Dewan, Zahurul Islam, Thomas H. Zunder and Ronald Jorna
The purpose of this paper is to assess the performance of an online benchmarking tool developed for logistics service users and providers to provide alternative service option in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the performance of an online benchmarking tool developed for logistics service users and providers to provide alternative service option in Europe.
Design/methodology/approach
First, conduct desktop research including but not limited to academic literature reviews on benchmarking, performance measurement and previous and current examples of online benchmarking tools in order to determine issues in the field; second, report the development process and functionalities of a benchmarking tool; third, examine the benchmarking tool through structured interviews with the users of the tool; and finally, draw conclusion as to whether the tool is effective or needs changes to make it more effective.
Findings
Six Key Performance Indicators were identified: Transport cost, Transport time, Flexibility, Reliability, Quality, Sustainability. The functionality of an online transport chain benchmarking e‐tool is detailed. The evaluation of the tool found that it is a strategic decision‐making tool; cost is most often selected as the most important indicator; the majority would not use the tool for daily planning purposes. Future needs of development were identified, including using the tool for procurement decisions, and its utility in supporting corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The benchmarking e‐tool is developed for the 27 EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland. Thus, the research findings are primarily applicable for these countries and may not be applicable for other countries.
Practical implications
The online tool has been used by multiple commercial companies actively involved, as a service provider or user, in the freight transport chain to plan their transport chains.
Social implications
The tool makes the strategic planning of intermodal and co‐modal transport solutions easier and supports exploring sustainable freight transport choices in Europe.
Originality/value
The paper meets a research need to evaluate a newly‐developed online benchmarking tool, as well as detailing the e‐tool, and setting it within the practice and policy in this field.
Details
Keywords
Ines Österle, Paulus T. Aditjandra, Carlo Vaghi, Gabriele Grea and Thomas H. Zunder
The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse a case of local freight stakeholder involvement to plan and design eco-efficient city logistics innovations in Como, a small…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse a case of local freight stakeholder involvement to plan and design eco-efficient city logistics innovations in Como, a small city in Italy. While the importance of a well-functioning urban goods distribution system is widely acknowledged, city authorities have become increasingly aware of the need to minimise the negative impacts associated to the system. There are now countless examples of attempts to increase the eco-efficiency of urban freight deliveries; however, very few have made a notable impact. The success of such schemes often depends upon the response of a range of private sector freight stakeholders and their involvement during the planning process of these solutions is crucial.
Design/methodology/approach
To engage local freight stakeholders within the planning process of a city logistics project, the logical framework approach, in the form of the design and monitoring framework (DMF) developed by the Asian Development Bank, has been applied.
Findings
The structured consultation process implied within the DMF approach allowed urban freight stakeholders to share their aspirations from the beginning of the city freight planning process, despite their differences in priorities in adopting eco-efficient logistics innovations. The process ensured that city stakeholders accepted and committed to the city logistics strategies formulated during the consultation process, namely: changes to the Limited Traffic Zone regulation, the use of an urban consolidation centre and hybrid electric truck adoption.
Research limitations/implications
The evaluation of the DMF application will be definitive after the demonstration/implementation stage of the city logistics project. It will then become clear if freight stakeholders have committed to the project and if it is effective in delivering the expected outputs and outcomes.
Practical implications
Local city authorities may find this method useful in situations where a structured consultation process is needed for addressing urban freight issues. This is especially the case in the context of introducing innovative, eco-efficiency solutions.
Originality/value
The application of DMF in the developed environment can be considered novel; this paper extends this with an application to the promotion of sustainable urban freight.
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Emma Jayne Dinsdale and David Bennett
The purpose of this paper is to carry out case study research to analyse the current situation at a world class vehicle manufacturer (VM), the main case organisation. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to carry out case study research to analyse the current situation at a world class vehicle manufacturer (VM), the main case organisation. This paper aims to conclude whether there is scope for further inbound JIT supply focus to the case study organisations within this research.
Design/methodology/approach
The data and vision for this paper comes from a literature review and practitioner papers and case studies to survey inbound supply of JIT theory and practice in a UK automotive supply network. Primary data are collected through case study research and site visits.
Findings
This paper presents the findings of recent research into a UK automotive industry supply network and identifies the benefits, drawbacks and boundaries of delivering JIT. The sub-element of this paper identifies whether there is scope to make a more focus inbound supply JIT into the main VM case study organisation.
