Logistics Network Design with Differentiated Delivery Lead-Time: Benefits and Insights

Most logistics network design models assume exogenous customer demand that is independent of the service time or level. This paper examines the benefits of segmenting demand according to lead-time sensitivity of customers. To capture lead-time sensitivity in the network design model, we use a facility grouping method to ensure that the different demand classes are satisfied on time. In addition, we perform a series of computational experiments to develop a set of managerial insights for the network design decision making process.

Green logistics: key elements for a well-functioning sustainable logistics system

A growing awareness of the modern society about the direct relationship between a growing global community with increasing total industrial activities on one hand and various environmental problems and a natural limitation of natural resources on the other hand set the base for sustainable or “green” approaches within the supply chain. This paper therefore will look at the issue of “Green Logistics” which seeks to reduce the environmental impact of logistics activities by taking into account functions such as recycling, waste and carbon emission reduction and the use of alternative sources of energy. In order to analyze how these approaches and ideas are being perceived by the system as a whole two models from the area of prospective and scenario planning are being used and described to identify the main drivers and tendencies within the system in order to create feasible hypothesis. Using the URCA/CHIVAS model allows us to identify the driver variables out of a high number of variables that best describe the system “Green Logistics”. Followed by the analysis of the actor’s strategies in the system with the Mactor model it is possible to reduce the complexity of a completely holistic system to a few key drivers that can be analyzed further on. Here the implications of URCA/CHIVAS and Mactor are being used to formulate hypotheses about the perception of Green Logistics and its successful implementation among logistics decision makers by an online survey. This research seeks to demonstrate the usefulness of scenario planning to a highly complex system observing it from all angles and extracting information about the relevant factors of it. The results of this demonstration indicate that there are drivers much beyond the factory walls that need to be considered when implementing successfully a system such as Green Logistics.

An emergy-based evaluation of a reverse logistics network for steel recycling

Efficient implementation of recycling networks requires appropriate logistical structures for managing the reverse flow of materials from users to producers. The steel sheet distributor studied had established a protocol for scrap recovery with the steel plant and its customers. The company invested in producing containers, hiring a specialized labor force and in purchasing trucks for container transportation to implement the logistics network for recycling. That network interconnected the company with two kinds of customers: the ones returning scrap and the ones who preferred to continue business-as-usual. The logistical network was analyzed using emergy synthesis, and the data obtained were used to evaluate and compare the system's environmental costs and benefits from the perspective of the distributor and the steel plant operator. The use of emergy ternary diagrams provided a way to assess recycle strategies to compare the relative economic and environmental benefits of the logistical network implemented. The minimum quantity of scrap that the distributor must recover to improve environmental benefits was determined allowing decision on whether it is worth keeping the system running. The new assessment method proposed also may help policy-makers to create strategies to reward or incentive users of reverse logistics, and help to establish regulations, by decreasing taxes or stimulating innovation, for effectively implement the National Policy on Solid Waste. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integration of Social Concerns in Collaborative Logistics and Transportation Networks

Part 21: Mobility and Logistics

Forward - Green Virtual Enterprises and Their Breeding Environments: Sustainable Manufacturing, Logistics and Consumption

Part 9: Innovation Networks

Investigating strategies and indicators for sustainable campus: Comparison and synergies between University of Bologna and Delft University of Technology

