Alexander Trautrims

Using the ‘Documentary Method’ to Analyse Qualitative Data in Logistics Research

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the use of a qualitative data analysis technique, the documentary method, in the development of knowledge in logistics. The value of the method is illustrated through an example of its application in a study of in‐store logistics processes at six leading European retail stores.Design/methodology/approach – Extant literature is outlined regarding philosophical underpinnings of the documentary method and is followed by an explanation of the method and its application. Finally, an illustration is provided of its adaptation and use in a logistics research project.Findings – Drawing on a social constructionist approach, the documentary method can add to the development of logistics research by providing rich descriptions of actual practice, problems and issues in logistic processes – compared with the stated goals of such processes.Research limitations/implications – The documentary method is not suitable for all areas of logistics research and will need certain adaptations...

Modern slavery challenges to supply chain management

Purpose – This paper aims to draw attention to the challenges modern slavery poses to supply chain management. Although many international supply chains are (most often unknowingly) connected to slave labour activities, supply chain managers and researchers have so far neglected the issue. This will most likely change as soon as civil society lobbying and new legislation impose increasing litigation and reputational risks on companies operating international supply chains. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a definition of slavery; explores potentials for knowledge exchange with other disciplines; discusses management tools for detecting slavery, as well as suitable company responses after its detection; and outlines avenues for future research. Findings – Due to a lack of effective indicators, new tools and indicator systems need to be developed that consider the specific social, cultural and geographical context of supply regions. After detection of slavery, multi-stakeholder partnerships, community-centred approaches and supplier development appear to be effective responses. Research limitations/implications – New theory development in supply chain management (SCM) is urgently needed to facilitate the understanding, avoidance and elimination of slavery in supply chains. As a starting point for future research, the challenges of slavery to SCM are conceptualised, focussing on capabilities and specific institutional context. Practical implications – The paper provides a starting point for the development of practices and tools for identifying and removing slave labour from supply chains. Originality/value – Although representing a substantial threat to current supply chain models, slavery has so far not been addressed in SCM research.

From bricks-and-mortar to bricks-and-clicks: logistics networks in omni-channel grocery retailing

Purpose The advent of grocery sales through online channels necessitates that bricks-and-mortar retailers redefine their logistics networks if they want to compete online. Because the general understanding of such bricks-and-clicks logistics systems for grocery is still limited, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the internal logistics networks used to serve customers across channels by means of an exploratory study with retailers from different contexts. Design/methodology/approach A total of 12 case companies from six European countries participated in this exploratory study. Face-to-face interviews with managers were the primary source for data collection. The heterogeneity of the sample enabled the authors to build a typology of logistics networks in grocery retailing on multiple channels and to understand the advantages of different warehousing, picking, internal transportation and last-mile delivery systems. Findings Bricks-and-mortar grocery retailers are leveraging their existing logistics structures to fulfill online orders. Logistics networks are mostly determined by the question of where to split case packs into customer units. In non-food logistics, channel integration is mostly seen as beneficial, but in grocery retailing, this depends heavily on product, market and retailer specifics. The data from the heterogeneous sample reveal six distinct types for cross-channel order fulfillment. Practical implications The qualitative analysis of different design options can serve as a decision support for retailers developing logistics networks to serve customers across channels. Originality/value The paper shows the internal and external factors that drive the decision-making for omni-channel (OC) logistics networks for previously store-based grocery retailers. Thereby, it makes a step toward building a contingency and configuration theory of retail networks design. It discusses in particular the differences between grocery and non-food OC retailing, last-mile delivery systems and market characteristics in the decision-making of retail networks design.

Preparing business students for workplace reality--using global virtual teams in logistics and SCM education

Purpose: This paper presents and examines the use and effects of global virtual teams as a tool in the logistics and supply chain management classroom to prepare students in a simulation environment for the demands of their future careers in the profession. Design/methodology/approach: Literature of logistics and supply chain management education is combined with streams from management learning literature. The way the tool of global virtual teams was applied is explained, followed by an analysis of quantitative and qualitative participant response data. From the data analysis the effects of individual factors in the design and application of the global virtual team are isolated and recommendations are extracted for future use of the tool. Findings: The paper finds that the application of global virtual teams helped participating students to develop the management skills required for a career in logistics and supply chain management. Although students perceived the international nature and the lose frame provided by the tool as challenges, most learning effects were caused by these challenges. The paper also shows that the set up by the involved educators is crucial for the learning effect in particular towards similar weights of the assessments and the number of group members from each geographical area. Research limitations/implications: The paper does not examine all potentially amendable factors but focusses on those that were seen as relevant and practically achievable under the available resources to ensure the tool can be easily scaled up by adding further institutions and participants. Originality/value: The paper is the first application of global virtual teams in logistics and supply chain management education. It provides the theoretical foundations and rationale for its application and is relevant to educators by giving them access to this tool for improvement of their students’ career preparedness.

The Interaction of Human Resources and Managerial Systems as they Affect In-Store Replenishment Operations

This article reports on an exploratory study of in-store logistics processes at retail stores, focusing on the factors that influence interactions between store employees and managerial systems involved in in-store replenishment tasks and store-level operations. The study used a multiple case study approach and collected data through thirty semi-structured interviews at six European retailers with employees across three hierarchical levels: shop floor, store management, and headquarters. The study identified demand, supply, and environment and structural factors as the primary factors affecting human and managerial systems interactions in replenishment tasks operations of ordering, data, shelf fulfillment, and inventory. Although this study was exploratory it nevertheless identified important human resource factors affecting instore logistics tasks and operations, and it provides suggestions for analysing and designing these operations bearing in mind the human resource element.

Agent based modelling as a decision support system for shadow accounting

We propose the use of agent based modelling to create a shadow account, that is, a secondary account of a business which is used to audit or verify the primary account. Such a model could be used to test the claims of industries and businesses. For example, the model could determine whether a business is generating enough funds to pay minimum wage. Parameters in the model can be set by observation or a range of values can be tested to determine points at which enough revenue could be generated. We illustrate the potential of agent based modelling as a tool for shadow accounting with a case study of a car wash business. Decision support systems evaluate corporate sustainability accounting and action.Agent based models (ABMs) strengthen the capacity of shadow accounting.ABMs mitigate the currently patchy and unsystematic nature of shadow accounting.ABMs may help breaking up corporate predominance in the business-society arena.We illustrate our approach through the model of a manual car wash business.