1,721,002 research outputs found
Logistics service providers’ performance measurement: Insights for improvement
No full textAfter a period of growing logistics service outsourcing, recently there has been a progressive insourcing of transportation and storage tasks. This resulted in an increase in the competition among Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), which requires a careful performance measurement in order to consolidate their position in the logistics market. However, the literature on such a topic does not pay appropriate attention to how LSPs actually monitor their performance and to the degree of support that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools can give to the measurement process. In this work a survey is completed to investigate the performance indicators used by LSPs as well as how Software Developers’ (SDs) applications support their measurement. A comparison between the metrics adopted by LSPs and those proposed by SDs is carried out by means of a logistics performance measurement model well known in literature
Assessing warehouse centralization and outsourcing in the healthcare sector: An Italian case study
Full text linkIn Western countries the ratio of the public spending on healthcare (HC) to the Gross Domestic Product is growing. In such a context the centralization of warehouses storing drugs, medical devices, and consumable products as well as the outsourcing of their management to qualified logistics providers are increasingly perceived as key drivers for the efficient provision of HC services. In fact, some projects have been carried out in Europe. However, most of the still few available literature contributions either analyze the supply network structure or preliminary address the associated performance. A limited number of approaches assess the actual implications of HC warehouse centralization and outsourcing after its implementation. Also, there is a need for straightforward evaluation methods that can be easily applied by HC providers. This paper discusses the performance of a centralization and outsourcing initiative carried out by an Italian public hospital. Main logistics, HC, and economic indicators are identified based on a literature review and discussions with the hospital management and the logistics provider. After measuring and comparing the variable values over a twelve-year time span, the associated correlations are studied to provide a systematic interpretation of the outcomes able to uncover the benefits of the new organizational approach. In particular, a centralized material management, together with logistics improvements at the bed level, allowed optimizing the time spent on logistics activities at wards. Additionally, the inventory turnover ratio increased by 23%. Finally, the total logistics costs for the analyzed hospital were reduced by about 30%. By offering a simple assessment approach, this work might constitute a methodological starting point for evaluating the benefits of other similar logistics initiatives. As such, it can foster the development of ex-post assessment methodologies to tackle the advantages and drawbacks of warehouse centralization and outsourcing in HC
Investigating the Integration of Industry 4.0 and Lean Principles on Supply Chain: A Multi-Perspective Systematic Literature Review
Full text linkThe development of digital technologies in all aspects of human life leads to increasing the necessity for investigating them in the Supply Chain (SC) as the main channel to provide products. Moreover, Lean principles, with the aim of reducing wastes, could be one of the main research streams in SC in recent years. Therefore, it is valuable to figure out the mutual effects of Lean principles and digital technologies as two growing areas in SC. Previous works did not pay attention to investigating this relationship at the SC level and were more focused on the production level. However, the present work addresses this issue by conducting a multi-perspective Systematic Literature Review (SLR). Additionally, in the present SLR, the impact of individual Industry 4.0 technologies in relation to Lean principles was investigated from various SC perspectives. The results reveal the necessity of studying single SC processes in Lean Digital SC. Moreover, the applicability of each technology should be illustrated to alleviate SC operational and organizational issues. The results provide useful insights about applying single digital technologies as well as a combination of them to each SC process to solve specific issues
Lean ICU layout re-design: a simulation-based approach
Full text linkHealthcare facilities require flexible layouts that can adapt quickly in the face of various disruptions. COVID-19 confirmed this need for both healthcare and manufacturing systems. Starting with the transfer of decision support systems from manufacturing, this paper generalizes layout re-design activities for complex systems by presenting a simulation framework. Through a real case study concerning the proliferation of nosocomial cross-infection in an intensive care unit (ICU), the model developed in systems dynamics, based on a zero order immediate logic, allows reproducing the evolution of the different agencies (e.g., physicians, nurses, ancillary workers, patients), as well as of the cyber-technical side of the ICU, in its general but also local aspects. The entire global workflow is theoretically founded on lean principles, with the goal of balancing the need for minimal patient throughput time and maximum efficiency by optimizing the resources used during the process. The proposed framework might be transferred to other wards with minimal adjustments; hence, it has the potential to represent the initial step for a modular depiction of an entire healthcare facility
Low impact vehicle battery supply chains: assessing the impacts of alternative procurement strategies
