Preliminary study on new container stacking/storage system due to space limitations in container yard

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to introduce a new innovative means of container stacking/storage as a potential solution for overcoming the lack of container yard space. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative methodology that incorporates questionnaires and interview sessions as the tools is utilised together with an application of new innovation concept.Findings:The proposed system not only allows increased efficiency and effectiveness in handling containers, but also increases the profit margin of ports, as container stacking/storage is tripled in height. Research limitations/implications:This is just the beginning of a preliminary research study that proposes a new container stacking/storage system to address the lack of space in container yards. Therefore, much more work needs to be done in future studies before a solid and concrete decision on the application of this innovative system can be carried out.Practical implications:The practicality of the proposed model means that it can be easily implemented to address space limitation problems in ports. Social implications:The benefits of the results to the local community around ports are a healthier environment, with cleaner air, so that there will be less health issues of the residents and therefore reduced burden on the local health system. This is due to the use of technology that will prevent the expansion of ports that ultimately could lead to deforestation and environmental damage.This technology will also help to preserve the greenery of the area around ports.Originality/value:An innovative model of a container stacking/storage system is presented in this study as a possible solution to the problem

The impact of trust on innovativeness and supply chain performance

Trust is identified as a significant predictor of positive performance in business relationships. On the premise that the effects of trust have not been given the deserved scholarly attention in the supply chain context, this paper investigates the effects of trust on innovativeness and supply chain performance. The hypothesised model is operationalised with survey data and analysed using structural equation modelling. The findings add credence to the positive effects of trust and identify trust and innovativeness as antecedents to higher performance in the supply chain.Trust Innovation Supply chain performance

Environmental governance mechanisms in shipping firms and their environmental performance

A growing number of shipping firms seek to improve their environmental performance in the hope of developing environmentally sustainable shipping operations. Although environmental governance plays an essential role in leading shipping firms to improve their environmental performance, there is scant knowledge on the relationship between environmental governance and environmental performance in the shipping literature. We propose and empirically validate an integrated model to study how various environmental governance mechanisms (i.e., contractual, relational, and organizational) are enacted by shipping firms and their influence on shipping firms’ environmental performance. Our study also examines the mediating roles of the relational and organizational mechanisms on shipping firms’ environmental performance

A study on the antecedents of supplier commitment in support of logistics operations

Supplier inputs need to be delivered at the right time in the right quality and quantity to fully satisfy the operations requirements of buying firms. In achieving these performance goals, the importance of supplier commitment in managing the buyer-supplier relationship (BSR) should not be neglected in logistics operations. Due to organisational differences on operations priorities, it is a challenging task to manage a BSR which is inherently complex with many transactional and institutional aspects involved. This challenge is salient in logistics management with multiple upstream and downstream parties involved where the lack of concerted efforts can compromise performance of the entire logistics chain. For many enterprises, it remains unclear on how to nurture supplier commitment in support of their logistics operations. Considering this research void, we examine the antecedents of supplier commitment covering both transactional and institutional factors influencing supplier commitment in the BSR. Survey data collected from 358 suppliers of an international buying firm indicate that business uncertainty discourages supplier commitment, but the commitment can be reinforced with both explicit and implicit contracts used for governing the BSR.Department of Logistics and Maritime Studie