Logistics Service Research Articles

Corona crisis disruptions and consequences for demand for freight transport: A screening of the effects for the largest logistics service providers in Norway

AbstractThe present article investigates corona crisis disruptions and consequences for freight transport demand, using shipment data from major logistic service providers in Norway, as well as interviews. We investigate how Covid-19 affected demand for freight transport and transport volumes in different segments, changes for parcel delivery, home-deliveries, which industries were most affected and discussed main issues for LSPs in maintaining robust transport chains. We find temporary reductions in B2B deliveries after the first Norwegian societal lockdown but large volume increases in B2C deliveries, which remained at higher levels and saw further waves of increases. Especially home deliveries and mailbox deliveries of parcels increased, particularly in relation with new infection waves. At an aggregate level, retail trade experienced by far the largest volume increases, followed by transport and storage. The latter can in part be due to increasing low-volume import (parcels) from abroad being attributed to e.g. warehouses or customs. At the other end of the scale, wholesale trade stands out with the largest tonnage decrease, followed by manufacturing.

Logistics Management and Service Delivery in Humanitarian Organisations in Kenya: A Case Study of Kenya Red Cross Society

The goal was to assess the effects of supplier management and information management on the KRCS’s service delivery. Goal-Setting Theory is the main theory, supported by resource-based view and institutional theory. The study targeted a population of 300 individuals using a descriptive research approach. A total of 171 individuals were chosen for the sample size using stratified random sampling. Data was acquired by means of surveys. Basic statistics were used to assess the quantitative data, and SPSS version 27 was used for data analysis. Tables were used to display the data. Inferential statistics were used to illustrate the link between the variables. Throughout the course of the study, the research investigation was guided by a few ethical criteria. The R2 values for the relationship between supplier management and service delivery were 0.642, indicating a positive association, and 0.499, suggesting that changes in supplier management may account for 49.9% of the variation in service delivery. fundamental correlation between service delivery and information management (R = 0.595), with an R2 value of 0.431, while the DV was service delivery. To ensure successful logistics management and service delivery, KRCS should improve supplier management and service delivery, which is necessary, and that they can balance organizational goals and priorities with the supplier's perspective on challenges. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the processes that the KRCS and communities in need of support use. KRCS service delivery can be increased by using auto- technologies. Independent variable technologies are welcomed since they will make product marking more accurate and efficient, which will improve operations.

Unlocking the drivers behind logistics service providers' participation in Morocco's logistics clusters

PurposeIn recent years, the concept of logistics clusters has attracted the attention of several researchers and practitioners. It is an agglomeration of different types of companies and operations, notably those providing logistics services, such as supply chain organization, storage and distribution. The paper focuses on this concept by examining the factors influencing LSPs to enter the logistics clusters.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews was conducted. Regarding the sample size, the author interviewed 31 professionals belonging to logistics clusters located in the Moroccan economic metropolis of Casablanca.FindingsThe results show that the cost reduction, the reputation of the cluster, the learning from other LSPs, the communal services, the geographical proximity and the role of public authorities are the main factors impacting the entry of logistics service providers into these clusters.Originality/valueThis theme has never been investigated. Therefore, this research expands the literature review and tries to examine this gap of literature by studying the factors that can affect the adhesion of logistics service providers to these clusters.

RCCNet: A Spatial-Temporal Neural Network Model for Logistics Delivery Timely Rate Prediction

In logistics service, the delivery timely rate is a key experience indicator, which is highly essential to the competitive advantage of express companies. Prediction on it enables intervention on couriers with low predicted results in advance, thus ensuring employee productivity and customer satisfaction. Currently, few related works focus on couriers’ level delivery timely rate prediction, and there are complex spatial correlations between couriers and road districts in the express scenario, which makes traditional real-time prediction approaches hard to utilize. To deal with this, we propose a deep spatial-temporal neural network, RCCNet to model spatial-temporal correlations. Specifically, we adopt Node2vec, which can encode the road network-based graph directly to capture spatial correlations between road districts. Further, we calculate couriers’ historical time-series similarity to build a graph and employ graph convolutional networks to capture the correlation between couriers. We also leverage historical sequential information with long short-term memory networks. We conduct experiments with real-world express datasets. Compared with other competitive baseline methods widely used in industry, the experiment results demonstrate its superior performance over multiple baselines.

