E-Fulfillment and Multi-Channel Distribution – A Review

This review addresses the specific supply chain management issues of Internet fulfillment in a multi-channel environment. It provides a systematic overview of managerial planning tasks and reviews corresponding quantitative models. In this way, we aim to enhance the understanding of multi-channel e-fulfillment and to identify gaps between relevant managerial issues and academic literature, thereby indicating directions for future research. One of the recurrent patterns in today’s e-commerce operations is the combination of ‘bricks-and-clicks’, the integration of e-fulfillment into a portfolio of multiple alternative distribution channels. From a supply chain management perspective, multi-channel distribution provides opportunities for serving different customer segments, creating synergies, and exploiting economies of scale. However, in order to successfully exploit these opportunities companies need to master novel challenges. In particular, the design of a multi-channel distribution system requires a constant trade-off between process integration and separation across multiple channels. In addition, sales and operations decisions are ever more tightly intertwined as delivery and after-sales services are becoming key components of the product offering.Distribution;E-fulfillment;Literature Review;Online Retailing

On the analysis of building a public information platform based on e-Commerce for coal logistics

Purpose: Putting forward the concept and features of the public information platform for coal logistics based on electronic commerce, as well as the requirements of upper and lower intersections of the coal supply chain. Meanwhile, this paper will also probe into the current condition of statistics management in coal logistics, and then discuss how to build a public information platform based on electronic commerce for coal logistics. Design/methodology/approach: According to the further exploring the concepts and relevant characteristics and the development of coal logistics and supply chain management in China of the current period. Findings/ Practical implications: An advanced public information platform for coal logistics utilizes to best advantage modern information technologies and managerial concepts in the operation of coal logistics, such as e-commerce, e-information, supply chain management, etc. This not only stimulates efficient integration of business flow, information flow, logistics and capital flow of the coal industry, brings about in-depth integration of the logistics resources of the coal industry, but also greatly improves the efficiency of the operation of coal logistics, reduces the cost of coal logistics, and enhances the overall competitiveness of upstream and downstream companies along the coal supply chain. Research limitations/implications: Although the coal logistics public information platform has been applied in some enterprises in China, not yet in a broader range of applications, which need the joint efforts of all parties. Originality/value: Fitted to the e-commerce era, the Public Information Platform for Coal Logistics envisioned in this article is highly feasible and worthy of reference to relevant institutions.Peer Reviewe

The digital transformation of a traditional market into an entrepreneurial ecosystem

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are transforming the business models and entrepreneurial ecosystems of different economic activities. As a result, the survival of some of these activities, especially physical markets, is under threat. This article aims to shed light on the distinct e-commerce mechanisms of wholesale markets that enable transforming and upgrading their ecosystem. The study combines insights from the scholarly debate on ecosystems, wholesale markets, and e-commerce with the empirical findings of a case study (a wholesale fruit market in Chongqing, China). By exploring the mechanisms and outcomes of e-commerce, this article shows that ICT adoption can be a threat as well as an opportunity for wholesale markets. On the one hand, transaction costs and marketing channel power might make physical wholesale markets less attractive for wholesalers and customers. On the other hand, network effects and business model innovation can enhance the traditional wholesale advantages of physical markets, in turn transforming and upgrading this traditional ecosystem into an entrepreneurial one

Think Local-Act Local: Is It Time to Slow Down the Accelerated Move to Global Marketing?

In view of the accelerated move of great corporations towards global marketing, the strategic changes of such companies raise interesting questions. Is marketing globalization reaching its limits after years of implementation? Is it time for companies to rethink their strategies and move back, like Coca-Cola, to a multi-domestic marketing approach?Global Marketing, Multi-Domestic Marketing Approach, Brand Equity, Drawbacks of Marketing Globalization, Coca-Cola

Innovation in Marketing Channels

In more recent years, the context of globalization in which market channel structures and strategies are developing is bringing to a more complex concept of marketing channels, with disintermediation or reintermediation, multichanneling and new roles/specializations that are emerging as new issues.In this context, innovation in marketing channels becomes a complex, multiorganizational, multidisciplinary activity that requires collaboration and interactions across various entities within the supply chain network. In recent years, the innovation processes in marketing channels have occurred with high intensity and speed, especially following the changes spurred by technology that allowed the adoption of more efficient organizational solutions.Retail; Channel Structure; Innovation in Marketing Channels; Retail Technological Innovation; Global Markets

Food hub as an efficient alternative to sustainably feed the cities

International audienceCet article décrit la place des pôles logistiques alimentaire et leurs systèmes de distribution associés. Les déficiences des systèmes alimentaires qui ont conduit à l'émergence du concept des Food hubs et leur impact sur le développement urbain sont analysées. L'état de l'art sur le concept de Food Hub est présenté en premier lieu, puis une classification des différents types de Food hub est faite en se concentrant sur leur emplacement, zone d'influence et les acteurs impliqués. Enfin, il y un case d'étude sur le system d'approvisionnement de nourriture à Bogota, il y a une comparaison entre le modèle présenté et le concept du Food hub comme une alternative efficace pour nourrir la ville d'une manière durable