Sustainable development is one of the biggest challenges of the twenty fist-century. Various university has begun the debate about the content of this concept and the ways in which to integrate it into their policy, organization and activities. Universities have a special responsibility to take over a leading position by demonstrating best practices that sustain and educate a sustainable society. For that reason universities have the opportunity to create the culture of sustainability for today’s student, and to set their expectations for how the world should be. This thesis aim at analyzing how Delft University of Technology and University of Bologna face the challenge of becoming a sustainable campus. In this context, both universities have been studied and analyzed following the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) methodology that provides a common framework to formalize commitments and goals at campus level. In particular this work has been aimed to highlight which key performance indicators are essential to reach sustainability as a consequence the following aspects has been taken into consideration: energy use, water use, solid waste and recycling, carbon emission. Subsequently, in order to provide a better understanding of the current state of sustainability on University of Bologna and Delft University of Technology, and potential strategies to achieve the stated objective, a SWOT Analysis has been undertaken. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats have been shown to understand how the two universities can implement a synergy to improve each other. In the direction of framing a “Sustainable SWOT” has been considered the model proposed by People and Planet, so it has been necessary to evaluate important matters as for instance policy, investment, management, education and engagement. Regarding this, it has been fundamental to involve the main sustainability coordinators of the two universities, this has been achieved through a brainstorming session. Partnerships are key to the achievement of sustainability. The creation of a bridge between two universities aims to join forces and to create a new generation of talent. As a result, people can become able to support universities in the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices for achieving sustainable campus operations and integrating sustainability in research and teaching. For this purpose the project "SUCCESS" has been presented, the project aims to create an interactive European campus network that can be considered a strategic key player for sustainable campus innovation in Europe. Specifically, the main key performance indicators have been analyzed and the importance they have for the two universities and their strategic impact have been highlighted. For this reason, a survey was conducted with people who play crucial roles for sustainability within the two universities and they were asked to evaluate the KPIs of the project. This assessment has been relevant because has represented the foundation to develop a strategy to create a true collaboration.

A life cycle framework for governance of Intermodal terminals; planning, operations and strategic management.

This chapter establishes a framework for the governance of intermodal terminals throughout their life cycle, based on the product life cycle. The framework covers the initial planning by the public sector, the public/private split in funding and ownership, the selection of an operator, ensuring fair access to all users, and finally reconcessioning the terminal to a new operator, managing the handover and maintaining the terminal throughout its life cycle. This last point is especially important as industry conditions change and the terminal's role in the transport network comes under threat, either by a lack of demand or by increased demand requiring expansion, redesign and reinvestment. Each stage of the life cycle framework is operationalised based on empirical examples drawn from research by the authors on intermodal terminal planning and funding, the tender process and concession and operation contracts. In future the framework can be applied in additional international contexts to form a basis for transport cost analysis, logistics planning and government policy.

Designing for engagement towards healthier lifestyles through food image sharing : the case of I8DAT

This paper introduces the underlying design concepts of I8DAT, a food image sharing application that has been developed as part of a three-year research project – Eat, Cook, Grow: Ubiquitous Technology for Sustainable Food Culture in the City (http://www.urbaninformatics .net/projects/food) – exploring urban food practices to engage people in healthier, more environmentally and socially sustainable eating, cooking, and growing food in their everyday lives. The key aim of the project is to produce actionable knowledge, which is then applied to create and test several accessible, user-centred interactive design solutions that motivate user-engagement through playful and social means rather than authoritative information distribution. Through the design and implementation processes we envisage to integrate these design interventions to create a sustainable food network that is both technical and socio-cultural in nature (technosocial). Our primary research locale is Brisbane, Australia, with additional work carried out in three reference cities with divergent geographic, socio-cultural, and technological backgrounds: Seoul, South Korea, for its global leadership in ubiquitous technology, broadband access, and high population density; Lincoln, UK, for the regional and peri-urban dimension it provides, and Portland, Oregon, US, for its international standing as a hub of the sustainable food movement.

The complex urban freight puzzle

This issue of the FAL Bulletin shows why urban logistics is a relevant topic in the discussion of urbanization and provides arguments why the last-mile should be included in policies on sustainable mobility in the region. It also delivers insights and arguments how a modern perception of the cargo bike and its inclusion in sustainable logistics policy can deliver towards more sustainable urban logistics development.

Melhoria do nível de serviço no atendimento ao cliente por meio da estrutura direta de distribuição Transit Point

Increasingly competitive markets have driven the search for companies in many different ways to win and keep customers. The service level is basically the performance of companies in fulfilling the orders made, or how companies demonstrate to their clients efforts in their behalf. This work aims to solve the difficulties faced by a multinational company present in Brazil, in the distribution of its products in the category Ice Cream in order to improve the service level of their customers. Review the logistics network and concepts related to the distribution system of products is one of several ways to achieve this goal, as well as the use of IT and tools to assist in planning and programming of the physical distribution of products. In this study we used the concept of direct distribution system called Transit Point (TP). The TP provides at the same time, a strategy of rapid response, flexibility, low transportation costs and no inventory. A router - software capable of simulating the actual conditions experienced in the daily distribution - was used to assist in calculations. Results showed reductions of up to 47.5% in transportation costs and better conditions were provided in the distribution of products, positively impacting on service levels and in the maintenance of products quality, with a reduction of 1.6% of the total costs involve

