International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

Antai, Imoh ; Olson, Hans

2013 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-06-2012-0195

Purpose – Although the supply chain (SC) competition concept has emerged during the past decade as the way firms will compete in future, there is scant academic research on actual mechanisms through which such competition can occur. The purpose of this paper is to proposes interaction as the means by which competition between supply chains may be undertaken. Design/methodology/approach – The paper investigates a Swedish logistics center via case study methodology to develop the idea of interaction for SC vs SC competition. Findings – Results suggest that interaction points along organizations ' supply chains may present enough breadth to assume a role in determining how SC vs SC competition may be played out in reality. Research limitations/implications – Interaction, as proposed here, implies an emphasis on all points at which supply chains meet to request goods and services, including various points where such supply chains converge, e.g. service providers, original equipment manufacturers, etc. Originality/value – Most studies dealing with competition between supply chains fall short of exploring the link between theory and corresponding practice of this evolving competition mode. Such a link is provided with the use of logistics centers.

Brekalo, Lisa ; Albers, Sascha ; Delfmann, Werner

2013 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-06-2012-0194

Purpose – Due to the continued high failure rate of logistics alliances, the purpose of this paper is to propose incorporating the widely neglected dynamic capabilities approach into the explanation of logistics alliance performance. Design/methodology/approach – The authors identify specific characteristics of logistics alliances that are used to argumentatively develop a framework of logistics alliance management capabilities. Findings – We propose an initial framework of logistics alliance management capabilities, based on the dynamic capabilities approach of strategic management, with the aim of improving logistics alliance success. Research limitations/implications – The presented framework offers a basis for a wider range of empirical studies. Qualitative researchers are encouraged to further specify and better understand the sub-processes that underlie logistics alliance management capabilities in different alliance settings. Quantitative studies could help to reliably assess the differences and performance implications of these capabilities. Practical implications – The authors ' conceptualization supports managers in their relevant strategic and organizational attempts to enhance logistics alliance success. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the logistics literature by making a more general yet established construct accessible to logistics scholars and practitioners. The roots of the authors ' logistics alliance management capabilities construct in dynamic capabilities provide a framework that is new and potentially more comprehensive than the collection of somewhat isolated alliance success factors that have hitherto been proposed in the logistics literature.

Zhang, Min ; Huo, Baofeng

2013 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-10-2011-0171

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the joint influence of dependence and trust in supply chain relationships on supply chain integration (SCI) and financial performance. Design/methodology/approach – This study develops a dependence-trust-SCI-performance model and tests it using structural equation modeling based on empirical data collected from 617 manufacturers in China. Findings – The results show that trust with customers/suppliers significantly influences SCI. Although dependence on customers/suppliers has no direct effect on SCI, it improves SCI indirectly through trust with customers/suppliers. Both supplier integration and customer integration significantly improve financial performance. Practical implications – This study suggests that manufacturers should manage dependence and trust in supply chain relationships simultaneously to enable SCI. When there is high-level dependence on customers/suppliers, manufacturers should invest resources to develop trust with those customers/suppliers. Moreover, to achieve a better financial performance, manufacturers should integrate with both customers and suppliers. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence regarding the direct effect of trust on SCI, and the indirect influence of dependence on SCI through trust. This extends extant knowledge regarding the joint impact of dependence and trust on SCI. Hence, both researchers and practitioners should pay attention to interdependence among different relationship management practices. Moreover, this study also empirically supports the argument that SCI improves firms ' financial performance.

Turrisi, Mario ; Bruccoleri, Manfredi ; Cannella, Salvatore

2013 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-04-2012-0132

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of reverse logistics on order and inventory variance amplification in a single-echelon supply chain (SC) and to propose a new order policy for dampening such amplification. Design/methodology/approach – A general review of the literature on sustainable operations and on the impact of reverse logistics on SC performance provides the foundation for the study. The authors use difference equation math approach for modelling and analysing a closed SC. A proper design of experiment and data collected from the European Union statistics validate the obtained numerical results. Findings – The variability of reverse flow in a closed loop SC increases the serviceable inventory variance. However, a proper design of the reverse flow considerably improves the global performance. To this purpose, the authors propose a new order policy, namely R-APIOBPCS, which explicitly considers the reverse flow of products. Research limitations/implications – The paper presents a math model describing a closed loop supply chain (CLSC). No empirical analysis is provided. Future researches should evaluate the impact of the proposed R-APIOBPCS on more realistic closed loop SC models. Practical implications – The paper ' s findings may motivate logistics and SC managers to implement CLSC when supported by innovative, suitable tools for the proper management of the information and material flow in the chain. Managers should be well acquainted that, by doing so, they not only satisfy national and international legislations but also achieve improvements in logistics performance. Originality/value – The authors propose a novel replenishment rule that accurately coordinates the upstream and downstream flows in a SC. The proposed order policy can be reasonably considered one of the advocated managerial tools for the proper management of reverse logistics: it allows reducing inventory and limiting the variability of the orders placed to suppliers in SC with reverse logistics.

Bernon, Michael ; Upperton, John ; Bastl, Marko ; Cullen, John

2013 International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

doi: 10.1108/IJPDLM-03-2012-0060

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically explore supply chain integration (SCI) enabling practices, their benefits and barriers in a retail product returns process context. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a case study research strategy. It draws on a single case, comprised of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and its two retailers. It utilizes an in-depth semi structured interviewing approach, combined with walk-through observations. Findings – The study finds that management of retail product returns can significantly benefit both an OEM and its customers when appropriate SCI enabling practices are deployed. While these practices are similar to those in forward supply chain processes, barriers are driven by the characteristics of product returns processes. Research limitations/implications – The limitations of this study stem primarily from its methodological design. A single case research strategy provides a limited opportunity for external generalization of the research findings. Practical implications – This study illustrates the value of SCI initiatives in product returns processes and informs managers ' decision making in the planning and execution of similar SCI implementations in product returns processes. Originality/value – This research claims to be one of the first works that systematically and empirically explores SCI in reverse supply chain processes, as opposed to forward supply chain processes.