Collaborative Planning in Multi-tier Supply Chains Supported by a Negotiation-Based Mechanism and Multi-agent System

Effective business process collaboration between companies operating in a supply chain can bring about important benefits, but several barriers need to be overcome. One important obstacle evidenced by professionals is related to the information and communication technologies used to support such collaboration. Although a supplier and a manufacturer may be willing to establish a closer relationship, a lack of easy-to-operate enterprise applications can thwart their collaborative ambitions. Specific technologies are required for each type of collaborative business process as generic applications do not lend themselves to addressing complex situations. Complexity lies in the need to consider common standards for information and decision exchanges, and for designing and implementing the right information and decision flow among supply chain members to support collaborative processes. This paper focuses on collaboration of demand, production and replenishment planning along a supply chain, and proposes a multi-tier, negotiation-based mechanism supported by a multi-agent system. The research hypothesis is that improvements in the service and profit level of supply chain members, and in the entire supply chain, can be achieved by implementing this form of collaboration. The proposed collaborative planning model was used to address a real automotive supply chain configuration for the purpose of testing its appropriateness and validating its performance.     

A Multiagent Model for Coordinated Distribution Chain Planning

The aim of this article is to show the advantages that the use of a multiagent model can provide in implementing vertical and lateral coordination among the components of a noncentralized distribution chain. This model has been implemented in Java language in order to allow for the development of a Web-based decision support system that can perform the coordination strategies, simulated in this article in a real logistics chain.

This article, after introducing the main concepts related to the adoption of coordination mechanisms within a supply chain, the main issues of agent-oriented technology, and a brief review of the related literature, presents the structure of the proposed model and the static and dynamic behaviors of the decision-making agents. The design issues of specific coordination models, the negotiation mechanisms introduced, and their proper tuning are then discussed. The models have been applied to a real two-level distribution system of an electromechanical company, made up of a supplier and a geographically distributed network of retailers. Experimental results showed the benefits derived from the adoption of coordination-based models, above all in supply contexts, characterized by relevant information sharing among the main tiers of the chain.     

Modeling and Analysis of Reverse Logistics

Many modeling techniques have been developed to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of forward logistics and supply chain management. As this article will illustrate, modeling techniques can be helpful in improving the management of reverse logistics as well. Companies and researchers are just beginning to appreciate the important differences between forward and reverse chains, and there is great opportunity to apply modeling methodologies to managing reverse logistics problems and issues. This article describes how modeling techniques can be utilized to improve reverse logistics processes and aid in solving real‐world reverse logistics problems. We focus on specific reverse logistics processes that firms, which sell products, are likely to address. In fact, the area of reverse logistics has broadened of late to include many activities that were not originally part of simply returning consumer products to a retailer. Herein, we present an overview of opportunities, where improved modeling efforts should be able to provide substantial benefits to supply chain professionals.     

Knowledge Management in Supply Chains: The Role of Explicit and Tacit Knowledge

We theorize, building on the knowledge‐based view and the theoretical distinction between explicit and tacit knowledge, that knowledge management capability across the supply chain manifests itself in explicit and tacit knowledge, which in turn effectuates supply chain performance. The model is tested with survey data from 195 small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises reporting on their primary supply chain. The results indicate that the supply chain's knowledge management capability manifests itself in both explicit and tacit knowledge, with the latter being influenced more strongly. Moreover, it was found that while both explicit and tacit knowledge influence supply chain performance, the latter exerts a significantly greater impact than the former. Exploratory post hoc analyses add robustness to these findings and investigate mechanisms inherent to the transformation of tacit into explicit knowledge. Overall, this research contributes to academic theory development in logistics and supply chain management by the dichotomization of knowledge types and the demonstration of their differential magnitude of effects, and to managerial practice by providing important guidance for logistics managers structuring their knowledge management efforts across supply chains.     

