International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Alexander E. Ellinger; Andrea D. Ellinger; Scott B. Keller

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510634562

Purpose – To examine warehouse worker development associated with managerial coaching in the logistics industry. Design/methodology/approach – Examine the efficacy of this developmental approach in a logistics context, a survey method was used to provide an overview of supervisors' coaching behavior at 18 distribution centers in the United States. Warehouse workers answered questions about their interactions with their supervisors and their own job satisfaction while supervisors answered questions pertaining to the job‐related performance of warehouse workers for whom they were directly responsible. Findings – The study findings indicate that warehouse workers at these distribution centers encounter low levels of supervisory coaching behavior. However, despite these low levels, significant positive associations were found between supervisory coaching behavior, warehouse worker job satisfaction and supervisors' perceptions of their subordinates' job‐related performance. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on the perceptions of respondents at the specific distribution centers in our study and therefore should not be interpreted as being generalizable. However, we hope that they will stimulate further empirical research on the growth, development and retention of front‐line logistics workers – an important, but relatively under‐researched, area of supply chain management. Practical implications – The logistics industry is becoming progressively more service‐oriented and technologically‐driven and greater front‐line worker competence in these areas will be required for many firms to survive. Originality/value – As the greatest aggregation of labor in the supply chain is in distribution center operations, our findings may encourage logistics organizations to evaluate the feasibility of adopting more people‐oriented supervisory approaches like coaching that focus on personnel development and the provision of more intrinsically‐rewarding work environments.

Mohammed Sadiq Sohail; Obaid Saad Al‐Abdali

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510632014

Purpose – With competitive pressures placing an increasing dependence on the ability of organizations to deliver customer‐adapted products quickly and on time, logistics has been an area that has been subjected to investigation. While there is a growing evidence of organizations increasingly seeking to outsource their logistics activities, there have been few comprehensive studies on the outsourcing of logistics in the Middle Eastern region. The purpose of this paper is to examine the usage of third party logistics (TPL) services in Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical research is used to study the extent firms use the services of logistics companies; the time period these have been used; the decision‐making process for choosing contract logistics and its impact on the organization. Findings – Results based on the analysis of data relating to 496 firms in Saudi Arabia indicate that most of these users are satisfied with the services providers and has largely seen positive developments within the organization. Practical implications – The results provide managers with evidence supporting the benefits of logistics outsourcing. The study also contains useful information for the providers of contract logistics services on the most frequently used services. Originality/value – This study makes a significant addition to literature on logistics outsourcing as little empirical research has been previously reported from Arab world and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia to establish linkages between organizations and TPL providers. Moreover, the results of this study will also serve as a future benchmark for the entire Gulf Cooperation Council region, as Saudi Arabia happens to be the largest country in the Middle East.

Desmond Doran

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510632023

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the strategic issues associated with the implementation and subsequent development of modular supply chains within the automotive sector. Design/methodology/approach – Given the exploratory nature of this research a case study approach was adopted analysing key suppliers within a single developing modular supply chain. The key approach to the topic was to examine strategic operations management literature in order to determine the operational impact associated with the move from traditional supply chains to supplying on a modular basis. Findings – The findings indicate that moving from the traditional approach to supplying parts to a modular approach requires suppliers to consider how they can develop their individual module offerings and to determine what operations do not add value to a modular offering and as a consequence can be transferred to downstream suppliers. Research limitations/implications – Given the exploratory nature of this research and its sectoral specificity one should not view the findings as applicable to other supply chains in the process of developing modular offerings. This said, the findings do correlate with earlier research which indicated that value‐transfer activity within modular supply chains is a key characteristic associated with developing supply chains (Doran, 2004) Practical implications – In terms of practical applications, the findings demonstrate that modular activity requires the reorganisation of value‐creating activities and also requires those suppliers close to the OEM to strategically position themselves to configure their operations to accommodate the growing modular paradigm. Originality/value – The paper explores supply chain modularization which is a fairly under‐researched area supply chain management and as such this paper provides insights into this emerging area. The originality is also evident in the approach and focus of the paper (that is examining the three key suppliers within a single automotive supply chain).

Amit Sachan; Subhash Datta

2005 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030510632032

Purpose – To examine the state of logistics and supply chain management (SCM) research in the last five years from the standpoint of existing methodologies. The state of research is assessed by examining the research design, number of hypothesis testing, research methods, data analysis techniques, data sources, level of analysis and country of authors. Design/methodology/approach – The review of SCM and logistics research is based on 442 papers published from 1999 to 2003 in the following three academic journals Journal of Business Logistics , International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management , and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal . Findings – Major findings show that there is an increase in the direct observation methods like case studies. In general, the research is more interpretive in nature. Survey method is still holding the highest position. More advanced techniques are being used for data analysis in empirical studies and there has been an increase in hypothesis testing. The trend in survey research is moving from exploratory to model building and testing. Research limitations/implications – The gaps identified in the review were: there are very few inter disciplinary studies; innovative application of secondary data is lacking, (c) research at inter organisation level is scanty; and the current state of research has failed to integrate all the firms in the value chain and treat them as a single entity. Originality/value – The methodological review will provide increased understanding of the current state of research in the discipline.