International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Cindy Claycomb; Richard Germain; Cornelia Dröge

1999 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039910299940

Despite anecdotal evidence of the performance implications of just-in-time (JIT) implementation, little empirical research has been conducted. Examines total system JIT's empirical relationships with a variety of performance outcomes. Total system JIT encompasses JIT purchasing, JIT production, and JIT selling. In a mail survey of 200 logistics executives, total system JIT was found to be: inversely related to weeks of inventory (inclusive of inbound, in-process, and outbound); inversely related to the number of layers in various functional areas (e.g. marketing); and positively related to three different indicators of financial performance (ROI, profits, and ROS). Results, managerial implications, and further research are discussed.

Belarmino Adenso‐Díaz; Fernando Gascón

1999 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039910299959

In spite of the wide experience already developed in the field of internal logistics using radio frequency, many companies are wary of its implantation due to the fact that the benefits of this technology are not easily quantifiable in most cases. Develops a detailed discounted payback analysis of the cash flows associated with the implementation of radio frequency, presenting a table with the needed payback periods depending on the size of the warehouse.

Tzong‐Ru Lee; Ji‐Hwa Ueng

1999 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039910300019

In a modern business environment, employees are a key resource to a company. Hence, the competitiveness of a company depends largely on its ability to treat employees fairly. Fairness can be attained by using the load-balancing methodology. Develops an integer programming model for vehicle routing problems. There are two objectives, first, to minimize the total distance, and second, to balance the workload among employees as much as possible. We also develop a heuristic algorithm to solve the problems. The findings show that the proposed heuristic algorithm performs well to our 11 test cases.

D.G. Proverbs; G.D. Holt; P.E.D. Love

1999 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600039910300037

Results of an international investigation concerning the selection of materials handling methods for high rise in-situ concrete buildings by contractors' planning engineers in France, Germany and the UK are presented. Findings indicate that materials handling methods differ in each international location. Tower cranes still dominate for high rise in-situ concrete buildings, although contractors will also frequently utilise concrete pumps in conjunction. Company size has little impact on the materials handling method selected. Eight predominant (construction method) selection factors are identified, and ranked for each international group of contractors. Statistically, the rankings are shown to be almost the same for each country. Relative costs, speed of construction, and site safety are the principal selection criteria. Correlation analysis reveals a degree of association between the selection factors.