International Logistics ChannelsWood, Donald F.
1990 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000000374
The concept of channels has long been used toanalyse and understand the functions of domesticmarketing and distribution. The concept is carriedfurther and used as an aid in understandinginternational logistics. Three channels arediscussed the international transaction andpayment channel the international distributionchannel through which the goods physicallymove and the documentationcommunicationschannel. Third parties or middlemen frequentlyappear in channels to facilitate their operationsthey are mentioned briefly as are constraints onthe smooth, uninterrupted flows through channels.
Implementing an Effective Inventory Management SystemHarrington, Thomas C.; Lambert, Douglas M.; Vance, Monica P.
1990 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000000376
Inventory control problems often result in recordand physical count discrepancies which mayultimately lead to higher than preferred inventorylevels. Conversely, accurate inventory recordsresult in lower inventory investment and are thefoundation for forecasting, ordering, tracking,vendor evaluation, and dead stock administrationprogrammes. Guidelines, based on generalsystems theory, to identify the presence ofinventory control problems in both physicaloperations and information systems areas arepresented. Next, procedures to correct controlproblems are discussed. These include theformation of a permanent taskforce, corporatewideeducation on the importance of recordaccuracy, and the development of a generalmanagement plan based on sound principles foreffective inventory control. Recent experienceswithin a telecommunications company havinginventory control problems are used as a caseexample to illustrate specific points.
Computer Use in the Trucking IndustryWaters, C.D.J.
1990 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000000377
Haulage contractors are always looking for waysof improving efficiency and reducing costs. Theseusually rely on better management practices.Computers are now an almost essentialmanagement tool and it would be reasonable tosuggest that truck operators should be heavyusers of computer software. There seems to bea considerable amount of software available tothem, but it has been suggested that this is notwidely used. To see if this is true a survey of thetrucking industry was done in Alberta, Canada.This survey showed an unexpectedly low use ofcomputers, with a preference for general businesssoftware rather than specialised packagesdesigned for truckers. Operators often suggestedtheir use of computers was limited by a shortageof adequate software. Overcoming this shortagecould offer considerable benefits to both thetrucking industry and software suppliers.