Colin Bamford

Evaluation of factors for carrier selection in the China Pearl River delta

The efficient integration of logistics modes is critical for international cargo shipping. The local transportation connecting to the export port then plays a vital role in such integration. This paper investigates the problems of carrier selection in the China Pearl River delta area, with respect to international shipping. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model is constructed based on a comprehensive industrial interviews and statistical analysis. Rather than simply ranking the given alternatives, we use AHP is used to analyse the weakness and strength of impacting factors in carrier selection. The model is implemented under different types of shipper. Seven criteria are statistically summarized from the questionnaire for evaluating eight different modes. The results are useful to those liner companies serving the PRD region in relationship to port selection and fleet deployment.

An investigation into hospitality cruise ship work through the exploration of metaphors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate, through metaphor analysis, the complex nature of the work undertaken by waiters and pursers on-board cruise ships. This is an under-researched field and empirical research has produced some interesting perceptions that these groups of workers have of themselves, of others, and of the world in which they work and live. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted over the telephone from a sample of international participants. The data were analysed using a metaphor analysis. Findings – There were three clusters of metaphorical illustration found: metaphors of the ship, metaphors of the environment, and metaphors of their occupation. The metaphors of the environment were split into two sub-clusters. One explored how participants understood the ships space or work setting, and the second identified the strategies used as participants negotiated their way through their working and social lives. The stories collect...

A Study of Market Structure in Liner Shipping Under the Influence of Government Policies

The peculiar operational mode and involvement of international carriers granted liner operators special exemption from Anti-trust regulations globally. The changes of policy from USA and EU in recent years forbidden liner operators to form Liner Conference (LC) which seems to possess oligopoly power in the trade. This paper use the freight rate to verified the change of Government policies cannot stop the liner operators to form in their natural formation - Liner Conference.

Measuring Customer Service Factors as a Preliminary Step in Benchmarking Logistics Performance: A Case Study in the UK Academic Publishing Industry

ABSTRACT Benchmarking is now widely practised for many purposes by many organisations. Within logistics, it has particular importance with respect to monitoring the nature and effectiveness of customer service. The results of an investigation into customer service factors in the academic publishing industry are analysed. The application is particularly interesting due to the character of this industry, which has thousands of products, many different customers and a limited perception of the importance of customer service. The technique of trade-off analysis is used to establish key parameters. From this standpoint, the results have much wider industrial significance and relevance.