Branding and Channel Issues in E-commerce from an Information System’s Perspective

E-commerce has matured and become mainstream. The fashion industry is now competing strongly in the digital markets. Beside traditional web-shops, new sales and branding channels are emerging e.g. M-commerce (mobile); social commerce; marketplaces; gaming etc. E-commerce and multi-channel retailing (MCR) now have a less technology-centric perspective while focusing more on sales and branding, although technology is the carrier and imposes limits. Corporate information systems are extended to the consumer‟s computers, smartphones and digital entertainment platforms. The information systems (IS) research tradition is somewhat challenged but can provide an elaborate framework for the understanding of the business and technology changes as well as provide an ideal support for research and businesses in choosing among the different MCR options. This paper proposes a model to understand and position fashion companies‟ existing and future sales and branding channels from an IS perspective. Future research suggestions include long-term challenges and benefits of distinct electronic channels

Pandemics trends in E-commerce: drop shipping entrepreneurship during COVID-19 pandemic

Drop shipping represents a delivery business model based on e-commerce logistics, which is very relevant in the global pandemic crisis. In this model, buyers order products and services directly from the manufacturer over the Internet through the intermediary of a drop shipper who ensures the easiest and fastest delivery. Drop shipper is a type of e-commerce entrepreneur that offers goods using online logistics infrastructure to ensure direct physical delivery from the manufacturer to the retailer or customer. This includes drop shipping as a business model to Industry 4.0 (i.e. the digital economy). This paper elaborates how a particular e-commerce model affects the development and improvement of global supply chains. Aim of this paper is to research how entrepreneur can lower its costs along drop shipping supply chain by managing inventory ratios or cost of stock. This enables drop shipping to greatly facilitate market access for cash-strapped entrepreneurs. We also conducted a simulation of optimized drop shipping process to show that there is a constant adaptability for entrepreneurs using drop shipping, especially among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The timeliness of drop shipping is that it has facilitated as a global delivery solution in relation to the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). Moreover, drop shipping is based on a Activity-Based Costing (ABC model) whose quantitative efficiency has been proven by scientific analysis and research results. Finally, the legal aspects of drop shipping are given importance in the situation of COVID-19 which had a crucial impact on international trade in 2020, especially in predicting short-term trade trends. Due to this within this paper we also examined the effects of the ˝coronavirus˝ on global e-commerce. Global drop shipping data ensures qualitative predictions considering pandemic environment, social distancing issues and internet trade curves which are more than useful in today’s changing business conditions

Fruit and vegetables supply chain organization in Spain: effects on quality and food safety

The Spanish fruit and vegetables sector is both diverse and fragmented, comprising many different players whose produce varies according to its geographical origin. However, these players tend to converge in the latter stages of the distribution process of their products. Therefore, for the purpose of analysis it is advisable to group homogeneous products and similar characteristics, which usually belong to particular areas, since the type of supply chain depends on the destination of the goods. In Spain, supply chains are highly adapted to the type of market to which they belong and consequently to the type of retailer at the end of the supply chain. All too often producers commercialize their products in total ignorance of the channel that they will follow to consumers. This hinders the necessary vertical coordination and collaboration within the channel to optimize its function, particularly as regards quality management and sanitary monitoring of the products. The principal scenarios in which Spanish distribution channels play a major role are the EU, domestic and local markets. The typical outlets corresponding to these areas of the retail market would be the Spanish and European mass distribution self-service stores, the small specialized warehouse, and street markets or street vending. Exports via the supply chain to Europe have constituted by far the largest change this sector has undergone. Both the European channels and those which continue to supply domestic markets, which have also undergone significant customization, form the basic structure of the current fruit and vegetables distribution sector in Spain. In essence, this distribution network system is strongly oriented to exports, innovation and the implementation of new technologies. The simplest descriptions of the fruit and vegetables distribution system in Spain describe it as: i) a "long channel” involving numerous intermediaries; and ii) a "short channel" arising from changes in both productive and commercialization stages. In both cases, the effects on quality management can vary greatly, influencing the food safety of the product reaching consumers.Working Paper within the project: “Food safety regulations, market access and international competition, SAFEMED” (nº 219262 FP7-ERANET ARIMNET

E-Fulfillment and Multi-Channel Distribution – A Review

This review addresses the specific supply chain management issues of Internet fulfillment in a multi-channel environment. It provides a systematic overview of managerial planning tasks and reviews corresponding quantitative models. In this way, we aim to enhance the understanding of multi-channel e-fulfillment and to identify gaps between relevant managerial issues and academic literature, thereby indicating directions for future research. One of the recurrent patterns in today’s e-commerce operations is the combination of ‘bricks-and-clicks’, the integration of e-fulfillment into a portfolio of multiple alternative distribution channels. From a supply chain management perspective, multi-channel distribution provides opportunities for serving different customer segments, creating synergies, and exploiting economies of scale. However, in order to successfully exploit these opportunities companies need to master novel challenges. In particular, the design of a multi-channel distribution system requires a constant trade-off between process integration and separation across multiple channels. In addition, sales and operations decisions are ever more tightly intertwined as delivery and after-sales services are becoming key components of the product offering