International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Pooley, John M.

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110007635

The results of an empirical study which has investigated the costdynamics of a group of private warehouses is presented. Specifically thearticle tests the applicability of using a learning curve to plan andevaluate a private warehouses average labour cost per case performance.To test the applicability of using a learning curve in this industry,the study has analysed the empirical performance of a small sample ofprivate warehouses over a fiveyear period. A regression model of theprivate warehouses average labour cost per case performance shows thatthey do follow the standard loglinear learning curve relationshipbetween unit cost and cumulative units. The regression model shows thatthe private warehouses have a learning rate of 87 per cent. An exampleapplication shows that including the studys results in aprivateversuspublic warehouse selection problem, using a discountedcashflow analysis, increases the private warehouses internal rate ofreturn by approximately 10 per cent.

Ellram, Lisa M.

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110007644

The use of a lifecycle framework is explored as a means ofdescribing the evolution of partnership relationships between industrialbuyers and sellers. Based on case studies of eight manufacturing firms,industrial buyerseller partnerships evolve through four stagesdevelopment, commitment, integration and dissolution. In addition toexploring a traditional lifecycle pattern, case studiesare used to illustrate and support examples of variations on thetraditional partnership lifecycle pattern. The lifecycle analogy isuseful to both practitioners and theorists in developing, understandingand influencing the patterns which industrial buyerseller partnershipsmay follow.

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110007653

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/EUM0000000001269. When citing the article, please cite: Colin Armistead, Graham Clark, (1991), “A Framework for Formulating After-sales Support Strategy”, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 11 Iss 3 pp. 111 - 124.

Tawfik Mady, M.

1991 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039110007662

Both inventory investments and structure in a sample of 44manufacturing companies representing five industry groups in Egypt areinvestigated. The study reveals that the type of industry is adeterminant factor of both the inventorytototalassets ratio AIR andthe inventory structure at the firm level. AIR indicates significantpositive correlation with the materials cost ratio MCR, the finishedproduct inventory ratio FPR, and the others inventoryratio OTR, but a negative correlation with the raw materials inventoryratio RMR. The study shows that raw materials and purchased componentsdeserve the most attention in Egyptian industry. The study also shows anegative correlation between RMR and the companys value added VAD.With more vertical integration a firm can reduce its RMR. The studyconfirms the effect of the type of productioninventory system on thecompanys workinprocess inventory Requirements WPR. WPR wasrelatively low in both the engineering and food groups.