Logistics Service Users Research Articles

Analyzing Factors Influencing the Development of Railway Freight Transportation Service through the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Technique

The main objective of this study is to apply the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) technique to assess factors influencing the development of railway freight transportation services. These factors include four critical performance indicators within the supply chain: responsiveness, cost, reliability, and agility. Moreover, the study aims to develop guidelines for enhancing the effectiveness of railway freight transportation in Chiang Rai province, particularly through the Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong railway route. Data were collected from 9 experts, including logistics service providers, users, and academics then, pairwise comparisons of factors were conducted. The results revealed that the cost factor holds the highest significance at 33.86%, followed by reliability, responsiveness, and agility factors at 28.51%, 26.14%, and 11.49%, respectively. Consistent with satisfaction scores obtained from logistics service users, the cost factor holds the highest satisfaction score at 4.78, followed by reliability, responsiveness, and agility factors with scores of 4.41, 4.16, and 4.01, respectively. The result above will bring towards preparation in railway freight transportation of Chiang Rai province and encouraging entrepreneurs to shift to railway transportation mode in the end.

RELIABILITY OF LOGISTICS CHAINS IN FOREIGN TRADE OPERATIONS

Abstract. The aim of the paper is to justify the decision on cooperation with entities in the transport service market for foreign trade operations based on the assessment of logistics chain reliability and shipping time on different routes. The research findings will enable cargo owners and other stakeholders to make management decisions at the delivery planning stage optimizing all processes related to customs and logistics services. Methods. We assess the reliability of four logistics chain types based on a simulation model developed in the GPSS software environment using the method of statistical testing. Results. Customs and logistics service users challenge entities in the transport service market with the task of performing foreign trade operations in compliance with the highest level of quality and service reliability minimizing the cost of delivery and shipping time. The proposed method allows determining the probability of timely delivery of goods in different transportation directions as well as the reliability of the studied process. Scientific novelty. The obtained simulation results will make it possible to work out proposals and recommendations for customs and logistics service users on the choice of an optimal logistics chain type, taking into account its impact on shipping time and reliability of goods delivery. Practical value. The practical value of the research is that the proposed method will allow foreign economic entities to form logistics chains, taking into account available resources and the need to use the services of other companies in international goods delivery. In this case, the efficiency of a logistics chain can be further assessed by the shipping time and reliability for export/import operations.

Multi objective optimization model and algorithm of logistics service transaction matching on blockchain platform

The logistics service transaction matching of the blockchain platform is an important part of the transaction. Firstly, the evaluation index system of the logistics service transaction satisfaction degree in the blockchain platform is constructed. According to the evaluation index of the logistics service users and providers, the actual situation of the logistics service transaction and the principle of maximizing the satisfaction degree of the logistics service users and providers, we set the expectation range of both sides and do data standardization, design the calculation method of satisfaction information amount for different expectation data types, build a multi-objective optimization model for logistics service transaction matching on blockchain platform, and seek the matching solution that makes all service users and providers the most satisfaction. Considering the large amount of data in blockchain, the concurrent design of NSGA-II algorithm based on Hadoop is carried out. Through the calculation of the example, in the matching of multi-objective optimization model of logistics service transaction matching on the blockchain platform, when the users and providers of logistics service are more satisfied about the indicators with each other, and then it gets more satisfactory matching results.

IDENTIFICATION OF SECTORAL LOGISTICS SERVICE QUALITY GAPS BY APPLYING SERVQUAL METHOD

Today, simply delivering a product to the right place at the right time is no longer enough. Customers demand more; they demand the full suite of logistics services. Customers thus seek higher-value and additional services, and more, which enable them to compete. Thus, the problem underlying analysis is customers’ growing dissatisfaction with existing services and their quality. Quality of service no longer gives business entities a competitive edge. It is vital for companies to have different activities, to operate in different branches of the economy, and to work with different types of goods. However, despite these differences, they all want to obtain maximum satisfaction from logistics services. With this in mind, the purpose of this article is to present a study examining the impact of logistics service quality on the satisfaction of companies working with different categories of goods Results indicated that different logistics service users do not have the same requirements for logistics service quality. Moreover, it was proved that SERVQUAL method is suitable for identification of sectoral value gaps, which can be applied in practice assuring competitive advantage.

Segmenting logistics service users based on their provider selection criteria to succeed in outsourcing

PurposeLogistics service providers (LSPs) may invest a lot of time in tenders unsuccessfully, as they do not meet the expectations of logistics service users (LSUs). In order to help them classify and target their customers more efficiently and effectively and make logistics outsourcing more successful for both LSUs and LSPs, this paper analyzes underlying dimensions of criteria German manufacturing and trading companies actually use in selecting an LSP and clusters of LSUs based on these dimensions.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey with 110 manufacturing and 135 trading companies was conducted in Germany. Principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, analysis of variance and discriminant analysis were performed on the sample data.FindingsPCA revealed eight dimensions of LSU criteria in selecting LSPs and that cost alone seems not decisive. Based on these dimensions, cluster analysis produced nine LSU groups. These groups differ the most in the selection criteria dimensions cost-performance ratio, operational collaboration, quality and locations. Recommendations for servicing these groups are given. The two largest groups, which make up 43.5%, seem not that demanding and price sensitive. The selection criteria dimensions and LSU groups enable LSPs to classify and target their customers more efficiently and effectively, to evaluate and develop their core competencies, and contribute to successful logistics-outsourcing relationships.Originality/valueThis research is the first to examine selection criteria dimensions and resulting clusters of German manufacturing and trading companies in order to make logistics outsourcing more successful.

