Physical Distribution Activities Research Articles

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

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

Multi-period planning of integrated underground logistics system network for automated construction-demolition-municipal waste collection and parcel delivery: A case study

Sustainable development goals of cities have long been threatening by the low efficiency and negative externalities of the truck-dominant forward and reverse physical distribution activities. Aiming at conquering the dilemma, this paper offers a novel integrated underground logistics system (IULS) solution that has good applicability to incorporate the wholesale automated operations of construction and demolition waste (CDW) collection, municipal solid waste (MSW) collection, and parcel deliveries. In line with a Chinese on-going new urban district development project, the prototypes of IULS including network topology, facility operations, handling workflows, and transport technical parameters are designed. An empirical-based method is proposed to estimate the demand flows of heterogeneous CDW and parcels for IULS planning. Based on a well-designed multi-period network expansion mechanism, a bi-objective dynamic programming model is established to characterize the optimal location-allocation-routing decisions of IULS network at minimal construction and operating costs. Given the computational complexity, a hybrid optimization approach combining variable neighborhood search based memetic algorithm, Kruskal's minimum spanning tree algorithm, and A-star algorithm is developed to obtain high-quality model solutions. Simulation based on real-world case is conducted to validate our planning techniques. Results show that the dual-use and multi-period expansion of IULS network can save millions of dollars of annual environmental governance expenditures for a satellite city with substantial rebuilding and distribution needs. By analyzing the facility configurations and cost-benefit performance of the optimized network solutions, a set of insights related to the best layout, economic feasibility, and long-term development for the prospective IULS network initiatives are disclosed.

The role of Physical Distribution Activities in Competitive Advantages: An Exploratory Study Of The Opinions Of Managers At The General Company For The Manufacture Of Medicines And Medical Supplies in Samarra

The current research is an attempt to determine the correlation and impact relations between material distribution activities and competitive advantages through an exploratory study of the opinions of managers at the General Company for the manufacture of medicines and medical supplies in Samarra. For this reason, the researcher has prepared a chart that shows correlation and influence relationships, including research variables, with the formulation of a number of hypotheses that clarify these relationships. A number of statistical methods and methods have been chosen that would clarify these relationships and that It was tested through a number of statistical methods, and the researcher used the questionnaire list as a tool to collect data from the respondents and their answers to the questions. The sample size was 50 forms. And the lack of studies that dealt with the relationships between these variables in the Iraqi environment within the limits of the researcher’s knowledge, the current research included these variables in an attempt to study the relationship and influence between them. It can be said that the research tries to answer the following question: What is the nature of correlations and influence between the activities of the physical distribution and competitive advantages In the company that was distributed form? The research has concluded a set of conclusions, perhaps the most prominent of them: that the activities of material distribution has a relationship of influence and moral correlation with competitive advantages. A number of recommendations have been made that are consistent with those conclusions.

Physical distribution activities and vehicle routing problems in logistics management: A case study

The vehicle routing path (VRP) is non-deterministic polynomial-time hard (NP-hard) and therefore difficult to solve. The fact that VRP is both of theoretical and practical interest (owing to its real-world applications), explains the amount of attention given to the VRP by researchers during past years. Research on the development of heuristics for the VRP has made considerable progress since the first algorithms were proposed in the early 1960s. Several families of heuristics have been proposed for the VRP. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the most important families of heuristics for the VRP. At the end, the survey presents the solution method used for a small-scale case study in a logistic company in Turkey.

Total System Integration in Distribution Channels

The purpose of this research is to consider total system integration in distribution channels. A distribution channel consists of two broad subsystems, namely the channel management activities and the physical distribution activities. In order to obtain integration of the two subsystems, a simulation model is proposed based on inputs and outputs. The inputs consist of resources and capabilities of each subsystem. The outputs are the results or objectives of the distribution channel for the firm. The model jointly addresses distribution objectives and resources and capabilities of the firm and determines important factors of channel performance.

Supply Chain M anagement and Its Impact on Purchasing

SUMMARYThe term “supply chain management” has been used to denote the integration of logistics and physical distribution activities by wholesalers and retailers and manufacturers' efforts to effectively integrate purchasing and supply with other functions in the firm. The concept is still evolving. There is no generally accepted definition of supply chain management or general understanding of how supply chain management impacts organizational characteristics and practices. This article presents exploratory findings from a comprehensive survey regarding supply chain management. The objectives of this study were to study the impact of supply chain management on purchasing practices, to further define and develop the supply chain model from various perspectives, and to identify problems associated with supply chain management, particularly from the purchasing perspective.

A Study of Physical Distribution Activities in Port Area

A Study of Physical Distribution Activities in Port Area

A Customer Satisfaction Approach to Introducing Physical Distribution in the Principles of Marketing Course

Traditional presentations of physical distribution in a principles of marketing course commonly focus on the activities of distribution without effectively integrating them into the marketing mix. This article offers instructors an integrative framework for presenting physical distribution activities as a means of achieving desired levels of customer service and ultimately customer satisfaction.

