Part Of Logistics Research Articles

Types of information technology capabilities and their impacts on logistics capabilities: an empirical study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of four components of IT capabilities on logistics capability at the logistics sector. The IT capabilities consist of IT infrastructure, IT business experience, IT relationship resources and IT human resources. The study is supported with a field study conducted on the third part logistics firms, which are members of the international forwarding associations UND, operating in 9 cities in Turkey. After distribution of 450 questionnaires, 428 usable questionnaires were returned (a response rate of 95%). The data was analysed by using the frequency, Pearson correlation and regression analyses via SPSS programme. After analysing the research data, it was realized that there is a statistically significant relationship between four components of IT capabilities and logistics capability.

安吉零部件物流循环取货模式研究

在分析国内汽车行业发展状况的基础上，以安吉零部件物流公司为研究对象，提出了适合安吉零部件物流循环取货流程优化的整体方案。通过对安吉零部件物流公司循环取货流程的现状分析，找出了其配送成本高、运输责任不明确和货物质量无保障的问题，设计了入厂物流模式和循环取货流程优化方法，对其配送路线进行优化和取货流程流程再设计，缩短了运输路程，取得了明显的效果。 Based on the analysis of domestic automobile industry, we proposed an optimization method for parts milk-run logistics according to the problem of Anji Parts Logistics Company, such as high cost of distribution, unclear transportation responsibility and no guarantee of quality of good. We used inbound logistics mode and milk-run logistics mode to optimize the logistics progress. We redesigned the distribution route and pickup process which has shortened transportation distance and achieved obvious result.

Performance Prediction of a MongoDB-Based Traceability System in Smart Factory Supply Chains.

In the future, with the advent of the smart factory era, manufacturing and logistics processes will become more complex, and the complexity and criticality of traceability will further increase. This research aims at developing a performance assessment method to verify scalability when implementing traceability systems based on key technologies for smart factories, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and BigData. To this end, based on existing research, we analyzed traceability requirements and an event schema for storing traceability data in MongoDB, a document-based Not Only SQL (NoSQL) database. Next, we analyzed the algorithm of the most representative traceability query and defined a query-level performance model, which is composed of response times for the components of the traceability query algorithm. Next, this performance model was solidified as a linear regression model because the response times increase linearly by a benchmark test. Finally, for a case analysis, we applied the performance model to a virtual automobile parts logistics. As a result of the case study, we verified the scalability of a MongoDB-based traceability system and predicted the point when data node servers should be expanded in this case. The traceability system performance assessment method proposed in this research can be used as a decision-making tool for hardware capacity planning during the initial stage of construction of traceability systems and during their operational phase.

Stock or Print? Impact of 3-D Printing on Spare Parts Logistics

We present a general framework to study the design of spare parts logistics in the presence of three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology. We consider multiple parts facing stochastic demands and adopt procure/manufacture-to-stock versus print-on-demand to highlight the main difference of production modes featured in traditional manufacturing and 3-D printing. To minimize long-run average system cost, our model determines which parts to stock and which to print. We find that the optimal 3-D printer’s utilization increases as the additional unit cost of printing declines and the printing speed improves. The rate of increase, however, decays, demonstrating the well-known diminishing returns effect. We also find the optimal utilization to increase in part variety and decrease in part criticality, suggesting the value of 3-D technology in tolerating large part variety and the value of inventory for critical parts. By examining the percentage cost savings enabled by 3-D printing, we find that, although the reduction in printing cost continuously adds to the value of 3-D printing in a linear fashion, the impact of the improvement of printing speed exhibits S-shaped growth. We also derive various structural properties of the problem and devise an efficient algorithm to obtain near optimal solutions. Finally, our numerical study shows that the 3-D printer is, in general, lightly used under realistic parameter settings but results in significant cost savings, suggesting complementarity between stock and print in cost minimization. This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.

