Amir Gharehgozli, Henk de Vries and Stephan Decrauw
This paper aims to study the function of standardisation in intermodal transport. It identifies where standardisation helps to improve intermodal transport, who is active in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the function of standardisation in intermodal transport. It identifies where standardisation helps to improve intermodal transport, who is active in intermodal transport standardisation, what types of standards are needed and what the decision-making process and implementation of standards should be like to positively influence the performance of intermodal transportation.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study is designed to carry out this research project. The empirical study starts with a review of the organisations that are responsible for standardisation and intermodal transport, together with the standards that they have developed, and are developing, so far. It continues with analysing the topics where standardisation helps to improve the performance of intermodal transport. The analysis is based on 12 interviews, followed by desk research, to validate the respondents’ statements.
Findings
The results show that intermodal transportation should be distinguished in continental and maritime transport, which require different standards. In maritime transport, the hardware aspects of the system are highly standardised. However, further standardisation of information exchange offers potential to improve the quality of transport. For continental transport, challenges appear in the heterogeneity of infrastructure and loading units used in Europe. For both systems, openness and consensus are main requirements for the development of successful standards.
Originality/value
Standards facilitate interoperability, quality and safety of intermodal transportation, which leads to better performance. This has drawn little attention in the literature. This study addresses this gap and focuses on Europe.
Details
Keywords
Amir Shariati, Cécile L’Hermitte and Nadia Millis Trent
This study aims to review the prepositioning of relief items literature through a decision-making lens to explore the decisions involved, the factors guiding them and the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review the prepositioning of relief items literature through a decision-making lens to explore the decisions involved, the factors guiding them and the influence of model design on these decisions. Despite their potential to inform decision-making, quantitative prepositioning models remain underutilised in practice. Understanding the foundational principles that shape model design and their connections to decision-making is crucial for effectively developing and implementing more practical models.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted, and 97 relevant papers were analysed bibliographically and thematically. The thematic analysis is guided by the value-focused thinking approach, which provides a structured understanding of the decision-making process by focusing on the decision makers’ values.
Findings
This study identifies key prepositioning decisions related to facilities, inventory and distribution. It highlights efficiency, effectiveness and equity as the main values guiding prepositioning decisions and examines the mutual influence of model design and decisions. Moreover, a decision-making framework for prepositioning problems has been developed, outlining key steps and relevant decisions.
Originality/value
This research provides novel insights into how the decision-making process regarding prepositioning is reflected in quantitative models. It helps researchers choose model designs that better align with decision makers’ priorities and requirements, increasing the models’ practicality. Additionally, it helps decision makers comprehend quantitative models and the reasons behind their mathematical complexities, ultimately improving the effectiveness of decision-making for prepositioning.