A Customer Satisfaction Approach to Introducing Physical Distribution in the Principles of Marketing Course

Traditional presentations ofphysical distribution in a principles of marketing course commonly focus on the activities of distribution without effectively integrating them into the marketing mix. This article offers instructors an integrative framework for presenting physical distribution activities as a means of achiev ing desired levels of customer service and ultimately customer satisfaction.

Purchasing contractor service for transport

Services offered by contractors in physical distribution activities have developed considerably in recent years. Contractors are now more sophisticated in their business approach and are much more professional in selling their services. This article describes a practical and structured approach to purchasing contractor services. It includes specifying precise requirements in writing, and the contents of such a service specification; how to go about choosing suitable contractors and subsequently developing the right working relationship. The article discusses how to monitor subsequent performance and control costs; it provides a useful checklist for the user involved in contracted operations.

It's Time for CALM: Computer‐Aided Logistics Management

Few developments in recent years have had as great an impact on the practice of physical distribution and materials management as the introduction of computers. Many physical distribution activities (e.g., order‐processing, storage and retrieval systems and so forth) have undergone profound changes because of automation. But a distribution system which focuses on only one particular logistical activity is too restrictive to be very useful. Developing a computer‐based model requires a co‐ordinated team effort which calls upon personnel in accounting, data processing, marketing, operations research, production, traffic and other functional specialities. Hence, we will examine the role of computer‐based logistics models in marketing strategies and present some directions for future logistics modelling efforts.

The Influence of the Physical Distribution Concept on Financial Performance

The physical distribution concept is a customer‐oriented business philosophy supported by integrated physical distribution activities aimed at generating customer satisfac‐tion as a means of satisfying fundamental organisational goals, of which profit is perhaps the most important. It can therefore be expected that those companies whose chief executives support this business philosophy and who consequently ensure that their organisations are physical distribution oriented, will perform better financially than similar organisations which are not physical distribution oriented.

Distribution Systems and Distribution Research in the Federal Republic of Germany: A Synopsis

Distribution research was an important field of research in Germany especially in the 1920s and 50s. After that, the major research interests in the area of marketing and internal trade shifted to other topics. Retailing and wholesaling institutions became more powerful and new technologies supporting physical distribution activities began to attract researchers to deal with distribution problems. Distribution as treated in this synopsis covers the areas of retailing, wholesaling, industrial selling and physical distribution.

PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

The International Physical Distribution Environment Involvement in international markets requires an awareness of the variables — both controllable and uncontrollable — which impact on a firm's distribution network. Political, legal, social and economic conditions, market structure and competition and the level of distribution technology available are all uncontrollable factors which influence a firm's distribution planning. Strategy must be directed towards administering physical distribution components so as to minimise costs and provide an acceptable level of customer service. Companies should acknowledge the differences that exist between domestic and foreign activities, and within overseas markets, country variations, regarding levels of customer service and inventory and transportation facilities that can be provided and the associated costs involved. Key managerial elements include packaging and labelling and warehousing and storage facilities dependent upon distribution systems required. Channel of Distribution Strategies Besides market potential, there are a number of reasons for entering international markets — an advanced domestic product life cycle, excess capacity, less internal overseas competition, geographical diversification and, perhaps, for materials/components saving. Four principle strategies for overseas involvement are available: exporting, licencing, joint ventures and ownership. In general firms may follow more than one strategy between markets and as circumstances change in individual market areas. Management of the Export Shipment Export distributors, customs house brokers and foreign freight forwarders are amongst the major organisations involved in exporting activity. Documentation remains of paramount importance. Operating in an unfamiliar financial environment, it is essential that account is taken of exchange rates, tax considerations, levels of inflation and other financial aspects affecting physical distribution; all will impact on profit levels and, if mismanaged or overlooked, will generate losses. Managing International Physical Distribution Activities International distribution management is complex. Success requires the correct answers to a number of difficult issues in order to develop the optimal distribution system for each target market. Planning, implementation and control of all international physical distribution activities is essential to the success of any foreign marketing efforts.

Physical Distribution: Has It Reached Maturity?

In 1966, Professor Donald J. Bowersox mused that the acceptance of the physical distribution (logistics) concept was in “semi‐maturity”. The question then becomes—now, more than a decade later, has the concept of physical distribution reached maturity? Today, most senior executives at least recognise that physical distribution activities generally represent a significant expense item to their firms. While their respective views of the importance of physical distribution vary, most can empathise with this anonymous observation: “Line executives are a happily blessed race who radiate confidence and power. They stride confidently. They can develop a new pathway to greater profits by using decisive words and gestures. However, each line executive usually has one or more logisticians riding on his back. He knows that, at any moment, the logisticians may lean forward and whisper, “No, you can't do that”.”