Stock or Print? Impact of 3D Printing on Spare Parts Logistics

We present a general framework to analyze and quantify the impact of 3D printing on spare parts logistics. We consider multiple parts facing stochastic demands. To minimize long-run average system cost, our model determines which parts should be printed and which should be stocked and the corresponding base-stock levels. When a demand for a stocked part encounters a stockout, it can either be backlogged or overflowed to the 3D printer. We derive various structural properties and characterize the optimal policy for several special systems, which lead to efficient near-optimal heuristic solutions for the general system. We demonstrate that adopting 3D technology can yield significant cost savings and this impact increases in part variety. Also, “a little flexibility goes a long way” in the sense that allowing both the stock and print options can substantially slash system inventory and cost, while the utilization of the 3D printer is surprisingly low.

Optimization model for materials expedition: an aplication in a retail chain store

In several companies, transportation costs are most part logistics costs. In this context, the appropriate distribution planning figures as a strategic activity in the generation of competitiveness. Previous studies that analyzed the transportation problem do not consider the role of the expedition in their models. This research investigated a transportation problem considering the expedition of goods. A midsize retailer located in the ABC region of Sao Paulo was used to conduct a case study. In addition to documentary data, interviews were conducted with professionals involved in the expedition operation. The results indicated that the company could optimize their expedition by considering the changes proposed in this study. We conclude that the expedition is an important activity in the analysis of a transport model.

OPTIMIZATION MODEL FOR MATERIALS EXPEDITION: AN APLICATION IN A RETAIL CHAIN STORE

In several companies, transportation costs are most part logistics costs. In this context, the appropriate distribution planning figures as a strategic activity in the generation of competitiveness. Previous studies that analyzed the transportation problem do not consider the role of the expedition in their models. This research investigated a transportation problem considering the expedition of goods. A midsize retailer located in the ABC region of Sao Paulo was used to conduct a case study. In addition to documentary data, interviews were conducted with professionals involved in the expedition operation. The results indicated that the company could optimize their expedition by considering the changes proposed in this study. We conclude that the expedition is an important activity in the analysis of a transport model.

Research of Inbound Mode for Automobile Parts Logistics Based on the Second Factory of Company H

The article is set in the second factory of company H and analyzes the present situation and the existence question in the inbound logistics of the factory. A milk-run pickup system is proposed to solve the current predicament of the inbound logistics. The article researches the problems that may happen in milk-run, and then puts forward the corresponding countermeasures to implement smoothly milk-run in the inbound logistics.

Dynamic spare parts transportation model for Arctic production facility

Timely delivery of the required spare parts plays an important role in meeting the availability target and reducing the downtime of production facilities. Spare parts logistics is affected in complex ways while operating in the Arctic, since the area is sparsely populated and has insufficient infrastructure. It is also greatly affected by the distinctive operational environment of the region, such as cold temperature, varying forms of sea ice, blizzards, heavy fog, etc. Therefore, in order to have an effective logistic plan, the effect of all influencing factors, called covariates, on the transportation of the spare parts need to be identified, modelled and quantified by the use of an appropriate dynamic model. The traditional models, however, lack the comprehensive integration of the effect of covariates on the spare parts transportation. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of a dynamic model for spare parts transportation in Arctic conditions by considering the time-independent and time-dependent covariates. The model continuously updates the prior probabilities according to the most recent time-dependent covariates to provide posterior probabilities. The application of the model is illustrated using a case study.

Returnable packaging management in automotive parts logistics: Dedicated mode and shared mode

We compare two different modes, i.e., dedicated mode and shared mode, used in packaging management in automotive parts logistics. In dedicated mode, every parts supplier uses his own packaging; while in shared mode, packages can be shared among the suppliers. For each mode, we calculate the total costs consisting of transportation cost and inventory holding cost, and prove that the total costs, the transportation cost and the inventory holding cost are all smaller under shared mode. We further illustrate the factors that influence the cost savings of shared mode, i.e., the total cost of dedicated mode minus that of shared mode. In particular, the cost savings are proved to be negatively related to the number of package categories, and are positively related to: (1) the demand gap of packages between areas, i.e., sum of the volume difference of every kind of packages that transported in and out of one area; (2) the failed ratio factor of the returned packages, i.e., the ratio of the packages that cannot be returned to the supplier because of broken, pilferage, misplace, etc.; and (3) the time savings of short distance transportation, i.e., the transportation time consumed between areas minus the transportation time within one area. Finally, numerical examples show that the cost savings can be considerable, and the number of package categories is the most important influence factor.

