Road Freight Transport Companies Research Articles

Pursuing sustained competitive advantage through the use of process management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how process management (PM) can support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in pursuing sustained competitive advantage. For this purpose, a dynamic capabilities (DC) lens was used. Design/methodology/approach A narrative literature review and a multiple case study with an action research approach at two road freight transport companies were used. Findings PM provides structure and system thinking to support the development of competitive advantage. Concerning PM, management of knowledge, management style and process orientation are key factors for the generation of competitive advantage for SMEs. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to PM literature by studying its support for and implementation at SMEs. Furthermore, the study contributes to the literature on DC by providing concrete examples of activities linked to such capabilities. Practical implications This study contributes to practitioners by providing examples of implementing PM and identifying competitive advantage, connected with PM elements. Social implications This study has social and environmental implications for the quality of life of the Swedish people. Originality/value This paper contributes to clarifying the connection between the research fields of quality management and DC to explore how PM can support SMEs in pursuing sustained competitive advantage.

Pallets delivery: Two matheuristics for combined loading and routing

The implementation of novel regulatory and technical requirements for the distribution of vehicle axle weights in road freight transport introduces a new set of constraints on vehicle routing. Until now, axle weight distribution in determining the load plan for freight transport units has been overlooked in the vehicle routing process. Compliance with these axle weight constraints has become paramount for road freight transport companies, since noncompliance with the axle weight distribution legislation translates into heavy fines. This work aims to provide a tool capable of generating cargo loading plans and routing sequences for a palletised cargo distribution problem. The problem addressed integrates the capacitated vehicle routing problem with time window and the two-dimensional loading problem with load balance constraints. Two integrative solution approaches are proposed, one giving greater importance to the routing and the other prioritising the loading. In addition, a novel MILP model is proposed for the 2D pallet loading problem with load-balance constraints that take advantage of the standard dimension of the pallets. Extensive computational experiments were performed with a set of well-known literature benchmark instances, extended to incorporate additional features. The computational results show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.

THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONNEL COSTS ON THE PROFITABILITY INDICATORS OF ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT COMPANIES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The paper's main objective is to investigate the effects of personnel cost growth between 2014 and 2019 on the profitability of selected large road freight transport companies based on the collection of publicly available data of these transport companies. The first sub-objective of the paper is to conduct the necessary data collection from the financial statements of road freight transport companies with more than 250 workers. The second sub-objective of the paper is to define financial ratios and to assess the impact of personnel cost growth on the profitability of these enterprises. The third sub-objective is to determine the development of selected financial ratios over the period 2014 to 2019 and to evaluate the impact of personnel cost growth on the development of these ratios for selected transport companies. As a result of the fulfilment of these goals, we identified that an increase in personnel cost led in chosen transport companies in the years 2015 – 2016 to a significant decrease in labour productivity in the form of sales per employee and decreased profit. In the years 2017 – 2018, the year-on-year increase in personnel cost slowed down with impact to improved labour productivity and improved profit. In 2019 although another increase in personnel cost occurred, the situation changed, and labour productivity and profit increased. Analysis of these data showed that an increase of labour productivity in the form of sales per employee and profit increase in 2018 and 2019 was done thanks to the increasing price of transportation that covered higher personnel costs.

LOCAL DETERMINANTS OF DRIVING BEHAVIOURS: INSTALLATION THEORY INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION AMONG TRUCK DRIVERS IN COLOMBIA

Eco-driving has been linked to considerable reductions in negative externalities and costs for transportation companies, employees and communities (including fuel consumption, safety and emission benefits). Nevertheless, some of the biggest challenges to its implementation are related to promoting behavioural change among drivers. This paper presents the results of three behavioural field interventions that were successful to improve fuel efficiency in heavy freight transportation. The interventions brought further improvement even though the target company already had strong training, incentive, control and feedback procedures in place. The Installation Theory framework and the Subjective Evidence-Based Ethnography (SEBE) technique were used to systematically analyse determinants of driving behaviours, and to design cost-effective behavioural interventions based on social norms. The effects of three interventions were then tested using a pre-test post-test control group design among 211 drivers of the company. Results show significant decreases in average monthly fuel consumption of up to 4% in month 1 and up to 4.5% in month 3. Our findings show (with certain qualifications), that the Installation Theory framework and social norm interventions can be a cost-effective method to improve fuel efficiency in road freight transport companies, even when strong training, incentive, control and feedback procedures are already in place.

