LOGISTICS SALIENCE IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

The primary purpose of this paper was to empirically explore some of the reasons that logistics has become more important, or salient, in comparison to other functions within the firm. A survey of 296 managers across multiple industries in the U.S. found logistics becomes more important within the firm when the industry increases in uncertainty, when there is an emphasis on time‐based competition, when there is greater adoption of information technology, and when there is an emphasis on cross‐functional integration.     

STRATEGIC ORIENTATION,CAPABILITIES, AND PERFORMANCE IN MANUFACTURER — 3PL RELATIONSHIPS

This study examines how two dimensions of strategic orientation (customer and competitor orientation) influence logistics and market performance. Two capabilities, operational flexibility and collaboration, are studied. Data were collected from manufacturers working with third party logistics providers. The findings suggest that customer and competitor orientations have different influences upon performance when leveraged through the capabilities. Competitor orientation, while having a detrimental direct effect on logistics performance, appears to be the better strategic approach, when supported with operational flexibility since it results in enhanced logistics (efficiency) and market (effectiveness) performance. Customer orientation, on the other hand, greatly improves logistics performance, i.e., internal efficiency.     

CATALOG RETAILER IN‐STOCK PERFORMANCE: AN ASSESSMENT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE LEVELS

The purpose of this article is to study the level of “in‐stock” customer service performance being offered in the catalog channel of distribution. The article provides benchmark information for the catalog industry. More importantly, the article serves as one test of the effectiveness of the modern supply chain, where the expectation is for near perfect orders. Customer service levels are studied by using an empirical observation methodology in which catalog retailer's in‐stock performance was measured. Comparisons are made across item type, season, retailer type, and days from catalog receipt. Overall, items were out‐of‐stock during 15.9% of all checkpoints, compared to an 11.8% stock‐out rate in an earlier study of bricks and mortar retailers.     

BUILDING CARS TO CUSTOMER ORDER — WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR INBOUND LOGISTICS OPERATIONS?

The automotive industry is undergoing a strategic transition. Cost pressure from rising stock levels in the market and increasing incentives needed to sell these vehicles are forcing vehicle manufacturers to rethink their prevalent “stock‐push” approach, building vehicles against a forecast and selling from stock, in favor of a stock‐less “build‐to‐order” order fulfillment strategy. More responsive order fulfillment at the vehicle manufacturer level however will not only require flexible and responsive component supply, but will also have wide ramifications for the logistics operations. Based on three case studies of major inbound logistics operations, this exploratory study assesses their ability to support such a build‐to‐order approach, as well as the potential implications of such transition. The paper concludes with a set of general strategies for how these implications could be mitigated.     

基于物流视角的北宋粮食纲运分析

基于物流系统要素理论,从一般要素、功能要素、支持要素和物质基础要素四个方面分析了北宋粮食纲运系统,从纲制编排与纲运限程、纲运管押与催检、行运秩序与安全保障三个方面描述了北宋粮食纲运的管理过程,纲运过程存在着诸如纲物丢失、损坏、延期运抵等问题,造成这些问题的主要原因是在押纲、催检和起卸三个环节上的官吏腐败。     

基于主成分分析法的城市物流战略定位研究

为使城市物流的发展在区域物流规划定位中更加科学与客观,在分析区域物流定位影响因素的基础上,提出主成分分析方法的区域物流定位数学模型,并对模型进行了实证分析。在进行城市物流战略定位时,根据主成分分析的降维思想可以把较多的评价指标转化为几个综合指标,从而确定出最有利于物流发展的城市,为科学决策提供参考。     

铁路物流园区相关特性的研究

通过对物流园区概念和模式的论述,分析了铁路物流园区的特点和分类,并结合我国既有铁路物流园区存在的缺乏规划和定位不准等问题,对铁路物流园区建设规划和运作方法进行了探讨,提出确保铁路物流园区健康发展的建议。     

基于城市公交系统的 B2C电子商务物流配送解决方案

随着电子商务的发展，电子商务中的物流管理越来越受到商家的重视。本文结合现阶段中国物流配送行业的状况和城市公交系统的特点，提出了基于城市公交系统的服务于B2C电子商务的第三方物流配送的解决方案。并对该模式下的工作流程、关键问题和该方案的可行性进行了分析。     

我国第三方物流发展现状及趋势分析

当前全球经济一体化、竞争日益激烈,物流外包的优势非常明显。为满足工商企业日益增长的物流需求,第三方物流企业因此诞生,并迅速成为了一种潮流和趋势。"第三方物流"在国外已经有几百年的历史,而在中国仍属于新型产业,其前景与市场价值可期。     

论政府对现代物流发展的干预

在指出我国现代物流发展中存在政府职能缺失问题的基础上,结合西方国家政府干预现代物流发展的经验,提出了我国现代物流的发展在建立中国特色的物流管理体制;制定现代物流总体发展规划;营造有利于物流业发展的环境;发挥物流协会等中介组织的作用;推动我国物流业的信息化和标准化等方面需要政府适度有效的干预。