A decision model to prioritise logistics performance indicators

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonPerformance measurement is an important concern that has recently attracted much attention in the logistics area from both practitioners and academics. The performance measurement of logistics companies is based upon diverse performance indicators. However, to date, limited attention has been paid to the performance measurement of logistics companies and, also, performance measurement processes have become more complex for logistics companies due to the existence of numerous performance indicators. In this regard, the way in which decision makers in logistics companies deal with some vaguenesses, such as deciding on the most important indicators holistically and determining interrelationships between performance indicators, has remained an issue that needs to be resolved. This study, therefore, aims to offer a comprehensive decision model for identifying the key logistics performance indicators and determining the interrelationships among these indicators from logisticians’ perspective. In line with this purpose, the research first presents a stakeholder-based Balanced Scorecard (BSC) model which provides a balanced view by including financial and non-financial performance indicators and a comprehensive approach as a response to the major shortcoming of the generic BSC regarding the negligence of various stakeholders. Then, a large number of performance indicators used in logistics are systematically examined under the proposed model, and the key indicators are selected through an online survey conducted in the Turkish logistics industry. Subsequently, since the performance measurement indicators are not independent of each other, it is critical to understand the causal relationships among different indicators. In such cases, group decision making techniques are capable of modelling such complexities. After a systematic comparison of these techniques, a realistic and easy-to-follow multi-criteria decision making technique, the Analytic Network Process (ANP), is revealed as a suitably powerful method to determine the interrelationships among the indicators. Additionally, a case study approach based on the data obtained from three logistics companies is used to illustrate both the applicability of the model and the practicality of the ANP application. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the results about the case companies is also analysed with several relevant ‘what-if’ scenarios. Thus, real-life practices of three case companies are investigated with the proposed approach. Consequently, this research proposes the BSC-ANP integration which provides a novel way and in-depth understanding to evaluate logistics performance indicators for the competitiveness of logistics companies. Thus, in order to address the aforementioned vaguenesses, the proposed model in this study identifies key performance indicators with the consideration of various stakeholders in the logistics industry to decide on the most important indicators, and evaluates the interrelationships among the indicators by using the ANP. The results of the study show that the educated employee (15.61%) is the most important indicator for the competitiveness of logistics companies and four prominent indicators (educated employee, managerial skills, cost, and profitability) need to be primarily considered by logistics companies. In this way, with this integration, not only the performance indicators in logistics, but also different stakeholders of logistics companies are assessed by the ANP method. This means that the results of this research are not only useful for helping logistics companies to decide which indicators should be focused on to become more competitive, but also can be used as a reference model by different stakeholders in their decision-making processes in order to select the best logistics provider. Keywords: Performance measurement; logistics performance indicators; balanced scorecard (BSC); analytic network process (ANP); multi-criteria decision making (MCDM); stakeholder

Investigating the themes in supply chain finance: the emergence of blockchain as a disruptive technology

Blockchain has gained momentum as a disruptive technology in supply chain management against its introduction as a finance-related instrument. Nevertheless, the developing academic understanding and the limited practical implications lead to insufficient insights into the use of blockchain technology, particularly in the supply chain finance (SCF) domain. Thus, the expected potential of blockchain technology remains underexplored. Accordingly, this study explicates this situation by examining the extant literature findings and web-based big data that can provide evidence about the real needs in supply chains, and investigating how blockchain emerges as a disruptive SCF-oriented technology. The study employs a web analytics method, Search Engine Results Page (SERP) analysis which considers the trends in blockchain technology use and the interactions between blockchain, supply chain and finance appearing in Google searches. The SERP method examined real-time clicks, web traffics and most commonly asked questions about blockchain. The SERP findings revealed that the interest in blockchain technology neither focused on finance nor data privacy as emphasised in the literature but mainly on the benefits of increasing digitalisation and efficiency in supply chains. The results offered practical implications for capturing recent blockchain- and supply chain-related trends and designing more digital and efficient supply chains

Strategic hybrid approach for selecting suppliers of high-density polyethylene

Supplier selection is an important process for companies in the plastic sector due to its influence on firm performance and competitiveness. For a proper selection, a number of criteria from different aspects need to be considered by decision makers. Yet, as in different fields, because there are numerous criteria and alternatives to be considered in the plastic industry, choosing an appropriate multicriteria decision-making approach has become a critical step for selecting suppliers. Therefore, the aim of this research is to define the most suitable supplier of high-density polyethylene through the integration of powerful multicriteria decision-making methods. For this purpose, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is initially applied to define initial weights of factors and subfactors under uncertainty, followed by the use of decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to evaluate interrelations between the elements of the hierarchy. Then, after combining FAHP and DEMATEL to calculate the final contributions of both factors and subfactors on the basis of interdependence, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution is used to assess the supplier alternatives. In addition, this paper also explores the differences between the judgments of decision makers for both AHP and DEMATEL methods. To do these, a case study is presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach

A decision support model for identification and prioritization of key performance indicators in the logistics industry

YesPerformance measurement of logistics companies is based upon various performance indicators. Yet, in the logistics industry, there are several vaguenesses, such as deciding on key indicators and determining interrelationships between performance indicators. In order to resolve these vaguenesses, this paper first presents the stakeholder-informed Balanced Scorecard (BSC) model, by incorporating financial (e.g. cost) and non-financial (e.g. social media) performance indicators, with a comprehensive approach as a response to the major shortcomings of the generic BSC regarding the negligence of different stakeholders. Subsequently, since the indicators are not independent of each other, a robust multi-criteria decision making technique, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method is implemented to analyze the interrelationships. The integration of these two techniques provides a novel way to evaluate logistics performance indicators from logisticians' perspective. This is a matter that has not been addressed in the logistics industry to date, and as such remains a gap that needs to be investigated. Therefore, the proposed model identifies key performance indicators as well as various stakeholders in the logistics industry, and analyzes the interrelationships among the indicators by using the ANP. Consequently, the results show that educated employee (15.61%) is the most important indicator for the competitiveness of logistics companies