Correlation of customer experience with the acceptance of product-service systems and circular economy

Product-service systems have been used as a tool for the practical application of the concepts of sustainability and circular economy. The customer experience through such systems has become an ally for its broad implementation, while customer acceptance is a barrier. However, it is unclear what contributes to customer experience and acceptance. This paper sought to find in the literature the main variables that contribute to the factors of customer experience and acceptance of product-service systems, then making it possible to analyze and understand the correlation between these factors to increase the strength of the experience and decrease the resistance for acceptance. This work was conducted in a B2B truck-maintenance environment, carrying out a survey analysis with 154 road freight transport companies in Brazil. A structural equation model was developed to use the research responses and perform the confirmatory factor analysis of the correlation between the variables of customer experience and acceptance, found in the literature, and adapted in the form of statements in a web questionnaire. The results of the work suggest that the customer experience with customer service, relationship, knowledge, proactivity, information Integration, and performance indicators, influences the acceptance of solutions based on trust, technology, and innovation, access to knowledge, and operation control. The Fitted Conceptual Model presents the scientific value added by this work and path found to help product-service solutions, related to truck-maintenance, to have a greater chance of success in their business, and consequently implement more frequent concepts of sustainability and circular economy for cleaner production.

MCDM Evaluation of Asset-Based Road Freight Transport Companies Using Key Drivers That Influence the Enterprise Value

Business owners are trying to enhance company value by developing growth strategies. Besides, they need to know what supports and drives the attractiveness to potential investors. Previously to determine company value, only financial drivers were used. These are essential drivers; however, even they do not reflect the overall situation. This paper proposes a novel approach for the solution of the problem of business valuation by taking into account both financial and non-financial drivers and by using several MCDM (multiple criteria decision making) methods simultaneously both for establishing weights and for the evaluation itself. World-leading road freight transport companies were selected for a case study. MCDM methods were used for determining the weights of the drivers and comparing the listed companies. Key drivers were identified, and the ranking of companies is provided.

Logistic Platforms and Efficiency of Road Haulage in Europe (2004-2012)

This paper analyses the technical efficiency of European road freight trans-port companies over the period 2004-2012. The results show that road freight companies that use logistic platforms appropriately are more efficient. Other interesting results were also obtained showing that the liberalisation of trans-port sectors, inventory management and the use of Information and Communi-cations Technology all lead to improvements in companies’ technical efficiency.

Environmental responsibility of Croatian road freight transport enterprises

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate corporate environmental responsibility of Croatian road freight transport companies. Additionally, enterprises' ecological responsibility is established in relation to company size.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data was collected through a questionnaire. For this research, 150 Croatian road freight companies were randomly selected, of which 58 completed the questionnaire. Regression and variance analyses were conducted to analyse the data.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that the companies' level of ecological sustainability reflects their established organisational culture. Companies with more employees and higher revenues had a higher level of ecological responsibility.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the small sample size, the generalisability of the results is questionable. The results of the primary research confirmed that as the company size increased, so did its established organisational culture regarding ecological sustainability. A higher level of ecological sustainability would provide better financial results and other advantages for small companies.Originality/valueThe theoretical contribution of the paper is presented in the literature review, which provides a summary of the importance of establishing sustainable policy for transport companies. Due to the creation of the Croatian road freight market and pressures created by new competitors from the other member countries of European Union, Croatian road freight companies must understand the positive connection between ecological sustainability and an established organisational culture.

The Role of Profitability Indicators of Gdańsk Road Freight Transport Companies in the Context of Discriminant Analysis

The article is devoted to the problem of the informational value of profitability indicators used in discriminant models of road freight transport companies. The aim of the article was to examine the impact of profitability indicators on the results of discriminant models. Discriminant models are mainly based on accounting liquidity, debt and profitability indicators. The rule is that most models use different profitability indicators. The research was carried out in relation to entities that publish their financial statements, are limited liability companies and have their registered office in Gdańsk.

The Future of International Road Freight Transport Companies in Turkey: Challenges and Solutions

The Future of International Road Freight Transport Companies in Turkey: Challenges and Solutions

Gdańsk Road Freight Transport Companies - Development or Decline

Road transport plays an important role in the process of shaping economic efficiency. Over the period considered, the number of road freight transport companies that went bankrupt increased. The aim of the article is to assess the financial condition of road freight transport companies using discriminant methods and to determine whether the surveyed companies are developing or are in danger of falling. The research was carried out in relation to entities that publish their financial statements, are limited liability companies and have their registered office in Gdańsk.