Research limitations/implications
This research looks at one network over three tiers of a supply chain. However this research creates a case study hub and looks at whether there is potential to increase the level on inbound and outbound JIT supply to and from the main case organisation.
Practical implications
This case study research directly gains primary research form operational supply organisations working in a supply hub network in the UK automotive industry.
Social implications
Social implications here allow an improved understanding of efficient JIT and supply chain issues.
Originality/value
This research considers the enhanced relationship amongst automotive supply chain members to ensure a clear understanding and position the importance of a JIT; lean and agile approach in practice.
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To contribute to the development of a more complete theory of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), this study aims to focus on media attention as an under-researched…
Abstract
Purpose
To contribute to the development of a more complete theory of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), this study aims to focus on media attention as an under-researched antecedent. Media transmit information about (good or bad) business practices and information recipients often adjust their behavior accordingly. Although media often uncover scandals in supply chains, no systematic understanding explicates how they shape lead firms’ reactions to scandals. This empirical study investigates how media attention to a major supply chain scandal influences buying companies’ SSCM.
Design/methodology/approach
The research setting is the fashion industry, five years after the Rana Plaza building collapse. Matched SSCM data from 73 fashion lead firms and news articles collected from major outlets were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression analyzes.
Findings
This study generates nuanced insights into the role of the media in triggering SSCM. Certain facets of media attention (direct media exposure and negative framing) result in higher levels of SSCM, others have no significant effect (media visibility) and some result in less SSCM (positive framing).
Research limitations/implications
The varying effects of different facets of media attention on SSCM have not been established previously. Both media and supply chain researchers should address these unique effects in their continued assessments.
Social implications
External stakeholders can use these findings to devise more effective ways to influence lead firms and improve social and environmental conditions in supply chains.
Originality/value
This study is the first empirical investigation of the effects of various facets of media attention on SSCM.
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James Anthony Swaim, Michael J. Maloni, Amy Henley and Stacy Campbell
Although supply chain managers serve a central role when implementing corporate environmental sustainability objectives, existing literature does not demonstrate high levels of…
Abstract
Purpose
Although supply chain managers serve a central role when implementing corporate environmental sustainability objectives, existing literature does not demonstrate high levels of supply manager support for such initiatives. This paper aims to investigate the potential of individual behavioral influences to explain supply manager orientation toward environmental responsibility.
Methodology/approach
This paper constructs a research model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explore how personal environmental motivations influence supply manager environmental behavior in the workplace. This paper also incorporates hyperbolic discounting as a cognitive bias moderator in the model. The research hypotheses were tested with regression of survey data of practicing supply managers in the USA.
Findings
Support was found for the direct TPB hypotheses, revealing the importance of an individual’s personal attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control on interpreting and applying the organization’s environmental sustainability objectives. Although the interactive effect of hyperbolic discounting as a cognitive bias was not supported, a direct effect was found.
Practical implications
The findings can help organizations improve supply manager support for sustainability initiatives.
Originality/value
Prior supply chain sustainability research has examined drivers and barriers at political, legal, economical and overall firm levels. This study expands this research base by investigating individual-level barriers and drivers related to personal responsibility for environmental sustainability. As a second contribution, integration of cognitive biases in the TPB has been understudied in existing literature.
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Milla Laisi, Miika Mäkitalo and Olli‐Pekka Hilmola
The purpose of this paper is to understand the main market entry barriers confronted by the new operators in liberalized railway freight market (Poland and Sweden), as well as to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the main market entry barriers confronted by the new operators in liberalized railway freight market (Poland and Sweden), as well as to analyze the inaugurating market of Finland.
Design/methodology/approach
Swedish and Polish markets were scrutinized utilizing qualitative case study, implemented through semi‐structured theme interviews. Among primary observations, numerous second‐hand sources were used to gain triangulation. Research was conducted during early 2009. The Finnish material was collected with Delphi technique‐based questionnaires in 2005.
Findings
The main findings support previous studies arguing that the main barriers to entry are rolling stock acquisition, needed investments and bureaucracy. In Sweden, companies were start‐ups established on the grounds of the incumbent. The Polish market obtained new operators via vertical integration with a significant competitive presence of a governmental operator. Inaugurating Finnish market is identified as a combination of these two. Therefore, it is easier to understand why new entrants are not operating in the Finnish market.
Originality/value
The research contributes novel, first‐hand data to the subject, which earlier have been studied mostly via second‐hand data and literature analyses.