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.     

物流网站中的虚假宣传与信号传递

指出部分物流网站存在虚假宣传的基础上，构建了物流服务信号传递分析模型，阐述了量化的服务承诺是有效的信号显示的观点，提出了物流企业服务承诺的制定原则。     

Setting operating policies for supply hubs

This paper deals with the joint management of operations at the supply hub for the customer and the upstream supplier. Different operating conditions are considered, namely, backordering, minimum and maximum specified inventory levels. Some analytical insights on better managing suppliers operating under a vendor managed inventory program are presented. Essentially, we show that the penalty cost imposed on over- and under-stocking, and the min–max policy for hub inventory reside in the power of the hub operator. The relationship between supply hub policy and performance measures is quite complex and non-linear in nature. We suggest a structured hierarchical approach which can help supply hub in achieving balance between various parties involved in chain. A numerical example and an algorithm are included to highlight this result.     

物流企业基于互联网的营销策略探讨

文中从物流企业基于互联网营销的优势入手,从四个方面分析了物流企业基于互联网营销存在的问题;最后从思想上重视网络营销,物流企业营销网站建设策略,物流网站推广策略,利用互联网开展物流合作营销等方面探讨了物流企业基于互联网的营销策略。     

一种城市物流分区配送方法的研究

提出了基于区位理论的城市物流分区配送的数学模型和算法实现方法，实验证明。该方法具有计算效率高，求解精度适中的特点。     

军事物流"E体化"初探

针对现代战争军事物流保障的特点，提出了军事物流“E体化”的概念和理论内涵，探讨了军事物流“E体化”的目标和实现基础。     

从伊拉克战争分析我军物流建设与改革

深入、系统地分析了伊拉克战争中美军物流保障的特点，探讨了其对我军战时物流保障的启示。旨在为我军新时期物流建设与改革提供理论依据，为实现高技术条件下军事物流“保障有力”的总目标进行理论探索。