Statistical survey of road freight transport performance indicators

This paper deals with the statistical survey of road freight transport performance indicators in the Slovak Republic and Europe. The aim is to point out disagreements in statistical data. The data will be compared in the databases of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic and Eurostat databases. These disagreements concern performance indicators for road freight and transport of passengers. The first part of the article describes the role of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic and Eurostat. Further, the survey data is shown. In the middle part there are disagreements in the statistics. At the end of the article are explained problems with collecting data from road freight transport companies.

Improved Cost Management at Small and Medium Sized Road Transport Companies: Case Hungary

Small and medium sized road freight transport companies located in Hungary are facing strong competition on the logistics market. An advanced cost management system supporting decisions on capacity allocations or pricing may be a competitive advantage for them and indirectly for the whole economy as well. Still, they generally apply simple, traditional cost calculation regimes, potentially sufficient in case of a homogeneous service portfolio. Nevertheless, road haulage companies with heterogeneous service structures may witness information distortions when using traditional costing methods. So it might be recommended for them to introduce better costing principles. To support an improved transport costing, a multi-level full cost allocation model has been set up and tested in this paper. The research results have pointed out that such a methodological development accompanied by the extension of the data collection mechanism can contribute to making the cost management systems of road freight transport companies more effective.

Flagging out in road freight transport: a strategy to reduce corporate costs in a competitive environment: Results from a longitudinal study in Austria

Following the example of maritime transport, the relocation of fleets abroad – referred to as flagging out – has become an important cost reduction strategy for road freight transport companies. Particularly after the EU Eastern Enlargement in 2004, many Austrian road freight transport companies took advantage of both the freedom of services and the lower costs in New Member States. This paper shows the results of four waves of surveys of Austrian road hauliers, describing developments, attitudes, motives and impacts of the phenomenon. There is also a discussion about the significance of the problem, which was seldom referred to in the scientific literature.

Estimating the impact of road transport deregulation in short sea shipping: experience from deregulation in the European Union

The European Union has strived for deregulation in the road transport sector on the grounds of improved quality and reduced freight rates on the services offered, protecting the public interest and improving transport services. Extensive research has investigated the impact of road transport sector deregulation on freight rates, security and environment among others. This paper adds to the literature by analysing the impact of the road transport deregulation on the short sea shipping sector. The findings have two important implications for the formation of transport policy: a) regulatory reforms and the provision of stimuli to road freight transport companies have negative effects on short sea shipping; b) environmental benefits can be gained if policies supporting short sea shipping are complemented by focusing on reducing road freight transport externalities, including reducing truck movements based on load factors/empty runs and decreasing the number of trucks.

Energy efficiency as a criterion in the vehicle fleet management process

Transport represents an industry sector with intense energy consumption, the road transport sector within is the dominant subsector. The objective of the research presented in this paper is in defining the activities which applied within road freight transport companies contribute to enhancing vehicles’ energy efficiency. Vehicle fleet operation management process effects on fuel consumption decrease have been looked into. Operation parameters that influence vehicle fuel consumption were analyzed. In this sense, a survey has been realized in order to evaluate the vehicle load factor impact on the specific fuel consumption. Measures for enhancing vehicle’s logistics efficiency have been defined. As a tool for those measures’ implementation an algorithm for vehicle fleet operation management was developed which represented a basis for a dedicated software package development for vehicle dispatching process decision support. A set of measures has been recommended and their effects in fuel savings were evaluated.

The impact of Minitel technology on road freight transport management in France

This paper describes the impact of new information technologies on road freight transport in France. In particular it studies videotex technology which is developing quickly in the country. French videotex technology links computer, telecommunication (telephone) and television technologies. It is embodied in the minitel terminal. This new technology has important effects on the management of information needed by companies for their productive activities. So, the study of minitelized road freight information requires some preliminary description of the French computerized information system, the French videotex system and the minitel terminals. The paper first considers the rise of the new information technology (essentially linked with the computerization of economic activities); it describes minitel, its place in the French videotex system and its impact and growth as a specific sector in the French information economy. It then studies applications of minitelized information by road freight transport companies. (Author/TRRL)