Editorial for the Special issue on Multiple Criteria Decision Making models

This special issue idea came to life with Prof. Ilker Topcu hosting the 25th International Conference on Multiple Criteria Decision Making in Istanbul from 16 to 21 June 2019 (https://mcdm2019.org/about/). International Society on Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) brings together academicians, professionals, researchers, students and policymakers at a bi-annual conference since 1975. MCDM 201

Regendering of dynamic managerial capabilities in the context of binary perspectives on gender diversity

Purpose The interplay between gender and dynamic managerial capabilities is not well studied in the extant literature. This paper aims to explore how dynamic managerial capabilities, as prized qualities in the job market, are framed in gendered ways and how the gendering process disadvantages female and male workers for different reasons and harms the organisations, which use the managerial capabilities approach without proofing it for gender biases. Design/methodology/approach An extensive literature review was conducted and a framework that offers a new gender perspective was offered. Findings A number of ways dynamic managerial capabilities may be proofed for gender biases and how a gender-balanced framing of dynamic managerial capabilities may be achieved are identified. Originality/value This paper contributes to the development of a new gender perspective, which is called regendering of dynamic managerial capabilities, which frees the concept from its binary frames of gender, assumptions of gender neutrality, with a view to capture gender diversity in a way which is closer to its nature in theory and practice of dynamic managerial capabilities

Zarządzanie i wnikliwość administracyjna dla uniwersytetów : wysoki stres, niska satysfakcja i brak zobowiązań

This comparative study examines the moderating effect of occupational stress (OS) on the job satisfaction (JS) and organisational commitment (OC) of the university personnel in the United Kingdom (UK) and Pakistan with an attempt to provide managerial implications to managers, administrators and supervisors. To do this, the study initially employed probability and non-probability sampling techniques in order to reach 308 respondents determined through the margin of error (M.E) while effectively using referrals, networks, and gatekeepers to circulate the questionnaire. Then, the structural equation modeling (SEM) method has been used as a quantitative approach. The reported results show that the relationship between job satisfaction and organisational commitment differ for the university (teaching and non-teaching) staff in the UK (advanced economy) and Pakistan (emerging economy). The job satisfaction affects organisational commitment significantly in Pakistan while the non-significant impact is found in the UK. Moreover, the occupational stress significantly moderates the relationship between JS and OC in Pakistan whereas non-significant moderating effect reported is in the UK. Based on the analysis, different managerial implications are proposed to reduce occupational stress, increase job satisfaction and maintain higher organisational commitment, which in turn, improve organisational performance.To badanie porównawcze analizuje moderujący wpływ stresu zawodowego (OS) na zadowolenie z pracy (JS) i zaangażowanie organizacyjne (OC) personelu uniwersyteckiego w Zjednoczonym Królestwie (Wielka Brytania) i Pakistanie, próbując dostarczyć menedżerom implikacji zarządczych, administratorzy i przełożeni. W tym celu w badaniu początkowo zastosowano techniki próbkowania prawdopodobieństwa i niewiarygodności, aby dotrzeć do 308 respondentów określonych na podstawie marginesu błędu (M.E), jednocześnie skutecznie wykorzystując polecenia, sieci i strażników w celu rozpowszechnienia kwestionariusza. Następnie zastosowano metodę modelowania równań strukturalnych (SEM) jako podejście ilościowe. Zgłoszone wyniki pokazują, że związek między satysfakcją z pracy a zaangażowaniem organizacyjnym jest różny w przypadku pracowników uniwersytetów (nauczycieli i osób niebędących nauczycielami) w Wielkiej Brytanii (gospodarka zaawansowana) i Pakistanie (gospodarka wschodząca). Zadowolenie z pracy ma znaczący wpływ na zaangażowanie organizacyjne w Pakistanie, podczas gdy niewielki wpływ występuje w Wielkiej Brytanii. Ponadto stres zawodowy znacząco moderuje związek między JS a OC w Pakistanie, podczas gdy zgłaszany nieistotny efekt moderujący występuje w Wielkiej Brytanii. Na podstawie analizy proponuje się różne implikacje zarządcze w celu zmniejszenia stresu zawodowego, zwiększenia satysfakcji z pracy i utrzymania większego zaangażowania organizacyjnego, co z kolei poprawia wydajność organizacyjną

Gaining strategic insights into Logistics 4.0: expectations and impacts*

The developments brought by Industry 4.0 have spread to various components in a supply chain, where logistics is of utmost importance due to the intermediate role of logistics service providers (LSPs) operating among different actors. Despite such a vital role, the extant literature lacks from the extensive analysis of Industry 4.0 implementations in the logistics industry, particularly for LSPs. Accordingly, this study sets out to investigate, comprehensively, Industry 4.0 projections in logistics and their reflections on LSPs by adopting a multidimensional approach. In this respect, the key themes influenced by Industry 4.0 developments are initially determined through a structured survey conducted in the Turkish logistics industry. Then, in the same industry, both the probabilities and the impacts of Industry 4.0-focused thematic statements are examined through an integrative interview survey, which also incorporates 'why-type' of questions. Consequently, this study offers academic implications in terms of demonstrating possible changes in the logistics industry from the operational, financial, and human resources aspects. Additionally, the findings serve as a reference for logistics professionals while fostering their competitive Industry 4.0 initiatives and facilitating their strategic decisions