1,354,587 research outputs found
Logistics challenges of e-grocery last-mile delivery: a literature review
No full textIn recent years, e-commerce has been growing globally and online markets have undergone a radical transformation during Covid-19 Pandemic. In this context, Food and Grocery sector has expanded exponentially thus leading to a development of last-mile logistics which is the least efficient supply chain activity in terms of economic and environmental impact.
At the moment, B2C e-commerce players face multiple challenges due to logistics complexities and efficiency. On the other side, demand complexities rise from Service Level expectations, and consumers’ willingness to pay for logistics services.
Food and Grocery e-commerce has three main configurations: the enogastronomic e-commerce, the on-demand food delivery and the e-grocery. Among these, the third one has reported the highest growth during and after the Pandemic. However, beside complexities of e-commerce logistics, the online purchase of grocery products raises new challenges due to product peculiarities, logistics requirements and complexity of orders.
The aim of this work is therefore to investigate which are the main problems associated with last-mile delivery for e-grocery and which are the appropriate variables to describe them. In order to achieve this objective, a Systematic Literature Review has been performed to identify key issues addressed by scholars and existing typologies of last- mile delivery problems in this sector.
The contribution of this research is threefold: firstly, it analyses the state of the art of last-mile challenges for e- grocery from an academic perspective and proposes a classification. Secondly, the identification of logistics variables associated with identified problems highlights potential threats for E-grocery players. Therefore, this work supports managers to identify challenges in a structured way before planning appropriate countermeasures for the specific context. Thirdly, it identifies opportunities for future research directions
Investigating multi-parcel crowdsourcing logistics for B2C e-commerce last-mile deliveries
No full textB2C e-commerce last-mile delivery (LMD) is a critical process, considering both efficiency and effectiveness: it implies high costs, and online customers have stringent service level expectations. One promising LMD solution based on crowdsourcing logistics (CL) is the ‘multi-parcel’ paradigm (each rider accomplishes different deliveries in the same tour). This work analyses the impact of multi-parcel CL on delivery costs compared to traditional by-van LMD. First, it develops an analytical model that –generating customers’ demand and assigning deliveries to riders– computes both CL and traditional LMD costs. Second, the model is applied to a case in Milan, Italy. Third, sensitivity analyses are run on key variables/parameters. Multi-parcel CL entails significant benefits compared to traditional LMD (about 11% saving). On the academic side, this work contributes to the literature, proposing a model that investigates the performances of multi-parcel CL. On the managerial side, it may support practitioners in implementing this innovative delivery solution
On-demand food delivery: investigating the economic performances
No full textPurpose: This paper focusses on on-demand food delivery (ODFD), i.e. the delivery of freshly prepared meals to customers' homes, enabled by the use of online platforms. In ODFD, a key process is represented by last-mile deliveries (LMDs): they directly affect customers (the delivery price influences their purchase intention), riders (the compensation drives their willingness to perform deliveries) and platforms (deliveries are very expensive). In this context, this work aims to investigate the economic performances of ODFD LMDs. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a multi-method threefold process. First, it develops a model that – after the generation of customers' demand and the assignment of deliveries to available riders – identifies incomes and costs faced by an ODFD operator. Second, the model is applied to a base case in Milan (Italy). Third, sensitivity analyses are performed (on daily demand and riders' salary). Findings: The analyses allow – besides the identification of significant values associated to ODFD profitability – to draw general insights about delivery price (e.g. free delivery is not economically sustainable), daily demand (e.g. greater demand values do not only improve positive results but also worsen negative ones) and fixed/variable wage mix (e.g. increasing the variable wage enhances the profitability for platforms). Originality/value: On the academic side, this word enhances extant literature about ODFD, proposing a model – with multidisciplinary implications – to strategically investigate profitability conditions of LMDs. On the managerial side, it provides support for (logistics/marketing) ODFD practitioners since it allows to evaluate the potential impact of significant decisions on profitability
The limitations of electric cargo bikes – a systematic literature review
No full textPurpose - The aim of this paper is to discern the knowledge from the literature by conducting a literature review to provide ECB users with insight into the limitation of ECBs that affect their penetration and the relationships among these limitations themselves and the advantages of ECCs; and secondly, to outline directions for further research.
Design/methodology/approach - During the systematic review process, a search protocol was developed after the initial snowball sampling process. Then keywords regarding cargo bikes are used to find the potential papers on Scopus. Afterwards, 42 scientific journals papers and 29 conference proceeding papers published in English were selected. Finally, 17 papers are excluded according to specific criteria by reviewing the contents of the selected papers.
