Behzad Behdani

How to Handle Disruptions in Supply Chains – An Integrated Framework and a Review of Literature

This paper describes an integrated framework for handling disruptions in supply chains. The integrated framework incorporates two main views on managing disruptions, namely pre- and post-disruption views, which are usually treated as separate issues in existing frameworks described in literature. The proposed integrated framework is used to structure literature review on the supply chain risk and disruption management. The literature review gives an overview of key aspects and specific methods which can be used for each step in the framework. Finally, two main observations in the existing literature on supply chain risk/disruption management are discussed. The first observation is that the literature has not uniformly discussed different parts of the framework. In general, the post-disruption process for managing supply chain disruptions has received relatively less attention than pre-disruption activities. The second observation which can be regarded as a direction for future research is lack of quantitative studies involving modeling and simulation to support the decision makers in better handling supply chain disruption.

Intermodality and Synchromodality

Transport networks have evolved from multimodal networks towards integrated networks allowing for intermodal transport – the carriage of a single load unit by consecutive modes in a transport chain. Synchromodality (or synchronized intermodality) – as the next stage in port/hinterland network development – can be briefly summarized as the vision of a network of well-synchronized and interconnected transport modes, which together cater for the aggregate transport demand and can dynamically adapt to the individual and instantaneous needs of network users. The objective of the chapter is to introduce the idea of Synchromodality. We discuss the current position and evolution of intermodal hinterland transport systems. Next, we describe the main elements of a synchronized intermodal transport system and the innovations that are necessary to arrive at synchromodal transport systems. We further describe the barriers for future development including technological, economical and institutional aspects.

A review and analysis of the investment in, and cost structure of, intermodal rail terminals

ABSTRACT The results presented in this article identify the role of costs in the scientific and grey freight terminal handling literature and analyses the handling costs of different terminal sizes. The literature review shows that handling costs only play a marginal role in the scientific research in intermodal rail freight terminals (IRT). This is remarkable given the large role costs occupy in decision-making in freight transport. Furthermore, the used cost levels show a wide range of proposed amounts and terminal sizes or handling technologies are seldom addressed. Finally, many of the scientific papers do not make it clear whether the average transhipment cost or market price is referred to. Next, the analysis of the investment in, and cost structure of, IRTs shows that IRT investments are very capital-intensive leading to relatively high average costs per handling. However, given the cost characteristics of IRTs, the average cost per handling represents the underlying cost structure and are – in this sense – representative. The cost analysis demonstrates that extra-large IRTs actually have the lowest average handling costs, followed by small IRTs.

The value of information in supply chain decisions: A review of the literature and research agenda

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide a structured overview of the value of information in different supply chain decisions and to identify a research agenda based on the current state of research on the topic. The paper uses the systematic literature review methodology to review journal articles published in the 12-year period from 2006 to 2017. Each selected study is analyzed using a rigorous review framework of four primary dimensions, including “supply chain decisions”, “information”, “modelling approach”, and “context”. The review of articles shows that the current literature is rich in assessing the value of information in inventory decisions, yet insufficient in other supply chain areas such as facility, transportation, sourcing, and pricing. In addition, the value of information is subject to contextual supply chain parameters and varies in accordance with the characteristics of the information (such as accuracy, timeliness, and completeness). Furthermore, the focus of the existing literature is on “information availability” in supply chain decisions, and the impact of important information characteristics on the value of information has not been studied extensively. The research on information timeliness and its influence on supply chain performance is especially limited. Based on the discussion and results of our review, a research agenda is offered and sample research questions are discussed.