Collaborative transportation planning of less-than-truckload freight

Collaborative transportation planning (CTP) within a coalition of small and medium-sized freight carriers can be used as a powerful instrument to improve the operational efficiency of the coalition members. In such coalitions, transportation requests from different carriers are exchanged in order to reduce the total fulfillment costs. In this paper, the CTP for a set of independent carriers exchanging less-than-truckload transportation requests is considered. The realistic restriction that all collaborating partners have only limited capacities in their fleets is included in the consideration. To keep their autonomy, coalition members keep their sensitive information including customer payments and cost structures unexposed during CTP. A new decentralized request exchange mechanism for CTP is proposed while only vehicle routes are considered for exchange. It is tested on some newly generated instances and the CTP solutions are compared with those obtained by isolated planning without collaboration and those obtained by a heuristic approach for the centralized planning problem. The results indicate that our mechanism is very efficient and effective in terms of realizing potential cost-savings by CTP, even when capacity limitations and restrictions on the exposure of information are explicitly considered.     

Collaborative capacity sharing among manufacturers on the same supply network horizontal layer for sustainable and balanced returns

To deal with volatile demand and rapidly changing manufacturing technologies for sustainable returns, as a solution, collaborative capacity sharing (CCS) among manufacturers at the same horizontal layer in supply networks is discussed in this research, especially focusing on a long-term aspect. Such horizontal collaboration can minimise manufacturers’ lost sales, as well as maximise their production capacity utilisation in a long-term period against lumpy demand. Hence, to help manufacturers determine whether and with whom they have to collaborate a CCS protocol based on a theoretical analysis is developed. It is a distributed decision protocol suggesting an effective coalition for each manufacturer. Furthermore, for well-balanced distribution of resulting profits to each manufacturer, two procedures are proposed: (1) determination of appropriate substitution production cost and (2) bids among manufacturers/coalitions. To evaluate the effect of those processes, two types of CCS protocols are designed – CCS-(1) and CCS-(2); only CCS-(2) performs those procedures. A numerical experiment is conducted to compare the performance of four models: No collaboration, complete collaboration, and two types of selective collaboration by CCS-(1) and CCS-(2). The performance of CCS-(2) is at least equal to or better than other models with higher and balanced returns.     

Multi-attribute label matching algorithms for vehicle routing problems with time windows and backhauls

We consider the class of vehicle routing problems with backhauls and time window constraints. Our motivating application is the land transportation of air-cargo freight forwarders, which requires fast solution times and the ability to handle various operational issues such as heterogeneous vehicles, multiple trips per vehicle, and penalty for early arrival at customer sites. We formulate the problem in the framework of label matching where the labels have multiple attributes representing the states of vehicles at customer locations or possible routes that vehicles may continue to cover. Two optimization-based heuristics are developed. Experimental tests on random problems and real data show that the methods can produce quality solutions quickly and are flexible in incorporating complex constraints.     

货运代理业发展现代综合物流的对策

分析了货运代理业的现状，提出货运代理业应从人才培养、完善服务网络布局、建立物流信息网络、加强供应链管理等方面发展现代综合物流。     

Development of a decision support framework for sustainable freight transport system evaluation using rough numbers

Among various operational decision-making tasks in a transportation system, sustainable performance evaluation has a very promising and direct influence on the community as well as environment. To prevent and reduce the negative impacts of a freight transportation system, a constant monitoring and performance measurement system has of paramount significance in the process of supply chain management. However, studies of complex transport evaluation systems are very scarce in the existing literature. This paper aims to resolve the problem of freight transport system’s performance measurement while developing a comprehensive framework with incorporation of sustainable elements and establishing a rough set-based decision-making approach. The applicability of the proposed framework is investigated to evaluate the performance of seven freight transportation companies in Spain. A decision support tool is designed by integrating rough number-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) methods for their performance appraisal. Sensitivity analysis and comparison with other popular methods are also performed to validate the efficacy of the proposed approach. It is established that rough number-based methodologies have advantages over fuzzy or interval-based models.     

