151,809 research outputs found
An Integrated View on the Future of Logistics and Information Technology
In this position paper, we present our vision on the future of the logistics
business domain and the use of information technology (IT) in this domain. The
vision is based on extensive experience with Dutch and European logistics in
various contexts and from various perspectives. We expect that the vision also
holds for logistics outside Europe. We build our vision in a number of steps.
First, we make an inventory of the most important trends in the logistics
domain - we call these mega-trends. Next, we do the same for the information
technology domain, restricted to technologies that have relevance for
logistics. Then, we introduce logistics meta-concepts that we use to describe
our vision and relate them to business engineering. We use these three
ingredients to analyze leading concepts that we currently observe in the
logistics domain. Next, we consolidate all elements into a model that
represents our vision of the integrated future of logistics and IT. We
elaborate on the role of data platforms and open standards in this integrated
vision.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures, 3 table
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Understanding the key drivers of and technology related issues associated with going multi-channel
A multi-channel retail strategy is viewed by many academics and practitioners to be the success model for most retailers. Yet, while there are many drivers of, and advantages related to, using multiple channels to sell products and services to customers likewise there are numerous technology-related issues. Despite this, the multi-channel retailing literature provides little empirical insight into these technology-related constraints. Moreover, there is a lack of multi-channel retailing research which explores the impetuses behind retailers adding new channels to go multi-channel, especially in the context of the UK retail sector. To contribute to gaps in the literature this study utilises a case study research strategy to examine the key motivations behind, and technology-related issues associated with, multi-channel retail strategic implementation, in the setting of the UK retail sector. Three UK based retailers (Boots, Screwfix and Bettys) are used which have different approaches to, and are at different stages of, adopting a multi-channel retail strategy. In addition, they have different backgrounds such as size, product range, sector and type. Consequently, the use of these three different retailers enables exploration of the drivers behind, and technological problems associated with, implementing a multi-channel retail strategy in the context of store and Internet/catalogue retailers. Case analysis reveals novel themes which are not identified, or not clearly recognised, in the literature. These include that key drivers behind retailers going multi-channel are to increase sales, and, meet the needs of the multi-channel shopper. Indeed, customers want to shop via multiple channels and therefore, these retailers have no choice but to go multi-channel if they are to meet customer needs. However, while at a strategic level these motivations were similar across the case study retailers, they also differed. For example, Screwfix added a store channel to enable customers to purchase products and receive them instantly. In contrast, Boots added an Internet channel to drive footfall in-store and increase store sales. Boots were also adding an Internet channel since it provided them with a marketing channel, which, going forward, was likely to replace other communications channels. The findings from this study also reveal that retailers encounter major technology-related issues when adding new, and using multiple, channels. These problems stem from the need to re-design existing logistics and IT infrastructure to offer a seamless, integrated offer to the customer. For instance, to leverage the brand and marketing mix consistently across all channels, and, to implement âclick and collectâ (i.e. where customers purchase a product in one channel and collect it in another). Also, due to the need to use innovative marketing techniques, in particular, social media. Importantly, this study highlights that these technology-related multi-channel retailing constraints often have a âsofterâ side. Technology-related problems are frequently intertwined with cultural, engagement and financial/staff resource related issues. This suggests a need for retailers to find entwined solutions to both technology and non- technology related issues to effectively implement a multi-channel retail strategy
Strategic adoption of logistics and supply chain management
© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a thorough understanding of the adoption of logistics and supply chain management (SCM) in practice, particularly at a strategic level, through an investigation of the four perspectives taxonomy of the relationship between logistics and SCM. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a comprehensive literature review, three specific research questions are proposed. The empirical work addresses these questions and comprised three phases: focussed interviews, a questionnaire survey and focus groups. Findings: The findings provide a usage profile of the four perspectives and indicate a divergence between the understanding and adoption of logistics and SCM principles and concepts at a strategic level in firms. The findings also identify the critical success factors (CSFs) and inhibitors to success in addressing this divergence. Research limitations/implications: The insights generated using the authorsâ methodologically pluralist research design could be built upon to include case studies, grounded theory and action research. Replicating the research in other geographical areas could facilitate international comparisons. Practical implications: The findings allow practitioners to compare their perspectives on the relationship between logistics and SCM with those of their peers. The CSFs and inhibitors to success provide a rational basis for realising the strategic potential of logistics and SCM in practice. Originality/value: New insights are generated into practitioner perspectives vis-Ă -vis logistics vs SCM. A fresh understanding of those factors which drive and hinder the adoption of strategic SCM is also developed and presented
The influence of customer integration, integrated information technology, and relationship commitment on performance: a mediating and moderating analysis in supply chain management context
Esta investigaciĂłn amplĂa el creciente cuerpo de la literatura sobre la integraciĂłn de la cadena de
suministro. A partir de diferentes teorĂas, desarrollamos hipĂłtesis que proponen relaciones positivas