Part-feeding with supermarket in assembly systems: transportation mode selection model and multi-scenario analysis

Purpose – The paper aims to focus on in-house part logistics design and management for assembly systems in which supermarket storage is adopted and coupled with an automated transportation system. In this context, this work aims to assess the transportation mode selection problem to speed up the preliminary design phase. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is divided into two main parts. The first one provides and discusses a new conceptual framework derived from the authors’ experience in the field and from previous published works. The framework aims to support managers in problem comprehension by setting three problem sub-phases, key input parameters and qualitative guidelines without losing sight of the big picture. The second part focuses on the transportation mode selection sub-phase by assessing an analytical study followed by a multi-scenario analysis. Findings – The final outcome of this work is a decision support matrix capable of setting technical guidelines that are helpful to managers and practitioners to speed up the transportation mode selection problem in the preliminary phases. Originality/value – This work is beneficial for supporting managers in understanding the main decisional steps involved in the design of a part-feeding system with a supermarket by discussing the three problem sub-phases and key input parameters and providing both qualitative and quantitative guidelines. Moreover, this study explores the transportation mode selection problem, which is not yet largely explored in the published literature.

Part logistics in the automotive industry: Decision problems, literature review and research agenda

With the ongoing trend of mass-customization and an increasing product variety, just-in-time part logistics more and more becomes one of the greatest challenges in today’s automobile production. Thousands of parts and suppliers, a multitude of different equipments, and hundreds of logistics workers need to be coordinated, so that the final assembly lines never run out of parts. This paper describes the elementary process steps of part logistics in the automotive industry starting with the initial call order to the return of empty part containers. In addition to a detailed process description, important decision problems are specified, existing literature is surveyed, and open research challenges are identified.

Integrated spare parts logistics and operations planning for maintenance service providers

This paper considers the problem of coordinated spare-part logistics and operations planning for third-party maintenance providers. Due to the multi-indenture structure of the equipment, different types of components might randomly fail to perform at different points of time. The spare part logistics literature has been focused on spare part inventory management in an in-house maintenance context. In this article, a mathematical programming model is first developed to formulate the problem in the context of a third-party maintenance provider who is faced with strict due dates for the delivery of repaired equipment. The model seeks the optimal number of maintenance jobs that can be completed to deliver at each period, as well as the order quantity of spare parts so as to minimize the procurement, inventory, and equipment late delivery costs, while taking into account the spare part supply lead-time. Next, we model the spare part demand uncertainty as a non-stationary stochastic process in each period in the planning horizon. The deterministic model is then reformulated as a multi-stage stochastic program with recourse. We also discuss the complexity of the stochastic model and propose a preprocessing approach to reduce its size for large instances. Numerical results demonstrate how the proposed model links the spare part logistics and equipment delivery decisions under spare part demand uncertainty.

An investigation on logistics outsourcing on exports of minerals goods

Article history: Received December 10, 2013 Received in revised format 16 March 2014 Accepted April 28 2014 Available online May 1 2014 This paper presents a study to investigate the effects of outsourcing logistics on improvement of export activities in minerals firms. The proposed study designs a questionnaire with 20 questions in Likert scale and distributes it among 67 firms out of 81 active organizations, which are responsible for exporting minerals in province of Tehran, Iran. Using structural equation modeling, the study has determined that there was a meaningful relationship between strategic orientations of exporters against outsourcing third part logistics (3PL) and basic and additional capabilities of 3PL. In addition, there was a meaningful relationship between basic capabilities of 3PL and competitive advantage of exporters but there was not any meaningful relationship between additional capabilities of 3PL and competitive advantage of exporters. Finally, there was a meaningful relationship between competitive advantage of exporters and performance of exports. In summary, the survey indicates that the outsourcing logistics influences positively on the performance of minerals firms. © 2014 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Towards Autonomous Control in Maintenance and Spare Part Logistics – Challenges and Opportunities for Preacting Maintenance Concepts

Maintenance and spare part logistics often determine the life cycle costs related to the usage phase of assets. Therefore, different maintenance strategies are known from literature and adopted by enterprises in order to cut these costs. Most often these strategies face problems due to uncertainties in processes and tasks. This paper suggests an adjusted preactive maintenance concept which implements autonomous control aspects in order to plan and control personnel, equipment, resources, etc. ad hoc and without hierarchical planning instances. In doing so, different well known strategies will be kept equitable within the concept but are replenished with an overall heterachical organized planning and controlling approach. As a result, maintenance objects themselves gain the opportunity to trigger maintenance measures, no matter whether it's a case of inspection, maintenance or repair, according to their particular requirements. The paper gives a valuable insight into an effective concept of how to handle the complex situation for the operational maintenance processes as well as related spare part logistics in general and illustrates first concrete approaches.

