1,721,001 research outputs found
Designing global trade and logistics channels: a focus on the Chinese food and beverage market
Full text linkinternationalisation ventures entail a close relationship between the trade channel (TC) and the logistics channel (LC), but few studies address simultaneously TC and LC design. This study investigates how TC can influence LC design and explores the role played by related contextual factors. Abductive reasoning is adopted within middle-range purposes, elaborating previous theory with multiple case studies considering European food manufacturers tackling a specific empirical context (i.e., the Chinese food and beverage market). The study lends contingency theory elements and leverages them to develop nine propositions that can open to further inquiries about the influence of TC on LC design and the impact of the identified contextual
factors. Moreover, it proposes the behavioural theory as a theoretical lens to approach LC (and not only TC) design. Lastly, it provides practitioners with insights that can be useful to improve their understanding of the Chinese food and beverage market
E-fulfilment in grocery retailing: Design insights for a store-based distribution system
Full text linkE-commerce dynamics are making the design of distribution systems more and more challenging, especially in grocery retailing. The use of stores as picking location for e-fulfilment brings the opportunity of both offering fast deliveries and exploiting synergies with the traditional channel. However, efficiently designing a store-based distribution system turns out to be a critical task. This paper addresses the tactical problem of selecting stores to be used as picking location and defining the related delivery zones. We developed a model for the delivery cost estimation using the continuous approximation approach, as well as a heuristic procedure to compare multiple store-based distribution systems. The model was applied to a real case. Results showed that properly selecting the picking locations in a store-based distribution system is recommended because cost saving can be up to 40%. The most cost-effective number of picking locations decreases with an increase in the online demand
Global distribution network design: exploration of facility location driven by tax considerations and related cross-country implications
Full text linkMultinational corporations (MNCs) are moving not only their headquarters but also their logistics operations to low-tax jurisdictions to minimise the tax burden. However, the logistics and fiscal domains are guided by different principles. This study aims to explore the cross-country implications of locating facilities in low-tax jurisdictions to take advantage of tax arbitrage. A single case study is developed, considering a fashion MNC that moved its European warehouse from Italy to Switzerland.
The study offers theoretical insights about cross-country logistics network reconfiguration, formalising three possible scenarios and deepening the related implications. A quantitative evaluation of those scenarios is proposed, updating logistics cost items by including fiscal specifics and exploring the mutual interdependence between logistics and fiscal elements. To improve the study’s managerial contribution, the influence of contextual parameters is also investigated, showing that facility location for tax purposes does not necessarily lead to maximise net income after taxes
Green warehousing: Exploration of organisational variables fostering the adoption of energy-efficient material handling equipment
Full text linkThe lithium-ion battery (LIB) represents a useful lever for reducing material handling equipment’s (MHE) environmental impact. The exploitation of opportunity charging might improve LIB adoption, which is still prevented by the high investment cost. Since opportunity charging is affected by the system organization, the relationship between LIB and organizational variables is a meaningful work direction to reduce warehouses’ environmental impact, which is underrepre-sented by the current literature. The present paper aims at filling this gap by investigating the im-plications of organisational variables on LIB adoption in warehouses where handling activities are performed with forklift trucks. Based on an in-depth review of the literature and semi-structured interviews, the research presents an input-process-output model linking organisational variables and LIB forklift related costs with an application to a real case. This paper is original as it extends findings from the research fields of production and mobility to the warehouse arena, and it opens room for further research on warehouse sustainability. The paper also offers insights to warehouse managers making decisions about LIB adoption for their electric forklift fleets. This is particularly meaningful to reduce warehouse environmental impact, since MHE power source significantly contributes to greenhouse gases emissions
Assessing the environmental impact of logistics sites through CO2eq footprint computation
Full text linkThe environmental sustainability of logistics facilities is widely acknowledged as an important issue, but a comprehensive standardised methodology for assessing their environmental impact is lacking. This study proposes a structured model for quantifying both consumptions and generated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adopting a three-phase methodology that combines multiple methods. A literature-based conceptual framework was leveraged to design an analytical model, and in-depth interviews with 11 senior logistics managers were conducted. The study offers a replicable methodology that considers heterogeneous sources of consumption and related end-use types, further splitting consumptions and emissions by warehouses' functional areas. It offers a set of Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIs) that could bolster a clearer understanding of the warehouse environmental performance. A robust tool is offered to managers to support their decision-making processes, allowing for both internal assessments and benchmarking with competitors or other players along the supply chain, thus contributing to shape company's, or even supply chain, sustainability strategies
Start-up-driven innovation for logistics: a classification framework
No full textStart-ups are often frontrunners to foster innovation, contributing to developing and spreading original thinking and solutions. In recent years, start-up ecosystems have experienced significant growth worldwide, and many start-ups have also emerged in the field of logistics. Despite this rising trend, the academic literature has underestimated start-up-driven innovation in the logistics industry so far. To act as a bridge between theory and practice, the purpose
of this study is to investigate and formalize the main directions of innovation brought by start-ups operating in the
logistics field. First, both available academic literature and secondary sources were examined, along with financial reporting data retrieved from commercial databases. As a result, 501 start-ups founded after 2015 and having logistics
services within their core business were identified worldwide. Then, a classification framework was developed,
according to start-ups’ value proposition. Four macro-categories were drawn ‒ new logistics players, logistics
platforms, software developers, and hardware developers ‒ and further subdivided into sub-categories to better
acknowledge specific peculiarities. Funding received and the number of start-ups per each category were considered
as proxies for the value of and potential for innovation. New logistics players and hardware developers emerged as the
start-ups categories offering the widest opportunities. The study offers an original approach to map and classify startup-driven innovation in logistics, simultaneously allowing for identifying the most promising directions for future
developments, also in the wake of the increasing concerns about environmental and social sustainability. On the one
hand, the growth of hardware solutions such as electric or self-driving vehicles calls for additional exploration of the
related managerial implications. On the other hand, further research could investigate how logistics service providers
could introduce innovative solutions in their daily operations, such as for urban deliveries
Designing global trade and logistics channels: a focus on the Chinese food and beverage market
Full text linkInternationalisation ventures entail a close relationship between the trade channel (TC) and the logistics channel (LC), but few studies address simultaneously TC and LC design. This study investigates how TC can influence LC design and explores the role played by related contextual factors. Abductive reasoning is adopted within middle-range purposes, elaborating previous theory with multiple case studies considering European food manufacturers tackling a specific empirical context (i.e. the Chinese food and beverage market).