Last-Mile Delivery Optimization: Balancing Cost Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability

The significance of last-mile delivery in supply chains has increased due to the growth of e-commerce. Last- mile delivery (LMD) is responsible for a large amount of the environmental impact and overall logistical costs. In order to balance economic effectiveness and environmental sustainability in last-mile delivery operations, this article examines optimization options. The study used a descriptive design; collected and analyzed quantitative data. Key players in last-mile delivery, including logistics firms, online merchants, and delivery service providers, who were given surveys via Google Forms to collect primary data. The topics covered included cost structures, environmental issues, current optimization techniques, and practices. Data on current last-mile delivery strategies, optimization techniques, and environmental sustainability projects were gathered through a literature review. With a case study in Lagos, Nigeria, the study focused on metropolitan areas. Participants with substantial last-mile delivery and logistics experience were chosen using a purposive sample technique. Twenty logistics and supply chain managers, ten couriers and delivery drivers, ten owners of e-commerce businesses, thirty customers, five transportation and logistics service providers, five sustainability specialists, eight city officials and urban planners, and seven technology providers were included in the sample. The analysis with statistical methods, such as table and charts, was used to analyzed the participants opinions. The paper contributes to the growing body of literature that links supply chain efficiency with sustainability goals

Electric Vehicle Import/Export Flows in Maritime Ports: Are Local Stakeholders Monitoring their Arrival?

Within the global climate change risk mitigation frame, automotive OEMs are progressively replacing ICE-powered cars with electric vehicles in their model ranges. This strategic move is deeply impacting every level of their supply chains, including maritime ports. To shed some light, in the absence of relevant academic literature, on how closely local stakeholders are monitoring this evolution, multiple port authorities’ and logistic service providers’ institutional websites, as well as auto industry-related web sources, have been browsed (Q4 2023), looking for comments on the arrival of electric vehicles in North American and European auto ports. Study shows that contexts differ from one region to another, even from one port/one stakeholder group to another, leading to various attitudes ranging from spontaneous early movers to hyper-cautious followers.

التطور اللوجستي وتحسين الأداء في حجم التجارة والميزان التجاري في المملكة العربية السعودية: دراسة مقارنة بين سنوات (2007-2023)

One of the goals of Vision 2030 is to transform the Kingdom into a leading industrial power and a global logistics hub, and to this end, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics has developed an ambitious strategy aimed at developing the transport and logistics sector in the country, especially in light of the increasing global demand for logistics services. The Vision 2030 plan is leading massive investments and expansions in all sectors of the economy, and logistics infrastructure is being set up to increase private sector participation,. Given that The study aimed to know the extent of development in logistical performance in the Kingdom and its role in improving the trade balance and trade volume during the period (2007-2023) and the most important problems addressed by the research were there an impact on the development of logistical performance and improving the trade balance The volume of trade of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the most important hypotheses where there is a statistically significant relationship between logistical performance and improving the trade balance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to reach a solution to the problems that the research was exposed to, the research was addressed in three sections: The nature of logistics services - trade balance - international trade - statistics on the volume of trade and trade exchange (2007-2023)The second topic: the nature of the logistics performance index and the evaluation of the role of the Kingdom's performance in it and the Kingdom's strategy in logistics services. The third topic: statistical analysis of the extent of development of the logistical performance of the Kingdom and its impact on improving the volume of international trade balance and the volume of international trade The results of the statistical analysis showed that there is a positive impact between the development of the Kingdom's logistical performance and the improvement of the trade balance and the volume of trade, which confirms that the trend to rely on the development of logistics services will have a fairly good return on the trade balance and the volume of trade and thus increase the recovery and progress of the economy.

Construction logistics status and actors’ opinions – an industry wide survey in Sweden

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether construction logistics services are still carried out mostly in an ad hoc manner, or has advanced to a more standardized, strategically implemented practice and to explore different actors’ attitudes towards construction logistics.Design/methodology/approachUnlike previous studies of construction logistics, relying on single or multiple case studies, a survey was designed to deliver a generalizable snapshot of contemporary industry practices and the status of construction logistics. A total of 902 responses from the Swedish construction industry were collected with the help of the industry wide questionnaire.FindingsThe results show that construction logistics setups (CLSs) are only used by 14% of the responding organizations, which confirms that construction logistics services are still mostly carried out in an ad hoc manner. This may change considering that respondents with more experience in the industry claim an increased demand for CLSs. The ad hoc approach is less common among contractors than other types of organizations and large organizations. Furthermore, there is a more positive attitude towards the benefits of construction logistics among the respondents from organizations having a standard CLS.Originality/valueThis is the first industry wide survey presenting the status of implementation level of standardized logistics services in the construction industry and the attitudes among industry actors towards logistics.

