International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Alberto De Toni; Guido Nassimbeni; Stefano Tonchia

1994 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039410071235

Analyses the dimensions of service in the co‐operative buyer‐supplier interaction and presents an interpretative scheme which links some of the basic service management concepts with some critical aspects in the current supply environment. On the basis of the results from a case study of the Zanussi Appliances Company (Electrolux Group), examines the dimensions of service in the co‐operative buyer‐supplier relationship. Discusses the main organizational and operational implications.

O. Geoffrey Okogbaa; Richard L. Shell; Gordon M. Clark

1994 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039410071253

The need to design materials handling systems optimally has grown as the cost of material handling equipment has continued to increase. For some facilities, this need is critical due to product obsolescence and quality. Simulation modelling based and factorial experimental design are used to help accentuate some of the decision options regarding the optimum number of carts, the optimum schedule and the minimum acceptable amount of lateness (or tardiness) allowed in the system. The methodology proposed and the experimental design utilized permitted the evaluation of different design options. Using cost and tardiness as the primary criteria, some design alternatives were identified that minimized overall operations and logistics costs thereby satisfying the system′s performance goals.

Jouni T. Laine; Ari P.J. Vepsäläinen

1994 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039410071280

Conventionally, shipping companies have invested in large ships to achieve economies of scale. More recently, high speed ships have been proposed as a means of achieving timely service for customers and improving shipping performance. Yet another solution offered here is to boost the cargo handling speed at port allowing for a higher number of annual round trips. Both the cost efficiency and timeliness of shipping service can be improved. The economic trade‐offs between the investments in cargo handling and ship propulsion technologies are formally analysed by taking the round trip frequency as the key to performance. The theoretical analyses as well as the practical cases studied indicate that investments in cargo handling technology, such as automation of container terminal operations and hatchless self‐loading ships, have indeed considerable profit‐making potential for shipping companies. Other technology investment opportunities appear less promising: ship propulsion due to energy consumption and environmental concerns; and larger ships due to low customer responsiveness and risks of low capital productivity.