enterprise. By identifying the needs and challenges for the efficient development of an ERP system, the authors understand how an ERP directly contributes to the achievement of operational, strategic, tactical, and organizational benefits. In order to achieve these aims, a research was applied carrying out a closed question survey across Information Technology (IT) practitioners, the majority of who are located in Asia Pacific and Japan, comprising of Enterprise Architects, IT Architects, EAS (Enterprise Application Services) practice leaders, EAS Sales Leaders (Client Principals) all of whom have experience as ERP and logistics practitioners. The findings of the survey show that the biggest challenge concerning the usage of an ERP is not technological, but relates more to issues of trust, collaboration, integration, lack of agility, poor user adoption, implementation timelines, and lack of customer focus. Consequently, understanding how an ERP influences each one of them, will highlight the importance and strategic value of an ERP in terms of the logistics system efficiency.

A Qualitative Study on Logistics Educational Needs in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions: A Perspective from Logistics Practitioners

The purpose of this article is to provide a perspective view pertaining to logistics educational needs (LEN) in undergraduate logistics programmes from Malaysian logistics practitioners. It focuses on the perception concerning courses required in logistics programmes offered by the Malaysian higher education institutions from 43 respondents. The objective of this study is to discover what is important across the constructs of courses in logistics program using an open-ended questionnaire. It deals with the exploratory approach to LEN and its relevancy in the present logistics curriculum. The findings show that 39 items were derived from the study and were grouped under knowledge, skills and working experience. The findings are considered to create a roadmap to design a quantitative study for exploring LEN in the Malaysian undergraduate logistics programmes.

A Review of Research on Environmental Issues in the Logistics Industry

The logistics industry plays an important role in the global supply chain system. While environmental issues have become critical concerns all over the world, there is a challenge for logistics practitioners and academics to include environmental issues in logistics operations. However, scant attention was paid to environmental issues in the logistics industry. This article aims to understand the trends, gaps, and research opportunities of environmental issues in the logistics industry. Reviewing related literature suggests three broad research areas: the substance of environmental logistics practices, the determinants of environmental logistics practice adoption, and the consequences of implementing environmental logistics practices. Advice for logistics practitioners and opportunities of future research for academics are discussed.

Evaluating the causes of uncertainty in logistics operations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to verify a transport uncertainty triad model taking a supply chain perspective, and determine which different forms of uncertainty impact on transport operations. The aim is to qualitatively evaluate the different types of uncertainty impacting on transport operations rather than estimating the risk that each of them involved. The literature indicates that there are many factors that influence transport operations. This paper aims to determine the key factors that impinge practice.Design/methodology/approachOn the basis of a literature review, a conceptual model was developed to categorise the different factors that impact on transport operations. In order to determine the credibility of this model and assess which factors are the main barriers to effective transport operations a series of focus groups involving UK logistics practitioners and policy makers was undertaken.FindingsThe findings indicate that the main drivers impacting on transport operations are delays, delivery constraints, lack of coordination, and variable demand/poor information. The consequence of these is to reduce the efficiency of transport operations. Also, in the overall focus groups' data, unplanned road congestion represents the biggest individual issue leading to uncertainty.Research limitations/implicationsThe model is refined based only on participants' perceptions. Therefore, further empirical‐based research is needed to quantitatively validate it, for each cluster identifying the frequency with which it occurs and the impact on economic and environmental performance. This will further strengthen understanding of the main uncertainty causes within supply chains in the UK. The model should also be tested through the investigation of real‐world situations, measuring the marginal impact of logistics disruptions, in economic and environmental terms.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the importance of looking at the whole of the logistics triad when dealing with uncertainty, as often there are multiple sources involving the shipper, carrier and customer. Equally, the paper highlights the importance of external factors, and managers need to consider how to deal with these issues. Although the easiest approach is to accommodate them within operational plans, there is scope for engaging with policy makers to identify ways forward.Originality/valueMany researchers have developed supply chain uncertainty models focusing mainly on manufacturing. Transport has traditionally been considered as a marginal activity within supply chains and it has not been explicitly taken into account in those frameworks. It is necessary to determine the forms of supply chain uncertainty that exist and their impact on transport operations, as they will define the performance of logistics operations.

Linking strategic logistics change to labor rights

PurposeThis paper aims to describe how research literature and logistics practitioners respectively describe the link between logistics and corporate social responsibility, focusing on the link between strategic logistics change (location, capacity and number of facilities as well as the design of supplier and customer network) and labor rights.Design/methodology/approachA literature review on the topics corporate social responsibility, green logistics and sustainable supply chain management was performed. A mail survey (103 respondents) was conducted in order to explore how strategic logistics changes have influenced corporate social responsibility. Step‐wise regression analyses were used to identify relationships between strategic logistics decision making and the influence on labor rights.FindingsThere is a general unanimity in literature that logistics is an important area with regards to corporate social responsibility. Eight significant relations were identified linking strategic logistics changes to changes in the consideration of labor rights.Practical implicationsThe study provides an understanding of how corporate social responsibility, focusing on labor rights, is influenced by strategic logistics changes. This can increase the understanding and the need for taking labor rights aspects into consideration in strategic logistics decision making as well as identification of what aspects of labor rights that are most important to consider in different types of logistics changes.Originality/valueThis study shows the importance of considering social responsible aspects regarding labor rights in strategic logistics decision making. Furthermore, as the empirical data are based on a Swedish sample it is an important complement to current, often American, studies within the field.