Collaborative solutions for inter terminal transport

Major ports contain multiple container terminals, sea terminals, train, truck and barge terminal, and empty container depots, operated by different companies. Port authorities try to streamline inter terminal container transport (ITT) within congested port areas by offering expensive common road and rail infrastructure. Alternatively, individual stakeholders can set up private or collaborative container transport systems. This paper develops a framework to analyse and determine feasibility conditions of a common ITT system in a port area, depending on total transport volumes. First, we develop a simulation model to evaluate the costs of transporting containers using different modes of transport including trucks, automated guided vehicles, and multi trailer systems. Next, the required number of vehicles per mode is determined for a given throughput and waiting time. The results of the simulation are used in a game-theoretic setting to determine the cost savings per stakeholder operating in a coalition. By comparing cost savings for all possible coalitions, it is possible to determine, for each stakeholder, the attractiveness of using a common system. We find the coalitions that result in the highest savings and compare them with the infrastructure cost required to realise them. We apply the method to determine the feasibility of a common ITT system for terminals in the Port of Rotterdam and show that it only pays off in case of high demand for container transports.     

A stochastic joint replenishment problem considering transportation and warehouse constraints with gainsharing by Shapley Value allocation

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a heuristic approach that uses a capacitated inventory model as means for identifying a collaborative agreement between different buyers jointly replenishing multiple items from multiple vendors, thus attaining economies of scale while reducing by sharing fixed procurement and operational costs. The proposed approach is denominated Stochastic Collaborative Joint Replenishment Problem (S-CJRP) and consists of two stages. The first stage determines a cost-efficient replenishment frequency for each collaborating company in all possible coalition arrangements. To accomplish the former, an extension of the known Joint Replenishment Problem (JRP) considering real-life capacity constraints, such as stochastic demand assuming normal distribution, finite storage and transport, is solved via genetic algorithms delivering a suitable coalition. In a second stage, the Shapley Value function is established to assess and allocate the potential gains achieved by colluding in the first stage, determining a fair share distribution among players that increases the viability of such coalition. Several scenarios from a simulated numerical study illustrate average cost savings of 32.3%. 28.2% and 32.7% for 3, 4 and 5 players, respectively, considering up to 30 items for the proposed collaboration, in all cases consistently exhibiting cost reduction and increasing the proposal feasibility.     

Cooperative inventory planning in a distribution network

This study addresses the problem of optimal ordering and collaborative inventory management in a distribution network as a two-stage decision problem. In the first stage, when demand is uncertain, the retailers (sellers) order the products from a warehouse. Then, when demand becomes known with certainty, retailers may exchange their products to better match local demands. Sellers should determine their optimal order quantities for the first stage, and quantities and prices of products exchanged in the second stage. This paper proposes to build sellers’ coalitions and solve the two-stage decision problem as a cooperative game. Stability of a sellers’ coalition can be achieved only if the benefits resulting from collaboration are maximised and distributed according to an allocation policy that is both efficient and rational. The profit maximisation problem is formulated as a stochastic optimisation problem with recourse. Using the scenario method, this problem is approximated by a deterministic linear problem for which the existence of a solution is guaranteed. The proposed pricing policy guarantees the rational allocation of benefits under the scenario approximation. An industrial example supports the modelling approach and is used to evaluate the profitability of the exchange practice in the case of real data.     

A hybrid optimisation model for pallet loading

This study adopts a hybrid approach that integrates the genetic algorithm (GA) and fuzzy logic in order to assist in the generation of an optimal pallet loading plan. The proposed model enables the maximisation of profits for freight forwarders through the most efficient use of space and weight in pallet loading. The model uses fuzzy controllers to determine the numbers and size of cargo units on a pallet as well as the mutation rate in the GA approach within the optimisation process and enables the capture of tacit knowledge vested in industry practitioners. The pragmatic use of the model is illustrated using a freight-forwarding scenario that demonstrates the inherent limitations of the standard GA method, followed by the application of the proposed fuzzy GA model. To further demonstrate the benefits of the hybrid model, simulated annealing and Tabu search are used to benchmark the results achieved using various approaches; the proposed hybrid model is demonstrated to exceed these other approaches in overall performance. The application of the proposed hybrid approach across a range of scenarios is also discussed.     