Konzeption eines proaktiven Risikomanagements in Logistiknetzwerken

Logistiknetzwerke von Unternehmen wachsen sehr schnell und werden immer komplexer. Unternehmen wissen oft nicht, von welchen anderen Unternehmen sie abhängig sind und welche geschäftskritischen Risiken sich daraus für sie ergeben. Aus diesem Grund wird in diesem Artikel ein Konzept eines proaktiven Ri-sikomanagements in Logistiknetzwerken vorgestellt. Das Konzept basiert auf der Big Data Technologie und verwendet zur Identifikation von Risiken und zum Aufbau eines Logistiknetzwerkes neben internen Unternehmensdaten auch externe Daten, z. B. Social Media Plattformen oder andere Datenportale. Diese Daten werden ausgewertet und mit Risiken behaftete Beziehungen werden dem Bediener grafisch angezeigt. Zusätzlich dazu kann das System dem Benutzer mögliche Alternativen zur Vermeidung dieser Risiken aufzeigen und somit zur Entscheidungsunterstützung genutzt werden.

A location model proposal for collecting used portable batteries in Spain

The main objective of this paper is to propose a model for helping logistics managers to choose the appropriate location points in order to situate the collection points for used portable batteries. The proposed model has two parts: a static part and a dynamic part. We can conclude that this model helps managers in the decision of locating/modifying collection points in two ways: to add new collection points to a reverse logistics network that needs more points or to delete collection points from a network that has more points than those recommended.

A szénlábnyom mérése – Fókuszban a közúti áruszállítás és raktározás (Measurement the carbon footprint – focus on road transport and warehousing)

Mai világunkban egyre több olyan erőforrást élünk fel, amelyek hatását az otthonunknak számító Föld egyszerűen már nem képes helyreállítani. Ebben számos jelenség mellett a gazdaság globalizációja, az élesedő versenyhelyzet, a fogyasztói társadalom további térnyerése, ebből adódóan pedig a logisztikai folyamatok intenzitásának növekedése kulcsszerepet játszik. A logisztikát érő kritikáknak ösztönözniük kell a vállalatok szakembereit arra, hogy változtassanak ezen. Ehhez elengedhetetlen a jelenlegi működés szénlábnyomának mérése. Csak a jelenállapot felmérése szolgálhat alapjául a fejlesztéseknek. A szerzők tanulmányának célja a szénlábnyomszámítás egy gyakorlati alkalmazásának ismertetése. Esettanulmány jelleggel bemutatják egy nagy nemzetközi vállalat hazai leányvállalatának a szénlábnyom-számítása során alkalmazott módszertanát. A számítások során a vállalat disztribúciós logisztikai folyamataira fókuszálnak, kiemelten vizsgálták a közúti szállítás és a raktározás széndioxid-kibocsátását. Számításaikban igyekeztek pontosak lenni, a hazai energiamixre számolt legfrissebb konverziós faktorokkal számoltak. Meggyőződésük, hogy az ilyen esettanulmányok hasznosak, hiszen a bemutatott módszertan mintául, útmutatásul szolgálhat további vállalatok számára. Reményeik szerint ezzel segíthetik, hogy minél több hazai vállalat kezdje el széndioxid-kibocsátásának szisztematikus és tudományos alapokon nyugvó mérését. ____ Due to globalization, intense competition and the consumer society logistics processes have been intensified during the last decades. This led to increased environmental strain generating intense criticism towards logistics profession. In order to decrease the environmental burden of logistics several professionals and companies have tried to make progress in this field and introduced techniques that are capable to measure the Carbon Footprint of logistics. Still public case studies are very limited. The paper presents the case of the Hungarian subsidiary of a big multinational FMCG firm. Calculations are built on the actual conversion factor developed for the Hungarian energy mix. A complex set of key performance indi actors usable to capture key characteristics of the present situation is presented. Not only the constructs of these KPIs are described in the paper but a detailed description of methodology used to calculate them is also given. The authors hope such detailed case study description will help other companies as well to initiate sustainable logistics programs.