INFLUENCING FACTORS TO LOGISTICS CENTRE FORMATION – A STUDY OF VIETNAM-BASED LOGISTICS SECTOR

Purpose of the study: The paper tries to model dynamic interactions of factors that contribute to the logistics center building. Conducting the desk review and expert consultation, the causality of the factors is systemized in a form of Causal Loop Diagram using the System Dynamics approach.
 Methodology: System Dynamics (SD) is an approach for studying interlinked behaviors within a system and reflects the interactions of feedback loops. Compared to other approaches, SD demonstrates the real world by using factors and stocks for components and feedback loops for inter-relationships among them. SD model qualitatively illustrates the causal relationship among factors that influence the building of the logistics center.
 Main Findings: A combination of four different sub-systems, using a questionnaire survey conducted with logistics service users and providers to sort out the high scored factors. Besides, the survey also helps to study the practical conditions and characteristics in showing the demand, the trend, and the development of logistics centers in Vietnam.
 Applications of this study: Logistics centers (LCs) can be considered as a depot for vehicles where drivers and managers of vehicles are supposed to maintain, repair vehicles, and adjust vehicle operation schedules.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: As defined by the scope of the project, the SD model provides a qualitative demonstration of the interaction among factors. The built model gives a systematic insight into how factors link to each other.

Intermodal Transport as the Main Driver for Improving Logistics Costs - A Study of Viet Nam - Based Logistics Service Users

Intermodality has become a major component of the systems approach to business, which is an integral part of what is commonly called “logistics management”. Another benefit of intermodality has been the cooperation between government and private enterprise in reducing unnecessary documentation, enabling goods in transit to keep pace with demand, enabling an efficient and cost-effective use of the transport system through unbroken chain and customer oriented door-to-door services. The economic basis for intermodal transport is to display favourable economic and operational characteristics individually, can be integrated in a door-to-door transport chain in order to improve the overall efficiency of the transport system. Intermodal transportation is a response to changes of international trade requirements for moving all types of cargo. Logistics costs are among important factors affecting the competitiveness of both companies and nations in the world. Companies can increase their competitiveness by reducing their logistics costs in which the transport costs share the highest propotion, as a result, the total costs of products and services can be reduced. The aim of this article is to evaluate the importance role of intermodal transport as the main factor which will contribute to improve logistics costs in Viet Nam by integrating modes of transport in unbroken chain with the seamless process. Research results are collected from surveys and interviews logistics service providers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, processed by SPSS software.

Logistics services as an inalienable complex of the electronic commerce

In recent years, e-commerce has been able to penetrate practically in all spheres of life of the population and in Ukraine. The domestic e-commerce market is only at the inception stage, but at the same time it has a significant potential for development. The Internet and related technologies continue to actively and effectively interfere with logistics. Modern logistics technologies are inextricably linked with intensive information exchange. Due to the timely receipt of information, high accuracy, speed and consistency of goods exchange in logistic chains are ensured. Over the past few years, the structure of the logistics space of the Internet has significantly changed, which was reflected in the transformation of the content of logistics-oriented sites. If advertising information dominated previously, now, often in interactive mode, organizational, reference and design services are presented. Business commerce, advertising, production and modern technologies of the Internet are all more vibrant in all strata of human life. Today, the penetration of Internet technologies into business and economics is growing rapidly. The Internet is now – a huge market with a multi-level structure with abyss of opportunities that has an incredible potential for solving problems and business. This penetration also affects logistics. Logistics technologies are unthinkable without intensive information exchange. It is owing to the timely receipt of information that provides high accuracy, speed and consistency of turnover in logistics chains. Therefore, logistics as a modern scientific and practical direction of commodity distribution is also rapidly mastering these technologies and in its own way is equipped on the network. The Internet as a technology of global open networks is the best means to attract a wide range of logistics service users. With the help of this technology can be provided: advertising company; providing a list of services and price lists; account of regular clients and companions; providing consumers with the necessary documents on a paid and free basis; interactive advisory service; counteragent search service; registries of logistics companies and the database of information and logistics resources in the network; electronic freight; monitoring of goods and vehicles; virtual agency and forwarding. Today, the process of accumulation of logistics resources in the Internet has reached a level that allows us to talk about the process of forming virtual logistics centers (commercial or conditional commercial). This, in turn, with further development, can form a single logistics information space on the Internet.