A group signature based buyer coalition scheme with trustable third party

Despite the large number of existing buyer coalition schemes and increasing need for trusting relationship in buyer coalitions, no current buyer coalition scheme explicitly addresses trust issues within these schemes in a formalised manner. Without establishing a trusting relationships among various roles, many buyers may not be willing to join the coalitions. This study proposes a solution, in the form of an algorithmic design, as a response to the above need. Specific features of the proposed solution are: (i) the use of ‘group signature’ in order to guarantees anonymity within a group that results in trustfulness of the relationships and (ii) introducing a new role called ‘authority’ to maintain and implement anonymity. In addition, the proposed scheme is capable of maintaining ‘correctness’ and ‘accountability’ by both identifying misbehaved buyers as well as implementing various punishment methods.Knowledge domain of the study is the common space between three overlapping fields including Electronic Commerce, Communication Technologies and Information Systems.     

A synergistic analysis of joint JIT-TQM implementation

Both JIT and TQM have provided significant paradigm shifts in management philosophy to improve organizational effectiveness in today's competitive and ever-changing world market. Yet empirical studies correlating JIT, TQM and operational performance are still underdeveloped. Using a sample of 379 US computer and electronics companies, this study attempts to analyse the workforce practices and synergistic benefits of joint JIT-TQM implementation by comparing four groups of companies based on their implementation status of JIT and TQM.     

信息系统协同、信息共享对运营绩效的作用机理

构建了制造商与供应商之间信息系统协同、信息共享对企业运营绩效作用机理的理论模型.以广东省珠三角地区272家制造企业为调查对象,利用结构方程模型对制造商与供应商间的信息系统协同对信息共享与企业运营绩效作用机理进行实证研究.研究结果发现制造商与供应商间的信息系统协同对企业运营绩效的直接影响并不显著,但可以以信息共享为中介而...     

A quantitative investigation of the technological innovation in large construction companies

The construction industry is considered as backwards and lack of innovation. The main driving power of technological innovation in the construction industry is large construction companies. However, the driving process of technological innovation in them has not been fully investigated in previous studies. This study constructs a quantitative model to explore the technological innovation driving process of large construction companies considering the key influencing factors for technological innovation. The sample data are the 57 large construction companies selected from the world's largest construction market – China. The results show significant positive correlation between innovation input and innovation output, and between innovation output and performance. The operational capacity of the companies is positively correlated with innovation input, whilst the capital structure is negatively correlated with innovation input. The technical employees have a positive impact on the performance. The underlying reasons are discussed and suggestions are given for the construction industry to improve the technological innovation capacity of construction companies. This research contributes to the literature of construction innovation and benefits practitioners by providing a quantitative approach to demonstrate the driving power of large construction companies for technological innovation.     

An approach for evaluating collaboration attributes in cluster-based companies

This paper presents an approach for evaluating collaboration attributes in companies operating in industrial clusters. From the literature review, we identified governance, geographic proximity, and trust as the main collaboration attributes in industrial clusters. For each of them, there is a set of related sub-attributes that composed the evaluation model. For developing the model, we used the graph theoretic approach (GTA), a methodology for multi-attribute assessment that considers interdependencies among elements of a system to provide an overall evaluation. We applied the model to five companies of a furniture cluster. The results showed the model allows for systematizing relationship management because it highlights the collaboration attributes that need to be improved. Furthermore, the application of the model may contribute to encouraging companies to develop collaborative practices.     

Sustainable supply chain flexibility and its relationship to circular economy-target performance

The circular economy (CE) is an evolving economic and sustainable development model. In this new environment, companies face a more dynamic, uncertain, and complex market environment. These challenges arise from material closed-loop flows necessary for a functioning CE. It is important to build flexibility capabilities into sustainable supply chains to address CE operational challenges. Building this operational capability needs to occur without incurring performance degradation, increasing costs, or compromising product quality. Supply chain designers have recognised the importance of sustainable supply chain flexibility (SSCF) efforts for meeting CE-targeted performance. CE-targeted performance includes reuse of materials and energy, closed flow of materials, and pollution reduction. Exploration of relationships between SSCF efforts and CE-targeted performance is limited. An objective-DEMATEL method is used to evaluate the relationship between a new SSCF measures framework and CE-targeted performance. A field study helps to identify and refine significant SSCF measures (efforts) to effectively improve CE-targeted performance. Managerial implications and future research directions for sustainable supply chain flexibility within the CE environment are presented.     