Service parts logistics network model selection for different industries in Asia

Service parts logistics is growing fast in Asia. The industries of high-tech, automotive and aerospace have different spare part attributes and customer requirements, further complicated by the complex logistics challenges in the region, calling for different service logistics networks. Different network models have different characteristics. For example, some models cover a large service area or provide a fast response while others have a good inventory visibility or incur low transportation cost. This paper analyses different industries and various SPL network models in the context of Asia. Through our theoretical and empirical analyses, we find that a centralised 1-echelon network is generally suitable for aerospace and automotive customers whereas a decentralised 2 or 3-echelon network is suitable for high-tech customers. This paper also proposes an easy-to-use framework for selecting the right service logistics network based on different logistics performance elements. At the end of this paper, we offer several managerial implications to improve logistics business and capture potential revenue. This study is useful for corporate managers and scientific community that supports corporate practices.

Brief Discussion on Obstacles and Strategies of Furniture Enterprises in Resorting to Third Part Logistics

Nowadays, under the great background of increasingly fierce competition and more refined social division of labor, there are more advantages for the furniture enterprises to resort to the third party logistics. In order to improve the development level of the third party logistics, furniture enterprises should provide macro guarantee, determine correct logistics ideas, set up professional third party furniture logistics enterprises, and select appropriate third party logistics mode.

Maintainability analysis of an offshore gas compression train system, a case study

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a practical method of performing maintainability analysis of an offshore system at operation phase having some improvement trend.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis follows a systematically developed method of analyzing maintenance data, identifying critical factors affecting system performance, and developing suitable downtime distribution model with some applications of statistical analysis techniques and expert opinion.FindingsImprovement in spare part logistics is found significant in reducing downtime thus should be well feedback to design and plant engineers so that it can be incorporated in new offshore system. The downtime models developed based on the steady state analysis and expert input are found to be practical for prediction of the system maintainability performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis focuses on the downtime which includes the repair, logistics and administrative delay time. At the operation phase, plant personnel are mostly interested in the availability and downtime performance of the system thus this study provides an excellent example of how the analysis can be done practically and effectively.Practical implicationsMaintainability analysis at operation phase is crucial to assess and predict the maintenance system performance and provide valuable feedback to the design phase and existing plant for further improvement. The methodology developed here is practical hence can assist plant personnel to perform maintainability analysis effectively.Originality/valueThis paper present a generic method of analyzing maintainability at the operation phase. The proposed distribution method via steady state and expert input approaches provides a practical method for formulating downtime distribution model when improvement trend exists.

A Conceptual Model for the Simulation-Based Analysis of the Operational Planning of Spare Parts Supply Chains

Maintenance is critical to the reliability of manufacturing processes and thus for the economic performance of industrial companies. For supporting an effective maintenance, spare parts logistics have to deliver necessary parts on the right moment for the maintenance service to be executed. For analysing the effectiveness of the operational planning of spare parts supply chains, simulation approaches can help to recognize the impact of changes made to the operation rules of the system. More remarkably, its application can assist managers in the decision making process on complex problems and enable a better understanding of processes. Taking into consideration current state-of-the-art concepts and models for the operational planning of supply chains and the application of simulation techniques for the analysis of complex systems, this paper aims to propose a conceptual model for the simulation-based analysis of the operational planning of spare parts supply chains.

Potential development targets in spare part logistics

The study reviews development actions carried out in maintenance and spare part services. The review focuses on case studies and other real-life examples that have been reported on. It is also discussed how to identify the situations where it is practicable to emulate the found development actions. An illustrative case example is used to demonstrate how to evaluate the suitability of some of the development approaches in practice. The summary may offer ideas for companies that are in early phases of their development work, and practical guidelines for evaluating the suitability of some development actions.