Calculations of Performance Characteristics of Submerged Cargo Pumps with Hydraulic Drive and Constant Torque Controllers, Taking into Account the Energy Efficiency of the Drive Motor

Submerged cargo pumps installed on board tankers are one of the most important components of their cargo system. As they are installed directly in the cargo tanks, they are usually equipped with a hydraulic drive whose power and capacity are controlled by constant-torque controllers. These have a significant impact on the technical and performance characteristics of the cargo pumps. This paper presents a methodology for calculating the performance characteristics of submerged cargo pumps, taking into account the energy efficiency of their hydraulic drive motors. Due to their number and power, the cargo pumps are powered from the ship’s hydraulic central loading system. This paper describes the main parts of the hydraulic power system structure and the functions of the constant torque controller of the STC type. A mathematical model has been developed to use the basic characteristics of submerged cargo pumps made for the base cargo (water) sent by the pump manufacturer for the case of handling liquid cargo with different parameters. The model considers the characteristics of the hydraulic drive, including a Bosch Rexroth A2FM type hydraulic drive motor and a constant torque controller. The results of simulation calculations of the performance characteristics of an example cargo pump are presented and compared with measurements of the characteristics of this pump on a product tanker. The mathematical model presented in this paper is of utilitarian value, enabling calculations to be carried out without the need for time-consuming CFD numerical methods, making it useful for port and fuel terminal logistics services, ship crews and services managing the operation of product tanker fleets.

Influence of service quality from PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) on customer satisfaction at PT Bukit Asam Tbk

This study examines the effect of service quality provided by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) on the level of corporate customer satisfaction, specifically PT Bukit Asam Tbk. As a user of railway transportation services for coal logistics, PT Bukit Asam requires quality services to ensure smooth and efficient operations. This research uses quantitative methods with a sample of 100 respondents consisting of PT Bukit Asam Tbk employees involved in the logistics process. Data obtained through questionnaires were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results showed that the service quality of PT Kereta Api Indonesia has a positive and significant influence on PT Bukit Asam's customer satisfaction, with the indicator of friendly service and responsiveness of the officers scoring the highest. These findings suggest that improving service quality can strengthen customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Unveiling the effect of social media marketing activities on logistics brand equity and reuse intention

Reserving existing customers is significantly more meaningful than acquiring new customers, particularly for logistics service providers. This long-standing view emphasizes the importance of customer retention for maintaining favorable relationships between logistics service providers and their clients. Drawing on the framework of the stimulus-organism-response model, this study proposes a model that integrates entertainment, interaction, trendiness, customization, and electronic word-of-mouth to examine how social media marketing activities and trust affect brand equity and reuse intentions for logistics services, both directly and indirectly. Empirical evidence was obtained from an online survey using WeChat and QQ, which administered a structured questionnaire to individuals with prior experience in logistics services at least once a week. We collected the data using a purposive sampling method from 932 participants, who represented the demographic of adult Chinese consumers. By applying partial least squares structural equation modeling, this study shows that interaction, trendiness, customization, electronic word-of-mouth, and trust positively affect the brand equity of logistics services, while the effect of entertainment on brand equity is not significant. In addition, the brand equity of logistics services positively affects the logistics service reuse intention. Furthermore, the result of the mediation analysis revealed that brand equity mediates the connection between interaction, trendiness, customization, electronic word-of-mouth, trust, and logistics service reuse intention. This study’s uniqueness lies in its thorough analysis of logistics service providers’ social media marketing efforts, trust, and their combined impact on brand equity and reuse intention. This study offers valuable perspectives on the significance of brand equity within the logistics sector, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing brand equity enhancement to improve performance and competitive edge.

