Risk management in international container logistics operations: risk analysis and mitigating strategies

Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to investigate risk management strategies for international logistics operations that can minimise the occurrence and/or the impact of risks in order to achieve a desirable logistics network. For this purpose, international logistics risks were analysed to find out critical risk areas, and then strategies to mitigate those risks were developed and validated in relation to organisational orientations and outcomes. Methodology: Risk identification, risk clustering and risk analysis were conducted by using focus group research and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) to investigate risk areas that should be mitigated. A risk management strategy model was developed using Information Processing Theory, a review of extant supply chain risk management studies and interviews with logistics practitioners. The model was empirically tested with questionnaire survey data using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings: International logistics risks consists of value streams; information and relationships; logistics activities; and the external environments. Among these, information and relationships risks were found to generate self-enhancing risk loops, thereby creating subsequent risk impacts after disruptions. To mitigate these risks, firms involved in international logistics implemented strategies, such as building a stable logistics network, leveraging logistics information, leveraging outsourcing contracts and developing logistics collaboration, although the level of implementation depends on the business context. Among the four strategies, building a stable logistics network and developing logistics collaboration strategies were most effective in strengthening both robustness and resilience in the logistics network. Customer orientation had positive impacts on all four strategies, but disruption orientation and quality orientation influenced certain types of strategies. Research Implications: This is the first study which has applied a three-phase risk management process to international logistics operations, thereby highlighting distinctive features of international logistics risks. This thesis empirically develops and validates a risk management strategy model which embraces both strategies and relevant tactical/operational initiatives. The antecedents and outcomes of risk management strategies were also investigated and conceptualised for future research. Practical Implications: The profile of risks, risk sources, loss types and risk levels provide a guideline for logistics managers to anticipate and proactively deal with potential risks. Also, they can evaluate the current status of risk management efforts and can benchmark suggested strategies and practices in consideration of the strategic fit to their organisations

Investigating the relationship between supply chain innovation, risk management capabilities and competitive advantage in global supply chains

Purpose- This study aims to propose and validate a theoretical model to investigate whether supply chain innovation positively affects risk management capabilities, such as robustness and resilience in global supply chain operations, and to examine how these capabilities may improve competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach- A theoretical model was developed from extant studies and assessed through the development of a large-scale questionnaire survey conducted with South Korean manufacturers and logistics intermediaries involved in global supply chain operations. The data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to validate the suggested model. Findings- It was found that innovative supply chains have a discernible positive influence on all dimensions of risk management capability, which in turn has a significant impact on enhancing competitive advantage. Therefore, this work provides evidence for the importance of supply chain innovation and risk management capability in supporting competitive advantage. Research limitations/implications- This study contributes to providing an empirical understanding of the strategic retention of supply chain innovation and risk management capabilities in the supply chain management (SCM) discipline. Further, it confirms and expands existing theories about innovation and competitive advantage. Practical implications- The finding provides firm grounds for managerial decisions on investment in technology innovation and process innovation. Originality/value- This research is the first of its kind to empirically validate the relationships between supply chain innovation, risk management capabilities and competitive advantage. Keywords: Supply Chain Innovation, Robustn

The impact of innovativeness on supply chain performance: is supply chain integration a missing link?

© Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose - This purpose of this paper is to study the impact of innovativeness on supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) and the role of SCI in mediating between innovativeness in the supply chain and SCP. Innovativeness is an accepted driver to leverage firm performance. SCI and SCP require innovativeness in the supply chain, but their interrelationships have rarely been researched empirically.P Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire survey and structural equation modelling were used in this work. After a structural and measurement model was devised from existing supply chain literature, the main data were collected in a web-based questionnaire survey of South Korean manufacturers. Structural equation modelling was applied to test proposed hypotheses on the associations between variables, following a hierarchical analysis process.P Findings - Innovativeness in the supply chain had a positive impact on both SCI and SCP. However, the direct impact of innovativeness on SCP disappeared when the model included SCI as a mediator. In specific, internal and supplier integration fully mediated innovativeness-SCP relationships, whereas customer integration had no mediating role on those relationships. The findings suggest that innovativeness can influence SCP only when the manufacturer’s level of SCI is sufficiently effective in developing necessary supply chain practices.P Research limitations/implications - In this work, innovativeness in the supply chain effectively influenced SCP through the mediation of SCI. However, cross-sectional analysis in one nation using one response per organisation invites validation embracing other geographical areas and longitudinal studies.P Practical implications - Design of an innovative culture within a firm and along a supply chain can enhance SCI practices by stimulating innovativeness. A high level of SCI should be pursued to effectively transform innovativeness into performance.P Originality/value - This work seminally examines the effect of innovativeness in the supply chain on SCI and SCP as well as the mediating role of SCI in the relationships between innovativeness and SCP

