International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Bernt E. Tysseland

2009 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030910929165

Purpose – The paper has two main aims: to focus on how the spare parts optimization process was conducted in the Norwegian Defence procurement projects that had used the system approach based on OPUS10, and whether coordination issues affected the process and results; and to analyse empirical data in order to evaluate whether the theoretical claim of the system approach used through OPUS10, being better than other methods in terms of availability and spare parts investment cost holds up in reality. Design/methodology/approach – Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in order to answer the different questions of the study. Findings – Very few Norwegian Defence projects have used the system approach through OPUS10. Empirical data however comply with the theoretical claims of potential large savings in spare parts investment cost and/or improvement in operational availability. Several organizational factors can explain the lack of use of OPUS10. The most important being lack of resources, lack of a centralized concept and a somewhat low‐project leader attitude towards the approach. Research limitations/implications – The study of Norwegian Defence cases makes generalizations of findings not applicable. The research model could however easily be transferred and utilized in the study of other organizations' spare parts optimization processes. Practical implications – The Norwegian Defence should alter their concept for project governance and management in order to gain the full potential of the system approach used through OPUS10. Originality/value – Few research papers have evaluated the promising theoretical findings of system‐based optimization based on empirical operational data. Even fewer, if any, studies have used a combination of factors from organization theory, economic organization theory and operation management theory in order to explain findings based on predefined hypotheses. This research should have value for both practitioners and researchers within the field spare parts optimization in general and systems management in particular.

Henrik Pålsson; Ola Johansson

2009 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030910929174

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the use of unique identities (through radio frequency identification technology, bar codes and “human‐readable” labels) on packages and load carriers in Swedish manufacturing industries. The purpose is to investigate drivers behind the adoption, the perceived improvements and visions for the coming 2‐5 years. It also covers different methods for reading the identities, locations of identification in the supply chain and how the acquired information is utilised. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses the survey method. The survey instrument was developed in co‐operation with an expert group consisting of both researchers and industry representatives. The data were analysed using multivariate techniques. Findings – The analysis shows that there are a number of distinct clusters of companies with similar drivers for the adoption of unique identification. Characteristics of companies in these clusters are described and compared. The analysis clarifies the essential roles of integration and information sharing to obtain logistical improvements. Research limitations/implications – To provide a more robust scientific justification of the survey results, in‐depth case studies should be carried out and similar studies could be conducted in other countries and/or industries. Practical implications – Managers intending to implement unique identities need to understand the importance of having the right organisational motivation to succeed. Firms already using unique identities should note that the greater the integration and information sharing, the greater the number of improvements which could be obtained. Originality/value – The study shows that there are links between the drivers behind the adoption of unique identities and the level of integration and improvements achieved. It also provides the current status of different identification methods in Swedish manufacturing industries.

Daniel Ekwall

2009 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030910929183

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to analyze and explain why cargo theft continues to occur in the transport network despite all implemented countermeasures. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on a logical deductive hypothesis using theories from several scientific fields. This hypothesis is then tested empirically. Credibility is substantiated with the use of several independent official statistical sources and verified with both open‐ended qualitative interviews and a quantitative, comparative, geographically controlled survey. Findings – Theft risk arises from different theft opportunities that will always be present in the transport network. The theory of crime displacement provides one likely explanation as to why the absolute reduction, instead of a theft pattern alteration, is very difficult to achieve. The result in this paper substantiates research results in criminology that indicate that causality in crime displacement is hard to establish. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited by the lack of reliable information sources about criminal activities against logistics business. Secondary sources, like official crime statistics, are at best untrustworthy but more likely filled with large parts of hidden statistics. Practical implications – The common‐sense feeling about the crime displacement theory that exists in the logistics business needs to be modified. This paper maintains that the understanding of the relationship between potential perpetrators and theft preventing measures is a key issue to reduce theft problems within the transport network. Originality/value – This paper is a step towards bringing theories from criminology into the scientific field of logistics and supply chain risk management.

Jörn Schönberger; Herbert Kopfer

2009 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/09600030910929192

Purpose – The coping of demand oscillation is an important challenge in dynamic transport planning. A reliable request fulfillment must be provided even if the number of incoming requests temporarily climbs over the expected demand and resource scarceness appears. The aim of this paper is to propose an innovative planning approach that enables a transportation fleet to maintain a sufficiently high percentage of timely‐fulfilled customer requests even in demand peak situations. Design/methodology/approach – The effectiveness of the new approach is verified in computational simulation experiments. Quantifications for the system's responsiveness are proposed. Then, the quantified knowledge about the intermediate responsiveness is exploited to adjust the decision model representing the next schedule update task in a rolling horizon re‐planning. Findings – The observed simulation results suggest the suitability of the proposed approach. An adjustment of the plan update model supports the maintenance of a high percentage of timely completed requests during and after the demand peak. Research limitations/implications – The generic approach presented and evaluated here motivates an adaptation to other more practical problem settings, in order to show its general applicability. Practical implications – The proposed methodology contributes to the current demand for computational support for increasing the responsiveness of logistic systems. Originality/value – The original contribution of this paper is the autonomous feedback‐controlled adjustment of decision preferences which enables a rolling horizon re‐planning framework to maintain a stable output performance even if the input oscillates significantly over time.