entre la tecnologĂa de informaciĂłn integrada, la integraciĂłn de clientes, el compromiso relacional y el
rendimiento financiero. Ademås, investigamos los roles complementarios del tamaño del
departamento de TI y el apoyo de la alta direcciĂłn. Los resultados a partir de una muestra de 205
empresas de Egipto indican que la tecnologĂa de informaciĂłn integrada y la integraciĂłn de clientes
pueden mejorar el rendimiento financiero. Adicionalmente, los resultados muestran un efecto
mediador positivo de la integraciĂłn de clientes en la relaciĂłn entre tecnologĂa de informaciĂłn
integrada y el rendimiento financiero. Ademås, se confirma que el tamaño del departamento de TI y el
apoyo de la alta direcciĂłn estĂĄn relacionados significativamente con la tecnologĂa de informaciĂłn
integrada. Finalmente, nuestros resultados también muestran un efecto positivo directo del
compromiso relacional en la integraciĂłn de clientes, asĂ como un efecto moderador positivo del
compromiso relacional en la relaciĂłn entre la tecnologĂa de informaciĂłn integrada y la integraciĂłn de
clientes.This research extends the developing body of literature on supply chain integration. Theorizing from
the supply chain integration literatures, we develop hypotheses proposing direct, mediating, and
moderating relations between integrated information technology, customer integration, relationship
commitment, and financial performance. Also, we investigate the complementary roles of IT
department size and top management support. Our findings from a sample of 205 firms in Egypt
indicate that integrated information technology and customer integration can improve financial
performance. In addition, our results show a mediating and positive effect of customer integration on
the relation between integrated information technology and financial performance. Also, information
technology department size and top management support are significantly related to integrated
information technology. Finally, our results also show a direct and positive effect of relationship commitment on the customer integration, and a moderating and positive effect of relationship
commitment on the relationship between integrated information technology and customer integration
The Role of Maintenance and Facility Management in Logistics: A Literature Review
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a literature review on the different ways of carrying out Facility Management and related topics in order to uncover that there is limited research regarding the impact of Facility Management on the logistics and operational performance of warehouses. Design/methodology/approach - Four different focus areas have been identified and for each one different methodologies and streams of research have been studied. Findings - The study underlines the importance of Facility Management for the logistics operations; therefore it supports the notion that investments aiming at preserving the status of the building and service components of warehouses are crucial. Originality/value - This paper aims to suggest to Facility Management managers that they can contribute to enhance business performance by designing effective Facility Management strategie
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Integrating information and knowledge for enterprise innovation
It has widely been accepted that enterprise integration, can be a source of socio-technical and cultural problems within organisations wishing to provide a focussed end-to-end business service. This can cause possible âstraitjacketingâ of business process architectures, thus suppressing responsive business re-engineering and competitive advantage for some companies. Accordingly, the current typology and emergent forms of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) technologies are set in the context of understanding information and knowledge integration philosophies. As such, key influences and trends in emerging IS integration choices, for end-to-end, cost-effective and flexible knowledge integration, are examined. As touch points across and outside organisations proliferate, via work-flow and relationship management-driven value innovation, aspects of knowledge refinement and knowledge integration pose challenges to maximising the potential of innovation and sustainable success, within enterprises. This is in terms of the increasing propensity for data fragmentation and the lack of effective information management, in the light of information overload. Furthermore, the nature of IS mediation which is inherent within decision making and workflow-based business processes, provides the basis for evaluation of the effects of information and knowledge integration. Hence, the authors propose a conceptual, holistic evaluation framework which encompasses these ideas. It is thus argued that such trends, and their implications regarding enterprise IS integration to engender sustainable competitive advantage, require fundamental re-thinking
Wireless communication, identification and sensing technologies enabling integrated logistics: a study in the harbor environment
In the last decade, integrated logistics has become an important challenge in
the development of wireless communication, identification and sensing
technology, due to the growing complexity of logistics processes and the
increasing demand for adapting systems to new requirements. The advancement of
wireless technology provides a wide range of options for the maritime container
terminals. Electronic devices employed in container terminals reduce the manual
effort, facilitating timely information flow and enhancing control and quality
of service and decision made. In this paper, we examine the technology that can
be used to support integration in harbor's logistics. In the literature, most
systems have been developed to address specific needs of particular harbors,
but a systematic study is missing. The purpose is to provide an overview to the
reader about which technology of integrated logistics can be implemented and
what remains to be addressed in the future
Understanding collaborative supply chain relationships through the application of the Williamson organisational failure framework
Many researchers have studied supply chain relationships however, the
preponderance of open markets situations and âindustry-styleâ surveys have
reduced the empirical focus on the dynamics of long-term, collaborative dyadic
relationships. Within the supply chain the need for much closer, long-term
relationships is increasing due to supplier rationalisation and globalisation
(Spekman et al, 1998) and more information about these interactions is required.
The research specifically tested the well-accepted Williamsonâs (1975) Economic
Organisations Failure Framework as a theoretical model through which long term
collaborative relationships can be
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