Full text linkThis work aims at supporting decision-making related to make or buy strategies for procuring batteries assembled on electric and hybrid vehicles for a car manufacturer that is introducing new models in its portfolio. In particular, several supply chain scenarios have been defined according to the battery architecture. The results show that the purchase of complete batteries implies the highest costs and CO2 emissions. On the contrary, buying single components helps improving these aspects, but it requires a certain level of vertical integration by the car manufacturer together with specific know how. Finally, purchasing modules results in the lowest costs due to a reduced number of trips due to the product structure. Thus, this paper proposes a framework to guide automotive companies in effectively designing make or buy strategies in their battery supply chain by comparing alternative vertical integration levels
Risk Perception-Based Project Contingency Management Framework
Full text linkProject risk management (PRM) involves identifying risks, assessing their impact, and developing a contingency plan. A structured contingency management (CM) approach prevents subjective biases in analyzing risks and developing responses. Previous studies have either focused on improving the accuracy of risk estimates or analyzed, from a qualitative perspective, the relationships between perceived risk and project performance. This study aimed to improve PRM by providing a risk-perception-based contingency management framework (CMF). The CMF guides contingency depletion based on two short- and long-term cost overrun indicators and their respective thresholds. Thresholds and the initial contingency reserve amount are determined by applying the Monte Carlo method to a stochastic, discrete-event, finite-horizon, dynamic project simulation model. The study developed the CMF through a structured approach, validating the simulation model on eight specific project configurations. The results prove that the framework can be applied to any project, shaping the risk response strategy. This study contributes to PRM by explaining the relationships between risk perception and risk responses and providing a prescriptive CM tool
Lithium-ion battery procurement strategies: Evidence from the automotive field
Full text linkElectric and hybrid vehicle diffusion is nowadays promising but still limited, also due to the high costs of key components such as lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A significant contribution to these relevant economic values is given by not optimized supply chain structures. Therefore, car manufacturers approaching electrification are considering different strategies to either purchase complete LIBs or producing them in-house. However, literature lacks quantitative studies assessing the logistics implications of LIB procurement policies in the automotive sector. The present work proposes a decision-making approach leveraging the main logistics and environmental issues involved in both internally producing and buying complete LIB packs. Such a framework is intended to increase the awareness about the complexity of the supply chain of batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles in order to further stimulate its investigation. Future research will extend the approach to include additional aspects as well as procurement configurations
Impacts of COVID-19 on Logistics Service Providers’ Operations: An Italian Empirical Study
Full text linkThe lockdowns caused by the COVID - 19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021 resulted in a substantial increase in e-commerce purchases, with the consequent growth of logistics services. Thus, this paper is aimed at studying the effects of the pandemic on the operational processes of logistics service providers. To this end, a survey questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of identified respondents. The collected data were quantitatively analyzed via the Kruskal - Wallis test. The outcomes point out that logistics operators faced an increase in the distances traveled to carry out pick-up and delivery activities, and larger companies added more light vehicles to their fleets, proving that the company size was a relevant aspect of ensuring a quick response to the pandemic. These results show an increased business-to-consumer market share that is leading to a redesign toward more sustainable operational strategies
Integrating risk in project cost forecasting
Full text linkEstimating duration and cost at completion based on Earned Value Management (EVM) data and managing risk contingency accounts in ongoing projects are typically treated by both scholars and practitioners as separate processes of project monitoring. However, project risk is claimed to significantly impact on project schedule and cost performance. As an attempt to combine these two management areas, the paper illustrates a methodology for improved schedule-based cost estimates at completion with the added nonlinear profile of risk contingency cost consumption. In particular, the model builds upon a Gompertz S-curve shaped cost profile equation. The model is applied to a sample of real project datasets. Its estimate accuracy and stability are tested at various early, middle, and late stages of project development. The proposed schedule-cost-risk estimate methodology proves to be a viable and effective tool to compute refined estimates at completion of complex projects involving formal management of contingency escrow accounts. The theoretical contribution is about creating a stronger connection between EVM and risk contingency management theories. Practical implications are inherent with the ability of the methodology to integrate cost contingency (CC) management into cost and schedule monitoring processe
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