Findings –Seven limitations of ECCs regarding payload capacity, battery range, riding speed, charging time, terrain adaptability, the possibility of defect/malfunction, and service monotony were identified from the literature. The interacting relationships among these limitations showed that the deterioration of one limitation can have negative impact on other limitations. More importantly, the improvement of one limitation may have negative impact on other limitation. In addition, the changes in both directions (improve/deteriorate) of the limitations can also overshadow some of the advantages of ECCs. Finally, research gaps and relevant further research directions were identified.
Originality/Value - The results of this paper provide insights with academic and practitioners. To our best knowledge, this study is the first paper to investigate the interacting mechanism among the limitation of ECBs themselves and the advantages of ECCs, which enriches the knowledge of ECCs in the existing relevant literature. From the practical perspective, the review paper provides stakeholders with a theoretical support for the understanding and decision-making on the adoption of ECCs, potentially reducing the concerns and reservations against the adoption of ECCs.
Practical implications - When deciding to introduce ECBs, logistics service providers (LSPs) are suggested to focus on the ECB's cargo capacity and battery mileage according to the specific service market. The above two parameters will not only affect the initial investment, and mid-term operation economy but also affect the later maintenance cost. At the same time, the LSP should adjust the above two parameters according to the terrain of the operating environment. In addition, optimising space-saving loading and packing operations are even more important than conventional transportation modes in urban logistics because the low use of vehicle capacity will reduce the effectiveness of last-mile logistics. It is also important to note that not all limitations of ECCs hold equal significance for ECC users. Hence, users must learn to differentiate which limitations to ignore and which limitations to address based on their specific circumstances
On-demand food delivery: a systematic literature review
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to review the extant academic literature on on-demand food delivery (ODFD) services, i.e. the delivery of freshly prepared meals from restaurants to customers enabled by online platforms; second, to propose directions for future research in this field. Design/methodology/approach: This work reviews 59 papers published between 2016 and 2020. They are classified with respect to both their research methodology and the addressed themes, namely the actors involved and the activities creating value for the ODFD ecosystem. The latter was analysed by applying a framework derived from the integration of traditional models and literature about platforms/business ecosystems. Results were validated through interviews with practitioners. Findings: Due to its huge success and the significant complexities behind it, the ODFD business has been gaining the interest of academics. The authors’ review highlights that (1) the perspectives of the various actors involved should be integrated, moving towards an ecosystem-based view; (2) future research should focus more on restaurant operations and their role in ODFD systems and (3) despite they have been investigated by several academic contributions, human resource management and logistics of ODFD systems still present room for further extensions, in the areas of intervention/regulation and distribution network/batching, respectively. Originality/value: This review offers insights to both academics and practitioners. On the academic side, it analyses the literature on ODFD systems, outlining directions for future research. On the managerial side, it provides a comprehensive view on the most critical value-creating activities for ODFD businesses
E-grocery logistics: exploring the gap between research and practice
No full textPurpose: This paper investigates the logistics management in the e-grocery sector. It contrasts the key issues faced by practitioners and the topics addressed in the academic literature, to identify potential misalignments between research and practice and propose avenues for future efforts. Design/methodology/approach: This work adopts a twofold methodological approach. From an academic perspective, a systematic literature review (SLR) is performed to define the topics addressed so far by scholars when analysing e-grocery logistics. From a managerial perspective, a Delphi study is accomplished to identify the most significant issues faced by logistics practitioners in the e-grocery context and the associated significance. Findings: The study develops a conceptual framework, identifying and mapping the 9 main logistics challenges for e-grocery along 4 clusters, in the light of a logistics-related revision of the SCOR model: distribution network design (area to be served, infrastructures), order fulfilment process (picking, order storage, consolidation, delivery), logistics-related choices from other domains (product range, stock-out management) and automation. These elements are discussed along three dimensions: criticalities, basic and advanced/automation-based solutions. Finally, the main gaps are identified – in terms of both under-investigated topics (order storage and stock-out management) and investigated topics needing further research (picking and automation) – and research questions and hypotheses are outlined. Originality/value: This paper provides a threefold contribution, revolving around the developed framework. First, it investigates the state of the art about e-grocery logistics, classifying the addressed themes. Second, it explores the main issues e-grocery introduces for logistics practitioners. Third, it contrasts the two outcomes, identifying the misalignment between research and practice, and accordingly, proposing research directions
Dark, cloud and ghost kitchens: a logistics perspective
No full textIn recent years multiple countries have witnessed the dramatic diffusion of the so-called “on-demand food delivery”, i.e., a model based on online platforms offering the delivery of freshly prepared meals from restaurants to the customers’ home. In these ecosystems, novel solutions referred to as “Kitchens for Delivery” are being created, which are aimed to fulfil these orders. Differently from traditional restaurants, these are kitchens dedicated to the preparation of online orders only, with no offline customers.