Service network design for freight transportation: a review

Freight transportation is a highly competitive market, where logistics service providers (LSP) or carriers have to offer their customers highly reliable and high-quality services at low prices. To meet this challenge, LSPs have to standardize and consolidate. They consolidate their freight in a network of hubs and terminals and build up regular services. The design of such services requires decisions about the frequency, mode, and route of the service, and the corresponding schedule and routing of the freight. In some cases, they also need to make decisions about the assignment of crew and vehicles as well as the repositioning of empty containers and vehicles. Recent publications show that realistic instances of such planning problems are difficult to solve. Nevertheless, some of these real-life problems are modeled and solved using mathematical programming techniques. In this paper, we review different problem formulations published in literature. We further analyze and compare the specific solution frameworks. Based on this we give recommendations for future research.     

Improved new product development through enhanced design architecture for engineer-to-order companies

There are many challenges that face companies today in the new product introduction process. These can include reduced design times, fast times to market, improved quality and the need for constant price reductions in order to keep up with the competition. Engineer-to-order firms face even more challenges because of the ‘build to order’ way that they must do business. This study presents new ways for these companies to meet the challenges posed by the market using a business case relating to the product introduction process at a mid-size (～$75 million annual sales) engineer-to-order manufacturer of flexible printed circuits. The company has developed a new product introduction process that seeks to improve quality and delivery times as well as process development for the project at hand. These suggested outcomes of the improved process are generic and widely applicable to contract manufacturers involved in the new product introduction process enabling them to work closely with customers thereby effectively addressing their design concerns. The updated procedures are examined in-depth and the associated forms and record-keeping methods are presented and analysed. The new product introduction process utilises Deming's plan, do, check and act process improvement cycle. Finally, various contributions emanating from the study that enhance our understanding of any engineer-to-order new product development environment are presented.     

Development of Engineering Education as a Rigorous Discipline: A Study of the Publication Patterns of Four Coalitions

A combination of publication analysis and faculty interviews was employed to study four NSF‐sponsored engineering education coalitions as a case study of the recent history of engineering education. Current calls within the engineering education community for increased rigor can be understood in terms of the ways similar disciplines have emerged. In science education, for example, time was needed to develop consensus on important research questions, accepted methods, and standards of rigor. The abstracts of 700 publications listed on active engineering education coalition Web sites were analyzed over time by type of intervention, population of focus, and product. A picture consistent with other reports of coalition contributions emerged. Early focus was on freshman courses and integrating across disciplines, with teamwork, design and other active learning activities. Students and course improvement remained the dominant focus, but efforts increased over time in assessment, faculty development, and research. Interviews with coalition leaders and leading authors supplement the publication analysis and describe how coalition work helped lay the foundation for more rigorous engineering education research.     

Disciplinary determinants of bibliometric impact in Danish industrial research: Collaboration and visibility

Firms are increasingly dependent on networks and network visibility for innovation. Bibliometric impact can be regarded as a measure of a firm's visibility in knowledge-producing networks and may explain why companies publish their results. However, this visibility varies across disciplines. This paper examines publications produced by Danish companies in 1996, 1998 and 2000 to show how citation and collaboration patterns relate in different disciplines. The main findings are that for disciplines characterized by international collaboration and many authors per paper, international collaboration results in a greater number of citations. National collaboration does not, however, seem to make any difference to citation impact in industrial research. In disciplines where multinational collaboration and multi-authorship is uncommon, no clear picture of impact patterns can be obtained. By extension, this research may provide knowledge on how citations of papers in scientific journals can be used as a potential window to scientific networks for firms. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Barriers to the adoption of green operational practices at Brazilian companies: effects on green and operational performance

The objective of this paper is to verify to what degree the internal and external barriers (I/EBs) to environmental management affect the adoption of green operational practices (GOPs) and to determine whether they influence the firms’ operational and green performance in a sample of Brazilian companies. A conceptual framework with 8 hypotheses is proposed and tested at 75 companies using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with WarpPLS 4.0. The main results show that (a) the proposed framework obtained an adequate statistical adjustment, (b) the internal barriers (IBs) are more significant than the EBs when adopting GOPs, (c) GOPs relate directly to the firms’ green and operational performance (OP), (d) the IBs also indirectly influence the firms’ green and OP and (e) the firm size does not significantly influence its green and OP. This work contributes to the literature by showing that companies which are looking for green competitive advantages should try to reduce their IBs. Also, policy-makers should pay attention not only to legislation that promotes ecological modernisation, but also to create a strong set of initiatives to overcome IBs, regardless of the size of the firms.