The study lends contingency theory elements and leverages them to develop nine propositions that can open to further inquiries about the influence of TC on LC design and the impact of the identified contextual factors. Moreover, it proposes the behavioural theory as a theoretical lens to approach LC (and not only TC) design. Lastly, it provides practitioners with insights that can be useful to improve their understanding of the Chinese food and beverage market
E-fulfilment and distribution in omni-channel retailing: a systematic literature review
Full text linkPurpose – Given the progressive growth of e-commerce sales and the rising interest in omni-channel (OC)
retailing amongst academics and practitioners, the purpose of this paper is to provide an up-to-date literature
review on the logistics involved when moving towards OC retailing. Specifically, we have examined the main
issues relating to e-fulfilment and distribution, highlighting how the topic has been developed over time, and
identifying the most promising research streams for the near future.
Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review methodology is adopted. The review is
based on 58 papers published from 2002 to 2017 in 34 international journals. The papers were analysed and
categorised according to their defining characteristics, methodologies adopted and themes addressed.
Findings – This paper provides an overview of the main issues relating to e-fulfilment and distribution
experienced by companies shifting towards OC, mapped along three dimensions: distribution network design,
inventory and capacity management, delivery planning and execution. Despite the growing interest in OC
retailing, many key topics are still under-represented, including the evolution of retail distribution networks,
assortment planning over multiple channels, the logistics role played by stores in the delivery process and the
interplay between different logistics aspects.
Originality/value – The paper offers insights into the main logistics issues in MC and OC retailing, as well
as highlights potential fields for further investigation. From a managerial perspective, this paper is useful for
retailers adopting an OC approach to guide their future efforts concerning their business logistics model
Evolution of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in the logistics 4.0 landscape: A classification framework and empirical insights
No full textThe increasing demand for highly customised products and short delivery lead times is requiring production and logistics systems to become more flexible and reactive to customers’ requests. In this landscape, the so-called fourth industrial revolution is fostering the development of new technologies which may help companies deal with the evolved customers’ needs at reasonable costs. While this phenomenon has been widely addressed in the scientific literature with reference to manufacturing systems, only few and very recent contributions are dealing with the Logistics 4.0 paradigm, and specifically focusing on material handling systems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the evolution of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in the Logistics 4.0 landscape. The research was structured into two main steps. First, a thorough review of the literature on AGVs led to the identification of their key characteristics. A classification framework for AGV solutions was developed, based on three dimensions: Navigation path, Communication, and Decision. In the second step, five European material handling technology providers were interviewed in order to validate the classification framework and gain insights on the AGV solutions available on the market. Results showed that AGVs are turning into highly flexible autonomous vehicles through the development of open navigation paths, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication and decentralised decision-making capabilities
What drives the adoption of Logistics 4.0 by Logistics Service Providers? An Innovation Diffusion Theory perspective
No full textThis paper aims to investigate the adoption of Logistics 4.0 by logistics service providers (LSP) in logistics distribution processes. Although the promise of Logistics 4.0 to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of logistics, LSP still struggle in integrating 4.0 concepts into their operations. Thus, the need emerged to support companies in the adoption and exploitation of Logistics 4.0. The adoption of Logistics 4.0 innovation goes beyond the acquisition of technology, as it is a complex process that starts with the identification and evaluation of organisation needs and available 4.0 solutions, goes on with the actual adoption of the 4.0 solutions through accessing and integrating them into the organisation’s processes, and ends when 4.0 is widely used as an integral part in a firm’s value chain activities. In this regard, understanding the factors affecting Logistics 4.0 adoption might be critical to improving its diffusion rate for LSP. So far, research has just started investigating the diffusion of Logistics 4.0 innovation among LSPs. To advance research in this area, the present paper develops a conceptual model based on the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) to investigate the factors affecting the successful adoption of Logistics 4.0 solutions, by building on established Logistics 4.0, Industry 4.0, and innovation diffusion literature. With our research, we contribute to a better theoretical understanding of Logistics 4.0 and innovation diffusion and provide insights to LSP from a practical perspective
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