This being the context, the present research has a twofold goal. First, identifying and describing the major different models existing in the field (i.e., Dark, Cloud and Ghost Kitchens). Second, estimating their performances from a logistics perspective, by means of an evaluation of their impact on the on-demand food delivery logistics problem.
The implemented approach is multi-method, as it combines: (i) the analysis of (black, grey and white) literature, to understand the state of art and map the main solutions; (ii) a simulation study, to assess the changes implied by introducing Ghost Kitchens into the network in terms of delivery performances; (iii) interviews with practitioners, to validate and interpret the results. The research is expected to have both academic and managerial implications. Considering academia, it sheds light on a field that is under-investigated in literature, proposing a classification of extant models, as well as a model to estimate their logistics implications. Considering industry, it provides an estimation of the impact that implementing Ghost Kitchens could have on the most significant logistics performances
Optimizing store-based picking in the e- grocery: a model to assess costs and benefits
No full textDespite e-grocery is achieving significant volumes in Europe, it is still underdeveloped in Italy, where it accounts for a low percentage on the total sales of the sector. However, its growth is the most important one among those performed online by the other industries and the number of e-grocery initiatives has been proliferating in the last three years. The main e-commerce challenges, most of all speed and quality of the service, are amplified by the peculiarities of the grocery sector. On the one hand, products are characterized by high levels of perishability and fragility; on the other hand, differently from the online sales in other sectors, demand is characterized by a significant number of lines per order and a low number of items per order line. Therefore, the order fulfilment process becomes more challenging. Moreover, if compared to offline purchases, the online channel requires new activities, i.e. picking and delivery, thus introducing additional costs for the grocers. Currently, e-grocers implement either the warehouse-based or the store-based logistic model. The warehouse-based solution, where online orders are fulfilled in a warehouse dedicated to e-commerce, requires significant investments. The stored-based solution, where items are picked from the shelves in traditional stores, implies high picking time (and thus high picking costs), and a reduction in the item fill rate. This study is aimed at proposing an intermediate logistic solution based on an access index based allocation: A-class items are picked from a dedicated back area, while B and C ones are picked from the shelves in the stores. The results of the model application show a reduction of about 38% in the picking time per order if compared to the traditional store-based solution
Smart technologies for retailing: who, what, where and why
No full textPurpose: The retail landscape is dramatically changing due to a series of socio-economic and technological challenges, which can be faced through the adoption of smart technologies. Accordingly, a significant number of publications in this field have been produced, albeit with fragmented results. Therefore, this paper aims at both providing a clear and organised overview of the main smart technologies for physical retailing, in terms of application fields and expected impact, while identifying the major shortcomings and future research avenues. Design/methodology/approach: The research conducts a systematic review of the literature concerning the assimilation of smart technologies within physical retail environments, resulting in the analysis of 103 papers published from 2005 to 2023. The review highlights (1) the main smart technologies employed in retail stores, (2) their application area and (3) the beneficiaries of their adoption. Accordingly, these three aspects are initially assessed independently and then examined in combination. Findings: The analysis presents a comprehensive list of 16 key technologies (what) that can support a wide range of processes, spanning from back-end functions to front-end activities, also enabling the connection with online channels (where), catering several and different benefits (why) to both customers and retailers (who). Besides, the research points out many uncovered topics that could be addressed by the academic community. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the review is the first one in the literature offering a thorough and organised overview of the different available technologies for in-store application and their impact on physical retail processes
Assessing the impact of B2C e-commerce in the apparel industry: a logistics perspective
No full textPurpose: The significance and pervasiveness of B2C e-commerce raise the question about its impact on employment under a social sustainability perspective. This study is aims to quantify the labour demand in logistics comparing the e-commerce order fulfilment process and the traditional brick-and-mortar one.
Methodology: An activity-based model is developed to represent a traditional retailer that both operates online and offline within the apparel industry in the Italian context. The working time related to an average single piece of apparel has been derived for each manual activity performed along the distribution chain.
Findings: Results are determined by the development of representative scenarios and the main variables affecting the employment are identified. Evidence shows that e-commerce requires more labour than brick-and mortar retail either in the traditional configuration of home delivery or delivery to parcel lockers. The decisive phase is the last-mile delivery, which requires the majority of labour time, both because of driving time and the consignment itself.
Originality: The main originality of the work lies in the perspective adopted to study the employment impacts of B2C e-commerce, providing an analytical contribution to the social sustainability literature of logistics
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