Risk interaction identification in international supply chain logistics: developing a holistic model

International supply chains can be severely disrupted by failures in international logistics processes. Therefore, an understanding of international logistics risks, or causes of failure, how these may interact with each other and how they can be mitigated are imperatives for the smooth operation of international supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to specifically investigate the interactions between international logistics risks within the prevailing structures of international supply chains and highlights how these risks may be inter-connected and amplified. A new dynamic supply chain logistics risk analysis model is proposed which is novel as it provides a holistic understanding of the risk event interactivity

Multimodal route choice in maritime transportation: The case of Korean auto-parts exporters

Global offshoring has increased the need for transport of half-finished goods and components, along with finished goods. The auto-parts industry in Korea has also entered the global market as Korean car manufacturers have started to build overseas factories. Maintaining cost competitiveness by minimising total logistics costs will thus be a critical strategy for the industry. This research compares the total annual costs of four feasible transport routes from Korea to the US using the inventory-theoretic model, which encompasses direct transport costs, in-transit carrying costs, and warehouse inventory costs. We apply this model to real transport data collected from a Korean auto-parts company. A static analysis shows that inventory costs can play a decisive role in altering the cost competitiveness of different routes. In addition, sensitivity and scenario analyses with changes in variables and the market situations reveal that the cost structure of each routes plays an important role in determining their relative cost competitiveness in varying market conditions

Educational implications for university education through analysing learning outcomes, teaching-learning strategy and assessment strategy of universities of the United Kingdom- courses/programs related to life science

The purpose of this study is to analyse the specifications in the course/module descriptions in the field of biological science in UK universities and to examine its implications for the innovation of higher education. For supporting data, learning outcomes, teaching & learning strategies and assessment strategies in the course/module descriptions were closely analysed. In many UK universities, learning outcomes were presented according to four com-ponents of knowledge and understanding, cognitive (in-tellectual) skills, practical skills and transferable/key skills.In this research, total twelve teaching & learning strategies and thirteen assessment strategies were examined in the course/module descriptions related to life science of UK universities with TEF Gold. The mean number of teaching & learning strategies was 7.9. and as for the assessment strategies was 7.7. The results showed that UK universities use various teaching & learning and assessment strategies. Moreover, learning outcomes, teaching & learning and assess-ment strategies are consistently structured in the course/ programs in the field of biological sciences.The develop-ment of consistent and detailed specifications in the course/module descriptions such as learning outcomes, tea-ching & learning and assessment strategies would con-tribute to innovative higher education

A Study on the Hot Spot Temperature in 154kV Power Transformers

Abstract -The life of a power transformer is dependent on the life of the cellulose paper, which influenced by the hot spot temperature. Thus, the determination of the cellulose paper's life requires identifying the hot spot temperature of the transformer. Currently, however, the power transformer uses a heat run test is used in the factory test to measure top liquid temperature rise and average winding temperature rise, which is specified in its specification. The hot spot temperature is calculated by the winding resistance detected during the heat run test. This paper measures the hot spot temperature in the single-phase, 154kV, 15/20MVA power transformer by the optical fiber sensors and compares the value with the hot spot temperature calculated by the conventional heat run test in the factory test. To measure the hot spot temperature, ten optical fiber sensors were installed on both the high and low voltage winding; and the temperature distribution during the heat run test, three thermocouples were installed. The hot spot temperature shown in the heat run test was 92.6℃ on the low voltage winding. However, the hot spot temperature as measured by the optical fiber sensor appeared between turn 2 and turn 3 on the upper side of the low voltage winding, recording 105.9℃. The hot spot temperature of the low voltage winding as measured by the optical fiber sensor was 13.3℃ higher than the hot spot temperature calculated by the heat run test. Therefore, the hot spot factor (H) in IEC 60076-2 appeared to be 2.0