Coupling Coordination and Data Management for Additive Manufacturing Systems Based on Smart Logistics

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has rapidly advanced due to its benefits in reducing material consumption and resource requirements, offering significant opportunities for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly production. As manufacturing technologies evolve, there is growing interest in smart manufacturing, prompting both academia and industry to explore ways to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Effective logistics management plays a crucial role in this context, requiring precise data prediction and optimization. This article introduces a Smart Logistics service to foster dynamic coordination within the smart logistics ecosystem. The first step is to integrate smart logistics components that can communicate effectively and provide specific value-added services. This integration aims to support contemporary industrial and production environments by enhancing decision-making models. The second step involves applying the Coupling Coordination model to assess the development of logistics in conjunction with broader economic growth. This model helps in constructing a high-quality development index system for logistics, which is essential for evaluating the efficiency of logistics operations. The third step is to evaluate the coordination between the automotive, digitalization, and logistics sectors. This assessment provides insights into the overall development levels of cities and highlights the significant impact on sustainable growth within the automotive industry. The final step includes analyzing the progress of coupling coordination in Indian provinces, identifying the transition from minor imbalances to primary coordination, and forecasting that strong coordination will be achieved by 2025. This analysis underscores the potential for mutual growth and cooperation by elevating the logistics sector’s standards and strengthening inter-industry relationships.

Logistics service sharing in cross-border e-commerce

While the demand for cross-border e-commerce has grown rapidly, challenges have emerged for both retailers and consumers participating in this global market. Retailers have been struggling with high logistics costs to fulfill cross-border demand, while the lack of trust in foreign retailers is a major issue for consumers. In this paper, we study a cross-border collaboration scheme between a domestic and a foreign retailer to mitigate these challenges. This entails a co-opetition framework where the domestic retailer performs the last-mile delivery of the foreign retailer’s orders in exchange for a logistics service fee. We model demand via a Multinomial Logit (MNL) choice model where the consumers are trust- and price-sensitive. We compare the market outcomes of the two retailers in “pre-collaboration” and “post-collaboration” settings. We find that there exist win-win outcomes where both retailers benefit from collaboration under realistic settings. We also show that a cooperative mechanism can lead to higher profits for both retailers compared to the non-cooperative mechanism for setting the logistics service fee, if the contract terms are decided carefully.

Logistics Business Management of Provider in Thailand with Smart Logistics

The objective of this study is to validate the model fitness in Thailand for logistics business management related to the adoption of Smart Logistics (SLAPR) and its influence, in respect of service providers, thus coming up with a decision-making plan. The quantitative research was employed in the process, and the sample size is six large logistics service providers, 400 respondents in Thailand. The research instrument consisted of a five-section questionnaire with a total number of questions of 108. A number of statistical methods were employed for data analysis, including the usage of structural equation modeling (SEM). The model consists of four constructs: Smart Logistics: Administration and Management (SLA), Smart Logistics: People Management (SLP), Smart Logistics: Rooms and Working Space Management (SLR), and Performance (PSH). The model fits satisfactorily and is therefore appropriate for strategic use in large logistics firms in Thailand engaged in the provision of international logistics services including maritime and air freight, dangerous goods transportation, port services for exports, warehouse renting services, customs clearance, and supply chain management from upstream to downstream. This study identifies the performance outcomes: reducing errors, cost reduction, reducing complexity, labor reduction, and operational efficiency improvement. PSH is directly influenced by the SLA construct with a direct effect (DE) value of 0.82. The results of the above results explained that company executives have to implement Smart Logistics as soon as possible so that results are achievable in one year.

Elevating Customer Satisfaction: The Crucial Role of Electronic Service Quality in Today’s Digital Landscape

With digital platforms having proved to be a hub for service delivery, the drivers of customer satisfaction have become very important in ensuring improvement in service quality and retaining customers. This paper investigates the dimensions of electronic service quality that influence customer satisfaction in Jordan’s logistics and delivery service. The approach is quantitative, and data was collected through structured questionnaires from 436 logistics and delivery service users. The key measurement dimensions in the study will be reliability, ease of use, efficiency, privacy, and responsiveness. Research results show that reliability is the main influencer in affecting customer satisfaction; responsiveness and ease of use are closely followed. Efficiency and privacy too show positive influences, though relatively low. That will mean that logistics and delivery service industries that offer reliable and responsive services will result in customer satisfaction. These e-service factors indicate greater room for improvement, which service providers are encouraged to focus on to nurture better customer loyalty. The following sections provide valuable insights for industry leaders and policymakers who aim to enhance the overall customer experience in Jordan’s blossoming digital service landscape.

Analisis Risiko Pendistribusian Barang pada PT Pos Indonesia dengan Metode SCOR (Studi Kasus: Kantor Pos Pusat Bandung)

This research was conducted on a case study of a postal and logistics service company involving the Indonesian Post Office entity, courier services, and postal officers. The problems faced are risks during the distribution of goods from customers that cause delays in distribution. Evaluation of the delivery system is needed to maintain customer satisfaction. The study's overarching goal is to map out ways to reduce supply chain risks by identifying potential threats and quantifying their severity throughout product delivery via the Bandung Central Post Office. Companies may use the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) technique and a House of Risk (HoR) to assess failures and predict them in the supply chain. This study provides a framework for identifying possible risks throughout the supply chain. Direct observation and review of the literature were the methods used to gather data.