Multidepot Vehicle Routing with Uncertain Demands: Chance Constrained Approach

Distribution system design is a relevant problem that has been widely studied by researchers and practitioners in logistics and supply chain management. A stochastic programming model used to design part of the distribution system of a firm with multiple depots that face stochastic demands is presented. It is assumed that there is a fixed set of depots that serve a fixed set of customers with uncertain demands. The problem consists of finding the number of vehicles and assigning customers to capacitated vehicle routes such that the total system cost is minimum. The vehicle capacity is treated stochastically through chance constraint programming, in which the model finds a solution that presents a probability of exceeding capacity constraints lower than a fixed probability. The customers are characterized by the means and variances of their demands. The problem is modeled on the basis of a hub-and-spokes network topology, in contrast to the standard objective function of the vehicle routing problem. This modeling is considered to be included in a strategic distribution network design problem, which is typically solved by using facility location problems. Unlike previous work found in the literature, this approach simultaneously considers multiple depots and stochastic constraints. A heuristic procedure is presented along with an algorithm to find the objective function's lower bound, which allows the computation of an upper bound of the error of the heuristic solutions.

LOGISTICS STRATEGY — REVISITED

A study of logistics managers examined the roles of three logistics strategies (process, market, and information) in achieving logistics effectiveness. The results examined the dynamics of these three logistics strategies in managing trade‐offs among efficiency, internal and external organizational interactions, and meeting channel member needs. Insights for logistics practitioners, instructors, and researchers are discussed.

Education, Training and the Role of Logistics Managers in Ireland

The paper is based on the analysis of the responses of a questionnaire survey of logistics managers working in manufacturing firms in Ireland. The objectives of the survey were to establish the educational and training needs of the practising logistics manager. The questionnaire was designed to address issues including: the various logistics practices undertaken by the respondents' company and the time spent by respondents on these activities; the skills currently required by logistics managers; the attitude to logistics in respondents' companies; the qualifications held and nature of training received by logistics managers; the effectiveness of training received; future training requirements and how such training might be provided; and the likely future functions of, and difficulties faced by, logistics managers. The analysis of the responses received suggests that the existing supply of education and training is not perceived as fully meeting either the present or future needs of logistics practitioners. There is a need to develop new education and training programmes, which should be aimed at meeting the needs of these practitioners. The most significant areas identified in the survey as being of potential benefit were: logistics and supply chain management; information technology and computing; warehouse management; distribution and transport management; and negotiations. The reasons for pursuing further training included personal development and to obtain useful job-related skills.

Skill requirements: perception of the senior Asian logisticians

Reports the findings of a cross‐cultural survey on the skill requirements of senior‐level logistics executives as perceived by the logistics practitioners themselves from two developing South‐east Asian nations, namely, Singapore and Malaysia. The study reveals that in the sampled nations, logistics has emerged as a discipline by itself and that the logisticians in these countries are aware that to succeed as logistics executives in the complex business environment of today, they need to be multi‐skilled generalists rather than technically‐oriented specialists.

Strategic logistics management

Looks at strategic logistics management and technology strategies for manufacturing and groups the contents under four main headings: logistical future; information challenge; 21st century manufacturing; 21st century service industries. Aims to look at the many challenges facing logistics practitioners and researchers.

Optimizing the Value Chain

The current emphasis on optimizing the value chain, or integrated planning, advocated by business strategists and logistics practitioners indicates that the time is ripe for large increases in the number and scope of mathematical programming applications. Recent breakthroughs in information technology make it possible to develop advanced decision support systems based on mathematical programming models for integrated planning that operate on desk-top computers. We developed an advanced DSS operating on a personal computer that was used to evaluate strategic production and distribution planning questions in a large consumer products company.

Logistics Thought and Practice: A Perspective

As business approaches the next century, numerous challenges and opportunities will be faced by logistics practitioners and academicians. New and expanded perpectives, coupled with the traditional concepts, will have to be blended. One perspective, and certainly not the only one, is presented. It is argued that people in logistics have generally taken a limited view of the discipline. If the area is to achieve the level of importance prophesised for it, academicians and practitioners will have to take a much broader and pervasive view of what logistics is and what it could become. Some questions are posed to those involved in the logistics process.