线上线下与物流协同的逻辑推演、影响因素与构建策略

线上线下与物流协同是"新零售"发展的核心。总体看来,我国"新零售"发展已跨越初级阶段向中高级阶段进化,也对线上线下与物流协同提出了新的要求。基于"新零售"发展现实,围绕线上线下与物流协同发展的四个阶段对协同发展进行逻辑推演,结合零售系统、物流支撑、技术应用等多要素探讨协同的影响因素。研究发现,从动态视角来看,电商与物流协同和线上线下融合为线上线下与物流协同奠定基础,而线上线下与物流协同要经历由线状协同向网状(立体)协同进化过程,也预示由初级协同向中高级协同的迈进;线上线下与物流协同主要受底层逻辑(线上线下协同融合程度、零售业网状协同水平)、核心支撑(物流网络建设、物流运营管理水平、物流生态体系协同)、升级保障(数智化技术协同应用、供应链整合与创新)三个方面共七类因素的影响,而不同因素又具有不同的作用方向。基于此,线上线下与物流协同要秉承"四化"理念,即以规模化运营为基础,以创新化模式为引领,以数智化技术为依托,以生态化体系为关键,提升协同服务水平和效率,构筑协同系统。     

The impact of reverse logistics process coordination on third party relationship quality: A moderated mediation model for multichannel retailers in the fashion industry

Multichannel retailing is a widely adopted strategy in the fashion industry. Companies in this industry find it a source of competitive advantage to invest in reverse logistics infrastructure. However, limited empirical studies investigate the enablers of the relationship quality between the retailers and their reverse logistics service providers. This study quantifies the impact of reverse logistics process coordination between retailers and logistics service providers on relationship quality. Moreover, it tests the mediating role of reverse logistics service quality and the moderating role of conflict frequency in this relationship. Data were collected through a survey using a purposive sample of 241 retail store managers from the fashion retail industry of Pakistan. For this purpose, a self-administered questionnaire was developed using a five-point Likert Scale to gauge the responses. Conditional process analysis was used to evaluate the moderated mediation model. The findings showed a significant positive impact of reverse logistics process coordination on the relationship quality with a logistics service provider, a significant positive mediation effect of reverse logistics service quality, and a significant moderation effect of conflict frequency on the indirect relationship. However, conflict frequency, contrary to the hypothesis in the study, strengthened the indirect relationship. Furthermore, the moderation effect of conflict frequency on the direct relationship was insignificant. This study will help managers better understand the best practices leading to effective management of reverse logistics processes, particularly product returns.     

The Retailer's Perspective on the Link Between Logistical Resources and Perceived Customer Loyalty to Manufacturer Brands

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between logistics and brand‐related resources, and assess their impact on the retailer's perceptions of customer loyalty to manufacturer brands. On the basis of theoretical underpinnings of the resource‐based view, this study explores the relationships among four main variables: (1) variety of collaborative logistics technologies shared between retailers and manufacturers, (2) manufacturer's logistics operations quality provided to retailers, (3) retailer's brand differentiation orientation, and (4) retailer's perceptions of customers loyalty to manufacturer brands. An online survey was conducted on 313 senior marketing and supply chain managers from retailer firms. The results of the structural equation analysis support a mediated relationship between logistical resources and perceived loyalty to manufacturer brands. The retailers believe that shared logistics technologies enable manufacturers and retailers to offer higher levels of availability and visibility of preferred brands to their end‐user customers. In turn, the end‐users become more confident with their decisions to repurchase the same brand offerings.     

服务创新驱动下物流服务供应链纵向整合策略——基于链间竞争视角

文章聚焦服务创新驱动下物流服务供应链纵向整合问题,构建两条平行竞争的物流服务供应链模型,基于链间Nash竞争和链内成员Stackelberg博弈,运用逆向推导法和对比分析,深入研究了服务创新驱动下物流服务供应链的纵向整合策略与链间竞争强度对自身链及对手链整体利润的影响。研究结果表明,无论其中一条链选择何种决策,始终存在一个最优的条件,使另一条链采取不整合决策能够最大化自身链利润,同时也提升对手链的利润。同时,当服务创新成本系数较大时,LSSC整合决策与竞争强度无关：当一条链采取整合策略时,无论服务创新成本系数和竞争强度如何,另一条链采取相反决策总是最优策略。     

Technology and Flexibility: Enablers of Collaboration and Time‐Based Logistics Quality

Collaboration has been cited as one of the most important elements in leveraging supply chains to achieve competitive advantage. Literature in the field of collaboration tends to focus on strategic level initiatives; this research examines the benefits of implementing collaborative approaches at the logistics operations level. We find that leading strategic indicators, including technological innovativeness, technological complementarity, and flexibility are positively related to higher levels of collaboration and logistics service quality at the operational level in retail firms.     