Streamlining logistics: Innovating cross-docking distribution systems for operational excellence

A logistics service company in Batam faces challenges related to warehouse load fulfillment and sorting inaccuracies. This study aims to identify proposed efficiency improvements to the goods distribution system using the cross-docking method. The research method chosen is cross-docking, a technique that eliminates the storage process in the warehouse, thus saving time and cost. The research findings show significant benefits, especially in achieving zero inventory efficiency. Data processing and discussion revealed that efficiencies were apparent by increasing the sorting tables from 1 to 6, with an output of 90,000 kg during aircraft loading and unloading (compared to approximately 77,000 kilograms). This efficiency arises from the larger output of the sorting tables compared to the input, eliminating the need for warehousing and adding ten trucks. As a result, the shipment can be completed in one trip, with no goods stored in the warehouse. The analysis shows that implementing cross-docking in the company increases efficiency in distributing goods to forwarding partners.

Research on the Development of Logistics Performance of E-Commerce Enterprises and its Influencing Mechanism on Customer Satisfaction

With the booming development of e-commerce industry, logistics performance has become one of the key factors of competitiveness for e-commerce enterprises, directly related to the customer satisfaction and market position of the enterprises. Under the background of digitalization and intelligentization, online shopping has become one of the main ways of daily shopping for consumers. As an important link in the transaction chain of e-commerce, logistics efficiency and quality directly affect the shopping experience and loyalty of consumers. This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the current situation of logistics performance of e-commerce enterprises, the mechanism analysis of how it affects customer satisfaction, and explores solutions to the problem. Through the mechanism analysis, it is found that e-commerce enterprises can improve logistics performance by enhancing logistics speed, improving logistics service quality, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, strengthening green logistics, and enhancing cross-border e-commerce logistics capabilities. This can improve customer satisfaction, and the paper proposes suggestions such as optimizing logistics networks, enhancing logistics service training, fine-tuning management, promoting environmentally friendly packaging, optimizing transportation methods, and improving cross-border e-commerce logistics networks.

Transformation of Business Licensing through a Single Submission System on Public Service Efficiency: A Case Study of the Indonesia National Single Window Agency (LNSW)

The Indonesia National Single Window (LNSW) Agency developed a single submission system, namely the Indonesia National Single Window (SINSW) System, as a one-stop submission facility. Before the development of SINSW, the process of applying for business permits in Indonesia was complicated and time-consuming. This is because stakeholders have to process permits directly with various relevant ministries or institutions, causing data repetition and cost and time inefficiencies in the export, import and logistics processes. This research aims to analyze the transformation of LNSW into a one-stop business licensing and management agency through the implementation of SINSW and its impact on the efficiency of public services in exports, imports and logistics in Indonesia. This research also compares the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) in Korea, Singapore, and Japan. The results of the research are recommendations for improving the efficiency of LNSW services in the future through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) via chatbots to handle complaints of slow responses for service users.

Using 3rd -Party Logistics Services OR Developing Own Capability to Cater to ECommerce Demands - A comparative Analysis

Ecommerce is an inseparable part of modern global lifestyle, connecting people across international borders and enabling sellers to access global. Despite growing massively over the last couple of decades, its growth is far from over. In fact, the pandemic has acted as an accelerator and the growth momentum is continuing despite people returning to the conventional brick and mortar shops. Ecommerce innovations are constantly being rehashed and improved – especially after the global pandemic this transition is now innovating at a much faster pace. For responding to the ever-increasing demand for swifter yet efficient fulfillment of customer order along with timely shipment, a larger number of e- commerce businesses are turning towards third-party logistics or 3PL providers. While it offers them the freedom from the hassles of storing and delivering finished products to the end-users, the human resource that is therefore freed, can then focus on core competencies of the business thus allowing them to give attention to product development, innovation along with marketing and sales. There is always the risk of poor fulfillment and delayed shipments or goods getting damaged in transit which deteriorates customer satisfaction and company profitability. This article compares the use of third-party logistics (3PL) against building in-house capabilities and highlights the virtue of careful selection and employment of experienced 3PL in helping an enterprise ride the anticipated growth wave by offering cost advantages and flexibility.