Big data analytics in returns management – Are complex techniques necessary to forecast consumer returns properly?

[EN] The more people shop online, the more consumer returns e-tailers face. In order to plan the returns management process capacity adequately, it is necessary to forecast the expected amount of returned parcels. Big data analytics provides a vast number of methods to perform such tasks. However, it should be noted that particularly small- and medium-sized e-tailers lack the capabilities and resources to employ such complex techniques. Against this background, this paper analyses the performance of several data analysis methods that differ in application complexitiy using real data from an apparel e-tailer. On the one hand, we find that –as expected– complex methods outperform simple ones. On the other hand, and from a practitioner’s perspective probably even more interesting, we also conclude that a binary logistical regression as the simplest analyzed method may already provide satisfactory results. The findings indicate that the use of big data analytics is of great value to effectively and efficiently manage consumer returns – even if not the most sophisticated state-of-the-art method is used.Asdecker, B.; Karl, D. (2018). Big data analytics in returns management – Are complex techniques necessary to forecast consumer returns properly?. En 2nd International Conference on Advanced Reserach Methods and Analytics (CARMA 2018). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 39-46. https://doi.org/10.4995/CARMA2018.2018.8303OCS394

The Impact of Displaying Quantity Scarcity and Relative Discounts on Sales and Consumer Returns in Flash Sale E-Commerce

Flash sale e-commerce is a very competitive business with low margins due to the high discounts granted. Against this background, merchants pursue the goal of generating as many orders as possible. To achieve this, techniques that stimulate impulse buying behavior are often used. This paper examines two specific instruments that have the potential to contribute to impulse buying, namely, the on-site display of (1) scarcity notifications and (2) the relative discount provided. We use real-world data from a flash sale e-tailer to analyze the impact on customer sales and returns. In that regard, this study is the first to focus specifically on fashion, which is the product category most affected by returns. Furthermore, to synthesize both perspectives, a quantitative model is presented to serve as the basis for a decision support system that enables managers to better deal with the underlying trade-off

Logistics Management - Challanges, Opportunities & Solutions

Gerade in wirtschaftlich schwierigen Zeiten gilt es, die Zukunftsfähigkeit von Unternehmen und ganzen Wertschöpfungsketten zu erhalten, indem die Herausforderungen in der Logistik und dem Supply Chain Management aufgegriffen, Chancen herausgearbeitet und konkrete Lösungen ermittelt werden. Dieser Tagungsband ist Teil einer dreibändigen Reihe, welche die Ergebnisse der Konferenz "Logistikmanagement 2011" der Wissenschaftlichen Kommission Logistik im Verband der Hochschullehrer für Betriebswirtschaft e.V. (VHB) dokumentiert, die an der Otto-Friedrich-Universität in Bamberg stattfand. Die ausgewählten Beiträge präsentieren den gegenwärtigen Forschungsstand der betriebswirtschaftlichen Logistik und des Supply Chain Managements. Es werden aktuelle und innovative Konzepte, Theorien und Lösungsansätze in Logistik und Supply Chain Management eindrucksvoll dargestellt. Das Buch wendet sich an Dozenten und Studenten der Betriebswirtschaftslehre mit den Schwerpunkten Supply Chain Management, Logistik und Operations Management sowie an Praktiker, die in diesen Bereichen tätig sind

Mobility in a Globalised World 2014

The term mobility has different meanings in the following science disciplines. In economics, mobility is the ability of an individual or a group to improve their economic status in relation to income and wealth within their lifetime or between generations. In information systems and computer science, mobility is used for the concept of mobile computing, in which a computer is transported by a person during normal use. Logistics creates by the design of logistics networks the infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods. Electric mobility is one of today’s solutions from engineering perspective to reduce the need of energy resources and environmental impact. Moreover, for urban planning, mobility is the crunch question about how to optimise the different needs for mobility and how to link different transportation systems. In this publication we collected the ideas of practitioners, researchers, and government officials regarding the different modes of mobility in a globalised world, focusing on both domestic and international issues

Mobility in a Globalised World

The term mobility has different meanings in the following academic disciplines. In economics, mobility is the ability of an individual or a group to improve their economic status in relation to income and wealth within their lifetime or between generations. In information systems and computer science, mobility is used for the concept of mobile computing, in which a computer is transported by a person during normal use. Logistics creates, by the design of logistics networks, the infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods. Electric mobility is one of today’s solutions from engineering perspective to reduce the need of energy resources and environmental impact. Moreover, for urban planning, mobility is the crunch question about how to optimize the different needs for mobility and how to link different transportation systems. The conference “Mobility in a Globalised World” took place in Iserlohn, Germany, on September 14th – 15th, 2011. The aim of this conference was to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of ideas among practitioners, researchers, and government officials regarding the different modes of mobility in a globalised world, focusing on both domestic and international issues. The proceedings at hand document the results of the presentations and ensuing discussions at the conference

Building the E-Commerce Supply Chain of the Future: What Influences Consumer Acceptance of Alternative Places of Delivery on the Last-Mile

Background: To cope with the expected further growth in e-commerce and to be able to continue delivering at low costs, new concepts for the last-mile are needed. This paper reviews the literature and qualitatively investigates which factors influence the acceptance of four alternative place-of-delivery innovations in a business-to-consumer (B2C) context: (1) parcel lockers, (2) reception boxes, (3) trunk delivery, and (4) home access systems; Methods: The available literature was reviewed. Furthermore, 37 interviews were conducted and analyzed using the deductive category development method. In the following, abductive reasoning can derive detailed research models that may form the basis for future confirmative studies; Results: The research gains more detailed insights into how consumers perceive innovative last-mile place-of-delivery concepts. The study provides a clearer picture of what factors influence the intention to use such alternative services; Conclusions: The results can be used by logistics service providers and e-tailers through targeted communication efforts and lay the groundwork for further confirmatory research

Travel-Related Influencer Content on Instagram: How Social Media Fuels Wanderlust and How to Mitigate the Effect

Tremendous efforts will be required in the coming decades to limit the harmful effects of climate change. This includes travel behavior, which not only has a significant impact on climate but also affects the perceived justice and trust necessary to manage the transition to net zero successfully. Technologies such as social media can promote behavioral change; unfortunately, also for the negative. Drawing on social comparison theory, social identity theory, and the theory of planned behavior, this study uses a PLS-SEM model to investigate if and under which circumstances exposure to travel-related content posted by professional influencers affects their followers’ travel intentions. It extends previous studies by explicitly focusing on influencers that use Instagram to make a living and considers the effect of pro-environmental attitudes. On the one hand, it shows that influencers are not only responsible for their travel behavior. Their content stimulates their audiences’ wanderlust through benign envy. On the other hand, the study suggests that reinforcing pro-environmental attitudes can help mitigate the negative climate effects of imitating influencer travel behavior