Dan Andersson

Procurement of logistics services—a minutes work or a multi-year project?

The purpose of the article is to describe and compare the purchasing process for advanced versus basic logistics services. Further some specific observations are presented from the procurement of advanced third-party logistics services, with respect to service definitions, providers evaluations and contracts. The purchasing process of logistics services will in the future need to be more differentiated due to current business trends. Hence companies must analyse how these new procurement situations will impact on their purchasing processes in order to understand what new resources, routines and competence they need to have in order to purchase logistics services in an effective way.

Logistics of low cost country sourcing

Increasing globalisation creates new possibilities for sourcing from low cost countries (LCC), but also comes with a range of logistics challenges and issues to be dealt with. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how logistics and its impacts are considered in LCC sourcing decisions. An exploratory multiple case study of industrial product companies engaged in distant LCC sourcing serves as an empirical base. Findings reveal that firms do not explicitly take logistics into account during LCC sourcing decisions. Even if logistics is considered, it is generally in a reactive way and takes a transactional cost focus. Instead, we propose a framework to proactively consider logistics factors in the early stages of LCC sourcing. This is done through identifying product and supplier related logistics factors and their impact on pre-transaction, transaction and post-transaction elements in the Total Cost of Ownership model.

Using a transport portfolio framework to reduce carbon footprint

Purpose: The purpose is to develop a transport portfolio framework (TPF) and explore its use as a decision support tool for shippers wanting to reduce their transport system in terms of reducing their carbon footprint. Design/methodology/approach: The TPF has been designed on the basis relevant theoretical frameworks in logistics and thereafter tested and further developed by the use of empirical data from a case study. Quantitative methods are used to find patterns in the shipment statistics for import flows obtained from a food retailer and carriers. Findings: The TPF highlights different avenues for decreasing the carbon footprint, by identifying the product flow characteristics that might affect modal split and load factor, and it is believed that these can help shippers’ intent on analysing the largest potential for improvement. This potential is estimated based on how the key variables, modal split and load factor, can be improved. Practical implications: Shippers can use the TPF as a decision support tool in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by: structuring complexity, managing data and finding effective solutions. Originality/value: The TPF provides an opportunity to match different approaches for improving the environmental performance with the potential for reducing carbon footprint in shippers’ transportation networks, by taking into account the complexity of logistics network.

Influence of context on the purchasing process for freight transport services

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for analysing the contextual influence on the configuration of purchasing processes for freight transport services. A conceptual model suggests that three contextual dimensions, purchase task, importance, and service type, influence the different stages of the purchasing process. Data from seven case companies are used to explore the links between contextual factors and how the purchasing of freight transport is performed. Eight different types of context, and their implications for the configuration of the purchasing process, are presented. The framework offers guidance on the configuration of the purchasing process in specific contexts, highlighting, for example, that the level of detail of the specification stage can depend on the type of context.

Coordinate to enhance third party logistics relationships

This article emphasises the importance of coordination in Third Party Logistics (TPL) and describes how coordination can be managed. This is inspired by Key Account Management (KAM) literature and supported by empirical evidence. Buyers of TPL services currently perceive KAM as focusing on making sales and on negotiating contracts. This article proposes that KAM may have a material impact on TPL relationships and that this function can be developed further, primarily by having a coordination role. The article contains a coordination model based on both internal and external coordination of activities within a dyad, divided into operational, functional, geographic, and development coordination. The model explains how these types of coordination can integrate functions and contents in different alliance phases to build successful TPL relationships.

Can intentional electrical discharges be used for HPM protection

The possibility to protect electronics against High Power Microwaves (HPM) using an intentional electrical discharge triggered by the HPM pulse has been investigated. The case considered is a resonant slot, located e.g. in an antenna array or in a Frequency Selective Surface (FSS). The reduction of the pulse energy transmitted through the slot is regarded to be the most important parameter of merit. Experimental and theoretical research showed that a spark in the middle of a 46.3 × 0.1 mm resonant slot, induced by the incident HPM-pulse, gave a reduction of the transmitted pulse energy of about 24 dB. The studies showed that the investigated approach can provide a quite good level of protection that at least reduces the requirements on additional protection components such as limiters integrated in receivers located behind the slot. In order to achieve a sufficiently strong enhancement of the electric field to initiate breakdown in wide slots one presumably has to introduce a small pointed gap in the middle of the slot. This may in turn require that a radioactive sample is located close to the gap in order to produce a sufficient number of seed electrons necessary for triggering the discharge.

Supplier risk management in direct sourcing from China

Studies regarding risk management in low cost country (LCC) sourcing are limited considering the dramatic increase in direct sourcing from LCC. The purpose of this paper is to present supplier risk management mechanisms in sourcing directly from China. An in-depth case study serves to identify the perceived risks in sourcing directly from China. This is followed by exploratory studies with nine industrial product companies to study supplier risk management. Identified perceived risks are classified as performance and relational risks managed by trust and control mechanisms. Involving Chinese employees, local presence and constant communication are three interrelated antecedents for managing risks. Prioritised customer, cross-functional team, supplier development and performance feedback are identified as four trust based risk management mechanisms. Performance measurement, clarity of specifications, supplier selection and contractual agreements are the four control based risk management mechanisms. Trust precedes control and determines the effectiveness of control, though both are pursued simultaneously.

Developing Dry Ports Through the Use of Value-Added Services

The growth of containerised sea transport has caused a demand for improved efficiency and increased capacity in the transit through seaports as well as in the transport to and from seaports in the hinterland. To stimulate the development of those seamless intermodal transport chains, the concept of dry ports has been established. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how value-added services can support the transformation of a conventional inland terminal into a dry port and how an existing dry port can be further developed through the use of value-added services. This conceptual paper combines literature from the field of dry ports with literature addressing value-added services, with data obtained through interviews with actors in the transport system. The conclusions indicate that the development of dry ports and their viability may depend on different value-added services being available at the dry port, however only once the infrastructure and basic services are in place. Furthermore, the availability of value-added services may increase the dry port’s attractiveness. This paper provides a platform for further research on the importance of value-added services for dry ports’ development.