The management level of logistics customer service industrial enterprise

This article deals with some aspects of the logistics service of industrial enterprise customers, current approaches to its management, namely, measurement, evaluation and optimization. It describes the effect of the level of customer service in the business results. How the concept of “logistics service users” is formulated. The author’s index of evaluating the effectiveness of the logistics customer service – “logistics leverage”. Author’s universal measurement system of the logistics maintenance level, serving industrial enterprise customers is presented, including 11 indicators criteria values and integral indicator. The optimal values of parameters can be different for different categories of customers who prefer low, medium and high level of logistics services. It substantiates the practical significance of the study through tested at Chelyabinsk Electrode Plant.

Manufacturers Satisfaction on Logistics Service Quality: Operational, Relational and National Culture

A number of studies had been conducted in western countries (e.g. Mentzer 2007) which identified the elements contributing to satisfaction. The difference in cultural background between individualistic countries and collectivist countries might suggest variations on how collectivist societies value the element of logistics service and how they derived maximum satisfaction. The objectives of the study were to investigate on what makes the users of logistics service satisfied among the collectivist societies. Qualitative research was deployed, whereby the main data were collected by using face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interviews. Four logistics service providers and three logistics service users (manufacturers) were interviewed. Data were transcribed and analysed by identifying the theme and patterns with the aim to understand the preset and emerging theories. The findings showed that in achieving customer satisfaction in Malaysia's context, operational technical ability within the logistics service quality (LSQ), such as timeliness and service condition, is a basic element contributing to satisfaction subject to influence of cultural values. The emerging elements provide the key insights on the elements and sub-elements which lead to satisfaction in the context of Malaysian logistics service users. Rather than the organization's performance-related factors, the results revealed that within the Malaysian national cultural context, there are influences of cultural elements towards customer satisfaction.

Examining logistics outsourcing practices in the United States: from the perspectives of third-party logistics service users

Ongoing global recession forced many firms to change the direction of their business strategic thinking. This change in a strategic thinking includes the reassessment of current business practices that may not necessarily add the highest value to the supply chain process and may not bring the highest possible return from the allocated resources. As such, outsourcing strategy that allows the firm to focus on its core competency has gained popularity over the years. One of the supply chain activities that are often outsourced is logistics as evidenced by a continued growth of the third-party logistics (3PL) industry across the world. To help firms formulate wise logistics outsourcing strategy, this paper examines the common logistics outsourcing practices among the US firms and identifies key determinants influencing their logistics outsourcing decisions. It also explores the current logistics outsourcing trends in terms of customer value propositions. Examples of such trends that this study discovered were the increased outsourcing of global logistics practices and a short-term duration of the logistics outsourcing contracts. Furthermore, this paper identifies the best-in class 3PLs based on their users’ experiences with those 3PLs as guidance for future benchmarking efforts.

Mejorando la cadena de suministro en un hospital mediante la gestión Lean

ObjectivesSupply management is an area where hospitals have significant opportunities for improvement. The main objective of this paper has been to analyze how the application of Lean principles can improve logistics costs and user satisfaction. In connection with satisfaction, it also aimed to examine which aspects of the service define it and check for differences between different groups of users. MethodsThe results of an experience to reorganize the hospital logistic system based on some Lean principles have been studied. This is therefore a case study, which combine different methods of data collection. The logistics cost calculation was carried out using the full costing method. To measure satisfaction of healthcare personnel, the internal logistics service users, an anonymous survey was conducted. Processing of the data obtained from the survey have included exploratory analysis, factor analysis and ANOVAs. ResultsThe data have showed an improvement in logistics management after the implementation of Lean principles. Logistics costs were reduced and the satisfaction level of the internal users with the new logistics system was increased. Some differences in the degree of satisfaction by different groups of users were also detected, although they did not seem to distinguish between different aspects of logistic service. ConclusionsThe analyzed experience shows the applicability and suitability of Lean principles to improve logistics operational costs and increase user satisfaction.

Emulsions of mineral oil with soap and water: the interfacial film

A number of studies had been conducted in western countries (e.g. Mentzer 2007) which identified the elements contributing to satisfaction. The difference in cultural background between individualistic countries and collectivist countries might suggest variations on how collectivist societies value the element of logistics service and how they derived maximum satisfaction. The objectives of the study were to investigate on what makes the users of logistics service satisfied among the collectivist societies. Qualitative research was deployed, whereby the main data were collected by using face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interviews. Four logistics service providers and three logistics service users (manufacturers) were interviewed. Data were transcribed and analysed by identifying the theme and patterns with the aim to understand the preset and emerging theories. The findings showed that in achieving customer satisfaction in Malaysia's context, operational technical ability within the logistics service quality (LSQ), such as timeliness and service condition, is a basic element contributing to satisfaction subject to influence of cultural values. The emerging elements provide the key insights on the elements and sub-elements which lead to satisfaction in the context of Malaysian logistics service users. Rather than the organization's performance-related factors, the results revealed that within the Malaysian national cultural context, there are influences of cultural elements towards customer satisfaction.