纵向溢出效应供应链企业间的协同创新研究

由供应商、制造商和销售商组成的供应链,在具有纵向创新溢出效应的情况下,三方能否协同创新对供应链总收益、创新投入以及产品产量均有影响。研究结果表明,在三方协同创新情形下,供应链总收益、创新投入以及产品产量均大于三方非协同创新的情形。并且纵向溢出效应越大、创新系数越小,供应链总收益、创新投入以及产品产量越大,反之亦然。     

An integrated approach to managing extended supply chain networks

In an effort to improve their competitive position in a rapidly changing marketplace, many companies have replaced their traditional supply chains with extended supply chain networks built on a foundation of supply chain collaboration. These extended networks require the use of decision support tools and technologies to improve both operating efficiencies and customer service, but many companies have struggled to realize the expected benefits of these tools and the increased collaboration. This article recommends that companies adopt an integrated strategy of people, processes, and technology to achieve their competitive supply chain goals. Our recommendation is backed by the results of a survey we conducted of senior-level practitioners concerning the importance and challenges of supply chain collaboration. The article concludes with a set of managerial recommendations to improve a company’s collaborative efforts within its supply chain.     

Supply Chain Collaboration,Integration, and Relational Technology: How Complex Operant Resources Increase Performance Outcomes

How firms coordinate efforts to collectively compete as supply chains is a key concern of supply chain management scholars and practitioners. One avenue, the development of collaborative relational capabilities that support supply chain integration, offers promise. However, the effectiveness of collaboration as a supply chain resource has been questioned due to concerns associated with collaborative technologies, and thus prior research has called for a deeper examination of the role that technologies play in facilitating integration. Employing a Service‐Dominant Logic view of hierarchical resources, grounded in Resource Advantage Theory, this research tests a model subsuming relationships between collaboration, integration, and interfirm coordination technologies, and their associated performance outcomes. A sample of 282 supply chain managers from a variety of industries were surveyed, with proposed relationships examined employing structural equation modeling. Test results indicate that collaboration and integration interact to form higher order resources that collectively influence firm performance outcomes through interfirm coordination technologies.     

供应链协同绩效评价体系实证效应分析

供应链协同是供应链管理崭新和现实的模式,能更为有效地利用和管理资源,提高企业运作绩效.目前我国供应链运营成本偏高,供应链间信任度较低,供应链柔性不高.供应链运行经营中的企业应充分利用现有系统功能,建立以充分利用现有系统功能为目标的业务标准,同时找出供应链支持业务协同的关键管理活动,将其程序化、标准化,以方便各级管理人员进行管理;提高供应链成员之间的信任度,建立供应链成员信用评级体系,每年对供应链成员的信用度进行评价,提高信任水平;鼓励供应链中的各成员企业扩大信息共享的深度与广度,惩罚供应链平台上的虚假信息.供应链协同绩效评价体系主要基于网络环境状态,依据价值网理论,采用崭新的模型方法来研究我国行业范围内的企业供应链协同效应.文章以我国某煤炭企业集团为研究样本进行供应链协同绩效评价.结果表明,绩效评价结果与供应链中企业的实际经营情况相符,该评价指标体系具有可行性,模糊综合评价方法也具有可操作性.     

不对称信息下的物流服务供应链质量监督

不对称信息下物流服务供应链质量监督是物流服务供应链的重点研究内容之一。考虑一个物流服务提供商和集成商的供应链结构,在对称信息下质量监督基本模型的基础上,建立了不对称信息下Bayes-Nash均衡模型并给出了均衡解,模型进一步考虑了引入物流服务集成商本身受到惩罚因素及提供商之间竞争因素对质量监督的影响,分别得出了新的Bayes-Nash均衡解。此外,对比了引入这两种因素前后提供商和集成商质量决策的变化并给出了提高物流服务供应链质量水平的措施。     

全渠道模式下农产品供应链整合的理论框架与保障机制

全渠道模式下农产品供应链整合本质上体现为以全渠道营销逆向驱动农产品供应链整合的过程。推进全渠道模式下农产品供应链整合，一方面应结合全渠道模式发展对供应链的影响，并针对全渠道模式下农产品供应链整合的运作特点，从组织层面、资源层面、信息层面对农产品供应链进行深度变革与重构,推动形成以消费需求为核心、以全渠道能力为支撑、以信息技术为手段的农产品全渠道供应链网络和生态系统。另一方面，还必须建立一套以需求分析与反馈 机制、物流配送与追溯机制、信息共享与管理机制、利益协调与分配机制为核心的运营保障机制，以确保农产品供应链整合活动的有效进行。     

基于复杂方法的食品冷链物流技术植入研究

如何有效地把各种食品冷链物流技术恰当运用到各类食品物流体系中,使食品物流体系形成统一化管理模式,成为当前食品管理中亟待解决的问题。文章以流程分析为核心,采用价值—过程—技术系统集成设计方法定位冷链价值,构建价值、过程、技术各级层次结构模型,加强技术、流程与价值的对应,同时生成冷链价值系统模型、冷链流程系统模型和冷链物流技术系统模型。并采用模糊0-1规划分析法进行验证,最终确定物流技术植入方案。整个食品冷链物流技术植入过程结合实证研究对象,整体采用多种方法集成设计的思想,使冷链物流技术植入过程更加具有科学性和实用价值。     

两级物流服务商参与的供应链最优决策与利益分配研究——基于多种合作模式视角

在两级物流服务商参与的供应链系统中存在一条由制造商与零售商构成的产品供应链（PSC）和另一条由物流服务集成商和物流服务提供商构成的物流服务供应链（LSSC）。通过分析两方合作、多方合作等不同决策模式下的博弈情形，得出在两方合作决策模式下，对于LSSC来讲，集中决策属于占优战略，而当物流服务水平敏感系数与零售价格敏感系数满足一定条件时，PSC会选择集中决策；系统集中决策模式、三方合作决策模式、两方合作决策模式下的系统总利润、物流服务水平和产品销量依次递减；采用Nash谈判模型及最小核心法设计了不同合作模式下的供应链利益分配机制，实现供应链协调；最后，通过数值分析验证了相关命题的研究结论和利益分配机制的有效性，并在此基础上提出了未来可深入研究的领域与方向。     

AN EXAMINATION OF REVERSE LOGISTICS PRACTICES

Managing reverse logistics is becoming an important element of supply chain management and, in some cases, a profit generating function. In this paper, reverse logistics activities and key reverse logistics management methodologies are discussed, as well as their benefits and the barriers to successful implementation. Economic and supply chain issues related to reverse logistics are examined, and a working definition of reverse logistics is developed.     

采购商选择运用电子反向拍卖影响因素分析

反拍卖电子采购在电子商务环境下有着突出的优势,它符合企业原有的供应链管理方式,不仅使企业供应链中的财务、技术、物流、客户关系等环节不被变动和破坏,而且使企业供应管理人员容易接受这一新技术。本文从采购商的角度出发,分析电子反向拍卖对其产生的影响,通过建立采购商选择运用反拍卖的影响因素模型,提出采购商运用电子反向拍卖的建议和策略,以期对电子反向拍卖的健康发展提供借鉴和参考。     

药品流通企业的物流模式研究

药品物流是指药品从供应地到接收地的实体移动过程,是药品供应链的重要组成部分。本文在界定药品物流系统的基础上,概括分析了我国药品流通企业的商业模式,并分析了其物流运作模式的现状与问题,提出了基于第三方物流和电子商务的药品流通企业的物流模式,该模式在郑州九瑞药业股份有限公司的实践中得到了很好的应用。